Jesus, Our Priest
TEXT
: Heb. 4:14-16INTRODUCTION
: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).
