It’s Our Turn

The runner's strategy

Text: Hebrews Chapter 1 to 13

The key word of the book of Hebrews - Better

Chapters 1–4: Christ is Superior to Leaders and Angels

• Chapter 1: Jesus is established as the Son of God and the final revelation of God to humanity. He is described as superior to angels, who are merely "ministering spirits".

  
  

  

• Chapter 2: A warning against "drifting away" from salvation. It explains that Jesus became fully human to suffer and die, thereby defeating death and becoming a "merciful and faithful high priest".

  
  

• Chapter 3: Jesus is compared to Moses, the greatest leader of Israel. While Moses was a faithful servant in God’s house, Jesus is the Son over the house.

  
  

  

• Chapter 4: The author warns readers not to miss God’s "Sabbath rest" through unbelief, as the Israelites did in the wilderness. It also describes the Word of God as living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.

Chapters 5–7: Christ as our High Priest

• Chapter 5: Jesus is identified as a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. The author chides the readers for their spiritual immaturity, noting they still need "milk" rather than "solid food".

  
  

• Chapter 6: A stern warning against falling away and a call to press on to spiritual maturity. It emphasizes the unchangeable nature of God’s promises.

  
  

• Chapter 7: Explains the mysterious figure of Melchizedek and why Jesus’ priesthood—based on an "indestructible life"—is superior to the temporary, hereditary Levitical priesthood.

  
  

  

  
  

Chapters 8–10: The New Covenant and Better Sacrifice

• Chapter 8: Jesus is the mediator of a New Covenant, which is "better" than the Old Covenant because it is written on the heart rather than on stone.

  
  

  

  
  

• Chapter 9: Contrasts the earthly tabernacle and animal sacrifices with the heavenly sanctuary. Jesus entered the Most Holy Place once and for all with His own blood to secure eternal redemption.

  
  

• Chapter 10: Declares that animal sacrifices could never fully take away sins, but Christ’s single sacrifice is perfect and final. It concludes with a call to persevere and not shrink back.

  
  

  

  
  

Chapters 11–13: The Life of Faith

• Chapter 11: Known as the "Hall of Faith," this chapter lists Old Testament heroes (like Noah, Abraham, and Moses) who lived by faith in God's promises despite not seeing their full fulfillment.

  

• Chapter 12: Encourages believers to run the "race" of faith, looking to Jesus as the author and perfecter of faith. It describes God’s discipline as a sign of His love for His children.

  
  

• Chapter 13: Provides final practical instructions on brotherly love, hospitality, and marriage. It affirms that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever".

  

In Chapter 11 the writer challenges the believer in Christ that after you have considered all that has been functioning over the ages and what Christ has now presented to us that it’s now their turn.

He asserts that:

1. All previous arrangements were inadequate.

2. All previous arrangements were inferior

3. All previous arrangements were finite

We know that because he uses an analogy of an athletic engagement in 12:1-3 that those is chapter 11 have not just run and completed but are actively observing and serve as evidence of the power of faith.

In light of the forerunners and the obligation we now have he encourages us to:

1. Use the evidence that the lives of these great servants makes available to us.

2. Unnecessary attachments and activities will negatively affect our performance.

3. Unhinge ourselves from the sins that easily undermine and trip us up.

4. Accept the race that has been given and focus on delivering.

5. Fix your gaze on Christ as the origin and objective of our faith.

6. Observe the example of Christ who ran His race, paved the way, paid the price and pleads for us.

It's Our Turn: Infographic

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