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Summer 2013. Better Things. Strive – zeal and exertion The Word of God cuts through one’s most inner self Judges the thoughts and intentions (attitudes) of the heart God is all-knowing and sees everything Nothing can or will be hidden We must give an account
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Summer 2013 Better Things
Strive – zeal and exertion • The Word of God cuts through one’s most inner self • Judges the thoughts and intentions (attitudes) of the heart • God is all-knowing and sees everything • Nothing can or will be hidden • We must give an account • Either we will go on (6:1), or we will fall away (3:12) Hebrews 4:11-13 – The Word of God
2:17—Jesus is faithful • He is our great high priest • He has “passed through the heavens” • Shows his exalted state • He is Jesus, the Son of God • His humanity and divinity are both affirmed • “Let us hold fast our confession” • They were wavering in their allegiance • That can happen to us today also Hebrews 4:14-16 – The Compassionate Christ
Christ is a high priest who “sympathize with our weaknesses” • “fellow feelings with” • He has in every respect been tempted as we are • Yet, he never yielded to sin • 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5 • “Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” Hebrews 4:14-16 – The Compassionate Christ
“Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” • Confidence—boldness, courage • Through Christ we can come directly into the presence of God • An exhortation to persistent prayer • God’s throne is a throne of judgment (4:13) • God’s throne is a throne of grace • Mercy and help Hebrews 4:14-16 – The Compassionate Christ
Four “let us-es” • “Let us fear” (4:1) • “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest” (4:11) • “Let us hold fast our confession” (4:14) • “Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” (4:16) Hebrews 4:14-16 – The Compassionate Christ
As priest, Jesus is faithful and merciful • Israelite high priest had to meet certain criteria • He had to be “chosen from among men” (5:1) • He must be “called by God” (5:4) • Offered “gifts and sacrifices for sins” • He was “subject to weakness” • Thus, he “offers sacrifice for his own sins” • Just as he “does for those the people” • Hence, “he can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward” Hebrews 5:1-4 – Qualifications of the High Priest
“Christ” • He did not hold on to his heavenly state (Phil. 2:6-8) • He came to earth, but did not campaign for the office of high priest • Psalm 2:7 • Psalm 110:4 • These passages affirm his sonship, his priesthood and his call from God • In Hebrews the connection of sonship/kingship/messiaship/priesthood is made • Hebrews also explains how Jesus could be high priest without being a descendant of Aaron Hebrews 5:5-10 – Qualifications of Jesus
5:7-10—”Hymn of the high priest” • In the “days of His flesh” • He had/has other days that are not “fleshly days” • He offered up “prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears” • His prayer in Gethsemane • Was His prayer answered? • Yes! Hebrews 5:5-10 – Qualifications of Jesus
Two-fold petition in His prayer • Physical deliverance • Humble submission to the will of God • Perfection through suffering (2:10) • Sonship didn’t spare Him from suffering • Learning and suffering • emathen – he learned • epathen– he suffered • “perfect through suffering” • Perfectly (completely) qualified Hebrews 5:5-10 – Qualifications of Jesus
Christ was the one designated by God as “a high priest after the the order of Melchizedek” • A new order of priesthood • Necessitates the ending of the old order, the Aaronic order Hebrews 5:5-10 – Qualifications of Jesus
Christ supersedes all previous high priests, and He can deal gently with us. • He suffered. And through His suffering He was made perfect. • Not every prayer will be answered “Yes”. • God’s love is not always what one would expect. He loves us unconditionally. His love includes divine wisdom. Hebrews 5 – Some Practical Lessons
Summer 2013 Better Things