WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.000 Will you pray with me? 00:00:24.699 --> 00:00:26.960 Lord, now as we come to your word, we pray. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:34.439 When we pray for your help, we pray because we need you this morning. 00:00:34.780 --> 00:00:39.820 Lord, to illuminate your word to us so that we might understand it rightly. 00:00:41.120 --> 00:00:48.519 Lord, to apply it to our hearts, that we might respond as you have called us to respond. 00:00:50.460 --> 00:00:52.840 Lord, I ask for your help this morning. 00:00:52.840 --> 00:01:02.040 Lord, that I might speak your words and that you might use my words to speak your truth. 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:05.400 Holy Spirit, be with us this morning. 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:10.280 Lord, help us to see the glory and the majesty of Christ. 00:01:11.080 --> 00:01:18.219 Lord, what we have just sung, Jesus, in our place, what a great, great truth this is for us. 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:22.179 Lord, we pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:23.459 Amen. 00:01:27.459 --> 00:01:28.659 Well, Happy New Year. 00:01:29.180 --> 00:01:30.319 It's good to see you all. 00:01:31.739 --> 00:01:38.599 We just got back yesterday from traveling to see family, and it's good to be here this morning. 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:47.879 As if you were here last week, you would know that we're doing a mini-series for these three weeks on the threefold offices of Christ. 00:01:48.419 --> 00:01:50.979 Jesus as our prophet, priest, and king. 00:01:51.699 --> 00:01:57.399 And so this morning, we are going to look at Jesus' high priestly ministry. 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:02.619 And as I was thinking about this message, I asked myself this question. 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:08.780 Why is Jesus' high priestly ministry good news for us? 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:13.819 It doesn't strike us that this is something that is easily accessible. 00:02:13.980 --> 00:02:19.740 I don't walk down the street going to stop and shop thinking, I wish I had a better high priest today. 00:02:20.460 --> 00:02:22.460 It just doesn't cross our minds. 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:23.840 It's not a part of our culture. 00:02:23.980 --> 00:02:25.439 It's not a part of our world. 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:35.340 So we're going to explore what a high priest is, and then we're going to look at what Jesus' high priestly ministry is for us this morning. 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:45.360 If you're here and you're exploring Christianity, we're going to explore and unfold some of the great truths of who Jesus is for us. 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:54.579 If you've been a Christian for the whole of your life, as long as you can remember, we're going to explore Jesus and who He is. 00:02:54.580 --> 00:02:56.260 For us. 00:02:57.340 --> 00:03:04.200 And whether you're just exploring or have seen these truths for a long time, I hope that you will be encouraged this morning. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:08.939 So first, we're going to look at just what is a high priest. 00:03:08.939 --> 00:03:20.760 And it's interesting to think about the fact that priests have been a part of human, relating, religious life across the ages and across the times. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:29.340 If you think about cultures far away from our Western culture, they still have priests of some sort. 00:03:29.459 --> 00:03:30.799 Not always, but often. 00:03:31.139 --> 00:03:32.399 Often there are high priests. 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:40.019 Why do we have this human impulse to have some kind of priest in our religious structure, regardless of what it is? 00:03:41.259 --> 00:03:45.759 Well, because I think we have a question of how do we relate to God? 00:03:45.759 --> 00:04:02.079 How is it that we as human beings stand before someone who in some way is greater than us or different than us, who is over us and to whom we have to give some kind of account or some kind of reckoning? 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:08.360 And the fact is that we don't want to stand before God on our own. 00:04:09.200 --> 00:04:10.460 And so we have priests. 00:04:11.140 --> 00:04:15.980 We long for a priest to stand before us instinctively. 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:20.740 I think we know our imperfection. 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:22.340 We know our weakness. 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:24.420 We know our need. 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:35.199 And so the idea of a priest has been a part of religious life throughout, I think, human history. 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:44.379 As we turn to the idea of it in the Bible, I want you to turn with me to Hebrews chapter 9. 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:47.220 Excuse me. 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:48.920 Hebrews chapter 9. 00:04:48.920 --> 00:04:52.860 We're going to look at Hebrews chapter 9, verses 1 through 10. 00:04:53.360 --> 00:05:00.640 To get a New Testament account of what the high priest did, I thought I'd spare you reading chapters and chapters of Leviticus this morning. 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:06.180 And so we're going to look at a summary in Hebrews chapter 9. 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:07.379 I don't have the page number. 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:08.639 It's 1,000 and something. 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:11.319 And if that'll help. 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:12.960 1,005? 00:05:13.340 --> 00:05:14.139 Yeah, there we go. 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:15.379 1,005. 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:17.199 Hebrews chapter 9. 00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:24.360 We're going to read verses 1 through 10 just to see how the Bible describes what the purpose of the high priest in the Old Testament was. 00:05:26.219 --> 00:05:33.159 Now, even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:40.399 For a tent was prepared, the first section in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the presence. 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:41.839 It is called the holy place. 00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:52.159 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the most holy place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, 00:05:52.619 --> 00:05:59.059 in which was a golden urn holding the manna and Aaron's staff that budded and the tablets of the covenant. 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:07.079 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 00:06:07.079 --> 00:06:14.740 That's simply a description of the temple in Jerusalem where the Jewish people would gather to worship. 00:06:15.639 --> 00:06:16.539 And then it goes on. 00:06:16.859 --> 00:06:24.339 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties. 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:28.239 But into the second, that is the most holy place. 00:06:29.299 --> 00:06:33.639 But into the second, only the high priest goes. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:42.659 And he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:52.040 By this, the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing, 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:54.540 which is symbolic for the present age. 00:06:54.960 --> 00:07:01.760 According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:10.840 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. 00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:16.219 If you want to understand this, go back on the Trinity website. 00:07:16.539 --> 00:07:20.599 There are some great sermons on the book of Hebrews from two years ago. 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:23.060 It will get you a whole detail into this. 00:07:23.179 --> 00:07:31.319 But basically, what he's describing here is that there was in the temple a special day and a special place 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:34.699 where this man, the high priest, would go once a year. 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:43.000 And he would bear sacrifices for his own sin and for the sin of the nation. 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:50.420 This is the pinnacle of a system of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament. 00:07:50.599 --> 00:07:53.199 And we might think, why would God do that? 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:54.800 Isn't this barbaric? 00:07:55.099 --> 00:07:56.060 Isn't this primitive? 00:07:56.300 --> 00:07:58.579 This can't have anything to do with us. 00:07:58.579 --> 00:08:08.579 But I think that, in fact, this whole system was given to point us to a couple of truths. 00:08:09.579 --> 00:08:12.180 Pastor Alistair Begg summarized it this way. 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:16.819 He said that the whole sacrificial system and the role of the high priest in it 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:20.939 meant to show that forgiveness is costly 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:25.099 and that the punishment due to sin is death 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:30.439 and that without the shedding of blood, that is, without something actually dying, 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:33.340 sin cannot be removed. 00:08:33.920 --> 00:08:39.420 And so the high priest had this essential role of offering up a sacrifice, 00:08:39.420 --> 00:08:45.740 an animal sacrifice, each year for the sins of the nation 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:49.220 so that their sins might be covered. 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:59.620 In this, God gave instructions to the people in the Old Testament 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:02.379 about how they might approach him 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:07.159 because it was God himself who dwelt in that most holy place. 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:13.560 The question that I ask for us today is, 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:16.920 with no temple and with no high priest and with no sacrifices, 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:18.139 what do we do? 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:23.500 How do we live seeking to approach God and seeking to please him? 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:28.080 I posit to you that there are two different ways 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:32.399 that we tend to address this question. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:38.940 The first is that, and this is probably the most common, 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:44.580 that we seek success in trying to be good enough 00:09:44.580 --> 00:09:48.120 in our own estimation to be acceptable to God. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:55.600 We figure that we can actually be a good enough person somehow, 00:09:56.060 --> 00:09:58.960 that God ought to accept us. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:00.379 That seems right to us. 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:03.899 It builds in us a self-confidence. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.679 I'm good enough, don't you think? 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:09.759 But surprisingly, this attempt, 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:12.399 which seems like a very common 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:16.220 and not that hard to accomplish, right? 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:20.159 But in fact, it has this dark underside, doesn't it? 00:10:20.459 --> 00:10:22.100 Because seeking to be good enough 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:25.379 is a terrible prison for us, isn't it? 00:10:25.959 --> 00:10:28.840 Because it makes us live 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:31.899 with an unending fear of failure. 00:10:32.679 --> 00:10:34.220 If we try to be good enough, 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:36.460 we always wonder, what if we blow it? 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:39.360 How badly do we have to blow it? 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:41.460 If we blow it in this way, 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:43.540 what happens to us then? 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:46.280 And we live our lives driven 00:10:46.280 --> 00:10:48.379 to be good enough somehow. 