INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. This Man: “Spake with authority”
2. This Man: “Done nothing amiss”
3. This Man: “Offered one sacrifice”
Introductory Remarks.
1. Today’s lesson will be on “This Man.” Who spake and taught with authority and not as the scribes and Pharisees. This man lived a life perfect from his birth to his death, from the cradle to the grave, from poverty to prosperity. This man offered one sacrifice for sin, for all, forever. This will be one of our “Topical Sermons.” This type of lesson enables me to “go everywhere preaching the word,” as described in Acts 8:4.
2. First, we will discuss the people’s perception of “this man” when He preached and taught them the word of God. After Jesus finished His sermon on the mount, Matthew wrote: “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes,” Matthew 7:27-28.
3. Next, we will describe how people viewed the life of “this man.” Rulers admitted: “I find no fault in this man, before the rulers and people of Israel,” John 18:38. One thief hanging on his cross to die said to the other: “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong (amiss), Luke 23:39-41.
4. Finally, we will investigate how “this man,” after He purged our sins by offering one sacrifice, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High, Hebrews 1:1-3. This man became not only the offering for sin, but the High Priest over His people, and the Savior of those who obeyed Him, Hebrews 5:7-9. This man, God made him to be “the propitiation for the sins of the whole world,” as stated in Romans 3:24-26 and 1 John 2:1-2. God, through this man, accorded (offered): “Heaven’s intervention to enable human intercession.” Let’s consider our first point regarding “this man.”
BODY OF LESSON
I THIS MAN: “SPAKE WITH AUTHORITY”
A. During His teaching in the Temple, the guards were sent out to catch Him in His words. They return to the Leaders, and when asked, “'Why have you not brought him?' They replied: 'Never a man spake like this man,'” John 7:46.
1. Others said: “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” John 7:15.
2. What we see in Jesus is the “Living word of God embodied in human flesh, being seen, heard, read, and known by all men.” The “Word of God” dwelling now in the form of a man!
3. Truly, this is the Son of God! The image of the Father in heaven, for when we see Jesus, we see the Father. John 14:9. Beloved of the Lord,
B. It was this man…who captured the hearts and imaginations of His audience during His preaching and works of healing among the people. To the paralytic, Jesus said, “Take up your bed, and go to your house… he arose, and took up his bed…so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, we never saw anything like this,” Mark 2:11-12. Text shortened for brevity (TSFB).
ILLUSTRATION: Point out the makeup of the onlookers in the house, —no room in the house to receive any more people, —the faith of the four bearers of the man of palsy, —the reasoning in the hearts of the scribes, —their charge of blasphemies, —and the questions and miracle of Jesus. Christ, — the Son of Man, — had the authority to: “forgive sin while on earth,” Mark 2:10.
NOTE: Anytime good is done, evil is around. “We must learn how to overcome evil with good,” Romans 12:20-21. And we should never tire, “In doing good to all men, especially unto the household of faith,” Galatians 6:9-10.
C. The religious leaders asked: “How does this man know letters, having never studied?” John 7:15. The people remarked about His wisdom. Observe, while,
1. Teaching in the synagogue. Matthew noted: “And when He was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” Matthew 12:5. See Matthew 13:56; John 7:37-39. These are the words regarding Jesus as He taught in the temple during the middle of one of the Feast Days in Jerusalem. When He spake,
2. While in Nazareth. Luke penned: “So He came to Nazareth…into the synagogue and stood up to read…He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord…And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him…So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” Luke 4:16-22. TSFB.
3. The Sermon on the Mount. After Jesus had concluded His sermon on the Mount, “The people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes,” Matthew 7:28-29.
4. This man doeth miracles. John wrote:
a. “And many of the people believed in Him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?” John 7:31.
b. “And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracles: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed in Him there,” John 10:41-42.
NOTE: Why did John not perform miracles? He had the Holy Spirit, but was not given power! But this man, [Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and Power. See Acts 10:36-43.]
ILLUSTRATION: The resurrection of Lazarus of Bethany, John 11. Some who witnessed this great miracle went back and told the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Because of “this man’s miracles.” The apostle John wrote:
c. First, “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? For this man doeth many miracles. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation,” John 11:47-48. John continued,
d. Next, “And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish,’” John 11:49-50. He concluded,
e. Finally, “Now this he did not say on his own authority, but being the high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that he would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad,” John 11:51-52; Ephesians 1:10. That there will be but: “One-Fold and One-Shephard,” John 10:16.
D. Jesus received sinners. The scribes and Pharisees would not receive sinners. Recall, the,
1. Sinner who came to dinner, Luke 7:36-39. She came “weeping and found forgiveness at Jesus' feet,” Luke 7:37-38. There is teaching, healing, and forgiveness at “the feet of Jesus.” Observe,
a. However, the “Pharisees and scribes murmured (of Him), saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them,” Luke 15:2; Matthew 9:9-13.
b. Luke wrote: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost,” Luke 19:10.
c. These are those whom Christ came to save. He did not come to call the righteous man, but the sinners to repentance.
d. Consider the attitude of the Pharisee who invited Jesus to Dinner. Observe,
2. Luke wrote: “Now when the Pharisee who had bidden him saw it (the woman at Jesus' feet), he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner,” Luke 7:39.
3. The Master’s “parable of two debtors,” Luke 7:40-43. This man…
4. Jesus showed compassion to her. “He turned to the woman and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss, but this woman, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment,” Luke 7:44-46.
