WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.179 Hebrews chapter 4, if you could turn it up again, page 1003, picking things up at verse 14. 00:00:07.179 --> 00:00:12.379 And there's all this talk about priests. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:18.939 And priests, and talking about priests seems a bit strange to our modern ears. 00:00:20.339 --> 00:00:26.019 It was the case in past generations that the local priest was an important part of the community. 00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:27.839 He was there from cradle to grave. 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:41.000 And he helped you navigate the things of life, particularly to ensure that when your time did come, your soul was ready to meet your maker. 00:00:43.240 --> 00:00:45.179 But we don't need priests anymore. 00:00:46.600 --> 00:00:52.780 Not just because of all the scandals that have come out in recent years. 00:00:53.379 --> 00:00:57.439 It's not just that reason that people have discarded the idea. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:00:59.040 Of the priest. 00:00:59.160 --> 00:01:03.820 But modern society has found other solutions to the struggles of life. 00:01:04.820 --> 00:01:10.719 We have constructed our own salvations from the perceived hells that we face. 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:18.400 Priests, along with the religion that they peddle, have been consigned to the past. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:21.879 We don't really need priests anymore. 00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:27.500 Or have they really been consigned to the past? 00:01:27.840 --> 00:01:40.659 In his Religion for Atheists, Alan de Botton makes a case for adopting some of what we might describe as the trappings or the habits of religion if we want to live a fulfilling life. 00:01:40.659 --> 00:01:51.979 He's saying that there are some benefits to the things that are part of religious practice that actually could help us navigate life pretty well if we were to adopt them. 00:01:53.259 --> 00:01:57.780 In fact, we need someone, he says, who would fulfill the priestly role in life. 00:01:57.780 --> 00:02:06.960 But he suggests the solution is the person that does that nowadays, well, it's the psychotherapist. 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:09.979 There, the new priests, de Botton argues. 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:10.979 He says this, quote, 00:02:10.979 --> 00:02:28.379 End quote. 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:37.799 Fear of death is inescapable. 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:38.800 Death is inescapable. 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:52.380 And we know that that fear is there because deep down in all of us, we know that the existence of death in the world tells us something about ourselves that makes us uncomfortable. 00:02:53.880 --> 00:02:59.400 Death speaks to us of a disconnect between us and the one who made us. 00:02:59.540 --> 00:03:01.960 The one who stands at the center of reality. 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:08.939 In truth, if we're honest, death is a persistent and unavoidable reminder about the human condition before God. 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:20.560 The Bible tells us that, but we know it deep down in our experience that the existence of death is something that speaks to us of a brokenness in our world. 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:27.240 And particularly a brokenness as it relates to that relationship at the center of reality. 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:29.260 How are we to deal with it? 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:32.179 Anxiety about mortality. 00:03:32.579 --> 00:03:33.799 How are we to deal with it? 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:34.699 Well, I have the answer. 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:37.459 And it is the only answer that there is. 00:03:37.799 --> 00:03:39.759 We need a priest. 00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:44.079 Not a mere man. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:48.899 However wise or kindly or spiritual he might be, 00:03:48.899 --> 00:03:58.539 we need someone who will go to God on our behalf and do whatever is needed to reconcile our relationship with Him. 00:03:59.259 --> 00:04:02.179 And the book of Hebrews, 00:04:02.579 --> 00:04:04.560 in particular a passage this evening, 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:08.979 tells us that this is what we have in Jesus Christ. 00:04:09.079 --> 00:04:10.579 Look at 4 verse 14. 00:04:10.859 --> 00:04:15.060 We have a great high priest. 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:20.959 In fact, this evening we come to an extended meditation on the high priesthood of Christ 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:24.339 and the significance of that high priesthood for His people. 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:26.319 And I want us to see this evening. 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:32.819 I hope I don't get in the way of it as we go through here because this is very good news. 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:43.800 One of the big points the author wants to clarify in this section is that Jesus is fully qualified to fulfill this priestly role 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:46.180 according to the Old Testament commands for a priest. 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:47.600 Because according to Torah, 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:50.819 and explained here in chapter 5 verses 1 to 5, 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:54.259 the three criteria for a priest, 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:56.819 the three that had to be met, 00:04:56.920 --> 00:05:01.019 they were first of all that they made atonement for sins. 00:05:01.639 --> 00:05:04.500 Secondly, that they sympathized with the people they represented 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:06.519 because they too were beset by weakness. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:12.680 And thirdly, they didn't simply choose to be priests of their own accord. 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:17.480 You see, they didn't take this honor for themselves. 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:19.100 Because verse 4, 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:22.819 they were called to this office by God. 00:05:23.020 --> 00:05:24.460 And verses 5 to 10, 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:28.800 then lay out how Jesus perfectly meets those qualifications. 00:05:29.640 --> 00:05:31.680 Look at verse 5, chapter 5, verse 5. 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:34.460 Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:37.460 but was appointed by Him who said to Him, 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:39.580 You are my Son, today I have begotten you. 00:05:39.660 --> 00:05:41.240 As He says also in another place, 00:05:41.580 --> 00:05:45.000 You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:46.439 He was called by God. 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:49.779 Remember, I said a few weeks ago that this quote from Psalm 2 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:52.660 speaks of Him being begotten from the dead in His resurrection. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:54.060 That's what He's speaking about. 