BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST--HEBREWS 3:7-- 4:16

BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31-And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Hebrews 3:7-- 4:16

Introduction:

This is a lesson in Hebrew history. God uses what happened to Israel in the days when Moses led them out of the land of Egypt to teach us a lesson today.

Consider what happened to Israel when they did not believe the man of God when he spoke the message of God to them.

I. THE CATASTROPHE OF UNBELIEF

A. Israel saw the works of God first hand, Hebrews 3:9, “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”

1. They saw what God did to the Egyptians, Exodus 19:4, “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”

2. They had seen God open the Red Sea so that they could pass on dry land, Exodus 14:14-16, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15-And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16-But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”

3. They saw that God talked with Moses from Heaven, Exodus 20:22, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.”

4. They had seen all of God’s great acts, Deuteronomy 11:7, “But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did.”

B. Israel hardened her heart against the Lord, Hebrews 3:7-8, “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8-Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:”

C. The CATASTROPHE of unbelief struck, Hebrews 3:19, “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

1. Because of their unbelief that whole generation of men died in the wilderness, Numbers 14:22-23, “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23-Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:”

2. Because of unbelief they never knew God’s ways, Hebrews 3:10, “Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.”

II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNBELIEF

A. The Word preached did not profit them, Hebrews 4:1-2, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2-For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

1. The Gospel was preached to them.

2. But it was not mixed with faith, Hebrews 3:18, “And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

B. There was no rest for those who refused to believe, Hebrews 4:3, “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”

III. THE CURE FOR UNBELIEF

A. The Word of God, Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

1. They should have listened to the man of God, Hebrews 13:7, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”

2. God knew their need, but they refused to trust Him.

B. Jesus is our Great High Priest, Hebrews 4:14, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”

C. Jesus can be trusted to keep His Word, Psalms 4:5, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”

CONCLUSION:

Psalms 18:8 says, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Israel trusted 10 spies and lost their lives.

THE BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY--HEBREWS 1:1-14

THE BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY

(THE HEBREWS SERIES)

HEBREWS 1:1-14

Introduction:

There are things about the Lord that we have not experienced as of yet. One of those things is His Glory. If we know the Lord we have seen His Glory only with the eye of faith. That is only a clue of His greatness.

The word “glory” appears 402 times in the Scriptures. The phrase “glory of God” appears 17 times in the Scriptures. Paul says in Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2-By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

I. JESUS IS THE GLORY OF THE FATHER.

A. He is “the only begotten of the Father,” John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

1. The God of Heaven in flesh, John 14:8-9, “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9-Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”

2. The only Man to be “full of grace and truth,” Colossians 1:19, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;”

B. He is equal with the Father, John 14:10, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.”

C. Jesus “is the image of God,” 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Colossians 1:15,” Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”

II. JESUS IS THE GLORY OF EVERY BELIEVER.

A. Jesus is “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

1. God “commanded the light to shine out of darkness”, 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

2. That preaching was “to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.” Proverbs 2:5, “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”

B. The Apostles were Eyewitnesses of His Majesty, 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

1. Peter and the other Apostles were there to see it first hand, 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

2. John declares that he and the others heard and saw the Lord, 1 John 1:1-3, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2-(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3-That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

C. We as Believers have seen the Glory of God with the eye of Faith, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

1. We have tasted of the Glory of God, 1 Peter 2:2-3, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3-If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

2. By Faith will be “eyewitnesses of his majesty” just as the Apostles were, at the Second Coming of the Lord, 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

CONCLUSION

While we can’t see with the eye, the Glory of God as of yet. We wait patiently for His Coming at which time we, too, will share in that great spectacle.

THE BETTER THINGS--HEBREWS 7:11-28

THE BETTER THINGS

HEBREWS 7:11-28

Introduction:

The Apostle speaks of better things that Jesus offers as a priest after the order of Melchisedec. We see the necessity of something better. The evident need of change by the facts stated. The result was a more excellent ministry, a better covenant.

I. THE NECESSITY, vs. 11-13.

A. The Levitical Priesthood was not perfect.

1. The priests were sinners just like everyone else.

2. The High Priest had to offer a sacrifice for his own sin before he could offer sacrifice for the sins of the congregation, Hebrews 7:27, “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”

B. Therefore, the old order was only a shadow of future things, Hebrews 10:1, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

II. THE EVIDENT: THE NEED FOR CHANGE, vs. 14-17.

A. Jesus was not a Levite, but from the tribe of Judah, v. 14, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.”

1. Moses had said nothing about the tribe of Judah in regard to the priesthood.

2. Nothing heretofore was mentioned in the Law outside of the tribe of Levi, Exodus 40:13-15, “And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 14-And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: 15-And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”

B. There arises another priest, Hebrews 7:15-16, “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16-Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.”

