Christ the True and Better

The True and Better High Priest

Christ Our Promised Forever High Priest

Hebrews 6:13-20 pt.6

READ: Hebrews 6:9-12

All of God’s promises are guaranteed due to who He is, He is His greatest witness. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” - 2 Corinthians 1:20 - Hebrews 6:13-14 - “For when God made a promise (epan-gello-mai: to engage) to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear,(om-noo-o: to swear to call a person as a witness) he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.”

Know with full confidence that God will fulfill His promise, HE guarantees it. “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” - Numbers 23:19 - Hebrews 6:15 - “And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, (persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles) obtained the promise.”

You can fully rely on His promises, He has made an oath. His word is His bond. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19 - Hebrews 6:16-18 - “For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired (bulla-my: to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded) to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable (immutable) character of his purpose, he guaranteed (messy-to-o: to act as mediator, to mediate, and act as surety by pledging one’s self) it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable (immutable) things, (pragma: that which has been done, a deed, an accomplished act) in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement (paraklesis: consolation, comfort, solace) to hold fast (not let go but to keep carefully and faithfully) to the hope set before us.”

Christ is our anchor, our sure and steadfast hope. Christ has fulfilled the righteous requirements of the High Priest for His people. He alone is our High Priest forever. - Hebrews 6:19-20 - “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor (stable firm safeguard) of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

• How has Christ Fulfilled these requirements as High Priest?

Numbers 28:1-4,6 & 16-23; Psalm 5:1-3

Christ the True and Better

The True and Better High Priest

Christ Our Hope and Faithful High Priest

Hebrews 6:9-12 pt.5

READ: Hebrews 6:1-8

Christ will accomplish what He has purposed and absolutely nothing can stop it. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” - Philippians 1:6

Hebrews 6:9 - “Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, (worthy one, loved one, dear) we feel sure (persuaded, confident) of better things (more useful, serviceable, advantageous, excellent) — things that belong (to adhere or cling to; to be closely joined to) to salvation.”

Christ is faithful to remember and bless His people when we purposely and intentionally care for one another even when we are mistreated. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.- Romans 12:9-10

Hebrews 6:10 - “For God is not unjust so as to overlook (epee-lan-than-o-my: neglect, no longer caring for) your work and the love (agape: love from deep within) that you have shown (proved, displayed, demonstrate) for his name (the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds, position, etc.) in serving the saints, as you still do..”

What Christ says He will do, is an absolute guarantee. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19

Hebrews 6:11-12 - “And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness (prove by striving to accomplish…) to have (with regard to an intended end or purpose) the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, (no-thros: dull, lazy) but imitators (mim-ay-tase: mimic) of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

• For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. - 1 Corinthians 1:20.

Christ the True and Better

The True and Better High Priest

Maturity in Christ

Hebrews 6:1-8 pt.4

READ: Hebrews 5:11-14

Basic truths of Christian faith are to be known and understood not repeated over and over again for the believer as if needed to ensure one’s faith. Every believer must press / move to a deeper understanding of Christ. Ephesians 4:13 - Hebrews 6:1-3 - “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go (press, move) on to maturity, not laying again a foundation (beginnings, first principles, system of truth) of repentance (metanoia: change the mind) from dead works (life lived destitute of power, inactive, inoperative, fruitless) and of faith toward God,(the conviction that God exists and is creator of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation) 2 and of instruction about washings (baptism), the laying on of hands, (blessing given in ceremony, ordination) the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.”

The doctrines of renewal (renewing the mind continually) and regeneration (to make alive that which was dead) are only done by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to be made alive in Christ to be brought back to death and corruption and to have our minds changed and continually renewed in the truth to return to knowing nothing of His goodness. - Hebrews 6:4-6 - “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened (saving knowledge), who have tasted (experienced) the heavenly gift,(eternal life) and have shared, (partake) in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted (experienced)the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, (Revelation 21:3 - to have hope in the promise of heaven and Revelation 20:14-15 - to understand the judgment of God in Hell) 6 and then have fallen away, (reject or willingly denounce what you once had) to restore (renew, renovate) them again to repentance, (going back to where it all began) since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm (put to open shame) and holding him up to contempt.”

The person whose heart receives the Gift of salvation produces the fruits of faith in their life; the person whose heart did not receive the Gift of salvation continues to produce bad fruit. - Matthew 13:23 - Hebrews 6:7-8 - “For land (ground suitable for growing) that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.”

• My translation: verse 7 - The ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and is tilled, producing fruit and herbs, receives a blessing from God. verse 8 - If it produces thorns and thistle, even though the rain has fallen on it, that ground is worthless and cursed, its end is to be burned.

