-- / --
  • Hebrews 3:12-4:11
  • Act on God’s word
    • The Israelites didn’t act on their faith when it counted.
    • Hebrews 4:2 - The Israelites did not act on the preaching they heard.
    • Hebrews 4:6-7 - Hearing preaching is not enough if you are disobedient.
    • Numbers 14:6-10 - Caleb and Joshua show confidence that they can take the land.
    • I Corinthians 5:4-5
  • Encourage others to live by faith
    • Numbers 13:27-14:4 - the power of discouragement
    • Hebrews 3:12-13 - We are to encourage each other every day.
    • We must be careful what kind of attitude and vibe we exhibit.
    • We have to think about the power our example has on our own family. I Peter 3:1
    • I Thessalonians 2:11-12
  • Look past the struggle to the rest
    • Hebrews 3:14-15
    • Hebrews 4:7

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.


-- / --
  • Possibilities:
    • Heaven itself
    • That which emanates from heaven
    • The highest in a particular thing
  • Ephesians 6:10-12 - This passage is talking about the rulers of this world. “Heavenly places” here refers to the highest leaders of the land.
  • Ephesians 3:7-11 - This passage discusses Paul’s work in taking the gospel to the Jews, Gentiles, and highest leaders of the time. He was not preaching to celestial beings. “Heavenly places” are the highest of the leaders.
  • Ephesians 2:4-7 - Jesus raised us up so that we could sit in the highest seat as Christians. If we do not behave according to the dignity of the seat we occupy, we bring shame upon Christ. The highest seat we can occupy on earth in God’s eyes is that of a Christian.
  • Ephesians 1:19-21 - “Heavenly places” is referring to the highest place that Christ can sit at the throne of God.
  • Ephesians 1:1-4 - “Heavenly places” refers to the highest blessings we can enjoy.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.


-- / --
  • The local church is independent. It is not dependent on other local churches.
  • Definitions
    • Basic needs: that necessary for self-functioning, preservation
    • Total capacity: all the unit can do
    • Abundance: that by which total capacity exceeds basic needs
    • Want: that by which basic needs exceeds total capacity
  • Acts 11:27-30 - Relief sent from the brethren in Antioch to the elders in Judea.
  • I Corinthians 16:1-2 - Churches with abundance sent contributions to churches with needy members. The contributions were sent to the church and not directly to the individual.
  • Philippians 4:15-16 - In evangelism, contributions were sent directly from churches to an individual preacher.
  • Nowhere in the Bible is it authorized for one church with abundance to send to another church with abundance.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.


Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListon on Stitcher

© 2026, Mark Watson

Powered by Gatsby