Illus: Years ago I served on a Foreign Missions board in Haiti where a local lawyer donated acres of land in the city of Aux Cayes near Port-Au-Prince. We made plans to build a prayer center, a vocational training center and a volunteer medical center. When we visited the area and it was spectacular; the hillside looked as if it had three tiers of land to build on. Where the first level was to be the site for the clinic and as we walked a little higher the second level the site for the school and as we walked a little higher the third level the site for the prayer center. But the climb was rough, the stone was uneven, it was steep, there wasn't a smooth spot anywhere. When I look back and remember the climb to the top of the hill I realize that it was the stones and jagged edge that we stepped on that secured our feet from slipping as we climbed higher. We prayed at the top being reminded of Psalm 18 that He gives us hinds feet for high places! God in His faithfulness allows affliction, and He even puts in our path what some might consider to be stumbling blocks. But for the believer, we know them as steppingstones to the higher ground victory and blessing. Often our lives are like this hill in Aux Cayes, Haiti. We worry at the rough rock and stones we are forced to overcome. Yet, we have come to realize that we have a Living and Active Word – we have a Quick and Powerful Word in that even as we struggle amidst stones, we are just heading up higher.
Intro: These Hebrews were undergoing intense persecution where many were tortured and some killed for their faith. Some were ostracized in the community and couldn’t buy and sell like others in the towns. Their faith was a daily struggle and many felt like giving up. Some were very tempted to give up the public profession of their faith. (They wouldn’t stop being saved because our salvation is secure in Jesus, but they were willing to stop proclaiming Jesus publicly so that they could enjoy an easier life.) Even today, we are tempted to live outside absolute faith in Jesus. But God’s plan is still that His people live by faith, Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. We must avoid the temptation of falling into doubt. The Hebrew writer tells us that The Word of God is Living and Active! It’s sharper than any double-edge sword! It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow! That means the Word of God can cut the spiritual things as well as the physical things! Sometimes we struggle because of spiritual issues and sometimes we struggle because of physical issues. But the Word of God remains the same! It says that nothing in all creation is hid from God!
I. v. 13 OUR PAST
The Bible says that everything IS uncovered! It does not say that everything “will be” uncovered but it “is” uncovered! The eyes of the Lord miss nothing – 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. God knows what you have done and YET He STILL loves you! He still wants you! He still gave His only Son for you! Psalm 138 says He still sits high and looks low! And He still is at the right hand of God! Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess! Everything God does in your life, or allows to happen your life, is simply His way of maturing you into the image of His Son Jesus – Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son… So verse 14 tells us to hold firmly to our faith! The Rock that is in your way is there for you to climb!
II. v. 15 OUR PRIEST
We do not have a high priest who is unable… The use of a "double negative" makes this a positive. So, what we do have is a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weakness! Some may ask, "How can Jesus know what I am going through? He is perfect and way off up in Heaven. How can He possible feel what I feel?" He is able to know what we feel because He is Imanual (God with Us).
1. He Understands Temptation – Matthew 4:4-11 (Make this stone to bread – Man cannot live by bread alone; Cast thyself down – Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God; Bow down and worship me – Thou shalt worship the Lord the God only) Jesus was tempted in every way we are, yet without sin! 2. He Understands Rejection – He knows what it is like to have the world turn its back on you. John 6:64-70 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him... From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?... “Have not I chosen you 12, and one of you is a devil?” 3. He Understands Isolation – He knows what it is like to have no one around Him who understands what He is going through. In Matthew 27 the bible says that there was darkness over all the land… And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He knows what it means to hurt alone.
III. v. 16 HIS PROMISE
Let us then approach His throne with confidence! Here is the promise! So that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need! He will help us – The Lord gives man an open invitation to come unto Himself for help to get through life. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. His promise to us is that when we come to Him by faith, we will find all that we need to meet every need! - 3 X Paul came to Jesus – 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – It is still sufficient!
