When We Ask: Where's Jesus? Series

What do you expect of Jesus? Furthermore, what do you expect from your religion?

Today, we live in a society that picks and chooses that they want to believe about God based on different religions. These expectations have made it into the minds of many people who want to make Jesus what they want Him to be.

1. Some want a visible Jesus; so they do all they can to seek miracles, signs, and wonders.

2. Some want a non-offensive Jesus; so they self-style Jesus, discard things he said, and simply

make Jesus non-offensive.

3. Some do not want a weak, despised, or crucified Jesus so they simply focus ignore the cross

and divert to his good deeds.

4. Some want a Jesus that is only a good friend, but never a demanding Jesus who calls for

discipleship, therefore people adopt a cheap grace type of salvation.

Yet, the writer of Hebrews adjust the lens of life and brings Jesus into focus in high definition (HD). The writer clearly removes the blur and presents Jesus in perfect view.

When the Book of Hebrews, we know that the most recognizable symbol of religion was angels. Yet, suddenly, the writer of Hebrews lifts Jesus up as “the one and only” focus of God’s revelation of Himself to us.

He makes this clear by saying in verse 9: “But we do see Him...namely Jesus...”

Transition: In this passage it is almost like a person adjusting the lens of a camera. Perhaps today you need an adjustment when it comes to your understanding of Jesus. What does the author of Hebrews reveal about Jesus?

In verses 11-18, the writer of Hebrews not only reveals that Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead (vs. 10) but he affirms that Jesus is active. He is at work. He has things on His agenda. Jesus is at work. He has gone to work on and for you. (John 5:19)

In this passage he reveals some primary things that Jesus is up to. He provides a complete picture of Jesus and helps us see, understand, and celebrate His work in our life every day.

What are the primary things that Jesus is doing right now for you and me.

Transitional Sentence: What is Jesus doing right now?

I. Jesus is Transforming Our Lives

vs. 11- “ For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren (brothers)

Explanation:

After Jesus resurrected from the dead, He ascended into heaven. You might wonder, what’s he up to? The Bible says that “He is seated at the right hand of God” yet I assure you that His throne is no Lazy boy. Jesus is at work.

While on earth Jesus said: “My father is working and I am working...” The same remains true today as He is at work on and for you and me.

So what is He doing? In verse 11 we read that He is sanctifying us. That may sound like a big word but it simply means that He is “cleaning us up.” Someone said that “fishing for men first requires that we be reeled in; then after we’re caught; God cleans us.”

In verse 11 we read: ““ For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.”

There are two words here that give us the first clue of what Jesus is doing:

a) Brothers

b) Sanctify

The word “brother” reminds us that Jesus is building a family. The second word “sanctify” reminds us that he is cleaning us up so we can bear His image in the family as He transforms our lives.

You see, when you meet Jesus, you’ll never be the same. The reason why is because the living, resurrected Christ goes to work on you. As we studied last week, we were once fallen, subjected to our own sin and a lifestyle of that is the Bible calls it; “un-regenerated” or simply said, “untouched and unchanged.”

Yet, God’s redemption story never closes. There’s no “the end” to God’s story as long as people are bringing their lives to Jesus.

The Bible says in verse 10 that He is the “author” of our salvation. The word “author” (archegos) which means “pioneer” – “leader”—architect---” yet in Acts 3:15 and 5:31 the word is used to describe Jesus and is translated “Prince” which refers to someone who includes others in his endeavor.

Therefore, we see why Jesus wants to “sanctify” us. He broke sins mastery over us and now, He wants to live through us allowing others to see Jesus through us.

What is interesting is that God wants His family to represent him. Therefore, in verse 12 we read: “He is not ashamed to call them (us) brethren (brothers)...” Then in verse 14 he calls us “children.”