Author: Art Davison

CONSIDER THE MESSENGER–PART ONE–HEBREWS 3:1-6

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
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?

CONSIDER THE GREATNESS OF THE MAN–HEBREWS 7:1-4, 14-21

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CONSIDER THE GREATNESS OF THE MAN
HEBREWS 7:1-4, 14-21

Key verse: v. 4, “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.”

Introduction:

The apostle Paul had introduced the name of Melchisedek, and said that Christ was made an high priest after the SAME ORDER as he was, Hebrews 5:10, “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”

John Gill in his exposition of Hebrews says that Paul “proceeds in this [chapter] to give some account of him, and of the EXCELLENCY of his priesthood, and to show that Christ is a priest of his order, and is SUPERIOR TO Aaron and his sons.”

I. CONSIDER THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST OF OUR PROFESSION

A. HIS RANK: The Apostle 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;”

1. An apostle is one sent forth, 1 John 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

B. His POSITION: King-Priest.

1. 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;”

a. Potentate, one who has GREAT POWER, Revelation 11:17, “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.”

b. LORD of lords, Revelation 19:16, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

2. Priest after the order of Melchisedek, Hebrews 7:15, 17, “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

C. His AUTHORITY: Chosen of God.

1. He is one chosen of God in the Old Testament, Isaiah 42:1, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.”

2. He is one chosen of God in the New Testament, 1 Peter 2:4, “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,”

a. Disallowed of men, 1 Peter 2:7, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be DISOBEDIENT, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,”

b. Chosen and precious of the Lord, Matthew 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

II. CONSIDER THE EXCELLENCE OF HIS PRIESTHOOD

A. The High Priest of our profession, Psalms 110:4, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

1. To make reconciliation for the sins of the people, 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. To ATONE [TO SATISFY GOD] for our sins, Romans 5:11, “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have NOW received the atonement.”

B. Our Forerunner into the Presence of God, Hebrews 6:20, “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

1. The Lord goes before to prepare a place for us, John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

2. He has made us ACCEPTABLE to enter into God presence, 1 Peter 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

C. The Apostle and 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;”

III. CONSIDER THE SUPERIORITY OF HIS PRIESTHOOD

A. The Levitical priesthood was repetitive, Hebrews 10:1,3,4 “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. 3- But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4- For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”

B. The Priesthood of Jesus offers a better covenant, 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. For He is the AUTHOR AND FINISHER of our faith, 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.”

2. Jesus came to do God’s will, Hebrews 10:9, “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.”

a. God was not interested in burnt offerings, Hebrews 10:6, “In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.”

b. Jesus offered Himself once for all for our sins, Hebrews 10:11-12, “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12- But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”

c. There is no more offering for sin, Hebrews 10:18, “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”

CONCLUSION

Christ is a great superior High Priest who has presented His Blood on the mercyseat in heaven.

CONSIDER JESUS CHRIST–HEBREWS 3:1-19

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
CONSIDER JESUS CHRIST
HEBREWS 3:1-19
Introduction:

Consider who Jesus Christ is. In the Scriptures He is referred to as “the Prophet,” “the Apostle,” and our “High Priest.”

In all of His offices He fulfills the will of the Father by becoming our “Saviour” as well. Let us look at what He is and has done on our behalf and in the process perhaps we will realize how much He loves us.

I. CONSIDER THE PROPHET, Jesus Christ

A. God promised a Prophet, Deuteronomy 18:15, 18, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 18-I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”

1. “Of thy brethren,” a man, a Hebrew, John 1:45, “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

2. “Like unto me,” a faithful man, Luke 24:19, “And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:”

B. This Prophet will speak the Word of God, Isaiah 50:4-6, “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. 5-The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6-I 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.”

1. He is the Christ, John 4:25-26, “The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26-Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”

2. His message is the message of life, John 12:49-50, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50-And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”

II. CONSIDER THE APOSTLE (a person sent by another; a messenger; envoy), Jesus Christ

A. He was sent by the Father, v. 3; John 20:21, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

B. As the Great Apostle He chose 12 disciples whom He name Apostles, Luke 6:13, “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”

1. They were first members of His Church, 1 Corinthians 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

2. As members of the first church He gave them the commission to “preach the gospel to every creature,” Matthew 28:18–20.

III. CONSIDER THE HIGH PRIEST, Jesus Christ

A. Made like His brethren that he might be a 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.”

B. He is our great High Priest, Hebrew 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.”

1. He is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” 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.”

2. As our Forerunner He has entered into the presence of God before us, Hebrews 6:20, “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

C. He has become our Savior by faith in His name, John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

1. Not only is He the Messiah of Israel, but a light for the Gentiles as well, Isaiah 49:6, “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

2. He has changed our hearts so that we are able to love as the Lord has loved us, 1 John 5:1, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

CONCLUSION

Jesus Christ is dearly loved by those who know Him as Savior. He is truly our Prophet, our Apostle, our great High Priest, and our Savior. There is so much more to be said about another title of our Lord, that of “KING,” but space and time will not allow for now.

