Focus Your Attention On Jesus

“FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON JESUS” (Outline)

March 8, 2020 - Lent 2 - HEBREWS 3:1-6

INTRO: “May I have your attention, please!?!” Such an announcement usually does grab our attention. There is an important message coming. We try to pay attention to that message which we hear. Usually do not see. God says to us today: “May I have your attention!” We learn how vitally important it is to pay attention to the message of our loving, heavenly Father. "We are not focusing on what is seen, but on what is not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal” (2 CORINTHIANS 4:18).

“FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON JESUS.”

I. “Faithful … over God’s whole house.” II. “Hold firmly to confidence, hope”.

I. CHRIST IS FAITHFUL OVER GOD’S WHOLE HOUSE

A. Verse 1. “Holy brothers” described these believers as members of God’s family.

1. They shared together in the heavenly calling. Faith united them for an eternal inheritance.

2. Faith focused on Jesus. Apostle = sent, sent by God. High Priest = perfect sacrifice.

B. Verse 2. Moses was faithful in God’s house. Jesus was also faithful. Strong comparison.

1. Jewish Christians knew Moses quite well. This Jesus was “new” in their history.

2. Verse 3a. Jesus deserved greater glory than Moses. God said: “May I have your attention!”

C. Verse 3b. A simple comparison that anyone reasonable could easily understand.

1. Which one is greater: a house or it builder? The builder. No house without a builder.

2. Verse 4. Just as a house needed a builder so did the world. God is the Creator-Builder.

D. A house does not come out of the ground from random molecules mysteriously combining to become a building. Our universe is far more complex. All created things could not evolve from an imagined chance collection of atoms forming into something. It is just not reasonable. We have come to a time in our world when it is necessary to make sure people are clear about the God we worship. The Triune God is the only true God. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created the heavens and the earth and everything in the universe. “… for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him" (COLOSSIANS 1:16). Notice how the Lord God of Armies is also Creator of “thrones or dominions, or rulers or authorities”. Every ruler is under the Lord’s authority, whether they realize it or not. Their rule is good or bad. Their choice. God’s power our comfort.

E. We are to look beyond the wickedness of this world. “Focus your attention on Jesus”. When we focus on Jesus we look beyond the bad rulers. Beyond the unfaithful authorities. We discover anew how the Lord Jesus shows us his mercy. Day after day. Constantly. Always. Our loving, heavenly Father deals with us in grace and mercy. Jesus far greater than Moses. "For out of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (JOHN 1:16, 17). No matter worldly opinion or wisdom grace and truth is in Christ. We focus.

F. What does this world offer to us? Fame? Glory? Honor? Riches? These earthly prizes all perish. They offer nothing lasting. Nothing enduring. “Focus your attention on Jesus”. Our Savior Jesus Christ does not just offer the best he provides us with the best. "Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. After he was brought to his goal, he became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him…” (HEBREWS 5:8, 9). By his death and resurrection Jesus gives us eternal salvation. Forgiveness yields eternal salvation. Open your eyes of faith. See your heavenly inheritance freely provided by the blood of Jesus. Jesus’ faithfulness guarantees our eternal salvation!

“FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON JESUS”. “Christ is faithful as a Son over God’s house.”

II. WE HOLD FIRMLY TO CONFIDENCE AND HOPE

A. There is a word repeated in our text that is very important for our firm grip on confidence, hope.

1. Verse 2. “Moses was faithful in God’s whole house.”

2. Verse 3. “A builder of a house has more honor than the house.”

3. Verse 4. “For every house is built by someone…”

B. Verse 5. “Moses was faithful as a servant within God’s whole house…”

1. Moses was faithful. Moses spoke about the things that would come. Pointed to Savior.

2. Moses testified to the truth that the Lord God gave him to share with God’s people.

C. Verse 6. “But Christ is faithful as a Son over God’s house.” Over God’s house greater than in house.