Jesus Entered Heaven On Our Behalf

I. EXORDIUM:

Do you have a spy?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that JESUS is both our Forerunner and our High Priest forever.

IV. TEXT:

Hebrews 6:20 (Amplified Bible)

6:20 Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek.

V. THESIS:

JESUS CHRIST is my Forerunner and High Priest, I'm sure, guaranteed and absolutely will enjoy eternal life here on earth and on Heaven.

VI. TITLE:

JESUS entered Heaven on our behalf

Sub-title: JESUS, our Forerunner and our High Priest

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Date of writing: Before AD. 70

B. Style of writing: Best Greek style

C. Authorship: Not specific, but generally attributed to Apostle Paul. Can be also ascribed to Barnabas, Luke, Apollos

D. Audience: Hebrew Christians

E. Theme: Christ is superior to the prophets; Christ is superior to angels—J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible

F. Purpose: The chief doctrinal purpose of the writer was to show the transcendent glory of the Christian dispensation, as compared with that of the Old Testament.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

G. Keyword: better

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. JESUS, Our Forerunner, entered Heaven on our behalf

"Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner"

Hebrews 2:10 (Amplified Bible)

2:10 For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering.

John 14:2-3 (Amplified Bible)

14:2 In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.

14:3 And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.

A forerunner is "prodromos" whose duties and responsibilities are:

1. especially one who is sent before to take observations or act as a spy, a scout, a light armed soldier

2. one who comes in advance to a place where the rest are to follow

Where JESUS is, we are sure to follow Him. We will also follow Him in Heaven where we will dwell forever with Him.

Luke 17:36-37 (Amplified Bible)

17:36 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.

17:37 Then they asked Him, Where, Lord? He said to them, Wherever the dead body is, there will the vultures or eagles be gathered together.

Example is a president of any country, before he comes to a place where he can speak publicly, spies and militaries are sent to the place in advance to cover the area, and make sure there are no bombs, no people wanting to kill or assasinate the president.

B. JESUS, our High Priest forever in the order of Melchizedek

"having become a High Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek"

Romans 8:34 (Amplified Bible)

8:34 Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?

1 Peter 3:22 (Amplified Bible)

3:22 [And He] has now entered into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with [all] angels and authorities and powers made subservient to Him.

Ephesians 1:20-23 (Amplified Bible)

1:20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],

1:21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.

1:22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],

1:23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].

Hebrews 5:10 (Amplified Bible)

5:10 Being designated and recognized and saluted by God as High Priest after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek.

Meanwhile on earth, we live as kings, priests and lords, because JESUS is our King of kings, High Priest and Lord of lords.

IX. CONCLUSION:

JESUS CHRIST is my Forerunner and High Priest, I'm sure, guaranteed and absolutely will enjoy eternal life here on earth and on Heaven.