Well, thank you, worship team, and thank you, orchestra, for leading us into worship today.
! What a joy it is during Christmas season to have such a gifted group of musicians and leaders to usher us into Christ's presence.
I want to just express my own gratitude to all of you in your generosity in the harvest offering.
We exceeded our expectation, and so I thank you for your contribution to the harvest offering and partnership with our missionaries in those substantial ways.
Looking forward to being able to be a...
Yeah, go ahead. Let's thank the Lord together.
Thank you.
It's a true and living word of God.
This morning, we come to Jesus as priest.
Imagine with me, if you would, a man who is standing outside of his house.
It was a door that used to swing freely, but now that door is shut.
It's locked.
Inside those rooms, as he's looking in, there's warmth, there's light, there's presence, and someone he loves.
But now the door is locked.
Now the key is gone.
And no amount of banging on that door will open it up.
You can see the light under the door, but he cannot enter.
He needs someone on the inside.
Someone untouched.
Someone with full access to open that door for him.
You see, this is the story of Adam.
The story that we will look at as we move through the Genesis record and see not only our need for a priest, for a mediator,
but the answer that we get to enjoy in the person of Jesus Christ.
Adam, who was once welcomed by the presence of God, who enjoyed that fellowship with God in an intimate, consistent way.
But now he's standing outside.
Now he's locked out.
Now there is no key, no access, no way back.
And the story of Scripture will become the story of God who will mediate for this son, this Adam,
this first person of humanity.
Opening this door that Adam actually closed.
Last week we were reminded of this greater prophet, this word of God that had come to us.
The prophet whose words would prove true and dependable and reliable.
We got to see that God provides this ultimate word through his son, Jesus.
And this ultimate word, this true word, is important because true faith depends on a true word.
True faith depends on this message of God in the very words, life-giving words of God to change our hearts.
And as we move through this Christmas season, this little baby that we celebrate during Advent and during Christmas,
while he came as a picture of innocence and sweetness,
we see that God had sent his son, his very son, the word of God, had been made flesh and dwelt among us.
This clear, authoritative, living word of God.
And we're going to see through this series the significance of the ministry of Jesus.
What did this ministry bring?
Well, as a prophet, Jesus brings the word of God.
As a priest, this morning we're going to see that he brings the presence of God.
As a king, he will bring the rule of God.
And as a shepherd, Jesus will bring the very heart of God.
Today we see that Jesus Christ is this perfect priest.
This priest that ushered in God's presence.
This is accentuated by two instances in Scripture.
When the presence of God came because through the temple and through the tabernacle,
we see that the presence of God was ushered in.
How did the priestly ministry accomplish this?
That's what we're going to look at this morning.
And what were the elements involved?
And how did Jesus' life encompass the fullness of this priestly, mediatorial ministry to us?
This is the catchphrase I want us to remember as we work through this together.
That priests lived in God's presence.
They guarded God's presence and reopened the way back into God's presence.
Everything they did was an expression of the calling to usher in this presence of God.
So we turn our attention again.
And every week, we're going to turn our attention to Hebrews 1, verses 1-3.
It's kind of the introduction to our time together.
And a reminder of this work of God for us.
Not only as prophet and priest, but also as king.
And here we see in Hebrews 1, verses 1-3.
The exalted priestly son.
This exalted priestly son.
Look at this with me.
Hebrews 1, verse 1 says,
Long ago, at many times, and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.
But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son,
whom he appointed the heir of all things,
through whom also he created the world.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.
And he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.
God here reveals his presence through the person of his Son, Jesus Christ.
He's the very radiance of an image, an imprint of God's nature.
This mediative role that Jesus had, and we're going to see throughout this book of Hebrews,
is this role of ushering in the presence of God.
We see many functions.
And I want to just touch on them briefly, and then develop them as we go along.
We see here, in Hebrews 1, verses 1 to 3, especially in verse 3,
we see that through his ministry, that Jesus as priest addresses our need for purification.
Our need for purification.
Do you see that at the end of verse 3?
After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.
Through Jesus' ministry, we can enjoy purification.
Where do you struggle to believe that God really receives you and welcomes you,
in spite of the sin that you have sinned?
That his arms are open, that he is available as this purifying, sanctifying Savior?
Savior, this morning we'll see and be reminded of the fact we serve a God who purifies,
who sanctifies, who desires to make us like his Son.
We also see in Hebrews 2, verses 17 and 18,
that this priestly ministry of Jesus addresses our need for a propitiation.
Notice Hebrews 2, 17 says this,
Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect,
so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service to God,
to make propitiation for sins of the people.