NOTE: I wish I had time to speak about her Alabaster Box. Download our sermon: “A Sinner Came To Dinner,” from SermonCentral.com, by Ron Freeman, Evangelist.
5. Jesus’ forgiveness of her. “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven,” Luke 7:47-48. And what a discourse that followed. Hear Him. Luke wrote,
a. “And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is (this man) that forgiveth sins also?” Luke 7:49.
b. “And he (Jesus) said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace,” Luke 7:50.
c. Conclusion: This is another example where Jesus has forgiven someone’s sins in front of the Jewish leaders of Israel. Let me clarify: While on earth, Jesus had the authority of the Father to forgive sins. If indeed he had blasphemed as others had charged, then he was justly condemned by crucifixion for this sin before God and the religious leaders. We all believe, however, that Jesus was not guilty of such charges for doing the will of His Father, John 15:10; John 7:16-18.
ILLUSTRATION: The Master had the authority to forgive sins while He was on earth. And now sits as High Priest in Heaven on the right hand of God, able to forgive all sins as Savior of the world.
E. Sinners are made righteous. Luke wrote: “And He spake this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice a week, and I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted,” Luke 18:9-14.
1. The Pharisee prayed to himself about his self-righteousness.
2. The Publican prayed to God about his sinfulness.
3. The Publican went home justified (forgiven of his sins).
4. Well, the Pharisee went home (unforgiven of his sins).
ILLUSTRATION: What is the message in this parable? The Pharisee professed his perceived righteousness to God. The Publican confessed his sins to God. One went home justified, and the other just went home. The Pharisee left the temple with the same sins he had when he entered. The publican went home forgiven and justified in God's sight.
5. Conclusion: When our prayers exalt ourselves, they debase us before God. However, when we humbly confess our sins to God, He will forgive and exalt us in due time. “God resisted the proud, but giveth grace to the humble,” 1 Peter 5:5-7. Don’t ever forget,
a. It was for “sinners” Jesus came and died, that we might live, Romans 5:8-11; Galatians 2:20-21.
b. How will you leave this assembly today?
c. I pray that you will leave forgiven, and not just for having been in attendance.
Let’s consider point two of this lesson.
II THIS MAN: “DONE NOTHING AMISS”
A. From His humble birth unto His horrifying death, there was no fault found in Him. While Jesus was speaking to the people in the Temple, he revealed this truth. They could find no fault in Him. Observe,
1. Jesus said unto the rulers. “I tell you the truth,”
a. First, “Which of you convicts me of sins? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore, you do not hear, because you are not of God,” John 8:46-47.
b. Further, “When you lift (up) the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself, but as the Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him,” John 8:28-29.
ILLUSTRATE: How Jesus pleased the Father. In His baptism, Matthew 3:13-17. Then, regarding His death, Jesus, Moses, and Elijah had a conference before His disciples on the mount to discuss what fate awaited Him in Jerusalem (Luke 9:28-31). The Father spoke again from heaven, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear you Him,” Matthew 17:1-9.
c. Finally, “And I, if I am lifted (up) from the earth, will draw all men (peoples) to Myself. This He said, signifying by what death He would die,” John 12:32-33; John 6:44-45.
2. Rulers admitted they could find no fault in Him. Before his trial, and questioning Jesus, “Pilate went out unto them (rulers and the people) and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?” John 18:29.
a. After his interrogation, Pilate went out and replied, “I find no fault in this man, before the rulers and people of Israel,” John 18:38. Pilate repeatedly questioned Jesus. And,
b. “Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverted the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him,” Luke 23:14.
c. “But they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas,” Luke 23:18. The hearts of evil and beguiled men never cry out for mercy, but “away with this man.” These religious leaders were unaware of the consequences of their actions. All of this, however, was the will of God. Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which my Father has given to me?” John 18:11; Matthew 16:20-21.
ILLUSTRATION: Jesus’ fervent prayer about this cup passing from Him, Matthew 26:36-46. Ending it with: “Not my will, but thy will be done.” The Lord’s cup was one of suffering and death before He could receive His crown of glory.
3. Pilate concedes and condemns Jesus to death. John wrote: “Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. So, they took Jesus and led Him away. And He bearing His cross, went out to a place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center,” John 19:16-18. They crucified Jesus as being the worst of the (lot) between two thieves. But our story does not end yet!
B. One thief, while hanging on his cross to die, said to the other who railed against Jesus: “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing amiss (wrong),” Luke 23:39-41. Do you fear God? Will you defy Him even unto your death? John wrote: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life,” Revelation 2:10. TSFB.
C. The repentant thief asked: “Then he said to Jesus: 'Lord, remember me when you come into thy kingdom.' And Jesus said to him, assuredly, ‘I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise,’” Luke 23:43. Wherever Jesus went after His death, so did the thief! But this doesn’t mean we can be saved like the thief. Or that Christ will save believers in the same manner. Consider,
NOTE: Some religious leaders use the “thief’s request” as proof that he was saved without baptism. I cannot say he was or was not. He was familiar with the Lord and His kingdom.
1. From whom did he learn about these things? John the Baptist “had many disciples, and so did Jesus,” John 4:1-3.
2. Can we honestly say: “that the thief was never baptized?”
3. In our conversion experience, it does not matter one way or the other.
4. We are saved under the New Testament, not the Old. We cannot, “Put new wine into old wine bottles (skins),” Matthew 9:17.