1. “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment.”

2. “But after the power of an endless life.”

III. THE FACTS, vs. 18-21.

A. The Law made nothing perfect, Romans 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”

B. Something better was needed, a better HOPE, v. 19, “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”

IV. THE RESULTS, vs. 22-28.

A. Jesus has given us a more excellent ministry, Hebrews 8:6, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

1. “He is the mediator of a better covenant.”

2. This covenant “was established upon better promises.”

B. Jesus is the SURITY of a BETTER Testament, vs. 22-23.

1. Jesus has an unchanging priesthood, vs. 24-25.

2. Jesus is a better Priest, vs. 26-28.

(1) His Character, v. 26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;”

a. He is holy.

b. He is harmless.

c. He is undefiled.

d. He is separate from sinners.

e. He is made higher than the heavens.

(2) His offering was a “once for all” offering, Hebrew 10:10, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

C. God’s Word has made the Son of God a Consecrate High Priest, v. 28, “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.”

1. Consecrated means PERFECTED.

2. His was a perfectly accomplished priesthood.

CONCLUSION

The Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest has no infirmities to hinder His work. He had no sin of His own and therefore, is our PERFECT HIGH PRIEST. He is consecrated to fulfill His Word and therefore, our perfect Savior for evermore.

OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST--HEBREWS 5:1-10

OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

HEBREWS 5:1-10

Introduction:

The Old Testament priesthood, the Levitical priesthood, was no perfect and served as a type of something far better in the future. Those priests offered animal sacrifices that had to be repeated over and over.

The New Testament written in the blood of Jesus Christ brought a far superior priesthood, that of the believer in Jesus Christ. Their High Priest is the man, Christ Jesus. He is called and qualified by God and superior to the Old Testament system.

I. HIS CALL.

A. Aaron was called of God to do service in the Tabernacle, Hebrews 5:4, “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”

1. He had the call of God to do the Lord’s service.

2. Others have tried to usurp that authority and call, but were withstood, 2 Chronicles 26:18, “And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.”

B. Jesus was called to his ministry from Heaven, John 3:27, “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

1. Only Jesus Christ has the authority to fill the priesthood in the life of a man.

2. Only Jesus has the power and authority to forgive sin, Luke 5:20-21, “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21-And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

II. HIS QUALIFICATIONS.

A. Jesus had no sin of His own, Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

1. He experienced our life, Hebrews 2:17, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

2. Yet Jesus never committed sin, Hebrews 7:26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” 1 Peter 2:22, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

B. He was perfectly qualified because He was perfect, Hebrews 5:7, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

III. HIS SUPERIORITY TO MAN.

A. He is the Son of God, Hebrews 5:5, So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”

1. To which of the angels called He “my Son”? Hebrews 1:5, “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?”

2. John the Baptist heard God’s testimony about Jesus, Matthew 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17-And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

B. Though He was the Son of God, He learned obedience, Hebrews 5:8, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”

1. God prepared Him a body, Hebrews 5:9, “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:”

2. He learned obedience as a human being by what He suffered here on earth, Isaiah 50:5-6, “The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”

3. Jesus was obedient to His Father, Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

C. Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchisedec, v. 6, “As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

1. Who was Melchisedec? Genesis 14:18, “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”

a. King of Salem (Jerusalem), Hebrews 7:1, “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;”

b. Priest of the most high God, Hebrews 7:2, “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;”

1) As the Priest of God Abraham paid him tithes.

2) As the Priest of God Abraham received his blessing.

c. Abraham recognized Melchisedec’s office, and position, the King of peace.

D. Melchisedec is a type of Christ in the Old Testament, Hebrews 7:3, “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”

1. No father or mother mentioned.

2. No beginning or ending of life.

3. No end of his priesthood, a priest continually.

CONCLUSION

Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest. He was Called; He was Qualified for the office; He is Superior to all others. He is THE SINNLESS SAVIOR AND HIGH PRIEST.

NOT KNOWING--HEBREWS 11:8

NOT KNOWING

HEBREWS 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”

Introduction:

“Not knowing” can bring trying times. There are times that we act or say without knowing what we are doing or without understanding the problem. However, in the life of faith God asks us to go, not knowing what will happen, but trusting in Him to guide and direct us. We have His promises and in the life of faith, that is what we rely on, that is, His Word.

After all, Hebrews 11 is the “Faith Chapter” that shows how countless men and women over the centuries have trusted the God of Heaven with their very lives. These people KNEW their Saviour and that knowledge grew as they learned to trust Him more each day during their lives.