BOLDNESS TO ENTER BY A NEW AND LIVING WAY–HEBREWS 10:19-39

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
BOLDNESS TO ENTER BY A NEW AND LIVING WAY.
HEBREWS 10:19-39
Introduction:

Jesus has offered His body once for all for our sins. He has sat down at the right hand of the Father because He has finished the work of Redemption.

His offering has perfected those who have trusted Him and they enter with confidence into the very presence of God. Verse 14 says, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Let’s look at what is involved in this.

I. DRAWING NEAR WITH A TRUE HEART.

A. Having Boldness to enter into the Holy of Holies.

1. By the Blood of Jesus, v. 19, Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.”

2. By a new and living way, v. 20, “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

B. Through the Veil of His Flesh, v. 20.

1. The veil of the Old Testament allowed only the High Priest to enter once a year and not without blood, Hebrews 9:7, “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:”

2. The veil of the New Testament is the flesh of Jesus Christ which has consecrated the way into the Holy of Holies in the presence of God, Hebrews 6:19-20, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

II. DRAWING STRENGTH THROUGH OUR PROFESSION OF FAITH IN CHRIST.

A. Our hearts have been sprinkled from an evil conscience, v. 22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:2, “For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.”

B. Our bodies washed with pure water,

1. By the washing of regeneration, Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

2. By the washing of water by the Word, Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

III. DRAWING ON YOUR CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST TO WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM.

A. We have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him, Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

B. Our confidence is not in the flesh, Philippians 3:3, “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

C. Our confidence is in Jesus Christ.

1. We have trusted Him, therefore we have confidence, 1 John 3:20, “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.”

2. We are confident that He hears us, 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”

D. Our confidence is in His promise to return, v. 37, “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

1. There is a need for patience to wait for Him, v. 36, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

a. Patience comes from tribulation, Romans 5:3, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”

b. We believe on Him and we suffer for Him also, Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”

2. In the mean time live by faith, v. 38-39, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

CONCLUSION

This concluding remark by Paul is taken from Habakkuk 2:4. He admonishes us to live by faith, and not to draw back, but we are not of them that draw back. The believer trusts in God for everything in life knowing that the Lord is faithful.

A HIGH PRIEST OF GOOD THINGS TO COME–HEBREWS 9:11-28

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A HIGH PRIEST OF GOOD THINGS TO COME
HEBREWS 9:11-28
Introduction:

Jesus is our great High Priest of good things to come. The future holds some good things for those who have trusted Jesus as Savior.

We have a great Savior who has accomplished our salvation and has promised to return for His people. In the mean time we have the privilege of sharing the gospel with those who don’t know these great blessings.

I. A GREATER AND MORE PERFECT TABERNACLE.

A. The Old Tabernacle.

1. Moses set up the old Tabernacle in the wilderness according to God’s plan.

2. Solomon built the first Temple that took the place of the Tabernacle, which was a tent.

3. These were but shadows of better things to come, Hebrews 8:5, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”

B. The New Tabernacle.

1. “Not made with hands,” Hebrews 9:11, “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;”

2. “Not of this building,” Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”

II. A BETTER SACRIFICE.

A. The Old Offerings.

1. For the purifying of the flesh, Hebrews 9:13, “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:”

2. However, they could not take away sins, Hebrews 10:4, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”

B. The New Offering.

1. Jesus, by His own blood, Hebrews 9:12, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

a. The blood of animals was insufficient to take away our sins.

b. However, Jesus Christ obtained eternal redemption for us” by offering His own blood. Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

III. THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.

A. God takes away the first to establish the second, Hebrews 10:9, “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.”

1. That first covenant was the Mosaic Covenant, which God established with Israel after they were redeemed out of Egypt.

2. The Second covenant is the New Testament, Hebrews 9:15, “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

B. In the old system the high priest was the mediator.

1. The high priest was a sinner, Leviticus 16:5-6, “And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. 6-And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.”

2. The mediation done was imperfect because the mediator was imperfect.

C. In the New Testament the mediator is perfect, 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. Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Testament, 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.”

2. He entered not into the Tabernacle made by man, Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”

3. He has entered into the Holy of Holies in the very presence of God for us.

CONCLUSION

Jesus Christ has entered into the presence of God in Heaven on our behalf as our offering for sin. Now we look for His soon return which He promised, Hebrews 9:28, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”