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:54.200 Some of this may look like 00:10:54.200 --> 00:11:00.100 the more uglier sides of getting ahead first at all costs, 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.920 not caring about anything, 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:05.179 but trying to be successful 00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:08.459 in the eyes of whatever your subculture is 00:11:08.459 --> 00:11:09.979 and however it measures it. 00:11:11.479 --> 00:11:12.860 Climbing the corporate ladder, 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:14.819 having enough money, 00:11:15.719 --> 00:11:18.099 having power in your society, 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:19.199 whatever it is. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:23.879 But I think that most of us see those 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:26.299 and we think, well, that's kind of crass and ugly 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:29.699 and an attempt to be good and successful. 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:34.560 How about the more socially acceptable ways 00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:35.720 that we pursue this? 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:39.820 I'm going to love my child better than anyone else. 00:11:40.780 --> 00:11:42.700 I'm going to be the best volunteer 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:44.940 this nonprofit has ever had. 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:48.820 I'm going to be the most zealous employee 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:49.680 in this company, 00:11:50.060 --> 00:11:52.320 not out of self-promotion, 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.540 but just so they'll see 00:11:53.540 --> 00:11:55.800 what a good hard worker I am. 00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:58.860 I'm going to be the straight-A student 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.460 who's going to succeed. 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:07.740 Even our best impulses to be good 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:09.639 can be driven by this desire 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:11.659 to be acceptable before God 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:13.720 and make ourself good enough. 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:15.740 And in doing so, 00:12:15.800 --> 00:12:18.139 we create a prison of our own success. 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:21.080 Because one of the things that it does 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:23.519 is it means we can't ever admit that we failed. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:26.059 We can't ever say, 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.740 I couldn't do it. 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:31.779 We can't ever admit a weakness, 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:35.699 let alone just a blatant sin. 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:37.779 I was selfish. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:41.759 I did it because I wanted to hurt that person. 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:44.980 Or whatever it is that we do. 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:52.639 Now, some of us have tried this hamster wheel 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:53.899 of trying to be good enough, 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.320 long enough to know 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:57.279 that it doesn't work very well, does it? 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:01.100 We don't want to live in that prison, 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:02.480 but we think, 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:03.300 what do we do? 00:13:03.680 --> 00:13:04.700 Where do we go? 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:06.960 And often, I think, 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:08.860 we respond with hopelessness 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:10.220 and despair. 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:12.800 We know we can't measure up. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:15.379 There's nothing we can do about it. 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:17.139 And so we give up. 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:20.080 Not only have we failed, 00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:23.080 but we have become a failure in this world. 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:26.360 And then we just live trying to survive. 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:32.560 But we have stopped seeking God. 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:35.000 We have stopped seeking to approach Him 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:36.980 boldly and confidently. 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:39.360 We have stopped seeking to relate to Him at all 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:41.259 because we know what He thinks of us. 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:42.159 We're a loser. 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:48.659 Friends, this may be true in our culture. 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:51.159 It's actually true, 00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:52.840 in fact, as well, 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:54.840 even in our church. 00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:56.360 Isn't it? 00:13:56.420 --> 00:13:59.700 It's so easy for us to put a religious, 00:14:00.180 --> 00:14:02.899 a Christian veneer over this same impulse 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:04.899 and to think, 00:14:05.060 --> 00:14:06.899 well, if I know my Bible well enough, 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:08.519 if I've memorized enough verses, 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:10.320 if I'm active in enough activities, 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:12.940 if I'm there at all the work days, 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.320 if whatever it is, 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:15.460 you pick your standard, 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:18.240 if I can do it well enough, 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.860 wouldn't that be great? 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:23.220 Look at what a good church member I am. 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:27.460 Or we feel like a failure. 00:14:28.420 --> 00:14:29.159 We think, 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.159 what am I doing here? 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:32.559 Why do I keep coming? 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:35.480 It's just an exercise in hypocrisy. 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:37.120 These people don't know what I'm really like, 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:37.759 and if they did, 00:14:37.839 --> 00:14:38.620 they'd kick me out. 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:42.459 That's how we often approach church, 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.079 isn't it? 00:14:45.579 --> 00:14:46.480 We hide. 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.639 We can't admit 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:49.799 what's really going on. 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:51.199 We hide. 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.740 We can't admit our failure. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.919 Friends, 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:56.720 this shouldn't be surprising. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.759 Isn't this what we see 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.180 even back in the Garden of Eden? 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:01.320 When Adam and Eve fall into sin, 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.120 what do they do? 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.360 They hide. 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.560 They blame shift. 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:06.360 They run away 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:08.360 rather than admitting, 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:09.659 confessing, 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:10.720 revealing 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.820 their sin 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:13.360 and their neediness. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:19.419 I spent all this time 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.220 exploring this 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:20.700 because 00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:23.139 I hope you see 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:23.940 that we in fact 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:25.220 do need help 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:27.039 in standing before God. 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.100 We don't know 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:29.139 how to approach God 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.680 on our own. 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.879 And instinctively, 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.500 deep down, 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.080 we know 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:35.419 that we need someone 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.659 to stand in our place. 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:38.980 Friends, 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:39.620 this is where 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:41.180 Jesus' high priestly ministry 00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:43.080 steps in. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:46.259 It is God's glorious provision 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.240 for us. 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.500 And the book of Hebrews 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.919 is the place to go 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:52.080 in the New Testament 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.419 to see the richness 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:54.300 and the depth 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:57.539 of Jesus' high priestly ministry 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.399 for us 00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:01.539 and how He stands 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:03.159 before God 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:04.419 on our behalf. 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:12.539 If you want a full account of this, 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.919 go read Hebrews 2, 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:15.259 chapter 2 through 9. 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.659 It's about seven chapters. 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:17.639 It's rich. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.279 It's deep. 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:18.899 As I said, 00:16:18.959 --> 00:16:19.719 there's a great series 00:16:19.719 --> 00:16:20.279 of sermons 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:21.860 that some other guys 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:23.039 preached on it 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:25.199 that I highly recommend 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:25.799 and 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:27.899 on our website. 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.519 But what we're going to see 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:29.839 is that 00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:31.379 Jesus' high priestly ministry 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:33.779 does two things for us. 00:16:33.839 --> 00:16:34.019 First, 00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:34.500 we're going to look 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.240 at chapter 4 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:35.839 and see that 00:16:35.839 --> 00:16:36.459 Jesus, 00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:38.139 in His high priestly ministry, 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.819 He stands with us 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:41.360 in our humanity. 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:43.379 And then secondly, 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.059 we're going to see 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:45.059 from chapter 9 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:47.159 that He stands for us 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:49.240 before God. 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.980 So let's look first 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.059 at Jesus, 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.419 our high priest, 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.519 standing with us. 