A Priest Like No Other

“A PRIEST LIKE NO OTHER”

Hebrews 5:1-11

August 3, 2008

Pastor John L. Harper

Warden Assembly of God

Introduction: Jesus was made a High Priest because

• He understood the condition of mankind

• He is compassionate to those who are weak

I read about a small boy who was consistently late coming home from school. His parents warned him one day that he must be home on time that afternoon, but nevertheless he arrived later than ever. His mother met him at the door and said nothing. At dinner that night, the boy looked at his plate. There was a slice of bread and a glass of water. He looked at his father’s full plate and then at his father, but his father remained silent. The boy was crushed.

The father waited for the full impact to sink in, then quietly took the boy’s plate and placed it in front of himself. He took his own plate of meat and potatoes, put it in front of the boy, and smiled at his son. When that boy grew to be a man, he said, "All my life I’ve known what God is like by what my father did that night."

• He is the one who conquered sin and death

Babbie Mason “Jesus The One and Only”

Who was born Son of God yet Son of Man

Who laid down His life and rose to live again

Who rides the clouds of glory

Whose kingdom never ends

There is no other name

Chorus:

Jesus the one and only

Faithful, true and holy

He’s the Son of righteousness

Worthy of the glory

Jesus Christ, the one and only

Let every voice in earth and heaven offer praise

And every heart become His holy hiding place

Let every knee bow down

And every tongue confess the name

Of Jehovah’s only Son, the risen One

Bridge:

All hail the power of Jesus name

(Jesus the one and only)

Let angels prostrate fall

(Faithful, true and holy - He’s the Son

Bring forth the royal diadem

(Of righteousness, worthy of the glory)

And crown Him Lord of all

I. THE CHARACTER OF THE HIGH PRIEST (vs. 1-3)

A. Every high priest is among men

He is appointed for men to offer gifts (pertaining to godly things)

(Heb 7:28) For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated forevermore.

1.

a. Un bloody offerings

(1) meal offering

(2) sometimes burned on the altar

(3) sometimes placed on altar, and given to the priest

2. He is appointed for men to offer sacrifice for sins

a. Bloody offerings

b. Bulls, rams, sheep

B. Every High Priest has compassion on those he serves, because he is subject to weakness.

1. He is compassionate towards the ignorant (sacrifices were offered for this “sin”)

a. He must not condemn the sinner

b. He must not grow weary of dealing with the sinner

2. He is compassionate towards those going astray (sacrifices were not offered for this “sin”)

C. Every High Priest deals with weakness

(2Co 12:9) And he said unto me My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, thatG2443 the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Illustration: General George Patton was a strong man. There was not too much that scared this six foot man from Pasadena. The only weakness that he had was that he could not read until he was 12 years old. (“The Rest of the Story” Paul Harvey Pg. 47)

1. He must offer sacrifice for his sins first

a. He must take care of his own sins, before he represents God.

b. He must not think he is above sin.

2. He is required to offer sacrifices for the people

a. Since he is subject to sins himself

b. He is susceptible to temptation

Application: We all deal with weakness, what we need is someone who has overcome sin. Jesus was tempted like you and I, and did not sin. Call on Jesus and ask him to help you with your weakness.

II. THE CALLING OF THE HIGH PRIEST (vs. 4-6)

A. This priesthood

1. No one takes this honor upon him

2. Must be appointed by God

(Psa 2:7) I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

B. The perfect High priest

1. He did not appoint himself for this honor

(Psa 110:4) The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

2. He was appointed by God

When I was preaching in the Southern States of America, the minister called my attention to one of the elders. He said: "When the Civil War broke out, that man was in one of the far Southern States, and he enlisted in the Southern Army. He was selected by the General and sent to spy the Northern Army. As you know, armies have no mercy on spies if they are caught. This man was caught, tried by court-martial, and ordered to be shot. While he was in the guardroom awaiting the day of execution, he would call Abraham Lincoln by every name that he could think of.