The following are my notes from tonight's meeting. The speaker for this series is James Rafferty, and his theme is God's love for us in the book of Hebrews.
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The book of Hebrews is a communication of the love God has for us, spoken of in John 3.16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The author of the book is devoted to helping its readers, the Jews (Hebrews), establish a relationship between themselves and God.
Chapter 1 establishes that Jesus is God and that He gave Himself for us. He is not a deity who requires some third-party entity to do the dirty work and make the sacrifice for Him.
The book of Hebrews shows us that God is so full of love for us that He speaks all five love languages, thereby being able to satisfy the individual love needs of every individual.
First Love Language: Giving Gifts
Hebrews 1.3 says, "when he had by himself purged our sins". God IS the gift and the giver, by giving His life for us on the cross.
Second Love Language: Physical Touch
Hebrews 2.14 says: "as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same;" Jesus became fully human so he could physically touch humanity here on earth. He will continue to be fully human for all eternity as a token of this great love.
Third Love Language: Quality Time
Hebrews 4 speaks of two kinds of rest: physical rest and Sabbath rest, which go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other, especially in an intimate relationship. Without physically resting, the blessing of the Sabbath hours - a time set aside by God for the sole purpose of spending quality time with us - cannot be had; without setting aside those hours, we would not take the time on our end and the blessing would be lost.
Fourth Love Language: Acts of Service
Hebrews 7.24 says, "because he continueth ever". In His work as High Priest for us, Jesus is constantly taking care of us. He never slumbers or sleeps. This is continual acts of service because He loves us.
Fifth Love Language: Words of Affirmation
Hebrews 11 is a historical account of God's people in which not one negative word is said. It speaks of the faith of Noah with no mention of his drunkenness and the faith of Abraham without talking of his lie about his wife. These are positive, affirming words about His faithful ones, and this is what our record in Heaven will look like when our sins have been washed away by Jesus' blood. Not one stain will remain to be spoken of.
But God doesn't work in fives; He works in sevens. There are two other love languages mentioned in Hebrews.
Sixth Love Language: Discipline
Hebrews 12.6 says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." This is a vital part of God's love. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten" (Revelation 3.19). Boundaries are needed; otherwise God could be proven to not care what happens to us. But because He does care for our well-being, discipline is necessary and proof of His love.
Seventh Love Language: Commitment
Hebrews 13.5 says, "For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Commitment is missing when people only live together instead of getting married. This makes it easy for two people to break apart. God, however, loves us and is so committed to us that even when we turn from Him, He does not forsake us. He will do everything in His power short of force to make sure we get to Heaven with Him.
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