I. ABRAHAM WENT OUT “NOT KNOWING” WHERE HE WENT.

A. “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” Genesis 22:18, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

B. “The life of faith is not only a life of mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting.” Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

C. Abraham is not a type of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith, a tried faith built on a real God. Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

1. He was not weak in faith, Romans 4:19-21, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:”

2. He did not stagger at the promise of God, Romans 4:20, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;”

3. He was fully persuaded, Romans 4:21, “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

II. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF NOT “KNOWING WHERE,” BUT OF KNOWING “WHO” LEADS US TO ‘GO.’

A. Moses kept the Passover believing in the Word of the Giver of life, Hebrews 11:28, “Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”

B. Moses led Israel through the Red Sea “not knowing,” but trusting that God would see them through, Hebrews 11:29, “By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.”

C. Rahab the harlot trusted not in what she knew, but in the Word of God, that she and her family would be spared in Jericho, Hebrews 11:31, “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

CONCLUSION

The root of our faith is the knowledge of the Person of Jesus Christ, the God of Heaven. Not know what the future holds for us, we trust in His promises and lean on His understanding.

LOOKING FROM AFAR UPON JESUS--HEBREWS 12:2

LOOKING FROM AFAR UPON JESUS

HEBREWS 12:2

Introduction:

Moses looked from afar to see the greater treasures of serving his Savior than what was offered him in Egypt. He saw the reproach and suffering, but he also saw the recompense and consolation of serving Jesus Christ.

Do we have the same vision that Moses had? Are we looking unto Jesus seeing the greater riches in His service or is our vision shortsighted, seeing only the here and now?

I. FIXING OUR EYES UPON JESUS SEATED ON THE THRONE OF GOD

A. The reproach of Christ, Hebrews 11:26, “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

1. Being reproached, our consolation abounds in Christ, 2 Corinthians 1:5, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”

2. Rejoicing in suffering, Colossians 1:24, “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:”

B. Turning his eyes away from OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, Moses FIXED them on the ETERNAL RECOMPENSE,” Hebrews 11:39-40, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40- God having provided SOME BETTER THING for us, that they WITHOUT US should not be made perfect.”

1. Moses was seeing things that are not seen accept through the eye of faith, 2 Corinthians 4:16, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17- For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18- While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal;. but the things which are not seen are eternal

2. He saw BETTER Things in the Promised Redeemer, Hebrews 12:24, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh BETTER THINGS than that of Abel.”

II. SEEING THE AUTHOR OF FAITH

A. Seeing the “Prince-Leader” or the “Captain of their Salvation,” Hebrews 2:10, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the CAPTAIN OF THEIR SALVATION perfect through sufferings.”

1. The BEGINNER of faith, John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

2. The Beginner of KNOWLEDGE, Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

B. Seeing the “Prince of life,” Acts 3:15, “And killed the PRINCE OF LIFE, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”

1. The One who brought REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS to Israel, Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a PRINCE and a SAVIOUR, for to give REPENTANCE to Israel, and FORGIVENESS of sins.”

2. He is the coming KING of kings, 1 Timothy 6:15, “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the KING of kings, and LORD of lords;”

III. SEEING THE FINISHER OF FAITH

A. The “PERFECTER” of our faith, 1 Peter 5:10, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, MAKE YOU PERFECT, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

B. The “INCREASER” of our faith, Luke 17:5, “And the apostles said unto the Lord, INCREASE OUR FAITH.”

1. The NEED of INCREASING our faith because of the difficulty of FORGIVING OFFENSES, Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye FORGIVE NOT men their trespasses, NEITHER will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

2. That the POWER of Christ may rest upon us, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is SUFFICIENT for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the POWER of Christ MAY REST upon ME. 10- Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

CONCLUSION

LOOKING FOR STRENGTH TO SERVE HIM--HEBREWS 12:1-11

LOOKING FOR STRENGTH TO SERVE HIM.

HEBREWS 12:1-11

Introduction:

We have considered the great “cloud of witnesses” spoken of here by the Apostle Paul as being examples to us so that we may be able to better serve our Lord. He admonishes us to “lay aside every weight,” that is, the cares of this life, “and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” That word “beset” = skillfully surrounding, that is, our sin is encompassing, and keeps us from the Lord’s work.

Therefore, we must find strength to do God’s will in our lives. That strength is in Christ Jesus.

I. LEST WE BE WEARIED AND FAINT IN OUR MINDS.

v. 3, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

A. He endured faithfully, Hebrews 3:1, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”

1. Consider from where His strength came, Luke 6:12, “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

2. Consider what was uppermost in His mind, Psalm 40:8, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”

a. In the Garden He prayed for God’s will, Matthew 26:42, “He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”

b. He had taught His disciples to pray for God’s will, Luke 11:2, “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”

B. Consider the great things He has done for you, 1 Samuel 12:24, “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.”

