CONSIDER THE MESSENGER
PART ONE
HEBREWS 3:1-6
Introduction:
The word “apostle” means, “messenger.” The word refers to Jesus Christ as the messenger of the God of Heaven. God has used angels to be messengers, but the God of Heaven in the person of Jesus Christ has always been in the forefront of the battle against Satan and has been the Chief Officer of God the Father.
I. THE CHIEF OFFICER OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.
A. He was the Promised Seed of the woman, Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
B. He was the Looked for Sceptre (Rod of Authority), Genesis 49:10, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
C. He was the Branch (of the house of David), Zechariah 3:8, “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.”
D. He was the Promised Messiah (Anointed One), Daniel 9:25, “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”
II. HIS NEW TESTAMENT TITLES.
A. The CHRIST (Messiah), Matthew 16:16, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
B. The Son of God, Matthew 14:33, “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
C. The SAVIOUR of the world, John 4:42, “And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”
D. The Great PHYSICIAN and Healer, Matthew 4:23, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Luke 4:23, “And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.”
E. He is our High Priest.
1. The Faithful high Priest, 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. The High Priest of our Profession, Hebrews 3:1, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”
3. He is a GREAT high priest, Hebrews 4:14-15, “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. 15For 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.”
a. He is great for he participated in our life, v. 15, “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.”
b. He is great because He does not have our sin, v. 15,“but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
F. He is the Lamb of God, 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.”
1. A Lamb without blemish, 1 Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
2. He offered His body as an offering, Hebrews 10:10, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
a. It was a BLOOD offering, Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
b. It was a ONCE FOR ALL offering, Hebrews 10:10, 12, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”
CONCLUSION
The messenger is the Lord Jesus Christ who died on Calvary’s Cross. He has preached that messenger and it continues to be preached. Will you believe it today?