Tag Archives: Christ

Lamb Of God (1)

1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God.’”First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:1-10

Hebrews 10 serves as a contrast between the Mosaic Covenant lambs and the Christ, the New Covenant Lamb of God. Three points about the earthly lambs are made in these verses:

** Earthly Lambs Had To Be Offered Continually (1-3)

**Earthly Lambs Could Never Take Away Sin (4-7)

**Earthly Lambs Needed To Be Spotless (Exodus 12:5)

We will examine Christ’s role as the Lamb of God next week. Blessings upon you all!

Tony French

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Adversary

8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 

1 Peter 5:8-9

The Destroyer’s Strategy

Satan’s methods haven’t changed much over the millennia. Like a serpent that can slip through the smallest crack in a foundation, he looks for any opening to bring destruction into our lives. He doesn’t always announce himself with dramatic possession or obvious evil. Sometimes his work is far more subtle.

Consider the small compromises we make. The “harmless” entertainment we consume. The spiritual practices we dabble in without considering their source. The anger we nurse. The bitterness we cultivate. The lies we tell ourselves.

Peter warned that our adversary prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Lions are patient hunters. They watch. They wait. They look for the weak, the isolated, the vulnerable.

Be on your guard, Christian!

Tony French

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The Greater Power

26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

Luke 8:26-29

The Greater Power: Finding Freedom from Destruction

In the quiet hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee, an extraordinary encounter took place that would forever change one man’s life—and teach us profound truths about the spiritual battle we all face.

Imagine a man so tormented, so completely overtaken by darkness, that he lived among the tombs rather than among the living. He wore no clothes. Chains couldn’t hold him. Society had given up on him. His family could only watch in horror as the person they once knew became unrecognizable.

This wasn’t just a story from ancient times—it’s a vivid picture of what destruction looks like when evil is given free reign in a life.

The account from Luke chapter 8 presents us with a sobering reality: there is a very real enemy who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. This isn’t a comfortable truth. We live in an age that either dismisses spiritual warfare entirely or becomes unhealthily obsessed with it. But the Scripture presents a balanced view—one that acknowledges the reality of evil while proclaiming the supremacy of Christ.

Tony French

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New Covenant

11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than hese. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Hebrews 9:11-28

The New Covenant of Christ is….

**A Cleansing Covenant

**An Eternal Covenant

**Through The Cross of Christ

**Dependent On Christ’s Work

**Fully Realized In Heaven

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins. And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains!

Tony French

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The Power Of Deliverance

26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

Luke 8:26-29

The Greater Power

In the quiet hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee, an extraordinary encounter took place that would forever change one man’s life—and teach us profound truths about the spiritual battle we all face.

Imagine a man so tormented, so completely overtaken by darkness, that he lived among the tombs rather than among the living. He wore no clothes. Chains couldn’t hold him. Society had given up on him. His family could only watch in horror as the person they once knew became unrecognizable.

This wasn’t just a story from ancient times—it’s a vivid picture of what destruction looks like when evil is given free reign in a life.

The account from Luke chapter 8 presents us with a sobering reality: there is a very real enemy who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. This isn’t a comfortable truth. We live in an age that either dismisses spiritual warfare entirely or becomes unhealthily obsessed with it. But the Scripture presents a balanced view—one that acknowledges the reality of evil while proclaiming the supremacy of Christ.

Trust in Jesus is paramount for winning the spiritual battles in or lives. If the Lord can overcome the demons of Hell, He can handle our problems and fears.

Tony French

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Reflections On The Seed And The Sower

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

Luke 8:4-8

As we consider this parable from Luke 8, several important lessons emerge for those of us tasked with sharing the Gospel:

1. Don’t Judge the Soil: Our role is to sow the seed, not to determine the condition of the soil. We can’t see into people’s hearts or predict how they’ll respond. Our task is simply to share the message faithfully.

2. Be Patient: Just as a farmer doesn’t expect an immediate harvest, we shouldn’t expect instant results in spiritual matters. Growth takes time, and what appears to be unproductive soil today may yield a harvest tomorrow.

3. Keep Sowing: The sower in the parable didn’t stop when some seeds fell on poor soil. He kept sowing, aware that some seeds would reach suitable soil.  We must persist in sharing the Gospel, even when we don’t see immediate results.

4. Trust in God’s Work: While we plant and water, it’s ultimately God who gives the growth. We can trust Him to work in people’s hearts in His perfect timing.

5. Prepare Your Own Heart: As we seek to sow seeds in others’ lives, we must also ensure that our own hearts remain good soil. Are we allowing God’s word to take deep root in our lives and produce fruit?

In light of this parable, let’s challenge ourselves to be intentional sowers of the Gospel seed. Who in your life needs to hear this message of hope and transformation? Make a specific plan this week to share the good news with someone.

Remember, our call is to faithfully scatter the seed, trusting God with the results. Some may reject the message, others may show initial excitement but fade away, and still others may allow worldly concerns to choke out spiritual growth. But there will be those whose hearts are prepared to receive the word, and in them, it will produce a harvest beyond our imagination.

As we go about our daily lives, let’s be aware of the opportunities around us to sow seeds of faith, hope, and love. Whether through our words or actions, we have the privilege of participating in God’s work of transforming lives.

Tony French       

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Heaven

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 15:1-6

Let us consider a few thoughts about Heaven.

**Heaven is place. Jesus is preparing a destination for believers. We don’t know where it is and we can’t describe it in our limited human understanding. However, it is a real, actual place.

**Jesus is in Heaven. Jesus is preparing a place where we can be together with Him forever. It is indeed a wonderful thought to consider—forever with Jesus!

**Heaven is for believers and is appropriated through believing in Jesus by faith. Belief in Jesus Christ is the key to heaven. He is the way. He is the only way. He is the perfect way.

With these thoughts in mind, I end with a question. Where will you spend eternity?

Tony French

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Great High Priest

15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever,  n the order of Melchizedek.”  18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn     and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Hebrews 7:15-28

Jesus is our Great High Priest. Since this is true, He has a different priesthood. It is…….

**An Everlasting Priesthood (16-17)

**A Guaranteed Priesthood (20-22)

**A Permanent Priesthood (23-24)

**A Holy Priesthood

Jesus is our High Priest who makes intercession for us and cares for all who believe on His name. Jesus paid it all and all to Him we owe. He is our priest forever forevermore.

Tony French

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The Receptive Heart

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Luke 8:11-15

The last heart that Jesus describes in this parable is what is referred to as the receptive heart. This person hears the gospel, receives it by faith, and becomes fruitful throughout their lives. Let us pray for fertile hearts as the gospel seed is sown.

The Receptive Heart (Good Soil)

Some seeds fell on good soil, producing a bountiful crop. This represents hearts that are open, understanding, and committed. These individuals not only hear the message but internalize it, allowing it to transform their lives and bear fruit.

These are the lives where we see genuine spiritual growth and impact. They don’t just profess faith; they live it out, demonstrating love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit. Their lives become a testimony to the power of the Gospel.

Tony French

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Our High Priest

1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. 11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

Hebrews 7:1-15

Jesus is our Great High Priest. He entered the Holy Place by offering His own blood as a sacrifice for the propitiation of sins.  Three points about the Savior emanate from Hebrews 7….

**Jessus Has a Royal Priesthood (1)

**Jesus Has a Superior Priesthood (4-10)

Christ is Mediator for All

He is Worthy of Tithes

Our Priest Once for All

**Jesus Has a Unique Priesthood (11-15)

May we give thanks today for our Great High Priest.

Tony French

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