I preached this sermon around 2000–2001.
Introduction:
The message today is entitled, “Christ our High Priest: The Reason for Continued Faith.” The trials and difficulties of life can often cause us to become weary and weak in faith, sometimes some will even turn on their faith completely. This is one of the main themes that the book of Hebrews address, that of continuing in the faith. The most dominant theme is the superiority of Christ in his person and work over the old covenant. These two themes meet together in our passage for today.
In the close of chapter 3, and the preceding context of chapter 4, the author of Hebrews is warning those Jewish believers who are being enticed by the unbelieving Jews to return to Judaism. This is one of the main issues of the book, whether believing Jews will return to the Old Covenant. There was great pressure and even mockery by the unbelieving Jews to convince the believing Jews to come back to the old Jewish system. The majority of the rest of the book is taken up with demonstrating that Christ and the new covenant are superior to Moses and the old covenant. The fulfillment of the old covenant is here. Do not continue to offer your sacrifices that cannot save, for Christ has made the only sacrifice necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
3:19 “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”
4:1 “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.”
4:11 “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
After a number of verses of warning on the negatives of why believing Jews should not depart from there faith in Jesus as the Messiah of God. He moves on to positive reasons and encouragements of maintaining faith and fighting unbelief. His encouragements and exhortations center around the High Priestly work of Christ.
So this morning I want to encourage the weary and exhort the faint of heart to continue on strong in the faith of Christ Jesus. There is great reason to continue because Christ is a great High Priest.
Read Text & Pray
I. Exhortation to hold fast our confession v. 14
A. Meaning of holding fast our confession
What here is meant by our profession? I believe that the profession here mentioned is that profession of faith in Jesus to be the Messiah of God. He here refers to our faith in Christ. Hebrews 10:23 makes it clear that this is what is meant, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” The believing Jews are then exhorted to hold very firmly this profession that they have made. Then he proceeds to tell them why.
B. Reasons for holding fast our confession
1. Because we have a great high priest v. 14a
The main reason given is the High Priestly work of Christ. In Hebrews 2:17 Christ is called “a merciful and faithful high priest.” And then in 3:1 we are told, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” So here lies the reason for holding fast our profession, because Christ is a great High Priest. And in many passages to follow will the priestly work of Christ be shown to be superior to the OT priests.
2. Because he has passed into the heavens v. 14b
What is meant by Christ passing through the heavens? It speaks of his twofold priestly work for his people. The priest was responsible to make sacrifice for the sins of the people, and to intercede for they. Because Christ passed through the heavens it speaks of his successful sacrifice and continual intercession for his people. Isaiah 53:12 prophesied of this priestly work of Christ when it said, “and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
a. His sacrifice was accepted
The first thing that this tells us about the priestly work of Christ was that His sacrifice was accepted. In Hebrews 2:17 Christ is mentioned as being our High Preist who has “made reconciliation for the sins of the people.” And 9:26 says that Christ “appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” And 1:3 it says that “when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” The acceptance of the sacrifice was seen by God raising him from the dead and by exalting him to his right hand in heaven. Christ sacrifice was successful!
b. He makes intercession
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.” Because Christ has entered passed through the heavens He now is seated at the throne of God to intercede for us. Hebrews 7:25 says, “He ever liveth to make intercession for us.” Paul teaches the same thing in Romans 8:34, “Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
In essence what he is saying here is do not turn from your faith in Christ, because your High Priest has already atoned for your sins and now he effectually prays for you.
3. Because he was the perfect mediator v. 14c
There could be no true mediator between God and man unless he was truly and fully both God and man. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” A man must die for the sins of man, but yet he must be perfect himself in order to keep fully the law of God. Christ was the perfect mediator, in that he did both.
a. He was fully man
Scripture makes it clear that Christ was fully man. And his name Jesus emphasizes this about him. He did not just appear to be a man, he took on the fullness of humanity, yet without sin and without limitation to his deity.
b. He was fully God
For he also was and continued to be fully and completely the God of the universe, one in nature with the Father. The term Son of God is meant to communicate equality with the Father. A son is always of the same nature and essence with his father, so Christ with His father. Hebrews 1:8 makes clear the deity of Christ by saying, “Unto the Son he saith, ‘Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever’.”
II. Exhortation to come to God v. 15–16
The second exhortation given is to come to God. And I think specifically reference is made to prayer for we cannot approach to the throne any other way. In one sense he does not give a second thing to do, hold fast your profession and come to God in prayer, as parallel with the first; but rather there is a logical connection between the two, this is the means whereby we are to continue to hold fast our profession, hold fast your profession by coming to God in prayer.
A. Reasons for coming to God v. 15
Again we see Christ here given as the reason or basis for the exhortation with specific mention made of his High Priestly work.
1. He is a sympathetic high priest (because…)
He makes a strong assertion that our High Priest sympathizes with His people. He knows their struggles, the fears, their sufferings, and their trials and even feels the pain they feel. How difficult it is to go through a trial in life when no one knows how it feels or what it is like to go through what you are going through. But Christ knows and he feels for his people. How? Because…
2. He experienced real physical life and limitations
Hebrews 2:14–18 makes this point very clear.
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it [was necessary for] 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. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to [help] them that are tempted.”
Here it is, because Christ took on the nature of man and suffered real trials and temptations in the flesh, he is able to help his brethren who go through trials. And he did it without sin, so He can help us. For if he failed, he would be no help to those who need it.
B. Manner in coming v. 16a
Here we are told how it is that we are to come to God. We need not come to God with worry and doubt as to whether he will hear us. For we are accepted with Him no less than His very own Son is.
Ø With confidence
a. Confidence in Christ’s sacrifice
Hebrews 10:22 “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 10:19 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” Ephesians 3:11–12 “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” We can have the utmost confidence in approaching God, not because we are worthy but because Christ is worthy.
b. Confidence in our acceptance
And we can be sure that just a Christ is accepted before the Father, so we his brethren are no less so. This is where our boldness lies, not in self, but in the merits of the Savior. Ephesians 1:6 says that “[God] has made us accepted in the beloved [namely Christ].”
C. Place of coming v. 16b
Where is it that God has invited us to come but into his very own throne room. Here where are exhorted to approach the very presence of God. This should evoke a sense of fear in all those who will come, yet not a fear of judgment, for it is not here called “the throne of judgment,” but a reverential awe of the God of the universe.
Ø Throne of grace
Notice here that it is called a throne of grace. The place where all grace proceeds. And it is so because of the one who is seated upon it and the one seated at his right hand. Hebrews 8:1 “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” It is therefore to us a throne of grace because Christ is seated there for us, who died in our place, and intercedes in our behalf.
D. Purpose of coming v. 16c
The last thing mentioned is why we are to come. The purpose of coming to this throne of grace is that we might be able to persevere and endure the trials of life.
Ø Find mercy and grace for the present need.
Infinite mercy and grace await for all who will come, but only for them. Are you weak and faint, are the trials too much to bear? Come to this throne that overflows with mercy and grace. There is an abundant fountain that never shall run dry. Here is grace sufficient for every need. Right when you need it most there is help from the throne of grace.
Conclusion:
Today, are you discouraged or weak in faith, take hope, hold fast your profession, for you have a Great High Priest, who died for you and intercedes for you, who has gained access for you to God’s own throne where infinite grace abounds for the need of every hour. O, Christian, you who need the grace of God so badly, why do you not enter in to the presence of God as He bids you? Come, Christian, come to the throne of grace. There is great reason to continue because Christ is a great High Priest.