Consider Jesus

CONSIDER JESUS

Hebrews 3:1

20+, before I was a pastor, I was a member of a church in Florence. There was an elderly gentleman there by the name of Deck Davis. One of the kindest people you could ever meet. We talked often and I always walked away a little better off for having talked with him.

One day, he said to me, “Jerry, I’ve been reading in Hebrews and I’ll admit that there’s a lot that I don’t fully understand, but there is 1 verse, actually just 2 words of one verse that I want you to read, but not just read it, but meditate on those 2 words and see what God reveals to you.

I thought it was a little strange, but I did just that. It’s been over 20 years and from time to time I still meditate on those 2 words.

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, CONSIDER JESUS, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;

CONSIDER JESUS. I think of those 2 words often because of Mr. Deck.

1. WHO HE IS.

(1) He is the Creator.

Col 1:16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

He is the Creator and the heavens reveal His glory! Gen 1 reveals that Jesus spoke the physical universe into existence. Planets, stars, moons, and all sorts of other celestial objects. By vs 2, though, the earth, either was or had become formless and void. But He put His hands on the clay formed it and shaped it into exactly into something beautiful and useful. Something good.

He also created man and specifically He created you. Maybe this morning your life is like the earth in vs 2, filled with chaos....

But God wants you to know today:

* that the same God that created the stars of Heaven can make you shine even brighter.

* the same God that spoke the world into existence can bring new life to yours in an instant.

* the same God that formed the chaotic earth into something beautiful and useful can make transform yours also.

* God is God and He can do all things but for Him to do that you must yield yourself to Him!

(2) He is Immanuel.

Mt 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

Since the Fall, Man has always strived to know God and to have

a relationship with Him, but sin had destroyed that relationship. Since man could not effectively approach God, Jesus left Heaven and came to earth. He took on flesh and became one of us in order to restore our relationship with God. He not only created you, but He also wants to have a relationship with you. He loves you + wants you to know Him.

(3) He is the Savior.

Lk 2:10-11 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The night that Jesus was born, the world was a dark place and all mankind was lost in the darkness of sin. Man could not fix his own problem of sin. He needed a Savior to do for him what he could not do for himself. Jesus came to the earth to do just that and the angel told Joseph to name Him Jesus because He would save His people from their sins.

Sum up... Jesus is the God of All Creation that left Heaven and came to earth as Immanuel so that He might become one of us in order that He could save us from our sins.

2. WHAT HE DID.

(1) He Lived a Perfect Life.

Heb 4:15 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.

Jesus came to earth and clothed Himself with human flesh and became one of us. He was tempted in every way, just as we are, but never sinned. He taught us how to live in righteousness, but the perfect life He lived also afforded Him the ability to become.......

(2) He Was the Perfect Sacrifice.

1 Pet 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.