1. He has saved you from your sins, Ephesians 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

2. He has given you a home in Heaven, John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

II. LEST WE FORGET GOD’S EXHORTATIONS TO US IN HIS WORD,

vs. 4-6.

A. They that wait upon the Lord, Isaiah 40:30-31, “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

1. Even young people faint and fall for lack of waiting on the Lord.

2. But those that wait have the advantage:

a. They renew their strength.

b. They have the strength of an eagle.

c. Weariness is not a problem.

d. They do not faint at adversity.

B. They have trusted Him for salvation, Isaiah 25:9, And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

III. LEST CHASTENING BECOME NECESSARY.

A. Enduring chastening, v. 7, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”

B. The benefit of chastening, vs. 7-8.

1. A clean heart, Psalm 73:1, “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.”

2. A disciplined life, Job 34:31, “Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:”

C. The purpose of chastening is to make you holy, vs. 9-10; Leviticus 11:44a, “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy:”

CONCLUSION

The Lord has dealt with us as sons and even though He has chastened us at times, it was always in love to bring us back to a good standing before Him.

As Christians we have a great heritage. Let us not soil it before the world. Our Lord deserves our best that we too might leave a good testimony like those who have gone on before us.

LOOKING FOR A CITY--HEBREWS 11:8-10

LOOKING FOR A CITY

HEBREWS 11:8-10

Introduction:

The description given here is the city of God, the New Jerusalem. Abraham looked by faith for a promised land, a land that flowed with milk and honey. The description below is of that perfect land where we will dwell with the God of Heaven in perfect peace and harmony.

We can only imagine the beauty that we will behold in that day because of our finite minds. However, it will surpass every expectation that we might have without doubt. Now consider Abraham in what he had to do at God’s bidding.

I. ABRAHAM WAS CALLED TO GO OUT

A. He obeyed, not knowing where he went, v. 8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”

B. He believed God, Romans 4:20-21, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21-And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

C. He traveled by faith, v. 9, “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:”

1. To a promised land, Genesis 12:1, “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” Genesis 13:15, “For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.”

2. This land his heirs would inherit, Genesis 15:18, “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:”

II. ABRAHAM WAS CALLED TO LOOK FOR A CITY

A. This city has foundations, Hebrews 11:10, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

1. That foundation is Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

2. That foundation is built on the immutable purposes of God, 2 Timothy 1:9, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” Hebrews 6:18, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

3. That foundation rest on the almighty power of God, 2 Peter 1:3, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

B. That City is built on the infinite and holy merits of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 4:11, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

1. On the mediation of Jesus Christ, 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

2. On the promises of an everlasting covenant, Genesis 17:19, “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.”

3. On the purity of the glory of God, Revelation 21:2, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

4. The perfection of its inhabitants, Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

CONCLUSION

The city’s builder is God, Hebrews 11:10, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

1. God designed the model.

2. He made it according to His plan.

3. He has opened a new and living way into it, that is, through Jesus Christ.

4. He prepared it for his people.

5. They enter by faith in Jesus Christ.

LOOKING UNTO JESUS--HEBREWS 12:1-3

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

HEBREWS 12:1-3

Introduction:

As we approach a new year we should be aware of some things in our lives in relation to the Lord. This year may be a difficult year or it may be a year of great blessing. Of course it may be both of these things. Whatever may come in the future, it can be a time of looking unto the Lord for our many needs, both spiritual and material.

I. LOOKING UNTO JESUS

Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

A. He is the Lamb of God, John 1:36, “And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!"

1. He is the One who took our sin away, John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

2. He is our “once for all” sacrifice for sin, Hebrews 10:12, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”

B. He is the Great I AM.

1. He is the Door to heaven, John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

2. He is the Bread of Life, John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

II. LOOKING UNTO OURSELVES

Hebrews 12:15, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

A. Failing of the grace of God, Deuteronomy 29:18, “Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;”

1. A heart turned away by sin, Hebrews 12:25, “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape , if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:”

2. A heart bitter because of contention, Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”

B. We should give more attention to what we have heard of God’s Word, Hebrews 2:1, “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.”

III. LOOKING UNTO THE FUTURE

Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

A. Our citizenship is in heaven, Philippians 3:20-21, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

1. We look for Jesus from heaven, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

2. There we will appear with Jesus, Colossians 3:4, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

3. We will eagerly wait to be changed, Romans 8:19, 23, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 23- And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit , the redemption of our body.”

B. The Unbeliever has only judgment to expect, Hebrews 10:27, “But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”

1. That does not have to be the case, Hebrews 12:25, “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape , if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:”

2. The unbeliever has not regarded God’s call, Proverbs 1:24, “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.”

3. That call was, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

CONCLUSION

The future can be bright if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior. It is secured future with a guaranteed home in Heaven for all eternity.