5. Jesus’ blood was shed to establish His own covenant with believers, Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:13-17. It was after His death, “That a soldier with a spear pierced His side: And forthwith came there out blood and water,” John 19:34. Blood for forgiveness, and water for cleansing!
D. The environment could not stand what it was witnessing. The Lord of glory was being crucified.
1. The sun refused to shine: “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour,” Matthew 27:45.
2. Birds went away to hide. When skies are overcast and darkness looms, birds retreat to their nests.
ILLUSTRATION: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama Sabathani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46. These were the cries of a forsaken man! The crowds forsook Him, John 6:66-68. At His arrest, “the disciples forsook him and fled,” Matthew 26:56. Now, it appears His Father in heaven has also forsaken Him.
NOTE: [He was forsaken for a moment, that we for a moment should ever be forsaken!] Observe,
3. The onlookers around the cross. “Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias,” Matthew 27:47. What prompted this witness? What had they heard? Explain.
a. Matthew inscribed: “The rest said, Let (him) be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him,” Matthew 27:49. These were doubters standing around the cross! But, again,
b. He cried loudly. “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost,” Matthew 27:50. Observe,
1) After receiving the vinegar or sour wine, Jesus gave up the ghost.
2) John inscribed: “He said it is finished, and then gave up the ghost,” John 19:30.
3) I want to emphasize: Not “I am finished, but it is finished!”
4. What was finished, Lord?
a) The Scriptures regarding the Son are all fulfilled.
b) The Sacrifice for the world’s Sin has been furnished (offered).
c) The Salvation for Sinners has been finalized (procured).
Notice the environment’s reaction to all these events,
c. The earth quaked, and the rocks broke. Matthew pens: “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent,” Matthew 27:51. Not only was the earth quaking, but the onlookers from heaven were also troubled! As they too witnessed the crucifixion of the Son of God! Here is,
ILLUSTRATE: The significance of the temple veil being rent from top to bottom. The way to the Holy of Holies has been opened and made possible for all His saints, through a new and living way. d. Paul wrote: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is (to say), His flesh,” Hebrews 10:19-20. This is the KJV of this text. Consider,
NOTE: [It took heaven’s intervention to enable human intercession!] This man made it possible for all of us to “go behind the veil” in the presence of God to obtain the forgiveness of sins. Because,
e. He has made us: “Kings and priests,” Revelation 1:6; 1 Peter 2:5-9. To “offer up spiritual sacrifices to God,” Hebrews 13:15-16. Observe,
4. After His resurrection. Matthew penned: “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many,” Matthew 27:52-53. Matthew concludes with the onlooking of,
E. The centurion. “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God,” Matthew 27:54. The centurion’s witness was in the wrong tense of the verb: not was, but is!
1. The witness of the women, Matthew 27:55-56.
2. The burial of Jesus, Matthew 27:57-66. This story does not end here!
3. The resurrection and the cover-up, Matthew 28:1-15.
4. The Ascension of Christ, Matthew 28:16-18.
ILLUSTRATE: The Great Commission of Christ. Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16.
5. Conclusion: The apostle John did not write much about His death: “And they crucified Him.” He, however, wrote volumes regarding His burial and resurrection. This man received gifts from Kings and gave gifts to men. The greatest is the “gift of eternal life,” Titus 1:1-3. He said, “I am come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly,” John 10:10. I will leave it to Peter to speak of His resurrection. Observe, in Acts chapter three,
6. Peter spake unto the people, after healing the lame man at the Temple Beautiful, Acts 3:1-12. He said: “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you. And killed the Prince of life whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses,” Acts 3:13-15. We will return to Peter’s preaching of the resurrection at the end of this lesson. For now, let’s investigate our last point in this lesson.
III THIS MAN: “OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE”
A. We are talking about the Lord of Glory! Paul, in his discussion of the glory of Christ, wrote of His superiority over all the prophets and patriarchs of the Old Testament. Paul speaks of Moses’ glory in Hebrews chapter three. He wrote: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house,” Hebrews 3:1-2. He declared,
1. For “This man (Jesus) was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, since he who hath built the house hath more honour than the house,” Hebrews 3:3. He that built the house hath more honor than the servant in the house. Paul points out,
a. “For every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God,” Hebrews 3:4.
b. “But Christ as the Son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end,” Hebrews 3:6. Listen to Paul,
c. “Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after,” Hebrews 3:5. And,
d. Moses was appointed to build the tabernacle. Luke wrote: “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses, to make it according to the pattern that he had seen (on the mount),” Acts 7:44; Hebrews 8:5. Moses spoke of another prophet,
1) Although he was a great prophet, deliverer, and leader of the people of Israel. Moses prophesied of the coming of Jesus, the Great Prophet, Savior, and Lord. Observe,
2) Luke wrote: “For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise for you a Prophet like me from your brethren, Him you shall hear in all things, whatsoever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people,’” Acts 3:22-23; Deuteronomy 18:15-19.
3) Paul wrote: Concerning this Prophet and Savior,
a) First, “God, who at sundry times and in divers (different) manners spake…hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son…He made the world,” Hebrews 1:1-2. TSFB.
b) Next, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip…gifts of God by the Holy Spirit,” Hebrews 2:1-4. TSFB.
c) Finally, “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him,” Hebrews 5:8-9.