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:55.180 Today I have begotten you. 00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:57.779 I have called you out of death in His resurrection. 00:05:58.740 --> 00:06:01.540 And He is raised to sit at the Father's right hand. 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:03.959 That is why He is an ever-living priest. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:09.420 That is why He enters into the priesthood of Melchizedek, verse 6, 00:06:10.159 --> 00:06:12.079 the one who is without beginning or end of days. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:16.259 And then, verses 7 and 8, 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:19.759 He sympathizes with us through His grief and suffering. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:25.079 Suffering that led to His death as an atoning sacrifice for the salvation. 00:06:25.219 --> 00:06:27.740 Verse 9, do you see, of those He represents. 00:06:27.899 --> 00:06:31.419 Being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:36.079 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:40.599 Now again, remember, this is important for the first hearers of this book. 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:44.000 They were tempted to go back, go back to the old covenant forms, 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:47.839 go back to old covenant priests and sacrifices and so on. 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:49.180 But this is making clear, 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:53.120 the author here is telling these people that want to do that, 00:06:53.159 --> 00:06:54.539 that are tempted in that direction, 00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:56.899 that Christ is a fitting priest 00:06:56.899 --> 00:07:00.719 because He is qualified according to the Old Testament criteria. 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:04.760 He is the one the Old Testament criteria look forward to. 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:06.400 And His priesthood is great. 00:07:06.580 --> 00:07:10.680 He is a great high priest because of what He does in this process. 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:12.240 What does He do in this process? 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:15.140 Three things were told this evening about our priest. 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:16.500 First is this. 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:18.320 He takes our nature. 00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:19.960 Sorry, He shares our nature. 00:07:20.660 --> 00:07:22.440 He shares our nature. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:24.300 Since then, verse 14, 00:07:24.400 --> 00:07:27.700 we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 00:07:28.320 --> 00:07:30.320 Jesus, the Son of God. 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:34.880 Now, we've already heard, chapter 2, verse 17, 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:37.460 how Christ had to be made like His brothers, 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:39.540 like us, like you and like me, 00:07:39.820 --> 00:07:44.900 in every respect in order to be the priest that we needed Him to be. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:47.280 And we're told in the introduction 00:07:47.280 --> 00:07:49.920 that once He had gone to the cross to make purification for sins, 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:53.620 He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 00:07:54.200 --> 00:07:57.760 Here, the focus is on the humanity of the One who is seated in heaven. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:02.120 The author uses His human name, do you see? 00:08:02.599 --> 00:08:03.039 Jesus. 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:06.659 The name given to the eternal Son made flesh. 00:08:06.860 --> 00:08:08.980 The name that was given to Mary's boy. 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:13.459 The one who took on flesh in order to share our human nature. 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:16.060 He is the one who has passed through the heavens. 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:17.480 It's Jesus. 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:22.740 When the Bible speaks about heaven or the heavens, 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:24.140 it does so in three ways. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:28.319 The heavens can simply be referring to the sky. 00:08:28.780 --> 00:08:31.540 The psalmist talks about the birds of the heavens in this sense. 00:08:32.680 --> 00:08:34.320 It can also refer to the cosmos. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:37.460 Psalm 8 refers to the stars being in the heavens. 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:40.040 That's the second way that it speaks. 00:08:40.420 --> 00:08:42.060 But beyond the heavens, 00:08:42.300 --> 00:08:44.680 on the upper story of the building, if you like, 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:45.280 is heaven. 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:46.940 The heaven of heavens. 00:08:47.420 --> 00:08:50.160 And this is where God is said to dwell. 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:52.280 And it is there, 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:54.560 in the presence of God, 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:57.259 that our author locates Jesus. 00:08:57.259 --> 00:09:01.419 He shares our nature 00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:05.080 in order to bring flesh and blood, 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:06.019 humanity, 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:08.259 your humanity and mine, 00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:10.700 into the presence of God 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:13.439 and to represent us as one of us. 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:18.259 Jesus not only sits at the Father's right hand to rule, 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:21.439 but he physically stands in the Father's presence 00:09:21.439 --> 00:09:23.259 to advocate for us, 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:24.960 to plead our innocence, 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:27.240 to intercede for us, 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:28.379 to take our prayers 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:30.500 and to perfect them to the Father. 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:35.139 And his priestly ministry has no deficiencies. 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:40.000 In sharing our nature, 00:09:40.400 --> 00:09:43.259 he brings our humanity into heaven. 00:09:43.900 --> 00:09:45.040 But also, secondly, 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:47.680 he knows our weakness. 00:09:49.280 --> 00:09:50.879 He shares our nature. 00:09:51.040 --> 00:09:52.240 Secondly, he knows our weakness. 00:09:52.420 --> 00:09:53.700 For we do not have a high priest 00:09:53.700 --> 00:09:56.740 who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 00:09:57.300 --> 00:09:59.340 but one who in every respect has been tempted 00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:01.680 as we are yet without sin. 