R sbc
October 1st, 2006
Series: “Christ the Sum & Substance of The Bible”
Subject: “ CHRIST IS OUR GREATEST POSSESSION”
Text : Heb 4:14-16
Intro: It is my understanding that the book of Hebrews was written in order clear up in misconception that the Hebrews who were converted to Christ had. It was the writers intentions to show that Christ is superior to all that the old covenant had. It had a High Priest, it had sacrifices, it had individual priest, it had a temple, it had a presence of God, but not like now.
Jesus Christ is the sum and the substance of all that he was a type of. He fulfilled the types...therefore it is with great pleasure I present him to you today as the greatest possession that we have. We may or may not have money, we may or may not have material possessions, we may or may not be educated, we may or may not understand doctrine....
BUT LISTEN IF YOU HAVE AND KNOW JESUS CHRIST YOU HAVE IT ALL. ALL THAT YOU WILL EVER NEED FOR NOW AND ETERNITY. Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
I.. “ THE SURETY OF THE TEXT”..VS 14 “ SEEING THEN WE HAVE”
When Paul would use such a sentence he we be talking of a certain possession. He said in 2Co 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: The blessings of having Christ go far beyond my abilities this morning to open up such a great fact:
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: The great fact stands out clearly in the Bible that he possessed us before we possessed him. Joh 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
He loved us before we love him:
He chose us before we chose him:
He saved us before we could claim him:
He helped us when we thought we needed no help:
He protects us, since we cannot protect our selves:
Paul is saying both this of himself and those whom he is writing to. “WE HAVE” that is, he belongs to us. David said, Psa 23-1 “ The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want”. Can you make this claim this morning? Can you sing the song, I am is, and he is mine... what a great blessed possession the LORD IS MINE.
II... “ THE POSSESSION IT’S SELF”..VS 14" GREAT HIGH PRIEST JESUS THE SON OF GOD”
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
He is not just a priest, he is the great high priest. There was a great difference between Christ and the Old Testament priest.
The priesthood of Christ is the substance and truth, of which that of the Jews was but a shadow and figure. Christ, the everlasting priest according to the order of Melchisedec, abides forever, as Paul observes; whereas the priests according to the order of Aaron were mortal, and therefore could not continue long, The Lord, to express to the Hebrews what great favors he would confer on them, says he would make them kings and priests, Ex 19-6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. and Peter repeats this promise to Christians, or rather, he tells them that they are in truth what Moses promised to Israel, 1Pe 2:5, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Re 1:6.
So then, since we are priest and Christ is our high priest we have great cause this morning to believe that our high priest is much better than anything the Israelites every enjoyed. Note that Paul says he is a great one:
(1.) Because of who he is: “ The Son of God”
(2.) Because of what he did: “ Laid down his life”
(3.) Because of his holy nature: “holy, undefiled, separate from sinners, made higher than the earth”
(4.) Because he rose from the dead: Ever liveth to make intercession for us”
III... THE POSITION OF THE HIGH PRIEST”... Passed into the heavens”
That is he literally passed through the heavens, Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. It is so important that Christ is where he is:
(1.) It meant that his Father had accepted his sacrifice on our behalf:
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
(2.) It meant that Christ now seated in the heaven of heavens, rules from on high:
Listen to this we read it last Sunday...but hear it agai.
Eph 1-20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
(3.) It meant that he would send the Holy Spirit to the church and to indwell his people: Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
IV... “ THE DUTY & PRIVILEGE OF THE TEXT: VS 14-16
In the light of the previous truths let us clearly see our duty and our privileges...he present two things for our consideration.
(1.) To hold fast: vs 14
This means that we keep carefully and faithfully our profession of faith in Christ. Paul said further on in this chapter again these same words... Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Don’t quit, don’t give up, don’t look back, don’t hesitate, don’t be slothful, always and in everything let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
(2.) Come before his throne: vs 16
The word bodily means confidently ..we come. It is impossible to come before him without faith and assurance that he hearth us.
Note where we are told to come: “ The Throne of Grace” John Calvin said: It is hence obvious to conclude, that under the Papacy the light of the Gospel is extinct, for miserable men are bidden to doubt whether God is propitious to them or is angry with them. They indeed say that God is to be sought; but the way by which it is possible to come to him is not pointed out, and the gate is barred by which alone men can enter. They confess in words that Christ is a Mediator, but in reality they make the power of his priesthood of none effect, and deprive him of his honor.
We are told to come for two reasons:
a. Obtain mercy:
That it is the nature of God to show mercy: Ex 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. David said: Ps 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
b. To find grace and help in the time of need:
the Lord Jesus Christ is a merciful high priest and one that is willing but the problem often is us, we don’t approach him, we don’t pray to him. We would rather handled it ourselves. Listen again to the instructions: I PET 5-7 “ casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you”
I know the Lord will help us because he compassionate, he is one that understandeth, he is will not forsake us. He promised to sup with us...
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.