Author: Art Davison

THE POUTING PROPHET–JONAH 4:1-11

Art Davison THE BOOK OF JONAH 0 Comment
THE POUTING PROPHET
Jonah 4:1-11

by Dean Robinson

Introduction:

Chapter 3 concluded with the scene of Nineveh experiencing genuine revival sent from God as the people repented of their sin and believed on the true and living God. The abundant mercy of God had been gloriously displayed as the entire city was spared the righteous judgment of God. Instead of rejoicing at what had just transpired, we see Jonah in chapter 4 upset and angry over the tender lovingkindness of God. In this chapter Jonah was made to realize that God in His love and compassion for others was not only gracious and infinite, but also reasonable and just, according to His own sovereign purpose and will.

I. JONAH’S DISPLEASURE vs. 1-3

A. His Angry Outrage, v.1.

1. Jonah was extremely unhappy over the results in Nineveh. While the city was no doubt rejoicing over God’s divine demonstration of His unfailing mercy, Jonah was upset and frustrated.

2. Jonah’s outrage over what had happened is emphasized by describing him being “exceedingly” displeased and “very” angry. He should have fallen on his knees in gratitude and praise to God for Nineveh’s preservation. The Bible teaches there is joy in heaven over “one sinner that repenteth”, Luke15:7, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

B. His Bitter Outcry, vs.2-3.

1. Jonah delivers a weak excuse for his disobedience by explaining that he knew God to be a God of unlimited grace, mercy, patience, and kindness and he was afraid the Ninevites would be spared and forgiven, v.2; Exodus 34:6-7, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Joel 2:13, “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Jonah was more upset over God’s abundant mercy than his own flagrant disobedience. What Jonah completely overlooked was the fact that he himself was a product of the mercy of God. If it had not been for these divine qualities of God, Jonah would still be in the belly of the fish.

2. Out of total frustration and displeasure, Jonah foolishly cries out to God to take his life away, v.3. Death seemed more preferable to Jonah than to submit to the perfect plan and purpose of God. He had already concluded that Nineveh did not deserve God’s pardon. While he had received pardoning mercy from the Lord when he repented, he was not willing for Nineveh to have the same because they were Israel’s enemies. Jonah was not complaining that God was a God of mercy and grace, rather he was displeased where God chose to display that mercy and grace.

II. GOD’S DENUNCIATION vs.4-11

A. Divine Preparations Made For Jonah, vs. 4-8.

1. In order to get Jonah to see his own sinful behavior of sulking and resentment, God pointedly asked him if there was any reasonable grounds or justification for his anger, v. 4. The question God asked Jonah implied that his anger was totally uncalled for and dishonoring to God.

2. Jonah’s response to God’s question was to go outside the city walls on the eastside and build for himself a small temporary place of shelter in order that he may watch and wait to see what the ultimate fate of the city would be, v. 5. This booth served to provide Jonah shade from the burning rays of the hot sun. In spite of the fact that Nineveh had been spared divine judgment, Jonah still foolishly thought that maybe some form of punishment would fall upon the city. Jonah hoped that the justice of God would exceed or surpass His mercy and waited to see whether there might be a change in the plan and purpose of God concerning Nineveh. Such is the folly of a pouting and fuming spirit. With Jonah comfortably entrenched under his place of shelter, God caused a plant to grow at a miraculous pace over Jonah’s booth and head, providing further shade and relief from the heat of the sun, v.6; “Grief”==wickedness, evil deeds or attitude. The principle reason for the prepared gourd was not just for Jonah’s enjoyment but to reveal and correct the evil attitude of his heart. His response and reaction to the gourd (“was exceeding glad”) demonstrated that he was more concerned with the comforts of the flesh than with the spiritual problems of his heart.

4. The next day God divinely prepared a devouring worm and a dry, blistering, hot wind to destroy and demolish Jonah’s place of shade and rest, causing him to even despair of life, vs. 7- 8. These divine appointments or preparations made by God (1:17; 4:6-8) were God’s way of showing to Jonah that a loving and longsuffering God could shield or slay His servant just as easily as He could destroy or spare a city, according to His sovereign will and purpose.

B. Divine Pity Shown By God, vs.9-11.

1. God asks Jonah if he had a justified reason to be angry because of the gourd to which Jonah stubbornly and arrogantly replies by declaring with emphasis that he had every right to be angry, even to the point of death, v.9. The question by God was to once again expose and denounce Jonah’s proud and callous heart.

2. As a stern rebuke of Jonah’s own self-centered attitude, the Lord compares and contrasts Jonah’s pathetic sympathy for the gourd and God’s boundless love and compassion for the Ninevites, vs. 10-11. God in His tender love was willing to spare the entire city of Nineveh, including 120,000 precious souls of innocent children. Jonah’s care and concern was out of balance; his spiritual eyesight was blurred to the point he had a sense of pity for the gourd destroyed by worms but was greatly perturbed at God for manifesting His mercy and grace towards a city full of people in desperate need of God’s forgiveness and salvation.

