Sermon Central
-
The Meaning Of Christ To Us
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 16, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: 3 Things the Hebrew writer says about Jesus 1. He is the living sacrifice 2. Jesus is our high Priest 3. Jesus is the only one who can cleanse sin
THE MEANING OF CHRIST FOR US
I WANT THIS MORNING TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT CHRIST MEANS TO US, OR AT LEAST WHAT HE SHOULD MEAN TO US. IF YOU ONLY LOOK AT( V25) AND YOU USE IT AS A HAMMER TO THOSE THAT DON’T GO TO CHURCH, YOU WILL MISS THE MEAT OF THE TEXT. “LET US NOT GIVE UP MEETING TOGETHER AS SOME ARE IN THE HABIT OF DOING, BUT LET US ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER”.
WE COULD CALL FOR A NO EXCUSE SUNDAY- TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, WE WOULD HAVE TO DO THE FOLLOWING THINGS. (1) PUT COTS IN THE FOYER FOR THOSE WHO SAY THAT SUNDAY IS THEIR ONLY DAY TO SLEEP. (2) HAVE LOUNGE CHAIRS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE THAT SAY THAT THE PEWS ARE TOO HARD. (3) PUT HELMETS ON THOSE THAT SAY THAT THE ROOF WOULD FALL IN IF THEY CAME TO CHURCH. (4) BLANKETS FOR THE CLOD, FANS FOR THOSE THAT ARE HOT. (5) DOCTORS AND NURSES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE THAT WOULD BE SICK ON SUNDAY. IF YOU CENTERED ON THE LAST VERSE, YOU WOULD MISS IT. HEARING AIDS FOR THOSE THAT CAN’T HEAR THE PREACHER, AND COTTON BALLS FOR THOSE THAT CAN IS NOT THE ISSUE. IT IS NOT ABOUT EXCUSES, IT IS ABOUT WHY DO WE COME TO CHURCH, AND WHO ARE YOU COMING TO SEE
LET ME SET THIS UP. THE TABERNACLE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AS DESIGNED BY GOD AND BUILT BY MOSES HAD 3 MAIN AREAS.
(1) THE OUTER COURT
IT CONTAINED THE ALTAR AND LAVER. ON THE ALTAR BLOOD FROM ANIMAL SACRIFICES WAS SHED AND THE LAVER IS WHERE THE PRIEST WASHED HIS HANDS AND FEET IN A CLEANSING CEREMONY BEFORE HE WENT INTO THE HOLY PLACE.
(2) THE SECOND(INNER COURT)
WHERE THE SHOW BREAD, LAMPSTAND, THE ALTAR OF INCENSE ARE. EACH PIECE HAD DEEP MEANING AND WAS SIGNIFICANT TO THE SACRIFICE MADE.
(3) THE HOLY OF HOLIES
IT HAD IN FRONT OF IT A HEAVY VEIL OR CURTAIN. INSIDE WAS THE ARK OF THE COVENANT,AND THE MERCY SEAT. IT IS THERE WHERE GOD’S PRESENCE WOULD MEET WITH THE HIGH PRIEST ONCE A YEAR. THE HIGH PRIEST WOULD SACRIFICE FOR HIMSELF AND ALL OF ISRAEL.
COMMON MAN COULD ENTER THE OUTER COURT AND THE INNER COURT SANCTUARY, BUT ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST COULD ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES, AND ONLY ONCE A YEAR.
IF THERE WAS SIN FOUND IN THE PRIEST, IF HE HAD SACRIFICED WRONG, HE WOULD DIE. THEY TIED A BELL AROUND HIS LEG AND AS LONG AS THEY HEARD THE BELL, THEY KNEW THE PRIEST WAS STILL ALIVE. NO BELL, THEY WOULD PULL HIM OUT BY THE ROPE ,BUT WOULD NEVER STEP FOOT IN.
YOU SEE WHERE I AM GOING WITH THIS
(V19)- THEREFORE, BRETHREN, SINCE WE HAVE CONFIDENCE TO ENTER THE MOST HOLY PLACE BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, BY A NEW AND LIVING WAY OPENED FOR US THROUGH THE CURTAIN, THAT IS, HIS BODY AND SINCE WE HAVE A GREAT PRIEST OVER THE HOUSE OF GOD, LET US DRAW NEAR TO GOD, WITH A SINCERE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH.
BECAUSE OF JESUS WE HAVE CONFIDENCE TO ENTER THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
JESUS IS THE LIVING WAY , NO MORE ANIMAL SACRIFICES, THEY COVERED OUR SINS, JESUS CAN TAKE OUR SINS.
JESUS IS THE HIGH PRIEST WHO WENT INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES, TORE DOWN THE BARRIERS(CURTAIN) SO THAT WE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD. IT USE TO BE A FEARFUL PLACE TO BE. EVEN FOR THE HIGH PRIEST. WE NOW HAVE ACCESS FREELY. WORSHIPERS OF OLD WERE FEARFUL, THEY WERE UNDER THE LAW OF DEATH, WE ARE UNDER JESUS, THE PRINCIPAL OF LIFE. ENTRANCE IS GAINED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS
ILLUSTRATION
ISAAC HAYES DIED THIS WEEK. HE WAS A SOUL SINGER, 65 YEARS OLD. (JOHN SHAFT) HE WAS A SCIENTOLOGIST. ALONG WITH JOHN TRAVOLTA, TOM CRUISE. HE BELIEVED THAT WHEN HE DIED THAT HE WOULD BE BORN AGAIN TO A DIFFERENT BODY. EVERY PERSON IS A IMMORTAL SPIRIT (THETAN). YOU MOVE UP THE SPIRITUAL LADDER UNTIL YOUR SPIRIT IS “CLEAR” TO MAKE HEAVEN.
WHERE’S JESUS. A HOLY GOD DOES NOT NEED OUR HELP IN GETTING TO HEAVEN. HE HAS PROVIDED THE ONLY WAY.
THERE ARE THREE THINGS THE WRITER OF HEBREWS SAYS ABOUT JESUS.
I. JESUS IS THE LIVING WAY TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD
-THERE WAS A CURTAIN (VEIL) THAT JESUS BY HIS DEATH BROUGHT DOWN THAT ALLOWED US TO BE ABLE TO ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE.
- THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF A HOLY GOD.
GOD GAVE MOSES INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING AARON AND THE OTHER HIGH PRIEST THAT THEY WERE TO WASH THEIR HANDS BEFORE ENTERING THE HOLY OF HOLIES. “THAT THEY MAY NOT DIE”. THEY WERE TO GET IN AND GET OUT OF THE VERY PLACE THAT GOD NOW CALLS US TO AND TELLS US TO COME WITH CONFIDENCE. BECAUSE WE HAVE FAITH IN THE SINLESS BLOOD OF JESUS THAT OPENED THE WAY.
