Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Hebrews 4:14-7:28



Hebrews 4:14-16 – Jesus’ Work as the High Priest

Jesus was appointed as our “great high priest”.  He is able to identify with us, because He was tempted in every way.  As the Son of God He has sympathy for us and understands us.  He has the desire and ability to help through anything we face.

How are you struggling?  Are you trying to resist temptation to rebel or to lose control in anger?  Then read Hebrews 4:15-16 - “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are - yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  To “have” means to receive, accept, and the assurance of Jesus.  We have a relationship with Jesus.  To approach the throne of grace is to take all our problems and concerns to God with confidence that He will help us to overcome them – not only the big one, but the small ones as well.

Jesus was qualified more than anyone to become our high priest.  He was called by God, He submitted to God’s will, He was without sin, He offered up prayers and petitions to God for others, He learned obedience through suffering and He became the source of salvation for all who believe.

Is He your great high priest?  Do you take your concerns to Him?  Is He your savior?  Everyone has a cell phone these days and also with it you have a limited calling plan.  Jesus is our unlimited plan.  He gives us His unlimited attention and complete access to Him.  He is talking to God the Father about you and He knows what you need. 

Jesus knows your pain and your grief.  He knew what it is like to be hungry, thirsty, and tired.  He knew the horrible agony of physical torture, which He endured in His trial and crucifixion.  He knew what it is like to be mocked, distrusted and betrayed by friends.  He was tempted in all the things as we are, yet He is without sin. 

Jesus knows your hearts.  He knows exactly what you are fighting to remain obedient.  God’s way is costly, but guaranteed to transform your very being.  There is another way – your way.  It’s less painful and may make you feel better for a time, but it doesn’t honor God and doesn’t impact others for God.  Trust and obey or go your own way.

Because He can sympathize with us, we should draw near to the throne of grace with confidence.  We should come to the throne because we are weak and we have Jesus as our sympathetic High Priest.  If you have needs, pray.  Jesus is ready to give you mercy and help you fight your battles.

Principle:  Jesus as the Great High Priest helps His people in times of weakness and temptation.

What problems do you need to take before the throne?
What causes you to doubt?
How confident are you that He hears your prayers? 

Hebrews 5:11-6:12 – Jesus’ Word demands Spiritual Growth

We are grateful that churches teach the basics, but it won’t sustain you in life.  Solid food is for the mature (Heb. 5:14).  It is important that we grow spiritually.  We are spiritual infants and will remain so if we are not intentional.  Maturity just doesn’t happen.  It takes study and real work.  Our thinking needs to be trained.  Jesus didn’t demonstrate emotional thinking.  We need to keep going pass elementary truths.

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers to the coming age, if they fall way, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.” (Heb. 6:4-6)  He is not saying that it is impossible for God to forgive them if they fall away.  God will always forgive all who repent and believe.  The problem is with those who don’t repent.  It is possible to get very close to genuine faith and still not actually repent.  If you are willing to go back, perhaps you haven’t truly accepted Christ as Savior.

“Enlightened” is part of the process of salvation, being taught the truth before we believe.  You can be enlightened to the truth, but shut your eyes to the light of Jesus.
“Tasted the heavenly gift” refers to those who understood the freeness of God’s gift and have even had the Holy Spirit convicting their consciences; however they find it too difficult to leave their way of life, change their minds, repent and go on to true saving faith in Christ.  True Christians cannot fall away and be lost.
“Impossible” here means that having rejected the Holy Spirit who has brought them along knowing the gospel, but they cannot now simply turn to God.  They have not truly repented.

Principle:  Christian maturity involves knowing and doing what God Says.

Knowing must be joined with faith, trust and obedience.  Indifference is our greatest enemy.  If you are feeling weary in spirit, dig deeper into His word.  Even churches have people in pews that need to know. 

Christian growth varies.  Some Christians instantly drop those habitual sins and never fall back.  Others struggle daily.  Motivation is key.  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”Matt. 5:6.  Hunger and thirst are strong motivators and becomes the only thing on your mind.  You want to satisfy that craving.  We must practice and it and make it a habit, a deliberate effort to grow spiritually.

What indifference do you need to lay aside? 
Are you willing to share the solid food? 
Will you share with those who are spiritually hungry?
What is your greatest challenge to spiritual growth?

Hebrews 6:13-20 – Jesus’ Character Anchors Our Hope

There are two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie – His character and His Word.  Believers’ anchor is Jesus Christ and keeps them secure.  Nothing on earth can anchor you securely – only Jesus.

Principle:  Our hope of future salvation is certain because God is incapable of lying.

He is a Promise Keeper!  What makes you feel secure?  Is it your job, money, family?  As we submit by faith and believe the living Word and in His unchanging character, we grow.  Then the world around us will see Jesus.

Hebrews 7 – Jesus is the Superior Priest

Melchizedek is just a man and his features shadow the one to come, Jesus Christ.   Jesus and Melchizedek have some similarities as high priest.  They are:  both are kings, high priests, kings of righteousness, kings of peace and kings forever.  Their differences are:  that Jesus is the Son of God, He lives forever, has a permanent priesthood and is able to save completely.   He is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens is unlike any other high priest and does not need to offer sacrifices day after day for sins.  He is the perfect High Priest – forever!

Not all people have someone praying for them like a mother or a grandmother, but everyone has Jesus praying for them continually.  He’s thinking and talking with God about you right now.

Principle:  God cares enough to send man His very best His Son Jesus Christ.

Join me here next week as we continue our study of Hebrews.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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