August 10, 2003

Sunday Night

The Book of Hebrews

Intro: The word "wherefore" is a word that calls their attention to what he hath just finished saying about the greatness of our salvation and the greatness of the captain of our salvation.

He is now speaking to brethren that had experienced the greatness of being called to the saviour, and how they were to take into consideration not only their calling but the High Priest of our profession...

I like what "Barnes says about this" " THE Jews valued their religion on many accounts. One was that it had been given by the instrumentality of distinguished prophets sent from God, and by the medium of angels. The apostle, in the previous chapters, had shown that, in these respects, the Christian religion had the advantage over theirs, for it had been communicated by one who was superior to any of the prophets, and who had a rank above the angels.

One of the things that crosses my mind at this point of the message is " what makes these who were considering going back to Judaism holy brethren? The answer is the same thing that makes us holy here tonight...

1^st. The imputing of the righteousness of Jesus Christ to us: 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The great exchange...what we are to what he is.. Christ hath made us righteous, again.. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

There is so much misinformation in the Christian so-called world today concerning sanctification...some believe you can be sanctified by what you don’t do, and others by what you do, and yet our sanctification completely heavenly..it comes from the Lord.

2^nd. The work of the Spirit of God in us through his word: Listen to what Jesus said.

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John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. The Holy Spirit takes the written word and uses it on our lives so that we can be pleasing to the father.

Paul is talking about the local church when he said: Ephesians 5:26-27 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

II... " WHAT THEY WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF: " Heavenly Calling"

What a statement to say the least... we who are sinners, rebels against the God who created us, enemies of righteousness, we are made to be partakers of a calling that is totally outside this world... That my friends is an heavenly and eternal blessing bestowed upon the sanctified ones..the called ones, the regenerated ones, the one day to be glorified ones.

1^st. That this heavenly calling is without repentance: Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.

2^nd. The blessing of this calling... 1 Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:

3^rd. Since it is a heavenly calling it is a high calling: Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

4^th. Since it is a heavenly calling it is a holy calling: 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

5^th. Since it is a heavenly calling we need to make sure that our calling we profess is real and not from man: 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

The calling from death to life must be heavenly, for no man can call a dead sinner to life.. Only Christ can do that.. Make no mistake about it.

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The word "consider" means to take an earnest look at, to fix ones attention with prolonged attention of the mind. We could never consider Christ enough. If we live to be 100 years old and considered Christ all our life it still would not be enough thought upon him and his great work he hath done for us.

What are some of the ways in which we should make honest consideration of the Son of God who gave his life for us?

1^st. Consider that he was an Apostle in the truest sense of word...

The word " Apostle" means one sent forth with a message and orders to perform a duty on behalf of another...

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. Once again the Lord Jesus said: John 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

A. He is a faithful high priest: Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

C. He is a great high priest: Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession.

D. He is a compassionate high priest: Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

E. He is an eternal high priest: Hebrews 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

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f. He is a perfect high priest: Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

H. He is a high priest that is at the right place: Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

I. He is a high priest of good things to come: Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

3^rd. Consider that he faithful to the Father: vs 2-6

Now he makes an comparison between what they revered highly and what they should be revering... Over Moses over angels over the law, over the priesthood. They should reverence Christ the Lord.

God clearly declares the faithfulness of Moses as did his son the Lord Jesus Christ. Numbers 12:7-8 My servant Moses [is] not so, who [is] faithful in all mine house. 8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Here the writer speaks of Christ having an house.. In which God is well pleased with him...We are that house.. This house if the great family of Christ in heaven and on earth...

He is not suggesting that there is a condition for salvation by making the statement if we hold fast..to the end. But making a statement of fact, if you go back to Judaism Christ will not remain over you..you have chosen Moses over Christ which art not to be...

Back To Outlines on Hebrews