Christ the True and Better

The True and Better High Priest

Hebrews 5:9-14 pt.3

READ: Hebrews 5:7-8

Christ is the King of Righteousness, our High Priest, Our Melchizedek. Christ, being our source of eternal salvation, requires a high priest who was, is, and always will be the Priest of the Most High God. Hebrews 5:9-10 - “9 And being made perfect (exalted to the state of heavenly majesty), He became the source ( i-tee-os: the Cause) of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated (to address, salute, call by name in public) by God a high priest after (kata: according to) the order (character, fashion, quality, style; after the manner of the priesthood) of Melchizedek.” - Genesis 14:17-20

What God has said in His word is meant to be understood. Starting with the simple to the difficult. Salvation is easy to understand with the Holy Spirit but impossible without Him. - 1 Corinthians 2:14 Hebrews 5:11 - “About this (peri - concerning, about; os - this - the whole statement previously said) we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.” - Luke 24:25-27

You will not grow and mature in the faith if you do not learn the fullness of God’s word, especially the basic doctrines of the faith. You must go beyond the gospels and dig deep into the Old and New Testiments. - Ephesians 4:13-14 - Hebrews 5:12-13 - “For though by this time (dia ho chronos) you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles (arche: beginning, origin - stoy-khi-on: the first things, simple teachings like the alphabet) of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone (pas: any) who lives (met-ek-o: to partake of or to feed on) on milk is unskilled (ah-pie-ros: inexperienced, without experience with a specific thing) in the word of righteousness, (logos dee-kay-ya-soo-nay: the doctrine concerning the way which man may attain the state of approval of God) since he is a child (nay-pee-os: childish, untaught, unskilled).” - Acts 20:26-27 - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) is only thing given to God’s people to renew their mind. “I have given them your word,..” John 17:14 and “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” - Psalm 1:1-2 - Hebrews 5:14 - “But solid food (stereos: firm, immovable, solid, hard, rigid - trophe: food of the mind, substance for instruction) is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant (gymnazo:exercise vigorously) practice (hexis: power acquired by, practice or use) to distinguish good (kalos: beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, praiseworthy, morally good, noble) from evil. (kakos: evil, contrary to divine or human law, a crime) ” - Psalm 119:9-16 - Romans 12:2

READ: Hebrews 5:1-4

God appoints the High Priest, not men. Christ was appointed by the Father once for all, just as men who were chosen and appointed to be High Priests for a time.

Hebrews 5:5-6 - “5 So also Christ did not exalt (dox-ad-zo: to cause the dignity or worth of a person or thing to become acknowledged) Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him (implied based on verse 1.) who said to Him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6 as He says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” ( these 2 OT verses are used so you will know who has dox-ad-zo Christ. This is crucial to understand because of the obligation “...to offer sacrifice for the people.” verse 3.)

The High Priest serves the will of the Father, not his own. saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

Hebrews 5:7 - “7 In the days of his flesh, (before His resurrection) Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save (sozo: save a suffering one) Him from death (than-at-os: death comprising all the miseries arising from sin - See 2 Corinthians 5:21), and He was heard because of his reverence.”

(see John 17:25-26)

Christ’s Priestly Prayer: John 17; Luke 22:39-46

Christ is our High Priest, our advocate, and our sacrifice. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” - Hebrews 4:15

Hebrews 5:8 - “8 Although He was a Son, He learned (manthano: be informed, to become accustomed to) obedience (necessary to fulfill the plan of salvation, Luke 22:42 “…not My will but Yours be done”) through what He suffered. (pas-kho: to be affected, have a sensible experience, to undergo)”

READ: Hebrews 4:11-13

• If Christ is our faithful High Priest and our sacrifice, should we shrink from being a faithful witness on His behalf? Keeping the faith is more than doing all the right things as a “Christian”. It’s carefully and faithfully professing Him who gave His life and rose again to give us Life. - Hebrews 4:14 - “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through (dierchomai - come by the mean of, come through) the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast (krateo - to keep carefully and faithfully, not discard or let go) our confession (homologia - profession, the one whom we profess).”
• We have a High Priest who has experienced our weaknesses and has given us the way to Him. He is our way to Him. Galatians 2:20 - Hebrews 4:15 - “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
• We can approach the Throne of Grace with full confidence, knowing He will do as He has promised. - 1 John 5:14-15. - Hebrews 4:16 - “Let us then with confidence (parresia - freedom in speaking, without ambiguity, fearless confidence) draw near (proserchomai) to the throne of grace, that we may receive (lambano - to receive what is given, obtain) mercy and find (heurisko - to find, discover, to see, learn, understand) grace to help in time (timely, opportune) of need.”
• The responsibility of every High Priest is to offer the sacrifice to God on behalf of all mankind for the remission of sins. - Romans 3:22-26- Hebrews 5:1 - “For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”
• Christ is our Intercessor and Advocate who can and fully, on our behalf, being our atoning sacrifice, fulfil all the obligations of the High Priest. Christ alone is our High Priest, - Hebrews 5:2-3 - “He can deal gently (be affected moderately, one who is not unduly disturbed but bears them gently) with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. (Hebrews 4:15) 3 Because of this he is obligated (opheilo - to owe, that which is due) to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.”
• Christ was called by the Father to be our High Priest and so fulfilled the Plan set before Him. - Ephesians 1:7-10 - Hebrews 5:4 - “And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.”