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.120 Turn with me 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.319 to Hebrews chapter 4, 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:59.559 just a few pages back. 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:10.339 Hebrews chapter 4, 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.399 verse 14 through 16. 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:17.019 Since then, 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:17.759 we have 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.099 a great high priest 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:19.799 who has passed 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.539 through the heavens, 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:20.960 Jesus, 00:17:21.159 --> 00:17:21.980 the Son of God. 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:23.759 Let us hold fast 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.700 our confession, 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.559 for we do not have 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.359 a high priest 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:28.879 who is unable 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:29.820 to sympathize 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:30.660 with our weaknesses, 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:32.260 but one who 00:17:32.260 --> 00:17:33.420 in every respect 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.340 has been tempted 00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:35.180 as we are, 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:37.220 yet without sin. 00:17:38.120 --> 00:17:38.860 Let us then 00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:39.560 with confidence 00:17:39.560 --> 00:17:40.240 draw near 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:41.300 to the throne of grace 00:17:41.300 --> 00:17:42.980 that we may receive 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.560 mercy 00:17:43.560 --> 00:17:45.080 and find grace 00:17:45.080 --> 00:17:45.920 to help 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:48.340 in time of need. 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.720 Friends, 00:17:52.820 --> 00:17:53.700 one of the glorious 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.660 truths of Jesus' 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:56.100 high priestly ministry 00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:57.380 is that He stands 00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:58.500 with us 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.039 in sympathy 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:01.579 with our weakness 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:04.099 and our humanity. 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:07.119 The writer of the Hebrews 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:07.740 has developed 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.400 the argument 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.160 about Jesus 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.339 and His uniqueness 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:12.180 as being both 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:13.799 the God, 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.859 as being both 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:17.559 God and man 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:19.400 in His role 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.200 that He comes 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:21.420 to be our Redeemer 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.319 and our Savior. 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:24.779 And He comes 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.519 to this point 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.220 and He says, 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.460 Jesus has identified 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:30.160 by becoming human, 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:32.779 He has identified 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.660 with us 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.839 in such a way 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:36.779 that He knows, 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:39.680 He knows what our life 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:40.879 is really like. 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:43.299 God is not a distant, 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:45.259 sovereign dictator 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:47.960 who is unacquainted 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:49.180 and unfamiliar 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.539 with the realities 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.319 of life 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:52.519 in a broken world. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.119 world. 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:55.139 But as it says 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:56.180 in verse 15, 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:57.119 He is one 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.480 who sympathizes 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:00.079 with our weaknesses. 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.299 That is, 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.200 He feels 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.000 with us 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.819 what we feel. 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.099 He does not 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:08.900 come to us 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:10.359 and berate us. 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:12.480 He does not 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:12.940 come 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:14.119 to condemn 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:14.779 us 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:16.000 in the face 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:17.259 of our temptations. 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.819 why are you 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.519 so weak? 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.420 Buck up! 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.900 Get on with it! 00:19:22.379 --> 00:19:23.059 What's wrong 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.579 with you? 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:26.980 This is what 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:28.019 we hear often, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.700 whether from others 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.400 or in 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:32.160 the self-talk 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.200 in our own mind. 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.920 When we face 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.660 temptations, 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.339 when we face 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:38.920 trials, 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:42.200 we feel 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.579 the weight 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:43.480 of condemnation 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.400 so easily. 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:47.420 just for 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:47.740 feeling 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.340 our weakness, 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.519 not for 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.060 the sin. 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.440 Jesus comes 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:52.960 and He says, 00:19:53.060 --> 00:19:53.640 I understand. 00:19:55.040 --> 00:19:55.780 I have 00:19:55.780 --> 00:19:56.519 been there. 00:19:58.320 --> 00:19:59.100 I remember 00:19:59.100 --> 00:19:59.580 once, 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.600 I had a coach 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.220 in high school, 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:04.340 played lacrosse, 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:04.780 and 00:20:04.780 --> 00:20:07.400 He, 00:20:08.060 --> 00:20:10.040 one of the things 00:20:10.040 --> 00:20:10.480 that He did 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:10.920 with us 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.360 is that He 00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:12.440 never made us 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.960 do a running 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.360 drill, 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.079 an exercise 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:16.500 that He 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.079 wouldn't do 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.660 with us. 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.039 So He'd be like, 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.360 all right, 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:19.660 boys, 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.059 this is what 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.360 we're doing 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:20.700 today, 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:22.140 right? 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.380 And then we'd 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:23.920 line up, 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.880 and He'd do it 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:25.500 with us 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.980 every time. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.180 And I can't 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:29.759 tell you how 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.579 much authority 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.980 that gave 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.279 Him 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:34.059 to encourage 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.620 us, 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:36.400 because He 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:36.900 wasn't just 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:37.420 sitting there 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.039 in His lounge 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.539 chair, 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:40.200 sipping His 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.700 lemonade, 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.420 or His Diet 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:41.720 Coke, 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.140 or whatever, 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:42.580 saying, 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:43.940 all right, 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.200 boys, 00:20:44.300 --> 00:20:44.500 go, 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:44.980 go, 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:45.840 you go work, 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.160 and I'm 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.480 going to sit 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:46.980 here and watch 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.520 you do it, 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.120 like many coaches 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:49.480 do. 00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:51.200 He said, 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:51.540 I'm going to 00:20:51.540 --> 00:20:51.900 do this 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.400 with you. 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.200 And in doing 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:55.700 that, 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.800 His encouragement 00:20:56.800 --> 00:20:57.740 and His 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.640 exhortation 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:00.040 for us to 00:21:00.040 --> 00:21:00.700 keep going 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.340 and not give 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:01.720 up, 00:21:02.820 --> 00:21:03.740 had so much 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.120 weight, 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.300 because He knew 00:21:05.300 --> 00:21:06.600 what it would 00:21:06.600 --> 00:21:07.380 cost to do 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:07.800 what He'd 00:21:07.800 --> 00:21:08.680 ask us to do. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:11.380 this is what 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.279 Jesus does 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.299 for us. 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.680 Jesus, 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.440 by becoming 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.360 a human being 00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:17.100 and identifying 00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:18.600 with us, 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.480 by taking on 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.320 human flesh 00:21:20.320 --> 00:21:20.820 and walking 00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:21.560 in this world, 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.720 He knows 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.560 our trials. 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.279 Now, 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.240 some of you 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:27.840 may be sitting 00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:28.460 there thinking, 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:28.940 yeah, 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.820 but you know 00:21:29.820 --> 00:21:30.140 what? 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.480 Jesus never 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.259 saw internet 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.880 pornography. 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:34.720 Jesus never 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.580 felt the power 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:37.599 of the boardroom 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.500 and the seat. 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.439 He never 00:21:40.439 --> 00:21:41.559 had two 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.259 small children 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.379 and two careers 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:44.220 and tried to 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.980 juggle that 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.559 schedule. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.539 I had a 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.079 professor in 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.699 seminary who 00:21:50.699 --> 00:21:51.359 helped me 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.179 understand this 00:21:52.179 --> 00:21:53.279 this way. 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:54.799 For temptation 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:55.699 to be real, 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.980 it actually has 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.519 to have the 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.819 force to grab 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.519 our attention. 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.359 Right? 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.460 So, 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.099 I might be 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:03.439 tempted. 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.680 say I'm 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.039 trying to 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.519 eat well, 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.279 I might be 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:07.820 tempted by 00:22:07.820 --> 00:22:08.200 a donut. 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:08.960 Right? 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:09.799 But you know 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.019 what? 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:10.700 If I don't 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.380 like donuts, 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:11.980 there's no 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.840 temptation there. 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.140 I just walk 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.920 right by it. 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:15.539 It doesn't 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:15.860 matter. 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.200 Right? 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:16.920 So, 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:17.340 temptation 00:22:17.340 --> 00:22:18.299 only has 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:20.039 power when 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:21.019 there's an 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.759 actual 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:23.440 attraction to 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.680 doing the 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.220 thing that 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:25.620 you're being 00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:26.220 tempted to 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.539 do. 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.200 Now, 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:28.840 Jesus was 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.660 rarely tempted 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.860 to do many 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:31.420 of the things 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.140 that we do. 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:33.520 it seems. 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.560 But interestingly, 00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.700 in Matthew 4, 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.400 when the devil 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.200 comes to 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:38.940 tempt Jesus, 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.280 what does he 00:22:40.280 --> 00:22:40.800 tempt him 00:22:40.800 --> 00:22:41.180 with? 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.480 He tempts 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.000 him with the 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.900 very thing 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.460 that Jesus 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.160 would most 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:45.940 care about. 00:22:46.780 --> 00:22:47.360 Show the 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.280 glory of God 00:22:48.280 --> 00:22:48.940 in these 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.600 spectacular 00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:50.500 ways. 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.540 Shortcut 00:22:52.540 --> 00:22:54.780 to the 00:22:54.780 --> 00:22:55.340 glory of 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:55.820 your kingdom 00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:56.620 without the 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.180 cross. 00:22:57.180 --> 00:23:01.440 Jesus 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:01.900 knows 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.600 temptation 00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:04.200 greater than 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.640 we have 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.720 ever faced. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.019 If the 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.820 temptations we 00:23:09.820 --> 00:23:10.539 feel are like 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.340 the waves that 00:23:11.340 --> 00:23:12.060 push a pebble 00:23:12.060 --> 00:23:13.060 up and down 00:23:13.060 --> 00:23:13.680 the beach, 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.100 the temptations 00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:15.620 that Jesus 00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:17.180 faced were 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.820 like the 00:23:17.820 --> 00:23:18.360 thundering 00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.100 breakers 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:20.240 breaking on 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.259 a rock 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.100 on the 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:22.920 main coast, 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.019 world, 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:26.539 Jesus 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.620 really does 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.820 understand. 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:31.019 And he 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.759 sympathizes 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.539 with our 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:32.900 weakness. 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.400 He knew 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.140 hunger and 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:35.600 thirst, 00:23:36.120 --> 00:23:36.720 tiredness, 00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:37.320 the rejection 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:37.960 of family, 00:23:38.100 --> 00:23:38.660 the betrayal 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.580 of friends. 00:23:39.800 --> 00:23:40.380 He knew 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.200 the sufferings 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.080 of beatings 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:43.320 and of nails 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:44.140 piercing his 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.560 hand. 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.680 And he knew 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.160 death, 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:48.360 the very 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.060 thing that we 00:23:49.060 --> 00:23:49.580 fear the 00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:50.019 most. 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.920 He knew 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:52.619 death for 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.059 us. 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.740 So he does 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.559 understand how 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:59.599 hard it 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:01.519 can be to 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.420 approach God. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.460 And he says, 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.259 stop hiding, 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.720 don't give in 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.460 to despair, 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.200 but because I 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.119 understand, 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.599 hold fast. 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:13.240 Hold fast to 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.839 the confession 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.680 of your faith. 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.879 Don't give up 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.500 when it gets 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.000 hard. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.500 Don't give up 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.160 when it feels 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:19.879 like you can't 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:20.620 do it anymore. 00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:24.780 Don't give up 00:24:24.780 --> 00:24:25.800 when you 00:24:25.800 --> 00:24:26.400 fail. 00:24:29.320 --> 00:24:30.420 Draw near. 00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:32.320 Draw near 00:24:32.320 --> 00:24:33.260 to the 00:24:33.260 --> 00:24:34.000 throne of 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.560 God 00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:35.980 to find 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.540 help 00:24:36.540 --> 00:24:38.960 and grace. 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.740 Undeserved, 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.100 unearned. 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:47.120 Grace that 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.800 will help you 00:24:47.800 --> 00:24:48.880 in your time 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.460 of trial. 