Sep. 22, 2024

“LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT”

“HOLDING FAST TO OUR FAITH IN CHRIST”

(THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST)

HEBREWS 4:12-16

The author is telling the Hebrews we have a Great High Priest, Jesus Christ that is there for us before God, and we do not need a human priest:

Hebrews 3:1 “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” 

Christ is our High Priest to help us to hold fast to our faith.

So How Do We Holdfast To Our Faith In Christ?:

There Are Three Resources To Help Us:

1.  The Word Of God- Hebrew 4:12-13

Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

Romans 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

The Word of God displays what is spiritual in our life and what is just fleshly or natural.

vs.12 “… piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

2.   The Son Of God- Hebrews 4:14-15

Hebrews 4:14-15 “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Jesus Christ is the Great High Priest. But in what does our Lord’s greatness consist? 

Jesus Christ is both God and man, He is, “…Jesus the Son of God…”

We all need a priest: 

Job 9:33 “Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both.”

2 Corinthians 12:2 “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.”

“…let us hold fast our confession.” vs.14

“Confession”- or profession, “let us”-a call for us to do it, to challenge us, to command us to do it.

Our confession gives us access to the care of the Great High Priest who is able to sympathize with us, vs.15. 

We have a High Priest who understands us. “…but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” vs.15

3.   The Grace Of God- Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

“Mercy” means that God does not give us what we do deserve.

Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

“Grace” means that God gives us what we do not deserve.

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

We can come “boldly” into the presence of God and get the help we need. We can speak freely to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even though our sin is known to God; “…but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” vs.13. We we come in repentance before His throne, we are not given our deserved judgment, but instead are given His mercy and grace.

By the way, have you been to Him yet today? vs.16

Are you holding fast to your faith in Christ? The Word of God, The Son of God, and the Grace of God.