For because he himself has suffered,
when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Are you in a position of recognizing the gravity of your sin?
Have you come to a place of seeing that you are weak and unable,
unfit to address the heart issues of your sin?
You have a God, a priest,
the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ,
who makes a way.
Propitiation is just a fancy word for saying appeasement.
That God has made a way.
He has allowed us to enjoy the benefits of his kindness and grace
through his son, Jesus Christ.
We can gain favor because the work of Christ,
the priestly work of Christ,
has satisfied the demand.
The demand that sin has.
Where Jesus was willing to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross.
We find in Hebrews 4, 15,
that Christ, through his priestly ministry,
addressed our need for pity.
Our need for pity.
Notice Hebrews 4, 14, 15 says this,
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who in every respect
has been tempted as we are yet without sin.
Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace
that we may receive mercy
and find help, find grace
to help in time of need.
Every place where we feel weak
is a place where Christ understands us deeply.
We are never coming to a priest
who rolls his eyes,
who says they did it again.
We are coming to a priest
who sympathizes,
who understands,
who presses in,
a priest who is accessible,
a priest who wants to address
the deepest needs
in pity,
in sympathy,
in mercy,
in grace.
If you are feeling
like an outsider,
Jesus beckons you
as priest
to come and enjoy
the benefits
of his care
and tenderness
to address
the sins of your life.
We also find
his priestly ministry
that addresses
our need
for permanence.
In Hebrews 7,
verses 23
to 24,
it says this,
it says,
the former priests
were many in number
because they were prevented
by death
from continuing in office.
But he holds
his priesthood
permanently
because he continues
forever.
Consequently,
he is able to save
to the uttermost
those who draw near
to God through him
since he always lives
to make intercession
for them.
You serve
an eternal priest,
a God who is
always living
and he always
is there
to address
the needs,
the sin needs
that you have.
He continues
forever.
He's not like
those priests
that come and go.
He is that priest
who remains.
The permanence
of his priesthood
is what we need.
We also see
in chapter 7,
verse 26 and 27,
that he addresses
our need
for perfection.
Anyone who is
honest with himself
will know
that they
are not perfect.
We've said that.
You've probably
said those very words.
Well, I'm not perfect.
And of course
that's true
and it's addressed
by the perfection
of our high priest.
Notice
Hebrews 7, 26.
For it was indeed
fitting
that we should have
a high priest
holy,
innocent,
unstained,
separated from sinners
and exalted
above the heavens.
He has no need
like those high priests
to offer sacrifices
daily,
first for his own sins
and then for those
of the people
since he did this
once for all
when he offered
up himself.
We have a perfect
high priest
who has covered
sin once
for all.
We need his perfect
priestly ministry
that Jesus brings
to us.
And in Hebrews
chapter 10,
verse 14,
it says,
for by a single
offering
he has perfected
for all time
those who are
being sanctified.
We have a perfect
high priest.
This priest
that we're going
to see
was an intermediary.
He was a mediator.
He was a go-between.
He stood between
those who
had sinned
in bringing them
to God.
That was the goal.
To lead people
to God
spiritually.
Jesus did this
for us
by atoning
for our sin
and priests
leading up to
that point
would also
atone for sin
in a very
temporary way
through sacrifices.
But how did
this priestly
office evolve?
How did we come
to need a priest?
And for that
we need to go
all the way back
to the beginning.
Why do we need
a mediator?
Why do we need
this priestly ministry?
Well you remember
the story of Adam
going all the way
back to Genesis
chapter 1.
You know in this
story that Adam
was sinless.
He walked with God.
And if you remember
the story
he enjoyed
this fellowship
this unbroken
fellowship
with God.
You see Adam
and Eve
were made
in God's image
and likeness
and they were
given directives
as related to
worship
and fellowship
and work
and they
followed those
instructions
perfectly
and carefully
and they
enjoyed this
perfect fellowship
with God.
They lived out
and carried out
that mandate.
There was no need
for a mediator
because there was
no separation.
There was no guilt.
There was no distance.
God's presence
was open.
It was natural.
It was unguarded.
And Adam
and Eve
walked with God
freely
and fully.
But remember
that God
had given them
a command.
Right?
And that command
was given to them
from the very beginning
that that command
that they should not
eat of the tree
in the midst
of the garden
and you remember
what would happen
if they ate
of that fruit.
The day you eat
of that fruit
you shall
surely
die.
This tree
of good and evil
and God
uses Adam
as this mouthpiece
to his wife
to share
in a prophetic sense
this word
from God
to his wife.
And you know
the story.