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:54.740 come in the 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.460 midst of all 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.020 the trials 00:24:56.020 --> 00:24:56.360 that you 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:56.840 face. 00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:58.900 Come and 00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.440 sit in his 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.040 presence 00:25:00.040 --> 00:25:01.720 in the depth 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.480 of your pain. 00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:03.520 Come and 00:25:03.520 --> 00:25:04.500 rage against 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.420 him in 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.040 your anger. 00:25:07.520 --> 00:25:07.720 Come 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.740 confess your 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.280 weakness 00:25:09.280 --> 00:25:10.320 and despair. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:11.940 Come and 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:13.160 receive from 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.660 this high 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:15.160 priest all 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.580 that you 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:15.940 need. 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.559 God 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:19.039 because he 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.720 understands 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.180 and he 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:20.900 sympathizes 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.500 with you. 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:24.660 But you 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:24.799 know, 00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:25.140 friends, 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.299 maybe you've 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:26.720 had a friend 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.240 who's really 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:27.620 good at 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.259 sympathizing 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.700 with you. 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.320 Oh, 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:29.680 I know 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.240 that's really 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:30.620 hard. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.259 Oh, 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:31.519 yeah, 00:25:31.580 --> 00:25:32.059 that's very 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.380 hard. 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.140 Yes, 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.539 it's very 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:33.820 hard. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.720 And then 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.100 at the end 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:35.460 you walk 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:35.759 away and 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.059 you think, 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:36.279 well, 00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:36.759 at least he 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.100 gets it 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.400 that it's 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:37.660 hard. 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.580 But my 00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:39.100 life hasn't 00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:39.620 been changed, 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.100 has it? 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.000 That's not 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.360 been very 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.059 much help. 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.519 Thankfully, 00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.139 Jesus is 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:44.440 not a 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:44.839 friend like 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.200 this. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.839 Because Jesus 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.319 has done 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:47.859 more than 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:48.740 just identify 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.500 with us 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.079 and stand 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.940 with us 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:53.019 in weakness. 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.940 But Jesus 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:56.619 stands for 00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:57.659 us before 00:25:57.659 --> 00:25:58.220 God. 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.099 And in 00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.919 doing that, 00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:01.200 he accomplishes 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.220 something glorious 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.879 and wonderful 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:03.559 for us. 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.919 Turn back 00:26:05.919 --> 00:26:06.399 with me to 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:07.139 chapter 9 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.700 of Hebrews. 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:19.980 Hebrews 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.720 chapter 9, 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.140 we're going 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:21.580 to pick up 00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:22.380 in verse 11. 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:22.700 We're going 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.400 to read 11 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:24.600 through 14. 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:26.340 Remember, 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.080 we read the 00:26:27.080 --> 00:26:27.500 beginning of 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.039 this chapter 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:28.779 about the 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.299 high priest 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.819 going in 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.259 once a 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.519 year. 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.200 Here we 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.680 see 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:38.299 starting 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.660 in verse 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.140 11. 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.080 But when 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.580 Christ 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.060 appeared 00:26:41.060 --> 00:26:41.380 as a 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:41.980 high priest 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.320 of the 00:26:42.320 --> 00:26:42.900 good things 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.140 that have 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.519 come, 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.920 then through 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.440 the greater 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:45.799 and more 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.660 perfect tent 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.279 not made 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:47.799 with hands 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.420 that is not 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:49.200 of this 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.779 creation, 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.320 he entered 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:51.980 once for 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.860 all into 00:26:52.860 --> 00:26:53.380 the holy 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.080 places, 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:55.620 not by 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.320 means of 00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:56.840 the blood 00:26:56.840 --> 00:26:57.580 of goats 00:26:57.580 --> 00:26:58.160 and of 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.720 calves, 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.279 by means 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.580 of his 00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:01.420 own blood, 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.279 thus securing 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:04.279 an eternal 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.960 redemption. 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.539 For if 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.099 the blood 00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:07.579 of goats 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:08.279 and bulls 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.539 and the 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.099 sprinkling 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:09.779 of defiled 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.259 persons 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.660 with the 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.180 ashes of 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.579 a heifer 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.940 sanctify 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:14.039 for purification 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.700 of the 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.240 flesh, 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.399 how much 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:17.839 more 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.720 will the 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.220 blood of 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:19.680 Christ, 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.440 who through 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.019 the eternal 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.940 spirit offered 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.839 himself without 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.599 blemish to 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:24.000 God, 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.839 purify our 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.740 conscience from 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.599 dead works 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:29.359 to serve 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.220 the living 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.399 God. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.779 Jesus 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:36.339 stands for 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:36.700 us. 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:37.359 In this 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:37.940 amazing 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.500 image, 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:40.099 Jesus pulls 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.759 together two 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.839 different threads 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.359 in the Old 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:43.220 Testament imagery 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:44.480 because he is in 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.420 this image both 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:46.399 the high priest 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:47.960 and the 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.660 sacrifice. 