Christ the True and Better

The True and Better Prophet

Hebrews 3:16-19 pt.3

READ: Hebrews 3:12-15

A rebellious heart is an unbelieving heart, and A believing heart is an obedient heart. Psalm 37:3-5 “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”

Hebrews 3:16-19 - “For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.”

Rebellion, Provocation, Sin, and Disobedience all come from a heart of unbelief!

READ:

Deuteronomy 1:19-46, Numbers 32:6-13, John 5:39-47, John 14:8-17

2024 Mount Eaton Graduation Celebration

Senior Sunday Graduation - Pr 16:1-9

Your Legacy starts in the smallest of muscles but sets the course of your life. - Luke 6:45. - Pr 16:1-2 - “The plans (preparations, arrangements) of the heart (inner part of man - the mind) belong to man, but the answer (ability to response) of the tongue (language) is from the Lord. 2 All the ways (course of life) of a man are pure (clean, righteous) in his own eyes (mental and spiritual qualities), but the Lord weighs (measure, test, prove) the spirit (mental acts, dispositions of various kinds). - James 3:6 - Pr 4:23

All that the LORD God has made is for His purpose and plan, nothing is made to just exist but made for His wonderful name and glory. - Romans 9:17 - Pr 16:3-4 - “Commit (roll up to) your work (acts, pursuits, achievements) to the Lord, and your plans (devices, purpose) will be established (firm, stable, fixed). 4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. - Col 3:17 - Eccl 12:13

Life is not about you; it will always be about Christ. - 2 Chronicles 7:14 - Pr 16:5-6 - “Everyone who is arrogant (proud) in heart (inner man, heart, mind) is an abomination (disgusting thing) to the Lord; be assured (put the hand too), he will not go unpunished (free, pure, clean, guiltless) . 6 By steadfast love (goodness, kindness) and faithfulness (firmness, sureness, reliable) iniquity (perversity, depravity) is atoned (purge, cover, reconcile) for, and by the fear of the Lord (reverence, respect) one turns away (depose, depart) from evil. - James 4:6 - 2 Chron 7:14

The greatest value you’ve been given is Christ and His word, not your stuff. - Matthew 6:21 - Pr 16:7-8 - “When (pleasing, acceptable) a man's ways (course of life) please (acceptable) the Lord, he makes (cause to be at peace) even his enemies to be at peace (make anyone a friend) with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great (abundance) revenues (income) with injustice (no right or attributes of God and man). - Jn 15:10-11 - Ps 86:11 & Ex 33:13

God is sovereign and in control; you’re not. - Revelation 21:5a - Pr 16:9 - “The heart of man (lave - inner man, mind, heart, soul) plans (to think, plan, calculate, invent, make a judgment) his way,(course of life) but the Lord establishes (firm, stable, established) his steps.(course of life) - Rev 4:10-11 - Isa 45:5-7 & Ps 115:3

God’s rest comes through only the Gospel. - Hebrews 4:1-2 - “Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest (ka ta pow sis) still stands, let us fear (fa beh o) lest any of you should seem to have failed (be devoid, lack in worth) to reach it (rest in Christ). 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

All who believe in Christ have true rest in HIM! - Hebrews 4:3 - “For we who have believed enter that rest (in Christ), as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not (those who did not believe) enter my rest,’” although his (Christ’s) works were finished from the foundation of the world. (complete works of salvation in and through Christ were done since the beginning of creation, Revelation 13:8)

True Rest can never be found in a day, can never be found in a law, and can never be found in a place. - Hebrews 4:4-5 - “For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works (act, deed, etc) .” 5 And again in this passage, he said, “They shall not enter my rest.”’ SEE: Isaiah 30:15

Rest is only given to God’s people. Now is the time for your rest. Rest from the toil of sin. SEE: Mark 1:15: - Hebrews 4:6-7 ... “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”’

Rest comes from no other person...Rest and hope are only given by Jesus Christ, the King of all KINGS and the LORD of all lords. Rest will not come by a political election, - Hebrews 4:8-10 - “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath (saba tees mos) rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” (What works? (the work of Christ through the cross. He is the end of our toil and suffering of sin, final and true rest.)

Rest can be found in His word through the gift of faith on the wings of the Gospel: SEE- Romans 10:17 - Hebrews 4:11-13 - “Let us, therefore, strive (give diligence) to enter that rest, so that no one may fall (come under condemnation) by the same sort of disobedience (a pie thi a). 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper (cut by single stroke) than any two-edged sword, piercing (penetrate) to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning (fit and skilled to judge) the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature (anything created) is hidden from his sight, but all are naked (lay bare, open, no covering) and exposed (expose by bending the neck) to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” - (a pie thi a - obstinacy, obstinate opposition to the divine will)