Something Better
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Something Better

by Pastor Mark Schumm on December 01, 2025

Something Better 

Hebrews 1:1–14

Advent is a season devoted to waiting. We wait to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus. We wait for the return of Jesus on the last day. But as well-known singer (and lousy theologian) Tom Petty observed, “waiting is the hardest part.” Waiting can often be difficult. The circumstances of our world encourage us to lose hope and abandon our faith.

The book of Hebrews addresses Christians in Rome undergoing persecution sometime close to 64 A.D. when Christians began dying for their faith under Nero. The book is a clarion call to not return to Judaism, which was a legal religion while Christianity had become an illegal religion.

The author urges people to remain faithful to their Christian confession (Heb 3:1; 4:14; 10:23), warns against drifting away and neglecting salvation (Heb 2:1, 3), points out the danger of losing confidence in God’s promises (Heb 3:6) and falling away from the faith (Heb 3:12). People were tempted to become rebellious and unbelieving like Israel (Heb 3:16–19) for they had not progressed into Christian adulthood (Heb 5:11–6:2). They had experienced God’s saving gifts in Christ but may end up rejecting him (Heb 6:4–6; 10:29; 12:25). Sluggishness (Heb 6:12) could lead to something far worse- abandoning the faith (Heb 10:26). The author repeatedly reminds people that in Christ, they have something far better.

Our Advent theme for weekend worship is titled Something Better. Hebrews repeatedly explains the gifts God gives Israel through Moses and then promises that we have something much better! Our sermon themes are as follows:


Nov 30/Dec 1 “A Better Word” (Hebrews 1:1–2)
December 6/7 “A Better Glory” (Hebrews 1:3a)
December 13/14 “A Better Absolution” (Hebrews 1:3b)
December 20/21 “A Better Name” (Hebrews 1:4–14)

Our Sunday morning Adult Bible Class will offer an overview of Hebrews. This will be followed by a close look at several key passages in the book, including Hebrews 11—the Bible’s great “faith hall of fame” chapter. Please plan to join us as we prepare for the coming of our Lord!

“God has planned something better for us!” (Hebrews 11:40)


Pastor Mark Schumm

About the Author
Pastor Mark Schumm

Pastor Mark joined the Calvary team in July of 2025. He experienced a nomadic childhood, moving between Indianapolis and Omaha, NE several times before settling in Indiana to attend Purdue University. There he met his wife, Joan. They have one son, John, who lives with his family on the north side of Indianapolis. Pastor worked as a process engineer for ten years in the food and chemical industry before attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He and Joan have served congregations in Tucson, AZ, Madison and Green Bay, WI and Farmington Hills, MI. While not at church Pastor enjoys gardening, tracking down grandchildren at their sporting events and brewing beer.