4) Jesus is the prophet Moses spoke about. The Prophet Jesus is Greater than Moses! Where Moses delivered the people from slavery and human bondage, this man delivered the people from the slavery of sin and eternal damnation. Paul continued,
2. This man is counted worthy of more glory than the angels. Not only is Jesus greater: “Being made better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they,” Hebrews 1:4. See Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:5-11. The apostle wrote,
a. “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” Hebrews 1:5. Further,
b. “And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels’ spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire,” Hebrews 1:6-7. The angels,
NOTE: They worshipped Him; attended to his incarnation, his temptation, his agony, his death, his resurrection, and his ascension, Matthew 2:11-15; 4:1-11; Luke 22:43; Matthew 28:2; John 20:11-12; Acts 1:9-11; and Hebrews 1:1-8.
1) This was due to His glory and honor, which shows what a position He held in heaven; angels ministered to him, worshipped Him, for he is the Lord of angels, and "the King of kings, and Lord of lords," Revelation 19:16.
2) This authority and position have been given unto Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! 1 Timothy 6:13-16; Titus 2:13; and 2 Peter 1:1. Jesus truly is God, Lord, and Savior.
c. “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows…And, Thou, Lord in the beginning…They shall perish…And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up…and thy years shall not fail,” Hebrews 1:8-12. TSFB. Finally,
d. “But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:13-14; Hebrews 2:1-4.
3. Turning now to Christ being the builder or head of the church, which is a part of Him, for we are: “Members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones,” Ephesians 5:30. We mentioned earlier that Christ built His Church. We will consider it now. Observe,
a. “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples, saying: Who do men say that I am, the Son of man? And they said ... He saith unto them: But who say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." He replies to Peter,
b. "I also say unto thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, etc.,” Matthew 16:13-19. TSFB.
c. Jesus’ promises of the church: “I will build of me, the church,” Matthew 16:18. After Peter’s affirmation that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, He makes some important promises.
Observe,
NOTE: The New Greek/English Interlinear NT reads: “I will build of Me the church,” Page 60. The church will be a part of me, as the “woman is part of man.” Jesus said unto Peter:
1) The NGEI reads: “And upon this rock (confession of faith), I will build (of Me), the church.” The church would consist of Jesus’ “body, flesh, and bones,” as stated in Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:30.
a) Adam said of Eve, his wife, “She is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh,” Genesis 2:23-24.
b) Paul mentions this concerning the church! He wrote: “For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave…and they shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church,” Ephesians 5:30-33. The church is the wife of Christ, and all its members are of His body, His flesh, and His bones.
ILLUSTRATION: Flesh and blood cannot go to heaven, but flesh and bones can! 1 Corinthians 15:50-52. Jesus, in His glorified body, went to heaven, and we shall likewise be raised and ascend into the heavens with Him,” Luke 24:37-53; Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20-21; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Notice,
c) Denominationalists contend that the church was established when Jesus sent out the twelve, Matthew 10:1ff. However,
d) Jesus says, “I will build my church,” Matthew 16:18. Someone has got it wrong. And it is not the Lord! This promise by Him,
2) Proves that the church was not yet built during His ministry, but it was “nigh.” The Kingdom of God was also “at hand,” Mark 9:1. Stay with me, beloved of God. Jesus continues,
3) “And the gates of Hades will not overcome it,” Matthew 16:18. He promises Peter that death and the grave shall not prevent Him from building it. He states further,
4) “I will give you (Peter) the keys to the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 16:19. Observe that the Lord promises to give the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter. He would be the administrator of the church or the kingdom in some capacity. Finally, the Master promised,
5) “And whatsoever:”
a) "You may have bound in the earth; it will have been bound in the heavens."
b) "You may have abolished in the earth; it will have been abolished in the heavens," Matthew 16:19.
6) Conclusion: “Then He gave orders to the disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ,” Matthew 16:20.
NOTE: Reference, The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament.
ILLUSTRATION: How many churches did Christ promise to build? Here is your answer: “I will build my church! [I, a personal pronoun, will, a future tense promise, build, means to erect, establish, bring into existence, my, denotes personal possessive ownership, and church, is singular - one.] He did not say “churches,” therefore, He only built one! Are you a member of His church? Please note this: Christ did not establish or build “one denomination”; they are all the products of men. Let’s move on in this lesson,
4. Paul likens the church to a wife. To the husbands, he inscribed,
a. First, “Because the husband is the head and the protector of his wife, as the Christ is head of the church and Savior of the body,” Ephesians 5:23.
b. Further, Christ is both “Head of the church and Savior of the body.”
c. Next, some have indeed denied Christ as being God, Lord, and Savior! This author so informs all who would hear: “Christ is the head (having authority) over the church, and He is the Savior (being protector) of the body of Christ (His wife).
NOTE: If you believe such or have heard such preached. Download our lesson: “Christ’s Deity and Divine Nature,” from SermonCentral.com, by Ron Freeman, Evangelist. See References. [For a link to this Dissertation].
d. Finally, “It was Jesus who built the house: i.e., the church and the kingdom of God,” Ephesians 5:5. He built ONE house! “The house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth,” 1 Timothy 3:15. Paul continued, This man,
B. He is greater than Melchizedek. “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils,” Hebrews 7:4. In this passage of scripture, the beloved apostle now compares Melchizedek’s Priesthood to Christ’s. Paul begins by identifying him,
1. Who is this man, “Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the (most high) God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him,” Hebrews 7:1-3; Genesis 14:18; Psalms 110:4. Who was he? Matthew Henry wrote,
a. First, He “Being interpreted as King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace, and priest of the (Most High) God.” [The most general opinion is that he was a Canaanite king, who reigned in Salem, and kept up religion and the worship of the true God; that he was raised to be a type of Christ, and was honored by Abraham as such.] Page 1320.