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.839 And in case 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.180 you ever 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:52.359 wanted to 00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:53.299 wondered about 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.579 this, 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.579 this is part of 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.079 the beauty 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.859 and the complexity 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.700 of seeing how 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.119 the Old 00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:58.000 Testament points 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.660 to the new. 00:27:59.079 --> 00:27:59.899 It's not a 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:00.879 clean one-to-one 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.920 correlation or 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.579 correspondence. 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:04.000 It's this rich 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.000 tapestry of 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.279 interwoven themes 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:08.099 that point to 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.439 Jesus. 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.899 Jesus is also 00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:10.519 the temple, 00:28:11.159 --> 00:28:13.699 surprisingly. 00:28:13.919 --> 00:28:14.859 So, when you 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.639 look at it, 00:28:15.699 --> 00:28:16.240 it's this 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.119 beautiful picture. 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.220 But here in 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:18.699 these verses 00:28:18.699 --> 00:28:19.419 particularly, 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.819 Jesus is both 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.679 the high priest 00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:23.919 and the 00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:24.519 sacrifice. 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:26.359 He offers 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.579 not the blood 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.319 of someone 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:29.199 or something 00:28:29.199 --> 00:28:29.720 else, 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.139 but he offers 00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:32.380 his very own 00:28:32.380 --> 00:28:32.880 blood, 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:33.980 that is his 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.800 very own 00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:35.280 life. 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:37.820 Remember when 00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:38.480 we talked about 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.140 the Old Testament 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:40.200 sacrificial system 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.640 and what it 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.220 pointed to? 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.540 That forgiveness 00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:43.360 is costly, 00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:44.280 that the penalty 00:28:44.280 --> 00:28:45.360 of sin is death, 00:28:46.040 --> 00:28:46.560 and a death 00:28:46.560 --> 00:28:47.400 must occur 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.680 for sin to be 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.100 forgiven? 00:28:51.320 --> 00:28:51.820 Friends, 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:52.560 this is the 00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:53.180 kind of high 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.660 priest that we 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.180 have, 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:56.519 because he 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.240 has paid 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.299 that cost 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.960 for us. 00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:01.680 In Leviticus 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.180 16, 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.640 the day of 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.180 atonement, 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.580 this offering, 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.140 the human 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:05.680 high priest 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.180 would walk 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:07.039 in with 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.600 this offering. 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:07.920 He had 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:08.640 two offerings, 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.160 one for 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:09.720 himself, 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.539 and then 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:10.980 one for 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.519 the people. 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.340 And tradition 00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:14.960 has it 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:16.100 that they 00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:16.480 would tie 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.080 bells to 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:17.400 the bottom 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:17.740 of his 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.240 garments 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:19.080 and tie a 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.539 rope around 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:20.080 his ankle 00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:21.539 because if 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.259 his sins, 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.279 if his 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.080 sacrifices were 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:24.839 not acceptable 00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.419 and his 00:29:25.419 --> 00:29:26.599 sin before 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.399 God was 00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:28.240 real and 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.819 uncovered, 00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.619 it would 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:30.139 result in 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:30.740 his death. 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:31.939 And if the 00:29:31.939 --> 00:29:32.619 bells stopped 00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.220 jingling, 00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:33.639 they would 00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:34.019 pull the 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.480 body out 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:34.819 with the 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.019 rope. 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:35.899 I'm not 00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:36.220 sure that 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:36.799 ever actually 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.240 happened, 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.119 but it's 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:38.720 the tradition 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.839 that we 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.859 hear about 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.599 that helps 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.319 us understand 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.059 the severity 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.539 of what 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.159 happens. 00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:45.339 And when 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:46.259 Jesus comes 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.819 in, 00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:49.279 when Jesus 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:49.699 says, 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.500 I am the 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.259 high priest 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.039 that will 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:53.179 stand before 00:29:53.179 --> 00:29:53.799 God 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.899 for you 00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:55.460 on your 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.019 behalf, 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:56.839 and I 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.460 will offer 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.240 a superior 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.039 sacrifice 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:00.119 of my 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:01.159 very own 00:30:01.159 --> 00:30:01.839 life 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:03.659 for you. 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.099 Jesus is 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:06.559 no longer 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.039 simply 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.240 sympathizing 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.879 with us 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.940 in our 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:10.419 weakness, 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:13.059 but he 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.819 is solving 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:15.299 the question 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.819 that we 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.579 started with, 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.039 which is 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.779 how can a 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:19.119 man stand 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.039 before God? 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.099 God. 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.220 If we 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.819 stand before 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.279 God in 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.799 our sin, 00:30:24.879 --> 00:30:25.399 it is our 00:30:25.399 --> 00:30:25.899 death that's 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:26.379 required, 00:30:26.379 --> 00:30:26.899 and there's 00:30:26.899 --> 00:30:27.639 no performance, 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:29.079 no service, 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:29.879 no good 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.379 work that 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:30.899 can save 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:31.299 us from 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:31.559 that. 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.220 There's 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.019 no guilty 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.680 feelings, 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.659 no religious 00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:35.279 penance, 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:36.579 not even 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.379 our religious 00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:38.720 despair can 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.440 save us. 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.720 Jesus comes 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.059 and he 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:43.440 says, 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.639 I can do 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.220 what you 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.019 cannot do. 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.879 I will 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.200 be the 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.700 high priest 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.279 to offer 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:50.859 what you 00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:51.200 need. 