Jesus The Better Way: Jesus Serves As A Better Guide Series

JESUS THE BETTER WAY: JESUS IS A BETTER GUIDE

HEBREWS 5:11 – 6:20

Big Idea: Jesus has gone before us, on our behalf and provided a hope for the soul that is firm and secure.

Supporting Scripture:

Old Testament: Proverbs 3:5-6

Psalm: Psalm 37:1-9, 30-31

Epistle: Hebrews 6:19-20

Gospel: John 10:1-15

I have been thinking about the role that guides can play in certain events.

Introduction

Have you ever been lost? I mean REALLY lost? Dangerously lost? I can remember one occasion when I was so lost I felt vulnerable. I was a young pastor with two very small children. I was asked to preach at a “Watch Night Service” (which is a New Years Eve service) at an inner city church in Chicago. Vickie, my two small children, and I somehow mistakenly ended up on Chicago’s south side. This is a very dangerous place. I was so lost that I did not know north from south, east from west, or even good from bad. I still remember the police officer looking in my car window seeing two child seats and a very young wife and asking me “What are you doing here?” He then told me he would provide me an escort – he emphatically stated that I was to follow him very close regardless of red lights, etc. I was to follow him and NOT get distracted or turn off course. He did indeed get me to my final destination safely. He then let me know I was a very fortunate man. I am glad he knew the ins-and-outs of the city and could get me to my destination safely.

I learned that dark night in Chicago about the importance of good directions … and a good guide.

• They give you experiences you could not give yourself

• They take you places you could not go on your own

• They reveal things you did not know

• They keep you safe on a journey you’ve never been on before

• They help you reach your final destination

Every once in a while you run across someone who thinks they can do it all on their own and doesn’t need a guide. Inevitably they end up missing more than they find and, if others are on the journey with them, they usually end up with a less-than-full experience.

I remember making a comment in my youthful confidence once. I said, “I think I can get anywhere I need to get without a map.” And then “Chicago” happened. I learned that that was not only arrogant and foolish – it was dangerous for me and everyone with me.

Well, spiritually speaking; have you ever thought about the value of a guide? Your spiritual guide provides the same benefits as a human guide.

Let’s read Hebrews 5:11 – 6:20

Heb 5:11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.

Heb 5:12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

Heb 5:13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

Heb 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Heb 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

Heb 6:2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Heb 6:3 And God permitting, we will do so.

Heb 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

Heb 6:5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,

Heb 6:6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Heb 6:7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

Heb 6:8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Heb 6:9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.

Heb 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.