CONCLUSION

A key lesson on this entire book was to reveal the heart of a servant of God whose heart was not touched with the love of God for the souls of mankind. He was willing to challenge and dispute with the goodness, mercy, and love of God and try to escape from fulfilling God’s will for his life in telling those without God of His marvelous grace and power to save unto the uttermost.

Like our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we must be moved with compassion towards others who are lost in their sins, Matthew 9:36, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” We must be willing to move out of our comfort zone and go into the highways and hedges to preach the gospel of Christ to every creature. If we become all wrapped up in the “gourds” of life, if we are more concerned about our own material and physical well-being than about spiritual matters and souls of men, God will send His whales, worms, and winds to wake and shake us up out of our lethargy, indifference, and apathy. We need to renew our commitment to carry out our tremendous responsibility of telling others, by our lives and lips, of Jesus Christ and His saving, life-changing gospel. Being a living testimony and witness for our Lord is our God-given duty that should be carefully and consistently obeyed “for the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

THE POSTPONING PROPHET–JONAH 1:1-17

Art Davison THE BOOK OF JONAH 0 Comment
THE POSTPONING PROPHET
JONAH 1:1-17

By Dean Robinson
Introduction:

Jonah is the fifth book of what is traditionally referred to as the Minor Prophets. The book is a record about a man of God that was chosen as God’s instrument in proclaiming God’s message to the Assyrians, particularly to the idolatrous pagans of Nineveh. This book is also a revelation of the amazing grace of God as He deals in mercy and patience with His servant who at first refused to carry out his divinely appointed task. Jonah is a unique book in the sense that it not only is a biography of a passionate prophet, but it also gives a prophetic preview of Christ’s burial and resurrection (Matthew12:39-40, “But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.) and a remarkable prophecy of the entire history of the people of Israel.

In chapter 1 we are shown a classic illustration of the folly of trying to run from God and His calling upon one’s life. Whatever God’s perfect will for our life is, we must submit to it and obey it without question, doubt, or hesitation.

I. GOD’S DIRECTIVE vs. 1-2

A. A Servant Is Selected, v.1.

1. God had a task to be done and chose from among His servants, Jonah, the son of Amittai.

2. Jonah was a tried and proven prophet of the Lord who served during the rule and reign of a wicked king named Jeroboam (II) whereby he predicted that this king would reclaim some territory for Israel which had been lost under previous administrations, 2 Kings 14:23-25, “In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years. 24 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 25 He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.”

B. The Specifics Are Stated, v. 2.

1. God’s word to Jonah was a clear and unmistakable command to go to heathen Nineveh and preach against it because of its grievous wickedness.

Note: God chooses to reveal His will always through His Word, Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

Psalms119:104-105, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

If we want to know our divine obligations and responsibilities, we must first know the Word of God.

2. Even though God’s divine command was clear-cut and definite, it would not be easy because Nineveh was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire which was known to be a cesspool of debauchery and immorality, wholly given over to idolatry, witchcraft, and barbaric cruelty. God referred to Nineveh as “that great city” and “exceeding great city” (3:3); it was great in its wickedness, Nahum 3:1-4, “Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not; 2 The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots. 3 The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses: 4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts. Nineveh was located on the Tigris River about 75 miles south of the border of our present day Turkey and about 200 miles north of Baghdad in Iraq.

3. The specifics of Jonah’s duty are found in the words: arise, go, and cry against. That is, wake up, get up, and speak up against the sins of the people, Isaiah 58:1, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” The reason for God’s divine directive was not just because of the wickedness of Nineveh but mainly because of the infinite holiness of God. Such a holy God cannot and will not tolerate such evil and iniquity.

II. JONAH’S DISOBEDIENCE, v. 3

A. His Planned Destination.

1. Jonah, in a daring and blatant way, disobeyed the divine commission given to him by fleeing to Tarshish. Jonah ran in the opposite direction than he was suppose to because Nineveh was east of where he lived and Tarshish was west. Jonah in his disobedience wanted to put as much distance as possible between himself and God and going to Tarshish emphasized this separation.

2. Twice we’re told that Jonah’s intentions were to flee from God’s presence. While he could never escape the omnipresence of God, he could flee and depart from the place of God’s perfect will and blessing for his life. Fleeing the presence of the Lord is possible when one forsakes the place of worship, prayer, and service unto God, Genesis 4:16, “And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.” Jeremiah 23:39, “Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:” Disobedience and rebellion will always produce a decline in our interest in spiritual things and a dislike for the presence of God.

B. His Perilous Direction.

1. Jonah’s determination to run from God can be attributed to two things:

a. His spiritual deterioration — The quickness and rapid pace with which Jonah disobeyed God revealed that his spiritual health was already on a downward spiral. One does not backslide accidentally or overnight; disobedience and rebellion against God does not occur unless there has been some groundwork laid for it: neglect of Bible study, prayer, church attendance, etc.

b. His spiritual discrimination — In 4:2 Jonah explains why he fled: he was afraid the Ninevites might repent at his preaching and be spared God’s judgment, thereby sealing the doom and downfall of his own people. Israel (ten northern tribes) had been repeatedly warned by God through His faithful prophets that they would be taken captive by the Assyrians for their persistent rebellion against God, Hosea 9:3, “They shall not dwell in the LORD’S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.” Jonah rejected the notion of God showing His mercy and grace to a heathen people and Israel’s mortal enemies.