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.759 Jesus offers 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.359 his perfect 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:55.900 life of 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.359 obedience. 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.779 He was, 00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.680 as we saw 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.059 in chapter 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.440 four, 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:01.579 without sin, 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.220 and so 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.779 he did 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:05.460 not stand 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.279 under the 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.900 curse of 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.980 death and 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.480 the judgment 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.039 of death 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.579 that we all 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:09.859 do. 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.279 Because he 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.039 was without 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.660 sin, 00:31:12.879 --> 00:31:13.639 he had a 00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:14.359 perfect life 00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:14.940 to offer, 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:15.980 which meant 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.259 that he 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.620 did not 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:16.920 have to 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.380 die for 00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:17.840 his own 00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:18.240 sin, 00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:19.059 so he 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.680 could die 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:21.019 for ours. 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:23.039 In his 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.500 humanity, 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:23.940 it meant 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.259 that he 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.340 could actually 00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:25.960 stand in 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.640 our place. 00:31:27.580 --> 00:31:28.259 Bulls and 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.980 goats can 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.700 only cover 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.700 temporarily, 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.500 can only 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:32.000 provide, 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:32.519 as it says, 00:31:32.580 --> 00:31:33.480 the purification 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.059 of the 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.500 flesh. 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:36.320 But Jesus 00:31:36.320 --> 00:31:36.779 in his 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.299 humanity 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.360 identifies with 00:31:38.360 --> 00:31:38.840 us so 00:31:38.840 --> 00:31:39.360 that the 00:31:39.360 --> 00:31:40.140 sacrifice of 00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:40.900 his life 00:31:40.900 --> 00:31:42.220 is an 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:42.740 even, 00:31:43.340 --> 00:31:44.180 an a fair, 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:44.700 and a 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.180 just 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:47.660 substitute. 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.740 That a 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.259 life of a 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.720 man was 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.320 taken for 00:31:51.320 --> 00:31:51.779 the life 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.120 of a 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.440 man. 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.240 His 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.880 death is 00:31:57.880 --> 00:31:58.740 taken on 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.460 our behalf. 00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:01.640 And so 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.160 the judgment 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.840 of God 00:32:02.840 --> 00:32:03.820 on our 00:32:03.820 --> 00:32:04.740 sin falls 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.740 upon him. 00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:09.900 And so 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.519 Jesus 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:12.060 stands to 00:32:12.060 --> 00:32:12.779 intercede 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.720 for us. 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:15.899 As 00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:16.200 Hebrews 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.599 7, 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.059 25 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.500 says, 00:32:17.579 --> 00:32:18.099 consequently 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.639 he is 00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.059 able to 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.559 save to 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.460 the uttermost 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.599 those who 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.079 draw near 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:22.519 to God 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.339 through him, 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:24.139 since he 00:32:24.139 --> 00:32:24.940 always lives 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:25.440 to make 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.119 intercession 00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:26.940 for them. 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:27.660 What is 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.460 that intercession 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:28.839 that he 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.240 makes? 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.460 He stands 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.700 before God, 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.480 and when we 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.019 come to 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.379 God, 00:32:34.399 --> 00:32:34.700 Jesus 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.220 says, 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.200 I suffered 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:37.039 for his 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:37.740 sin. 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.859 I suffered 00:32:38.859 --> 00:32:39.899 for her 00:32:39.899 --> 00:32:40.660 sin. 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:40.700 sin. 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:42.040 They are 00:32:42.040 --> 00:32:43.740 taken away. 00:32:46.320 --> 00:32:47.100 I have 00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:47.720 done that. 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.600 I have 00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:48.900 done it 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:49.580 once for 00:32:49.580 --> 00:32:50.120 all so 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.400 that I 00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:50.900 never have 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.200 to go 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:51.900 back in 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:52.360 again. 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.300 I have 00:32:53.300 --> 00:32:54.019 done all 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.440 that is 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.019 needed for 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.700 those sins 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.160 to be 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.620 forgiven. 00:32:59.620 --> 00:33:00.340 And I 00:33:00.340 --> 00:33:00.740 have risen 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.220 from the 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.680 dead to 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.259 defeat the 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.920 power of 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:03.600 sin and 00:33:03.600 --> 00:33:04.120 death and 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.000 now stand 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:06.840 to eternally 00:33:06.840 --> 00:33:08.320 intercede 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.679 for you 00:33:09.679 --> 00:33:11.299 so that 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:12.599 the redemption 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.299 of those 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:13.859 who are in 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:15.259 Christ will 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.200 never fail 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.720 because he 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.259 will never 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:20.220 die and 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:20.919 his sacrifice 00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:22.059 is enough. 00:33:28.359 --> 00:33:29.500 And so 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.379 we have 00:33:30.379 --> 00:33:30.759 such a 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.359 great high 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.919 priest who 00:33:32.919 --> 00:33:33.460 has gone 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:34.059 and offered 00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.500 what we 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:34.980 could not 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:36.200 offer to 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.720 give us 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.099 what we 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:37.519 could not 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.200 attain on 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:38.819 our own. 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.500 Acceptance 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.139 from God, 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:41.859 forgiveness, 00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:43.359 life, 00:33:44.639 --> 00:33:46.319 freedom of 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.200 living with 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.799 him, and 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.480 as we saw 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:50.740 in 914, 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:53.400 both the 00:33:53.400 --> 00:33:53.940 purity of 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.079 our 00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:54.680 consciences 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:56.319 and the 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:56.980 freedom from 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.740 dead works 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.819 to serve 00:33:58.819 --> 00:34:00.180 the living 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.639 God. 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.559 We no 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.099 longer have 00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:02.579 to live on 00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:03.079 the hamster 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:03.559 wheel of 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:04.119 performance, 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:04.759 trying 00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.920 desperately, 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:07.940 to be 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.579 good enough. 