Jesus, Our Priest

TEXTHeb. 4:14-16

INTRODUCTION:

A.      HEBREWS DISCUSSES JESUS AS OUR PRIEST.

B.      OUR TEXT FOCUSES ON HIS HUMANITY.

C.      ITS MAJOR POINTS ARE WORTHY OF THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION.

I.      HIS ROLE AS A PRIEST.

A.      THE OLD TESTAMENT FUNCTION (Heb. 9:6-7).

          1.       The need (Rom. 3:23;  6:23).

          2.       Sacrifices involved a vicarious death.

          3.       Old Testament sacrifices were inadequate (Heb. 10:1-4).

          4.       Jesus offers an adequate sacrifice (9:11-15).

          5.       The priest as a mediator (Heb. 9:6-7).

          6.`      Jesus as mediator or “go-between” (Heb. 8:1-2,  6;  7:25).

B.      A SINLESS PRIEST.

          1.       Why is this important? (Heb. 7:26-27).  Who did he die for?

                   (Ezek. 18:20;  Rom. 6:23;  1 Pet. 2:24).

          2.       How do we know he was sinless?  Listen to the Testimony:

                   a.       His enemies (John 8:46, 48)

                   b.       His judge, Pilate (John 18:35-38).

                   c.       His betrayer, Judas (Matt. 27:3-5).

                   d.       His close friends and associates (1 Pet. 2:22).

II.     HIS RELATIONSHIP TO US

“TEMPTED IN ALL POINTS.”

A.      UNDERSCORES OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR SIN.

          1.       Difference between David and Saul. – “I have sinned.” (2 Sam. 12:13).

          2.       We want to blame others for our shortcomings.  Anything to shift the blame

                   (Gen. 3:11-13).

          3.       Jesus understands temptation, therefore may judge (John 5:27).

          4.       We should see ourselves properly (Luke 18;13;  1 John 1:9).

          5.       James 4:8-10.

B.      THE COMPASSION OF OUR HIGH PRIEST.

          1.       Jesus does understand ( Heb. 2:9-13, 18).

          2.       We can trust Jesus for comfort and compassion.

                   a.       Heb. 4:15-16;  2 Cor. 1:5, 9-10).

                   b.       1 Pet. 5:6-7;  Matt. 10:29-31.

                   c.       Philippians 4:4-7.

          3.       We can trust Jesus for forgiveness (1 John 1:6-9).

CONCLUSION:

A.      “LET US HOLD FAST OUR CONFESSION.”

B.      “LET US DRAW NEAR TO THE THRONE.”

C.      DO YOU HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS IN HIS DEATH? (Rom. 6:3-4).