Paul explains,
b. Further, He was “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life,” Hebrews 7:3a. The scriptures do not reveal to us his mother or father. Perhaps only to be compared to Christ, having no beginning or ending, who was eternal but became flesh to die as the Son of Man, but to rise as “King of kings, and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see (His divine person), to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen,” 1 Timothy 6:15-16. Jesus said: “When you have seen me, you have seen the Father,” John 14:9; John 3:13; and 2 Corinthians 4:1-7.
c. Finally, He being “Made like the Son of God; abideth (as) a priest continually,” Hebrews 7:3b. See Genesis 14:17-20. Paul pictures Melchizedek’s Priesthood as that of Christ's. Matthew Henry wrote,
d. Concluding, [“Melchizedek was made like unto the Son of God, and abideth (as) a priest continually. He bore the image of God in his piety and authority, and stands upon record as an immortal high priest; the ancient type of him who is the eternal and only-begotten of the Father, (the Son of God) who abideth (as) a (High Priest) forever.”] Page 1320-1321. (Capitalizing and parentheses are my insertions.)
NOTE: [Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Volume VI.] See Reference Section.
2. Now, “Consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils,” Hebrews 7:4-10. Paul continued,
a. First, “And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office (priesthood), have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham.” [Those that are of the loins of Abraham from Aaron to Samuel.]
1) Aaron was Israel’s first high priest, Exodus 4:14; Acts 7:40; and Hebrews 7:11.
2) Samuel was a priest, judge, and prophet in Israel, 1 Samuel 1:20; 1 Samuel 19:22; Acts 3:24; and Hebrews 11:32.
3) The sons of the tribe of Levi held the office of priest.
4) The sons of the 12 tribes of Israel are from the loins of Abraham.
5) Therefore, all the children of Abraham gave tithes unto Melchizedek, and now to Jesus Christ our Great High Priest.
b. Further, “But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises,” Hebrews 7:6. This man was not from the Tribe of Levi, from which the priesthood was granted. But instead of Juda, the tribe of David, to which Jesus is described as being His descendant, as well as the Lord over Him, Luke 2:1-7; Romans 1:3-4; and Matthew 22:41-46.
c. Next, “And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes, but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth,” Hebrews 7:7-8. The message here is that the lesser gives tithes unto the greater. In that Abraham gave tithes unto Melchizedek, it affirms the Gentile King was being honored by Abraham’s gifts, although he was the “Father of the promises of God.”
d. Also, “And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham,” Hebrews 7:9. The saying is also true, in that the Tribe of Levi received tithes from the people, they, in a similar fashion, also paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham’s seed (from which all Israel had its descendants).
e. Lastly, “For he (Aaron) was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him (Abraham),” Hebrews 7:10. Paul's example is that Aaron, while still in his father’s loins (not yet born), as High Priest, gave tithes to the Gentile King through his lineage, as well as through Abraham.
3. Melchizedek is being personified as a “type” of Christ, meaning that although Christ was not a descendant of the tribe of Levi, yet He is High Priest over all people and nations. Therefore, His Priesthood is also higher than Aaron’s and the priesthood of Melchizedek as well. Let’s not forget that Jesus, too, was a descendant of Abraham, as attested in Hebrews 2:16; Matthew 1:1; and Romans 1:3-4. Moving forward,
C. He hath a continuing life. “And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood,” Hebrews 7:23-24. Paul wrote: “And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death. The death of the high priest necessitated the appointment of a new one to continue their duties before God and the people. Paul wrote,
1. “But this man,” Jesus. Because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.” Seeing He hath no beginning and no ending, seeing He ever liveth without ending. Observe,
a. Wherefore, He: “Can save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them,” Hebrews 7:25. Such a High Priest,
b. “He became (unto) us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens,” Hebrews 7:26. Who needeth not daily,
c. “As that (other) high priest, to offer sacrifices, first for his sins, and then for the people’s: for this, He did once when He offered up Himself,” Hebrews 7:27.
1) “For he hath been tempted in all points like as we, yet without sin,” Hebrews 4:14-16.
2) “For He knew no sin, though he was made sin for us, that we might be found righteous in Him,” 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22-24. For the law,
d. “Maketh men high priests which have infirmity: but the word of the oath, which was since, the law, maketh the Son (High Priest), who is consecrated for evermore,” Hebrews 7:28. Now,
2. Christ’s unchanging priesthood enables Him to intercede for the saints without wavering. His Priesthood has opened access for all saints into the Heavenly by removing the veil that hid us from the presence of God. “Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood…For without the shedding of blood there is no remission (of sins),” Hebrews 9:18; Hebrews 10:22.
ILLUSTRATION: The Communion Service is done in remembrance of Christ's shed blood for our sins, and the sins of the whole world. See Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30. “This blood was shed on Calvary, for the church which He purchased with it,” John 19:34; Acts 20:28.