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.480 We can 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.079 spend all 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.340 of our 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:11.680 energy 00:34:11.680 --> 00:34:12.280 instead 00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:13.360 joyfully 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:13.860 serving 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:14.400 God 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.579 because he 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.139 has saved 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:16.559 us. 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:18.840 What great 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.860 work that 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:20.280 is. 00:34:23.800 --> 00:34:24.539 Reminds me 00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:25.159 of the hymn 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.980 Charles 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.440 Wesley. 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:29.180 Arise, 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:29.760 my soul, 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.400 arise. 00:34:31.200 --> 00:34:31.700 Shake off 00:34:31.700 --> 00:34:32.260 thy guilty 00:34:32.260 --> 00:34:32.860 fears, 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:33.900 thy bleeding 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.900 sacrifice, 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.019 and my 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:36.579 behalf 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.340 appears. 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.180 Before the 00:34:39.180 --> 00:34:39.619 throne, 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.639 my Savior 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.420 stands. 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.019 My name 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:43.500 is written 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.519 on his 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:44.980 hands. 00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:46.420 He ever 00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:47.360 lives above 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:48.139 for me to 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:48.900 intercede. 00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:49.820 With his 00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:50.860 redeeming love, 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.780 his precious 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:52.440 blood to 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:52.840 plead, 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.240 his blood 00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:54.820 was spilt 00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:55.400 for all 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:55.960 our race 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:56.700 and sprinkles 00:34:56.700 --> 00:34:57.660 now the 00:34:57.660 --> 00:34:58.360 throne of 00:34:58.360 --> 00:34:58.840 grace. 00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:01.059 Five bleeding 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.680 wounds he 00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:02.039 bears, 00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:02.760 received on 00:35:02.760 --> 00:35:03.380 Calvary. 00:35:04.300 --> 00:35:05.000 They pour 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.820 effectual 00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:06.400 prayers. 00:35:06.600 --> 00:35:07.300 They strongly 00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.260 speak for 00:35:08.260 --> 00:35:08.600 me. 00:35:10.160 --> 00:35:11.060 Forgive him. 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:11.660 Oh, 00:35:11.780 --> 00:35:12.120 forgive, 00:35:12.520 --> 00:35:13.260 they cry. 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:15.340 Nor let 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.020 that ransom 00:35:16.020 --> 00:35:17.420 sinner die. 00:35:22.760 --> 00:35:23.360 Friends, 00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:24.040 the priestly 00:35:24.040 --> 00:35:24.980 office of 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:27.080 Jesus has 00:35:27.080 --> 00:35:27.680 achieved our 00:35:27.680 --> 00:35:28.180 salvation. 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:29.540 He stands 00:35:29.540 --> 00:35:30.440 not only with 00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:31.420 us, but for 00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:32.119 us before 00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:33.480 God so 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:33.880 that we 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.480 can know 00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:34.780 him. 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:38.180 I pray, 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:39.800 I pray for 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.320 our church 00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:41.740 regularly that 00:35:41.740 --> 00:35:42.539 we would be 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:44.119 a church that 00:35:44.119 --> 00:35:44.820 in light of 00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:45.639 this would be 00:35:45.639 --> 00:35:46.480 able to be 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:48.480 free, free 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.480 to confess 00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:50.760 our sins and 00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:51.539 our failures, 00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:53.260 free to 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:54.099 forsake a 00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:54.619 life of 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:55.900 performing and 00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.720 looking good 00:35:56.720 --> 00:35:58.079 on the 00:35:58.079 --> 00:35:58.680 outside, 00:35:58.679 --> 00:36:00.399 free to 00:36:00.399 --> 00:36:01.139 come together 00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:01.539 as a 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:02.139 community 00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:03.279 with a 00:36:03.279 --> 00:36:03.839 high priest 00:36:03.839 --> 00:36:04.659 who sympathizes 00:36:04.659 --> 00:36:05.139 with our 00:36:05.139 --> 00:36:05.639 weakness, 00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:06.899 and to 00:36:06.899 --> 00:36:07.639 take hold 00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:08.159 of this 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:09.559 salvation that 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.239 we have in 00:36:10.239 --> 00:36:10.759 Christ, 00:36:11.299 --> 00:36:12.419 so that we 00:36:12.419 --> 00:36:13.079 might love 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:13.699 one another, 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:15.419 so that we 00:36:15.419 --> 00:36:16.119 might serve 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:17.019 the living God 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:17.639 together, 00:36:18.299 --> 00:36:20.059 not hiding, 00:36:21.379 --> 00:36:22.699 not despairing, 00:36:22.699 --> 00:36:25.919 but worshiping 00:36:25.919 --> 00:36:28.719 and rejoicing, 00:36:30.039 --> 00:36:30.839 resting in 00:36:30.839 --> 00:36:32.059 Jesus, our 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:32.480 great high 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:32.879 priest. 00:36:33.359 --> 00:36:34.159 Let's pray. 00:36:38.899 --> 00:36:39.879 Father, we 00:36:39.879 --> 00:36:41.739 do pray 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:43.379 with 00:36:43.379 --> 00:36:44.219 thanksgiving for 00:36:44.219 --> 00:36:44.719 the offering 00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:45.500 you have made 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:45.839 of your 00:36:45.839 --> 00:36:47.460 son, Lord, 00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:48.000 that he 00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:49.819 willingly gave 00:36:49.819 --> 00:36:50.819 himself up for 00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:52.260 us, and 00:36:52.260 --> 00:36:52.600 Lord, we 00:36:52.600 --> 00:36:53.000 thank you 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.440 that even 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.280 today he 00:36:54.280 --> 00:36:54.980 ever lives 00:36:54.980 --> 00:36:55.740 to intercede 00:36:55.740 --> 00:36:56.420 for us, 00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:57.940 that his 00:36:57.940 --> 00:36:59.300 blood speaks 00:36:59.300 --> 00:37:01.019 and covers 00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:01.840 our sin. 00:37:02.420 --> 00:37:03.519 For all who 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:03.960 have placed 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:04.620 their faith in 00:37:04.620 --> 00:37:05.320 Christ, this 00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:06.500 is great news. 00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:08.580 God, I pray 00:37:08.580 --> 00:37:09.480 this morning if 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.080 there's anyone 00:37:10.080 --> 00:37:11.660 here who has 00:37:11.660 --> 00:37:12.480 not placed their 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:13.220 faith in Jesus 00:37:13.220 --> 00:37:14.780 Christ, has 00:37:14.780 --> 00:37:15.700 not taken 00:37:15.700 --> 00:37:16.640 hold of this 00:37:16.640 --> 00:37:18.059 high priest to 00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:18.920 be theirs, 00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:20.460 has not 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.199 trusted in 00:37:21.199 --> 00:37:22.139 this sacrifice 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:23.220 that he 00:37:23.220 --> 00:37:23.760 offered of 00:37:23.760 --> 00:37:24.139 his own 00:37:24.139 --> 00:37:24.599 life. 00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:27.720 Lord, I 00:37:27.720 --> 00:37:28.220 pray that 00:37:28.220 --> 00:37:28.579 they would 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.019 repent, 00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:30.559 repent of 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.300 their performance 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:31.820 and their 00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:32.440 good works, 00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:35.000 repent and 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:35.800 believe in 00:37:35.800 --> 00:37:36.539 this Jesus, 00:37:37.260 --> 00:37:38.380 and know the 00:37:38.380 --> 00:37:39.039 joy of his 00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:39.559 salvation. 00:37:41.099 --> 00:37:41.519 Lord, I 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:42.199 pray for us 00:37:42.199 --> 00:37:42.840 as a church 00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.760 community that 00:37:43.760 --> 00:37:44.460 you might make 00:37:44.460 --> 00:37:45.980 us a community 00:37:45.980 --> 00:37:46.860 that does not 00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:48.099 need to run 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:50.639 or hide, but 00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:51.219 Lord, can 00:37:51.219 --> 00:37:53.920 rest in the 00:37:53.920 --> 00:37:54.719 finished work of 00:37:54.719 --> 00:37:55.739 Christ for us, 00:37:56.119 --> 00:37:57.159 that all has 00:37:57.159 --> 00:37:57.880 been done for 00:37:57.880 --> 00:37:58.579 us, and now 00:37:58.579 --> 00:37:59.480 we may live, 00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:00.980 Lord, a new 00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:01.639 and a different 00:38:01.639 --> 00:38:03.639 life for you. 00:38:04.759 --> 00:38:05.500 Lord, not 00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:06.099 hiding our 00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:08.219 weaknesses, but 00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:08.960 confessing our 00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:09.619 sin to one 00:38:09.619 --> 00:38:11.019 another, and 00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:11.719 knowing that in 00:38:11.719 --> 00:38:12.799 Christ we have 00:38:12.799 --> 00:38:14.839 the joyful 00:38:14.839 --> 00:38:17.119 forgiveness and 00:38:17.119 --> 00:38:17.599 the cleansing 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:17.960 of our 00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:19.199 consciences that 00:38:19.199 --> 00:38:20.000 we need so 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:20.500 desperately. 00:38:22.279 --> 00:38:23.159 We pray these 00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:23.819 things in Jesus' 00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:24.179 name. 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.199 Amen. 00:38:47.119 --> 00:39:17.099 God bless you.