• Hebrews 1:1-14
• Hebrews 1:1 – We assume that Paul is the writer, but do not know for sure.
  • I Corinthians 2:10-13 – Whoever the physical writer was, the Holy Spirit was the author. He inspired the actual words.
• Overview of the book
• Hebrews 1:2 – God spoke to us through Jesus. See Matthew 17:5. Jesus had authority to speak God’s will, superseding Moses and the other prophets who had come before.
  • Jesus was the active agent in creation. John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17

• II Timothy 1:3-13
• II Timothy 1:9 – See Ephesians 1:1-9; Titus 1:1-3. God planned for our salvation from the beginning. It’s not that we are saving ourselves. We are taking advantage of the blessings God has given us through his plan for our salvation.

• Acts 6-7
• He was ready to serve!
  • Acts 6:3; 21:13 – Paul was ready to serve just like Stephen.
  • II Corinthians 9:2 – The Corinthians were ready to serve!
  • II Timothy 4:2 – Be ready in season and out of season.
  • Luke 22:61 + Acts 5:29 – Peter thought he was ready at Jesus’ crucifixion, but wasn’t really ready until later.
  • Titus 3:1 – Be ready for every good deed.
  • I Timothy 6:18 + Ephesians 4:28 – Be ready to share with others.
  • I Peter 3:15 + Hebrews 5:12-14 – Be ready to make a defense for your faith.
• He was willing to serve
  • Acts 6:8-10; 7:1-2,51-60 – Stephen was willing to serve even to death.
  • Luke 22:33
  • II Corinthians 8:11; 9:2-5 – Don’t just be ready – be willing to follow through.
  • I Timothy 3:1 – To be an elder, a man must be ready and willing.
  • James 1:22 – It is not enough to just continually prepare to serve God but never actually get out and do the work.

• Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14
• Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 – Be generous with what you have – it may come back to you one day.
• Ecclesiastes 11:4 – Do not shy away from your work just because of the risks.
• Ecclesiastes 11:5 – The ways of God are far beyond our understanding.
• Ecclesiastes 11:6 – Work when you can! You never know if it will be prosperous or not.
• Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 – This is a parable about the perils of old age. The human body weakens and fails and eventually returns to dust.
• Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – This is the meaning of life! Fear God and keep His commandments.

[Sorry, no audio available for this lesson. -MRW]

• I Timothy 6:6 – II Timothy 1:1-3
• I Timothy 6:10-16 – Don’t let anything come between you and serving God. Fight the good fight of faith!
• II Timothy 1:3 – Paul served with a clear conscience because he was forgiven of his former sins.