3. Jesus, as our High Priest, now appears in the presence of God for all the saints. He is the “mediator of the New Testament.” The “Old Testament” was part of the old priesthood. Since the priesthood has changed, it was therefore necessary to change the Law. It is no longer the Law of Moses but the Law of Christ! Paul wrote about a mediator,
a. “Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one,” Galatians 3:20.
b. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:3-6.
c. Christ is our “mediator” who sits at the right hand of God, to intercede on our behalf. The mediator speaks on behalf of His subjects.
d. He, being the “Son of Man,” and “the Son of God,” can petition the Father for us. And so does the Holy Spirit, as recorded in Romans 8:26.
4. He is the “mediator of the New Testament.” Paul wrote:
a. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause (reason), he is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the (sins and) transgressions that were under the first testament, that they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also be, of necessity, the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth,” Hebrews 9:14-17. The apostle’s mentioning of the “first testament” here, he means “the Old Covenant” God made between Moses and the Children of Israel. Speaking of the necessity for this New Covenant, he pens,
b. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace (through the faith) that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be (the) propitiation (through the redemption) in his blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus,” Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14.
NOTE: You may have noticed some changes in these passages of scripture. I have elected to present these two prepositional phrases in the same manner Paul has written them elsewhere in the New Testament. Download our lesson: “Divine Revelation and Inspiration” from SermonCentral.com, by Ron Freeman, Evangelist. I present a thorough explanation for these changes. The apostle continues,
D. Every high priest. “Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer,” Hebrews 8:1-3.
1. First, “We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; who offered Himself for all, for there is no respect of persons.” Because all have sinned, therefore, all need forgiveness of sins. This Jesus did once.
2. Further, “For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices,” Hebrews 8:3. They,
a. “Standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins,” Hebrews 10:11.
b. “Those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He (Christ) did once, when he offered up Himself,” Hebrews 7:27. Paul affirms that Christ offered Himself once for the sins of the people. After which, He sat down on the “right hand of God, as Great High Priest forever.” He continued,
c. “For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore,” Hebrews 7:28.
3. Finally, “For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins,” Hebrews 10:1-4.
4. Conclusion: “Wherefore it is necessary that this man have somewhat also to offer,” Hebrews 8:3. What was it that Jesus came to offer? Yes, you got it, His life as the Savior of the world. While speaking to his disciples about who is the greatest among them. Observe,
a. Jesus said: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many,” Matthew 20:28. He came to serve, and to offer His life as the ransom for the sins of humanity, and to reconcile the world unto God.
b. Paul wrote much of the “ransom of Christ.” Observe,
1) To Timothy, “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,” 1 Timothy 2:3-6.
2) To Titus, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works,” Titus 2:14.
3) To the Hebrews: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation,” Hebrews 9:28.
c. David wrote: “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him,” Psalms 49:7. But Isaiah gave us God’s solution: Christ!
ILLUSTRATION: Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming Savior. Isaiah 53. See also Acts 8:26-39.
d. Salvation is in Christ. Paul gives us our final witness of the offering of Christ as Savior. Observe,
1) A body prepared: “Wherefore, when He cometh into the world He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me…Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second,” Hebrews 10:5-9.
2) A body offered: “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all,” Hebrews 10:10.
3) A Priestly offering: “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifice, which can never take away sins,” Hebrews 10:11.
4) Conclusion: John said it best: “Behold the lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world,” John 1:29. This he did at Calvary. He offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. He gave His “blood” to atone for the sins of past generations, our generation, and the generation yet to come. Without the shedding of blood, there could be “no remission” of sins. He offered Himself and His blood once for the sins of the world. He was given by God as the “propitiation” or “mercy seat” for sin forever, 1 Peter 1:18-19; Matthew 26:28; Acts 20:28. In like fashion,
5. Jesus entered once: “Into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but His own blood, thus securing (for us) an eternal redemption…how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God…For Christ has entered…into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf,” Hebrews 9:12-24; Romans 8:34.
NOTE: See also Romans 8:27; Hebrews 4:14-15; and Hebrews 7:25.
a. When did He do this? After His return to heaven, Hebrews 9:24.
b. Then, “He made purification for sins,” Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 1:18-21.
c. And, “Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22. With all this said, let's begin to wrap it up. Paul concludes Christ offered,
E. One sacrifice for sin forever. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God,” Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 1:2. “This man” offered one sacrifice for sins forever, and then sat down at the right hand of God, His work having been completed. Observe,
1. But this man, Jesus, our great High Priest: “After he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God: From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool,” Hebrews 10:12-13.
2. This man became not only the offering for sin, but the High Priest over, and Savior of those who obeyed Him, Hebrews 5:7-9. Jesus said:
a. “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep,” John 10:15. And, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it up again,” John 10:17-18. Observe,
b. No one takes His life, but rather, He lays it down to take it up again!
c. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many,” Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45.
3. Paul wrote: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth, for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,” 1 Timothy 2:3-6; Galatians 1:3-4. This is good and acceptable,
a. “In the sight of God our Savior: Who would have all men to be saved.”
c. “By coming unto the knowledge of the truth.” Here it is:
1) “For there is one God,”
2) “One mediator between God and men.”
3) “The man Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
d. “Who gave Himself:” He offered Himself for us, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.
1) “A ransom for all,” Isaiah 53:3-12.