At some point
along the way
Satan tempted
Eve
and Eve
gave this fruit
to her husband.
The two of them
ate
and sin
entered
the world.
Now what was
open is closed.
now this
relationship
that was once
secure
is severed.
God's presence
which was near
is now distant.
What was whole
is now broken.
What was welcomed
is now barred.
This harmony
has now led
to hostility.
What once
was accessible
is now guarded.
Adam's sin
introduced
this need
for a mediator
because he drove
his sin
drove
humanity
from God's presence.
Presence
was the issue.
Sin
was the issue
that drove Adam
and Eve
away
from the presence
of God.
And when
Adam sinned
the entire
spiritual
landscape
changed.
The way back
is guarded.
Fellowship
is broken.
Sin
blocks
access
from
the presence
of God.
For the very
first time
in history
Adam
would need
a mediator.
He would
need a go-between.
Somebody
who could
stand.
Who could
represent
him to
God.
Someone
who could
bridge
the gap.
Someone
who was
on the
outside
who could
let him
in.
But Adam
cannot
serve
his own
mediator.
Because
mediation
requires
another
party.
Just like
the individual
who is
drowning.
Needs
somebody
outside
who is
able to
rescue
that
drowning
individual.
You see
Adam is
exiled.
He's
cut off.
He's
on the
wrong
side
of the
flaming
sword.
And you
remember
in the
Garden
of Eden
the
flaming
sword
that was
put
in the
way
to
guard
the
presence
guard
Adam
and Eve
away
from the
presence
of God.
I
imagine
that some
of you
even in
this
moment
can
resonate
with
feeling
distant.
With
feeling
cut
off.
Feeling
isolated
from God
because of
your sin.
And just
like Adam
you have
been cut
off
because
of sin.
But
the story
doesn't
end here.
There is
a way.
God has
provided
a mediator.
And here
is the
absolutely
essential
thing for
us to
understand.
God
cannot
himself
perform
Adam's
atonement
in the
garden.
He
cannot
do
this
in his
divine
capacity
alone
because
this
go-between
needs
someone
to
represent
both
man
and
God.
You
see
God
cannot
make
payment
for
Adam's
sin
at this
point
because
if
he
did
it
would
violate
his
own
design
for
mediation.
Why?
Because
redemption
requires
a true
mediator.
A real
son of
Adam
in the
physical
flesh.
Someone
who is
capable
of
representing
him
to
God.
If
God
simply
atoned
for
Adam
there in
Genesis
chapter
3.
If
God
simply
atoned
for
Adam
and
we
understand
those
skins
that
have
been
used
as
coverings
and
it's
sometimes
infrequently
mentioned
that those
skins
represent
atonement
but they
cannot.
They
cannot
because
if
God
had
atoned
for
Adam
then
the
pattern
of
human
representation
collapses.
The
priesthood
becomes
unnecessary
because
God
has
already
bridged
the
gap.
The
promised
seed
of
the
woman
is
emptied
of
meaning
and
the
entire
Christological
foundation
of
scripture
then
disintegrates.
God
cannot
bypass
the
need
for a
human
mediator.
So what
are these
coverings?
What are
these
coverings?
Well we
find the
answer
in
Genesis
chapter
3
verse
7.
And
notice
that
Adam
and
Eve
are
the
initiators
of
needing
these
coverings.
It
says
then
the
eyes
of
both
of
them
were
opened
and
they
knew
that
they
were
naked
and
they
sewed
fig
leaves
together
and
made
themselves
coverings.
Adam
and Eve
did
this.
Why?
It was
a
self
covering.
This is a
human effort
to deal
with guilt
and shame
and sin.
So they
make
coverings
for
themselves
and the
Hebrew
is emphatic
when it
says
they
sewed
fig leaves
they
made
coverings
self
effort
humanly
driven
to cover
this
shame.
This
was a
human
attempt
to
resolve
a
spiritual
problem.
And
it's
the
first
picture
by the
way
of
humans
trying
to
manage
the
effects
of
sin
without
removing
the
sin.
That
sin
was not
gone
it
remained
it
was
just
covered
up.
And
all
they
could
do
was
cover
their
shame
not
atone
for
their
sin.
So
then
what
is
happening
in
Genesis
chapter
3
verse
21
it
says
in
the
Lord
God
made
for
Adam
and
for
his
wife
garments
of
skins
and
clothed
them.
Notice
that
the
language
here
is
the
same.
Here's
what
the
text
does
say
God
made
coverings
God
clothed
them
God
provides
for
their
inadequate
attempt
and
he
allows
now
this
covering
to
have
some
level
of
permanence.
