Hebrews #06: an exposition of Hebrews 3:1-6. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, May 11, 2014.
Intro:
In was a Tuesday evening about this time of year. I was carrying the police pager and was called to an address on South Delaware. In route I realized it was on or near the campus of the University of Tulsa. I pulled up in front of the door and there was a crowd of students, a fire truck, ambulance and 3 or 4 patrol cars. I was taken upstairs to a dorm room. A 22 year-old student had hung himself in his dorm room closet the week of graduation. 22 years old. A degree from the University of Tulsa. A bright future ahead of him but in a dark moment, overwhelmed by discouragement he took his own life. A few weeks later I was called to the Center Plaza Apartments downtown. An 80 year-old man had jumped from the 14th floor. Alone, fearful, frustrated he saw no need to continue. The loss of hope is devastating whether you are 22 or 80. Despair is no respecter of persons. It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old; rich or poor. When hope is gone and your life closes in on you it is hard to see beyond the moment.
Shunned by their families, scorned by their friends and the object of governmental persecution the small struggling band of Hebrew believers were having difficulty seeing beyond their current circumstances. The quest for immediate relief consumed them. It’s just not “worth” believing. Some had gotten relief by abandoning their new faith others were thinking of joining them. The writer of Hebrews is pleading with them, “Hang on. Continue to believe. Jesus Christ is better than the best that Judaism and the world has to offer you.” Having shown them the glory and wonder of their salvation through Jesus their merciful high priest and now calls on them to “consider Jesus.” Our text this morning is found in Hebrews chapter 3 beginning with verse 1.
Text: Hebrews 3:1-6
We’ve seen that Jesus is God’s ultimate and final Word.
He is the shinning forth of God’s glory.
He is the exact imprint of God’s nature.
He is superior to angels.
We’ve been warned of the danger of spiritual neglect.
We’ve been reminded of God’s intent for us and Christ’s restoring and securing that intent.
Now we are given some insight into how we can find stability in the midst of great uncertainty.
These few verses inform us that…
Thesis: Stability in the midst of great uncertainty demands a determined focus and a settled conviction.
The Christian life is not a walk in the park. Neither is it a sprint. It is a marathon. It is a grueling, lifelong journey into holiness. “Well, thanks pastor. There is nothing like coming to church and getting a cheerful uplifting message.” Cheerful, uplifting, feel good messages that aren’t true are of little value when all hell breaks loose! In the midst of crisis and uncertainty you need a true, robust faith. That is what the writer of Hebrews delivers.
Chapter 3:1 begins a major section in which the writer points to the superiority of Christ over Moses and the mosaic law. You have to understand Moses and the law was the heart and soul of Jewish religion. It is almost impossible to overestimate the importance of Moses in the heart and mind of the Jewish people.
- Sustaining faith demands a determined focus on Christ as our apostle and merciful high priest. (3:1)
- Sustaining faith demands a settled conviction regarding the superiority of Jesus Christ. (3:2-6)
Conclusion:
He is our apostle and high priest.
What does he require of us?
That we continually fix our thoughts on him.
- Desire
- Concentrate
- Discipline
- Time
We must faithfully persevere.
Perseverance is the test of real faith.
Let me ask, Are you persevering? Is Christ as dear to you today as the day you first believed? Are you holding onto your courage? Are you trusting Christ your apostle and high priest?