2) “To be testified of in due time.” Titus 1:1-3; Romans 16:25-27; Ephesians 3:1-7.
d. What is meant by “ransom?” The Greek word for ransom is “antilytron” or “an-til'-oo-tron,” which means “a redemption-price,” or to give one in exchange for another as the price for redemption, a ransom paid to “redeem another.” Christ’s life and blood were His payment to God for our salvation and redemption. Christ became God’s acceptable offering for humanity’s sins. He became,
4. The propitiation for sin. This man God made to be “the propitiation for the sins of the whole world,” 1 John 2:1-2. Paul wrote: “Being justified freely by His grace through the faith that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth [to be] the propitiation through the redemption that is in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are passed, through the forbearance of God. To declare, [I say,] at this time His righteousness that He might be Just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus,” Romans 3:24-26. Let’s see how these verses tie all this together. God set forth Christ Jesus to be the propitiation, our mercy seat, as Hebrews 9:5 states. Calvary was the place and means by which Christ appeased and satisfied God by offering His body and blood to atone for the sins of the whole world, thereby making peace.
a. First, “The propitiation, the term in Gr., is hilasterion or hil-as-tay'-ree-on, which means a place or thing, i.e., an atoning victim, or a place behind the veil: —the mercy-seat. Isaiah wrote: “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied…and my righteous servant shall justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities,” Isaiah 53:11; 1 John 2:1-2; and Hebrews 10:19-22.
ILLUSTRATION: Recall earlier in the lesson, we mentioned the “onlookers.” Heaven’s onlooker could not see, nor knew of God’s Eternal Plan for forgiveness. We are more blessed than they, for we know that God planned to save the world from Sin. Yes, it was Christ, the Lamb of God, who offered Himself on the cross of Calvary that all might have a right to “the tree of life.” Paul wrote,
b. Further, “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,” Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14. Redemption and forgiveness were made possible through His blood. Christ's atonement was necessary:
1) “To declare God’s righteousness for the remission of sins that are past.” The sins that were passed over in former ages (Patriarchal, Mosaic). At times of ignorance: “God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent,” Acts 17:30; Acts 14:16; and Psalms 50:16-23.
2) “Through the forbearance of God.” He has done this through forbearance or overlooking those sins with full knowledge that the blood of Christ would also cover.
3) "The transgressions under the first testament." That they “who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
c. Next, “To declare, [I say,] at this time His righteousness.” To show forth His righteousness for these acts of grace towards those whom he had called under the Old Covenant and before. For what reason:
1) First, “That He might be Just,” Isaiah 45:21; Jeremiah 23:5-6.
2) Second, “The Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus,” Romans 3:26. That He might be not only Just in His mercy and forgiveness under the first testament, but also the Justifier of them which believeth in Jesus in the New Testament. Therefore, we,
d. Lastly, “Being justified freely by His grace through the faith that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 3:24. Let me emphasize that justification is not just by faith, but through the faith in Christ Jesus. It is not salvation by faith only, but through faith and obedience to the gospel! Finally, He is,
5. The Mercy Seat. It lay behind the veil once in the tabernacle, and then in the temple. This was the meeting place with God. The High Priest entered after divers washing first for himself and then for the people’s sins. Ceremonially, he would sprinkle the approach to the mercy seat, and then, the seat itself, 7 times with his finger with the blood of the sacrificed offering. Here is the “long and short of it.” I offer this for your consideration. In the previous dispensation (the Old Testament), just as:
a. The “mercy seat” was set behind the veil, in the Holies of Holies, Hebrews 9:5; Luke 23:45; Matthew 27:51. It was a place of atonement and forgiveness of sins under the law. These things were a “pattern of things to come,” Hebrews 9:23-26. Therefore, Christ was also Israel’s “mercy seat” under the Old Testament, just as He is now ours under the New Testament.
b. Christ’s death on the cross was “the place of propitiation,” for all generations’ sins “in His blood,” Romans 3:25. Paul uses “propitiation” and “mercy seat” interchangeably in his discourse of Christ’s redemption.
NOTE: Notice their case, number, and gender | (N-ASN), in Romans 3:25; | and (N-ASN), in Hebrews 9:5. I suggest the “mercy seat” was Paul's true meaning, instead of “the propitiation," in Romans 3:25. Both words, however, mean the same thing when considering their application as “the meeting place” for the forgiveness, or “the remission of sins.” Thank you, my precious Lord!
NOTE: N-ASN means a noun, accusative case, single in number, and neuter in gender. Therefore,
c. Christ’s throne continues to be the “mercy seat” (a meeting place) of God and our Great High Priest, on behalf of our sins and transgressions, as it was in the Holy of Holies, for God and the high priest, under the Old Testament (once a year).
d. Where God forgave Israel’s sins: “After the sprinkling of the blood of bulls and goats: by the high priest, with his finger seven times, on the front of the mercy seat, and before it,” Leviticus 16:12-16.
e. When Jehovah “appeared in a cloud upon the mercy seat,” Leviticus 16:2. On the “day of atonement,” Numbers 29:7-11. To meet with the High Priest,
1) In conference, acknowledgment, and confession of the people’s sins by the high priest unto God, where He forgave them through His forbearance under the past dispensation, on behalf of Christ’s promised sacrifice (in due time), for the sin of the whole world, John 1:29; 1 John 2:1-2. This took place,
2) In the dispensation of the grace of God, Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:1-2; Colossians 1:25-29.
3) B. W. Johnson wrote: “Christ was publicly shown forth as a MERCY SEAT (a Propitiatory). As God of old met Israel at the mercy seat when the blood of the atonement was offered, so Christ on the Cross is our mercy seat…This system of forgiveness, or righteousness through the cross of Christ, is the righteousness without law predicted by the Law and the Prophets,” Page 396.
