Whats Jesus Been Doing? Series

Hebrews Series

“So, Jesus, What Have You Been Doing Lately?”

Hebrews 4.14-5.10

March 26, 2014 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson,

Introduction:

A Jesus has already been identified as our High Priest in Hebrews. He is called our “merciful & faithful High Priest.”

Hebrews 2:17-18 (NASB) 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

1 He is called “the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.”

Hebrews 3:1 (NASB) 1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;

a The first four chapters of Hebrews concern themselves with the supremacy of the Word of our High Priest, tonight we come to the supreme Work of the Great High Priest.

b In the Temple/Tabernacle, a priest (who represented man before God) would take your offered sacrifice and gave it a complete external examination. (W/O defect, blemish, healthy, acceptable)

aa He would then take a small sword and cut it open to allow him to examine the inside of the animal for flaws, tumors, disease.

bb The sacrifice had to acceptable/suitable both externally & internally to be offered & accepted by God.

c Paul’s audience was facing tremendous persecution for their profession of faith in Christ.

aa They were tempted to return to the religion/rituals of their fathers.

bb Understand that temptation: Anybody could go up to Jerusalem and smell the smoke of the sacrifices, see priests offering sacrifices on the brazen alter (something real, visible, concrete.)

cc When a Christian is going through persecution, it is much easier to walk by sight than by faith.

dd Some of us have doubted the Lord under much less provocation than these people were enduring.

2 The Word of God is a sword in the hand of our High Priest, who examines not only our outward appearance, but reveals a clear view of the needs, sins, and weaknesses of our hearts.

a This is a terrifying thought to me. (I know what’s inside of my heart, mind, soul . . . it isn’t pretty.)

aa It’s a scary thought until we read the passage we’ll study this evening.

bb Jesus is our Great High Priest (He’s the only person in history given this title!!!)

b As a priest He represents us before God at this very moment.

c It is this work as a High Priest that Jesus began on earth and continues to this very day.

B Hebrews 4:14-5:10 (NASB)14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2 he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. 4 And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"; 6 just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK." 7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

1 There are some very unique marks to Jesus’ priesthood that makes Him different than other priests.

a He is a Sovereign Priest

b He is a Sympathetic Priest