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:05.240 The Lord Jesus has gone ahead of us, 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:06.879 not just from earth to heaven, 00:10:07.020 --> 00:10:09.940 but from a condition of temptation and trial, 00:10:10.400 --> 00:10:11.800 just like us in every respect, 00:10:11.920 --> 00:10:13.500 to a condition of glory, 00:10:13.680 --> 00:10:16.160 free from every trace of sin. 00:10:17.420 --> 00:10:18.920 The only point of difference 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:21.100 is that he has never sinned. 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:24.019 When you think about temptation 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:25.740 and sin, 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.580 when we are tempted, 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:29.820 there is an external aspect to that. 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:31.220 There is something out there, 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:31.720 as it were, 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:33.680 that Satan holds before us, 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:34.980 seeking to draw us away 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.240 from obedience to God. 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:39.340 Jesus experienced that 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:42.279 in every way that we do. 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:44.740 The full onslaught of the devil in his face. 00:10:44.800 --> 00:10:45.920 You think about the temptations 00:10:45.920 --> 00:10:46.940 in Luke chapter 4. 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:50.160 Temptations to go the way of the world, 00:10:50.280 --> 00:10:50.680 the flesh, 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:51.300 and the devil. 00:10:52.760 --> 00:10:54.100 Face to face with Satan, 00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:56.220 he experienced all of that temptation. 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:58.640 Satan is pushing him to exalt himself 00:10:58.640 --> 00:11:00.960 rather than to obey the will of God. 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:03.120 Jesus faced external temptation 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:04.560 in every respect. 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:07.660 But for us, 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:09.020 there is also a second element, 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:09.440 isn't there? 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:11.720 There is an internal aspect as well. 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:14.820 Our sinful nature agrees with 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:17.320 and enjoys that external temptation 00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:18.340 that comes our way. 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:19.860 And it colludes, 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:20.580 as it were, 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:22.320 in the plot to destroy us. 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:24.580 There is an external temptation 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:26.360 and there is an internal draw 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:28.500 that comes from our sinful nature. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:30.200 That is why John Newton could say, 00:11:30.560 --> 00:11:30.980 In London, 00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:32.920 I am in a crowd of temptations, 00:11:33.139 --> 00:11:34.139 but in the country, 00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:36.320 there is a crowd of temptations in me. 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:41.080 Take me away from the external temptations, 00:11:41.260 --> 00:11:44.440 the internal desire for sin still remains. 00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:46.320 That's not true of Jesus. 00:11:47.800 --> 00:11:50.240 He has never experienced the temptations 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:50.960 that come to us 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:52.300 because we have a sinful nature. 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:55.680 He has never experienced temptation 00:11:55.680 --> 00:11:57.180 to sexual sin 00:11:57.180 --> 00:11:58.540 or to gluttony 00:11:58.540 --> 00:11:59.940 or to shout at the children. 00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:05.340 But the fact that that is true of Jesus 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:06.520 is not a hindrance 00:12:06.520 --> 00:12:07.980 to his ability to be sympathetic 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:09.180 to us in our weakness 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:10.140 when we are tempted. 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.020 And by the way, 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:15.900 the idea intended by the word sympathize here 00:12:15.900 --> 00:12:18.260 isn't the rather benign facial expression. 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:18.960 You know, 00:12:19.020 --> 00:12:20.580 when somebody says they're being sympathetic, 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:22.340 you know, 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:22.920 that kind of thing, 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:23.540 it's not that. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:26.360 It has the sense of knowing our experience. 00:12:27.020 --> 00:12:28.280 He knows what it's like for us. 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:30.639 He knows what it's like to be you in this sense. 00:12:33.199 --> 00:12:34.459 But I think we could hear this 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:35.079 and we could say, 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:35.740 well, yeah, 00:12:36.839 --> 00:12:37.720 all right, fair enough. 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.439 It says that, 00:12:38.579 --> 00:12:40.519 but he didn't have a sinful nature. 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.679 You've just said that, 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:43.139 so it can't have been as bad for him 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:43.860 as it is for me. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:48.220 But the fact that Jesus never sinned 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:51.459 means that he actually understands sin 00:12:51.459 --> 00:12:52.399 better than we do. 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:56.279 And he has experienced, 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:56.919 experienced, 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:57.439 if you like, 00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:59.679 the full force of temptation. 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:00.439 Look at verse 7. 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.679 In the days of his flesh, 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:04.459 Jesus offered up prayers and supplication 00:13:04.459 --> 00:13:06.419 with loud cries and tears 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:08.899 to him who was able to save him from death 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:11.319 and he was heard because of his reverence. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:13.100 All the days of his flesh. 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:15.899 I once heard it put this way. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:18.980 If a group of 10 men were walking along 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:20.539 in 70 mile an hour winds 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:23.500 and nine of them blew over straight away 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:26.620 and the 10th walked all the way home, 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:30.740 which one of those knows the most about wind? 00:13:33.219 --> 00:13:36.199 Which one knows the most about enduring the struggle? 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:39.279 Which one knows the most about how it is 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:40.659 that they need to endure? 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:42.319 Which one is therefore best qualified 00:13:42.319 --> 00:13:43.799 to help others in the same struggle? 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:46.979 The Lord Jesus knows far more 00:13:46.979 --> 00:13:48.779 about temptation and sin than we do 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:51.039 because we blow over in temptation 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:52.379 after only a few steps. 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.919 And then we lie on the ground 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:55.259 and we talk about how hard it is 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.299 to walk against the wind. 00:13:58.979 --> 00:14:00.259 We have a priest 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:03.399 who stands in the presence of God 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:05.120 in our humanity 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:08.240 fully aware of what it is like 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.559 to struggle against sin. 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:15.359 Your experience is known to God. 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:19.979 Your struggle is known to God. 00:14:20.119 --> 00:14:21.379 He is not ignorant 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:23.539 of what it takes to persevere 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.659 against temptation 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:26.479 and what that feels like. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:29.039 The pressure that you feel 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:30.039 to deny God 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:31.679 and to choose an easier path. 00:14:32.739 --> 00:14:34.579 Jesus endured it himself 00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:36.179 all the way to glory. 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:40.059 He knows our weakness. 00:14:41.339 --> 00:14:42.479 And then thirdly, 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:45.500 He secures our salvation. 00:14:47.239 --> 00:14:48.439 He shares our nature. 00:14:48.579 --> 00:14:49.299 He knows our weakness. 00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:51.339 Thirdly, He secures our salvation. 00:14:51.739 --> 00:14:53.419 The Old Testament Aaronic priests 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.759 offered sacrifices. 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:56.959 5 verse 1. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.259 First for themselves 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.539 and secondly for the people. 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:02.599 Christ did not need to offer sacrifice 00:15:02.599 --> 00:15:03.459 for His own sin. 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:04.159 He had none. 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:05.559 But verse 8. 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:09.359 Although He was a son, 00:15:09.599 --> 00:15:10.399 He learned obedience 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.479 through what He suffered. 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:13.719 And being made perfect, 00:15:14.219 --> 00:15:15.179 He became the source 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:16.239 of eternal salvation 00:15:16.239 --> 00:15:17.879 to all who obey Him, 00:15:17.959 --> 00:15:19.239 being designated by God 00:15:19.239 --> 00:15:20.399 a high priest 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:23.099 after the order of Melchizedek. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:26.259 He learned obedience. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.859 He chose minute by minute 00:15:28.859 --> 00:15:30.679 to obey His Father. 00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:33.359 And through this suffering and death, 00:15:33.359 --> 00:15:34.740 He was made perfect. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:40.019 Christ entered into His perfection 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:42.479 not from a state of previous imperfection, 00:15:42.599 --> 00:15:43.139 of course, 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:45.899 but from a state of untested perfection. 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:49.000 And through this being perfected, 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:50.019 He secures salvation 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.559 for all who obey Him. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.199 Jesus, 00:15:53.599 --> 00:15:55.039 our great high priest, 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.779 has done everything 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:58.759 required to save us 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:00.339 for all eternity. 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:00.440 eternity. 00:16:02.680 --> 00:16:04.259 And as we saw before, 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:06.420 eternal here doesn't just mean everlasting, 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.720 doesn't just mean a very long time. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.940 Eternal life is a participation 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:12.519 in the life that is God's. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:16.519 Salvation is, therefore, 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.720 in a very real sense, 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:20.480 heavenly in the way that 4 verse 14 here 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.259 talks about it. 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:25.679 And Christ's suffering and death 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:27.480 secure this salvation 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:29.179 for all who cling to Him. 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:31.620 And His triumph over sin and death 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:33.059 in light of verse 14 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:34.799 is a triumph for each one of us as well. 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:39.500 So that is why 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:42.620 we gather here this evening 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:44.799 and we can say that 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:47.719 Christ is our great high priest. 