2. As soon as Jonah disobeyed God, his life began to plummet downward on a slippery slope:

a. He went down to Joppa,

b. He went down into the ship,

c. He went down into the sea,

d. And he went down into the belly of the fish. The path of disobedience is always down.

3. Jonah “paid the fare thereof” but little did he realize there would be a higher price to pay for his disobedience and rebellion against God, Proverbs 13:15, “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.”

a. Choosing the way of man, Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

b. Choosing God’s way, Hebrews 11:25, “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”

III. THE STORM’S DISRUPTION vs.4-17

A. Agitation of the Sea, v. 4.

1. As a result of Jonah’s disobedience, God sent a great wind and mighty tempest on the sea. This was no small storm because v.13 says the sea was “tempestuous” and v.15 says it was “raging.” Jonah may have fled but God did not relinquish His sovereignty over nature or His creatures. He who created the elements is able to direct and control them: Psalm 107:23-25, “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.”

a. The rain and lightning, Psalm 135:7, “He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.”

b. The sun and the rain, Matthew 5:45, “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

c. The sea and wind, Mark 4:39, “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

2. The storm was so powerful that the ship was in danger of literally being torn apart. God was grieved over Jonah’s sin; no one is immune from storms brought on by disobedience to God’s commands, Isaiah 57:20-21, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Many lives have been made a shipwreck because of their rebellion and running from God.

B. Alarm by the Sailors. vs.5-10

1. Recognizing this was no ordinary storm and realizing their imminent danger, these sailors did two things: they prayed to their false gods out of desperation and in their panic began to overthrow the cargo of the ship, v.5a.

Note: These seamen were no doubt experienced, skilled sailors that had been through many storms in their lifetime but this storm was so fierce and ferocious that they knew there was no chance to survive in the turbulent waves and stay afloat in the raging sea if the boat sank.

2. While the sailors were feverishly praying and working to save their lives, Jonah was below the deck fast asleep, for which he was sternly rebuked by the captain of the ship who requested that Jonah begin praying to his God for help, vs.5b-6.

Note: It is pathetically sad that a prophet of God was called upon by a pagan to pray. Sin is like a numbing narcotic, anesthetic drug that soothes people asleep to where they are unaware of their backslidden, rebellious condition.

3. With life and death in the balances, the sailors concluded someone on board was responsible for the storm and after casting lots, Jonah was found out to be the guilty individual, v.7.

4. After an intense interrogation by the sailors, Jonah finally confessed his sin of trying to run from the one true God who was the Sovereign Creator and Ruler of the entire universe, vs.8-10. At this point Jonah was made to realize that it was utterly impossible to hide and run from God. Jonah declared he feared the Lord: Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 12:28, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”

C. Advice from the Guilty Prophet, vs.11-16.

1. Upon asking the question what should be done to him by the sailors who were now even more terrified (v.10a), Jonah humbly responded by advising them to throw him overboard into the sea, vs.11-12. Here we see evidence of Jonah’s true repentance wherein he was willing to accept the just penalty for his sin. He who had at first tried to run from God’s divine duty was now willing to give his life, if necessary, in order to save the sailors and do God’s will.

2. Ignoring Jonah’s advice, the sailors vainly attempted to bring the ship to land but as the storm grew worse, they decided to heed the prophet’s suggestion, acknowledging Jehovah to be the true God, vs.13-16. As soon as Jonah hit the water, the raging of the storm ceased. These once pagan sailors were made to respect and submit to the power and authority of Almighty God. They realized that the lot and the word of the prophet, as well as the storm were indications of the sovereign will of God in the matter. God had done as it pleased Him.

D. Appointment of a Gigantic Fish. v.17

1. The Lord prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah as soon as he plunged beneath the sea. The word “prepared” means: to appoint, order, assign. God arranged it that the fish should be there when Jonah was cast into the sea.

2. Jonah’s preservation in the belly of the fish for 3 days and nights can only be explained as a supernatural miracle. The skeptic’s problem with Jonah and the whale is not a lack of explanation but a lack of faith. We are not required to explain Bible miracles; we are only required to believe them by faith.

Conclusion

God had a job to be done. Jonah was still to be the messenger. The Lord graciously intervened and His prophet was miraculously spared. This chapter clearly reveals not only the patience and longsuffering of God towards His disobedient servant but also the futility of running from God. God, in His love, will chasten every one of His rebellious children and when He does, the Bible declares it will be “grievous” (Hebrews 12:11, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.). Such was the case with the life of Jonah.

by Dean Robinson

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

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
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

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
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

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
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.