4) As my brother often said: “Thank God for Jesus!”
6. God, through this man, permitted: “Heaven’s intervention to enable human intercession.”
a. Paul wrote: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water,” Hebrews 10:22.
ILLUSTRATION: There is a “generation or two that has not been washed.” Solomon penned: “There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness,” Proverbs 30:12. I will soon tell you how to wash away your sins, Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11. The washing mentioned here occurs in baptism. We are almost ready to conclude! Paul continued,
b. “Hold fast (firmly) the profession of our faith without (doubt) wavering; (for he [God] is faithful that promised),” Hebrews 10:23.
c. “Consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching,” Hebrews 10:24-25.
d. Conclusion: Jehovah said: “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word,” Isaiah 66:2. David asked of Jehovah: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee,” Psalms 51:10-13; Psalms 51:17. With all this said, let me now begin to conclude this lesson. You have been patient! Recall I said…
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. This Man: “Spake with authority”
2. This Man: “Done nothing amiss”
3. This Man: “Offered one sacrifice”
B. Summarize main points.
1. Today’s lesson addressed “This Man.” Who spake and taught with authority and not as the scribes and Pharisees. This man lived a life perfect from his birth to his death, from the cradle to the grave, from poverty to prosperity. This man offered one sacrifice for sin, for all, forever. This will be one of our “Topical Sermons.” We “went everywhere preaching the word,” as described in Acts 8:4.
2. First, we discussed the people’s perception of “this man” when He preached and taught them the word of God. After Jesus finished His sermon on the mount, Matthew wrote: “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes,” Matthew 7:27-28.
3. Next, we described how people viewed the life of “this man.” Rulers admitted: “I find no fault in this man, before the rulers and people of Israel,” John 18:38. One thief hanging on his cross to die said to the other: “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong (done nothing amiss), Luke 23:39-41.
4. Finally, we investigated how “this man,” after He purged our sins by offering one sacrifice, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High, Hebrews 1:1-3. This man became not only the offering for sin, but the High Priest over His people, and the Savior of those who obeyed Him, Hebrews 5:7-9. This man, God made him to be “the propitiation for the sins of the whole world,” as stated in Romans 3:24-26 and 1 John 2:1-2. God, through this man, accorded (offered): “Heaven’s intervention to enable human intercession.” Let’s consider our first point regarding “this man.”
C. Invitation. Present God’s pattern of conversion. Jesus said: “Come unto me, all ye that labor,” Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: “repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,” Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: “Save thyself,” Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
Consultations and Commendations
I submit this verse unto you that I may: “Render therefore to all their dues: tributes to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; and honor to whom honor, (is due),” Romans 13:7. I acknowledge my consultation with these distinguished authors in this dissertation.
References
1. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Volume Six, by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506, Copyright Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Ltd, 1960; Copyright 1961 by Zondervan Publishing House.
2. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
3. The Minister and His Greek New Testament, by A. T. ROBERTSON, M.A., D.D., LL.D., LITT.D., Professor Of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, New York, George H. Doran Company, Copyright, 1923.
4. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
5. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
6. Stephanus Textus Receptus 1550 edition of the Greek New Testament, by Robert Estienne (Robert Stephens). Stephanus' Textus Receptus of 1550: The Greek New Testament (Ancient Greek Edition), August 22, 2024.
7. “My Dissertation,” by Franklin, Roland E., Rev. Dr., Esquire, (REF)-FIBI@Wwm.org, Los Angeles, CA 90044, TM 2024.
8. “Christ’s Deity and Divine Nature,” by Ron Freeman, Evangelist, Worldwide Ministry Church of Christ.org, TM; on Archive.Org, September 2025.
9. “Divine Revelation and Inspiration,” a dissertation by Evangelist Ron Freeman, Worldwide Ministry Church of Christ.org, TM; Registration Number TX-9-402-610, Copyright, June 22, 2024.
10. The New Greek/English Interlinear, NRSV, New Testament, United Bible Societies,’ Fifth Revised Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188, Copyright, 2020.
11. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, by Joseph H. Thayer, Published by Hendrickson Publishers, Seventeenth Printing, December 2024, P.O. Box 3473, Peabody, MA 01961.
12. The BlueLetterBible.org (BLB’s) Interlinear, Textus Receptus; and the Morphological GNT, © 2022, by the Blue Letter Bible. This tool enables you to access the Greek New Testament in both manuscript forms. http://www.blb.org/The BLB also provides tutorials to help you navigate it.
A word of thanks to BLB.org
Thank you for providing this valuable study tool, BLB.org. It has been an excellent tool for me to learn and use the Interlinear, bringing my sermons to life for the audience. Thank you very much for this great Application to help study the scriptures.
Contact Information
Ron Freeman, Evangelist
wwmcoc@earthlink.net
https://wwmchurchofchrist.org/
Website: https://en.gravatar.com/refreeman
Visit and worship with the Church of Christ at Pickensville, AL (on their Conference Line). Worship services are held on Sunday at 11:00 AM, and Mid-week Bible Study meets on Wednesday at 6:00 PM. The call-in number is 1-302-202-1110, and the PIN is 214733. Tell them Ron Freeman invited you to join them in worship. You will be truly blessed! These men “know the Shepherd!”