00:16:50.719 --> 00:16:52.459 And when we grasp what it means 00:16:52.459 --> 00:16:54.219 for Him to be our great high priest, 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:56.459 that should lead us to respond 00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:57.519 in a particular way. 00:16:57.719 --> 00:16:58.399 Since then, 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.939 we have a great high priest 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:01.719 who has passed through the heavens. 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.240 Jesus, 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.479 the Son of God, 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.240 what does it say? 00:17:05.419 --> 00:17:06.259 We do something. 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:06.839 What do we do? 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:09.440 Let us hold fast our confession. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.099 Because of who Jesus is 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:12.879 and what Jesus has done, 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:15.119 we should hold fast our confession. 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.259 What does that mean? 00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:17.659 Well, our author explains, 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.460 verse 16, 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:20.180 Let us then with confidence 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.940 draw near to the throne of grace 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:23.379 that we may receive mercy 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:24.599 and find grace to help 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.460 in a time of need. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:27.980 Holding fast is not something 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:30.359 we do by looking at our fingers, 00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:32.319 checking our grip, 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:33.740 as it were. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:35.960 We hold fast by coming 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:37.420 to the throne of grace 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:39.200 in order to receive forgiveness 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.440 for our sins 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:42.539 and strength for our trials. 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:46.200 Holding fast always requires us 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.640 to look away from ourselves 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:49.000 and look to Christ. 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:49.779 Like last time, 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.740 I said we do examine ourselves 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.940 to root out unbelief. 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.900 We do, 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:54.920 we do, 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.279 as it were, 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:57.100 look at those things 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.279 in our peripheral vision, 00:17:58.620 --> 00:17:59.860 but straight ahead, 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:01.259 our focus is on Christ, 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:04.180 our faithful and great high priest. 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:08.580 Maybe it is that we examine ourselves 00:18:08.580 --> 00:18:09.420 for a time, 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:13.180 but we do that only to lift our eyes again 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:15.920 and fix them again on Christ. 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:17.640 Notice the attitude. 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:19.120 Do you see that as well? 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:20.120 The attitude we're to have, 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:21.500 we approach with confidence. 00:18:22.060 --> 00:18:23.320 We do it with boldness. 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:24.820 This means actually, 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:26.519 we are obligated to do this. 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:29.060 We are obliged to go to Christ 00:18:29.060 --> 00:18:29.980 with boldness. 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.900 We don't stand at a distance 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:32.900 from the throne of grace. 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:33.860 Come boldly, 00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:34.819 come quickly 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.920 and do so 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:38.039 because we have a great high priest. 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:42.160 It's possible to get this wrong 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:43.539 in a couple of directions. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.160 Some Christians, I think, 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.200 get it wrong 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.920 in the sense that they crawl 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:49.180 and grovel before God 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.259 because they think of themselves 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.460 as such miserable sinners. 00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:54.299 I think some of us, 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:56.960 we believe God has saved us, 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:59.940 but he doesn't really like us. 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.680 He doesn't really want us 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.460 in his presence. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.980 Now, we'd never say it like that, 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.680 but functionally, 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.259 that is how we operate. 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:07.720 It's like God holds his nose 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.720 at the thought of us. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.460 That is a straight-up denial 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.900 of the finished work of Christ 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:14.940 and his ongoing priestly work 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:16.900 on our account. 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.819 The failure in the other direction 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.920 is when people stroll up 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:21.720 to the throne of grace 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.460 super casually. 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.920 Well, grace is grace. 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:27.220 There's always more grace for me. 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.200 Well, God, he forgives. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.960 That's his job. 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.740 That kind of chat. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.740 That is a straight-up denial 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:34.039 of how dark our hearts are 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.140 in the light of a holy God. 00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:36.600 We've got to get 00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:37.519 the biblical balance. 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.660 The biblical balance 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:39.720 is found by the Christian 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.460 who understands, 00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:41.220 on one hand, 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.880 the gravity of their sin, 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:44.080 but at the same time, 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:45.039 through the grace of God, 00:19:45.080 --> 00:19:45.840 they see the greatness 00:19:45.840 --> 00:19:47.080 and the glory of their Savior. 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.380 And the challenge 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.559 is to hold those together 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.559 with equal concern. 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:54.799 We're to approach God boldly 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:57.799 because we have a great high priest 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:59.259 who delights in us. 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.859 Our sin is great. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.599 Our high priest is greater. 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.859 We sing, don't we, 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:05.059 our sins, they are many, 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:06.159 and they are, 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:08.019 but his mercy is more. 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:09.240 In fact, that is precisely 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.000 what we receive. 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.960 Look at 4.16. 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.379 That's what we receive 00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:13.000 when we come. 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:15.039 Mercy for our sins. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:19.680 As you mature as a Christian, 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:22.379 your awareness of sin 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.940 doesn't get less. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.579 It grows in actual fact. 00:20:27.139 --> 00:20:28.180 It will only get less 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.119 if you harden your heart 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.299 and start to lie to yourself 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.480 about what you're really like. 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:33.899 Rather like the Apostle Paul. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.399 Do you remember 00:20:34.399 --> 00:20:36.139 the Apostle Paul early on 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:37.000 talks about himself 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:41.200 as the least of the apostles? 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.799 And then a bit later, 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:44.139 it's the least of all men. 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:45.480 And then at the end, 00:20:45.560 --> 00:20:46.620 it's the chief of sinners. 00:20:48.320 --> 00:20:49.920 That's the trajectory, 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.560 as it were, 00:20:50.600 --> 00:20:52.040 of healthy self-understanding 00:20:52.040 --> 00:20:53.000 when it comes to sin. 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.940 As we grow, 00:20:54.040 --> 00:20:55.380 we should have a deeper appreciation 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.580 of the subtlety 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:57.480 and the deceitfulness 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.200 of our sin. 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:00.120 But as this awareness 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.300 of sin grows, 00:21:01.800 --> 00:21:02.880 so does your appreciation 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.960 of the mercy of God. 00:21:05.800 --> 00:21:06.740 And not only that, 00:21:06.820 --> 00:21:07.740 but along with mercy, 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.780 we receive grace. 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.500 Grace to enable us 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.400 to persevere in our trials. 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:13.800 As you struggle through 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:15.480 the winds of temptation 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.700 in life, 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.799 grace to endure 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:20.019 comes to you 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.240 all the way 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.460 from the throne of heaven. 00:21:23.419 --> 00:21:24.339 And it helps you 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.220 take the next step 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:27.339 and then the next step 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.980 and then the next 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.200 and so on. 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:33.200 It's our experience 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.460 of both mercy 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.120 and grace 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:36.039 that will keep us going 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.299 as we seek to obey Christ 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.160 as we're called to do. 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.160 5 verse 9. 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:43.180 Being made perfect, 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.019 He became a source 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:45.019 of eternal salvation 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.900 to all who obey Him. 00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:48.900 So when you see 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.940 the depths of your sin, 00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:51.600 you appreciate the magnitude 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.380 of what it takes 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:53.539 to love you. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:55.019 And this in turn 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.059 leads to a deeper love 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:57.180 for and a more fervent 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.740 worship of Him. 00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:01.039 When you know 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.000 the sustaining grace 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.440 of Christ, 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.420 when you experience 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.480 answered prayers 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.160 for strength 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.960 to stand for Him 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.700 in the workplace, 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:07.840 not to give in 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:09.539 to particular besetting sins 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.720 or to hold fast 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.759 in the face of temptation 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.620 to walk away, 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:13.980 you appreciate His work 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.460 in your life 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.220 more profoundly. 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.560 You love and delight 00:22:16.560 --> 00:22:17.519 in Him more deeply. 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.620 Do you see how it works? 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.560 And then it is 00:22:20.560 --> 00:22:21.799 as you delight in God 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.480 that you want 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.220 to obey Him. 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:26.339 You choose obedience 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:26.860 gladly 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:28.380 because you delight 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.400 to be in a relationship 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.019 with a God 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.460 who has been 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.500 just so merciful 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:33.220 and just so gracious 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.740 to you. 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:37.059 How do we hold fast 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.680 our confession 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.700 in the face of trials 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.460 and temptations 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.539 that beset our path? 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.940 Whatever the trial, 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.960 whatever the temptation 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.579 that is most 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.900 kind of insidious 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.559 in your life, 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.140 the thing that 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:48.279 has the hardest grip, 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.660 the strongest grip 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.860 on your heart, 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.299 how do you hold fast? 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.079 Remember that we have 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:55.100 a great high priest. 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:57.100 We have one 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:58.200 who shares our nature, 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:00.519 who knows our weaknesses 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:02.220 and who has secured 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:03.500 our salvation 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:05.259 and in light of all of that 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:06.220 we approach 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.920 His throne of grace. 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:11.220 Don't stand at a distance. 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.200 Run to Him 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:17.120 and receive from His hand 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:18.420 an abundance of mercy 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.680 and grace 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.920 upon grace 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.100 upon grace. 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:23.559 Don't stand at a distance. 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:26.139 If there is a 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:27.659 besetting sin 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.579 in your life 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.679 that has ensnared you 00:23:29.679 --> 00:23:30.519 and you feel like 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.159 it has a grip 00:23:31.159 --> 00:23:32.059 that can't be broken, 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.919 it can. 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:34.139 You have a great 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:34.819 high priest. 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.599 Go to Him. 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.419 Don't keep Him 00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:38.959 at a distance. 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.579 When we sin, 00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:40.259 when we struggle, 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.839 so often the last place 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.399 we want to go 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:42.939 is to God 00:23:42.939 --> 00:23:43.639 because we feel 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.259 so terrible. 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.719 That is the very place 00:23:45.719 --> 00:23:46.419 we need to go. 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:48.059 So go to the throne 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.599 of grace. 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.199 That's the only place 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.960 where you'll get mercy. 00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:52.220 That is the only place 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:52.840 where forgiveness 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:53.539 for that sin, 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:54.220 where the power 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:54.720 of that sin 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.319 can be broken. 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:57.860 So go and don't hold back. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.120 There is mercy 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:01.460 and there is grace 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:04.299 because He shares 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.799 our nature, 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.519 He knows our weaknesses 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:08.440 and He has secured 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.799 our salvation. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.420 Let's pray. 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.000 Let's pray. 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.000 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:41.980 Thank you.