Apr. 19, 2025

Enduring The Cross

Saturday, April 19, 2025

1) The Author

Hebrews 12:1–2:  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

DQ 1) How is Jesus both the author and the perfector of our 

           faith?

2) Scorning the Shame

Hebrews 12:2:  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

DQ 2) Why the cross?  Why couldn’t Jesus just appear in the world and take away sin?  Why did Jesus have to die? Why did God choose the route of crucifixion? Why…why…why?

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3) Who is Worthy?

Revelation 5:1-2:  Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 

DQ 3) What are the scroll and seven seals described in Revelation 5?

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4) The Triumphant Lion

Revelation 5:5-6:  Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep!  See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”  Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. 

DQ 4) What was the triumph of the Lion of the tribe of Judah?

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5) A New Song

Revelation 5:9-12:  And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”  Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.  They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.  In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 

DQ 5) Has Christ put a “new song” in your heart? 

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