CONSIDER THIS, BELIEVER
HEBREWS 9:22-28
Key verse: v. 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:”
Introduction:
There are many things that God’s people need to consider. In ourselves we have nothing to offer the God of Heaven, however, in Jesus Christ we have everything. In these verses of Scripture let us glean the great truths of God’s Word. These blessings are needful to be remembered and meditated upon regularly.
I. OUR FORERUNNER, JESUS, IS ENTERED INTO GOD’S PRESENCE FOR US
Hebrews 6:20, Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
A. We have no right to heaven in ourselves, our right lies in Christ, Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
1. We are reminded of our former situation, Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
2. God concluded everyone guilty of sin, Galatians 3:22, “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”
B. If you are pardoned, it is through His blood, Romans 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
C. If you are justified, it is through His righteousness, Romans 3:24-25, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
D. If you are sanctified, it is because He is made of God unto you sanctification, 1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
E. If you shall be kept from falling, it will be because you are preserved in Christ Jesus, Jude 24, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”
F. If you are perfected at the last, it will be because you are complete in Him, Colossians 2:8-10, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
II. JESUS IS MAGNIFIED FOR ALL IS IN HIM AND BY HIM
A. The inheritance is made certain to us—for it is obtained in Him, 1 Peter 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”
B. Each blessing is the sweeter —for it is obtained in Him, Psalms 24:5, “He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”
1. His blessing is on those that fear Him, Psalms 115:13, “He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.”
2. His blessing is on those that walk in His ways, Psalms 128:1, “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.”
a. It will be well with you, Psalms 128:2, “For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.”
b. Your family will be blessed, Psalms 128:3, “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”
C. Heaven itself the brighter, because it is Jesus our Beloved “in whom” we have obtained all:
1. In whom we have redemption, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
2. In whom we have forgiveness of sins, Colossians 1:14, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
3. In whom we have bold access to the throne of grace, Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
4. In whom we have an inheritance, Ephesians 1:11, In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
CONCLUSION
Have we considered just what the Lord has done for us? Perhaps we need to spend more time thinking about His blessings than complaining about what we don’t have. Remember that we are in His hands.