“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.
1. What is the house all about? “WE are his house…” Amazing grace. WE are God’s house!
2. We belong to the Lord as holy brothers, people of God. We are united to Jesus, house.
3. This means Jesus is our confidence. Our hope. More than earthly – eternally.
D. “Focus your attention on Jesus”. The solution to all our worries is not any easier. Look to Jesus in every trouble. In every fearful thing. This is a huge challenge in our fear-filled society today. Our world shamelessly promotes fear. This fear drives many to worry. Over reacting to worry quickly leads to hysteria. How does this happen? All too many live lives based on “WHAT IF?” What is the economy goes bad? What if we do not get enough rain? What if there is an epidemic?” On and on and on it goes without end. Fear is no way to live our lives. Do not allow the “WHAT IF?” to rob you of joy a believer. Our confidence is the answer to “WHAT IS!” What is? We are God’s house. What is? We are God’s children. What is? We have eternal salvation. What is? Heaven is our home. Our confidence list also continues endlessly when we focus our attention on Jesus. “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of the destruction of the wicked when it comes, because the LORD will be your confidence. He will keep your foot from being caught" (PROVERBS 3:25, 26). Focus attention on Jesus.
E. We will face troubles in our lives. Our world is wicked. Sinful. We are also wicked and sinful. The effects of sin is the loss of perfection. Lovingly the Lord reminds each one of us: “Focus your attention on Jesus”. We look beyond the earthly right into eternity. Our hope is not a passing fancy. Our hope is a sure hope. It is based on faith. On grace. On Christ. “But hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for something we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patient endurance" (ROMANS 8:23b, 24). Our Lord tells we can and will endure whatever we face on this side of heaven. Patience is God’s key for endurance. “Focus your attention on Jesus”.
F. Our confidence is in Christ alone. Our hope is God’s guarantee of eternal salvation. Both our confidence and hope are based on our heavenly Father’s mercy and love. The very foundation of our faith rests on solid ground. “You have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (EPHESIANS 2:20, 21). We are living stones growing into the temple of God.
CONC.: “May I have your attention!?!” We are strangers in this world. We focus on Jesus. Christ is our faithful Savior over God’s house. We hold firmly to confidence. We base our hope on “WHAT IS!” God’s Word is truth. "We also have the completely reliable prophetic word. You do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts” (2 PETER 1:19). “FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON JESUS”. Christ alone is our confidence and our hope for time and eternity. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
LENT 2 readings.: GENESOS 12:1-18; ROMANS 4:1-15, 13-17; JOHN 4:5-26; (PSALM 121)
SERVICES: 8:00am @ McCook (SUN) / 10:30am @ Redeemer (SUN)
BIBLE STUDIES: follow worship services
/ Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:00am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM & Facebook