God
makes
permanent
what Adam
and Eve
made
temporary.
And
here's
what the
text
does
not
say
and
why
we
need
to
be
so
careful
about
reading
into
the
scripture.
It
does
not
say
that
God
sacrificed
an
animal.
It
does
not
say
that
garments
symbolize
atonement.
It
does
not
say
that
their
shame
was
removed
because
they
are
still
driven
out
of
the
garden.
It
does
not
say
that
their
relationship
was
restored.
which is
what would
have
happened
if
their
sin
had
been
atoned
for.
It
doesn't
say
that
their
access
was
regained.
They're
still
driven
out.
Their
shame
remains,
their
fear
remains,
their
alienation
remains,
and the
way
back
is
barred.
It's
blocked.
So
their
coverings
stand
as
this
perpetual
reminder
of
their
nakedness.
And it
tends to
be a
gift
that
God
has
given
to
them
to
help
them
understand
perpetually
their
shame.
That
sin
has
produced
shame
and
guilt.
God,
while he
improves
Adam's
covering,
he does
not
remove
Adam's
guilt.
that
human
covering
is a
hiding
from
shame.
This
divine
covering
becomes
a
measure
of
protection
in the
midst
of
shame.
God
does not
atone
for them,
but instead
it sets
the stage
for a
human
mediator.
We need
a human
mediator.
That is
still
what is
on the
table
as we
continue
to move
through
this
story.
So
God
promises
that sin
will be
resolved.
And we
find that
answer in
Genesis
chapter 3
verse 15
where God
promises Eve.
Remember
he says
I will
put
excuse me
this is
to the
serpent
I will
put enmity
between
you and
the woman
and between
your offspring
and her
offspring
he shall
bruise your
head and
you shall
bruise his
heel.
This
mediative
work,
this priestly
function will
happen through
a son.
This
mediator,
this go
between,
this human
representative
which will
represent
Adam to
God
and God
to
humanity.
But now
we begin
to see
this
insufficiency
of this
human
mediator.
Why
was Adam's
son
an
insufficient
mediator?
You see
God does
raise up
a son.
The son
named
Abel
we see
in Genesis
chapter 4
verses 1
to 5
it says
now
Adam
knew
his
wife
Eve
and
she
conceived
and
bore
Cain
saying
I
have
gotten
a
man
with
the
help
of
the
Lord
and
again
she
bore
his
brother
Abel
now
Abel
was a
keeper
of
sheep
and
Cain
a
worker
of
the
ground
in
the
course
of
time
Cain
brought
to
the
Lord
an
offering
of
the
fruit
of
the
ground
and
Abel
also
brought
the
firstborn
of
his
flock
and
of
their
fat
portions
and
the
Lord
had
regard
for
Abel
and
his
offering
but
for
Cain
and
his
offering
he
had
no
regard
so
Cain
was
very
angry
and
his
face
fell
we
see
right
out
of
the
gate
this
priestly
mediative
role
that is
now
beginning
to
take
place
and
Abel
stands
beside
Cain
as
this
immediate
test
case
this
immediate
test
case
of
Genesis
chapter
3
15
would
God
provide
a
true
mediator
and
now
we
see
these
two
sons
Cain
and
Abel
and
these
two
seeds
we
see
these
two
lines
we
see
these
two
forms
of
worship
one
that's
accepted
one
that is
not
accepted
we
see
these
two
spiritual
destinies
Abel
becomes
the
first
post
fall
worshiper
who
approaches
God
rightly
the
right
offering
the
right
way
with
the
right
heart
with
obedience
and
with
faith
and
we
see
the
example
of
Abel
and the
testimony
of his
righteous
sacrifice
written
across the
pages
of
Hebrews
chapter
11
Abel
stands
before
God
as a
faithful
son
of
Adam
and the
most likely
candidate
of a
human
representative
others
follow
an
Abel's
pattern
Noah
which
who will
mediate
for his
family
Noah
excuse me
Abraham
who will
intercede
for his
family
Job
as we
saw
in our
study
who
intercedes
and offers
sacrifices
for his
family
but
each
shares
Adam's
fallen
nature
each
requires
atonement
of his
own
each
mediator
needs
a
mediator
needs
a
priest
to
represent
him
to
God
none
can
fully
mediate
for
themselves
because
of
imperfection
because
of
sin
in
their
life
every
son
of
Adam
inherits
Adam's
sin
Romans
chapter
5
verse
12
says
therefore
just as
sin came
into
the
world
through
one
man
and
death
through
sin
so
death
spread
to
all
men
because
all
sin
yet
death
reigned
from
Adam
to
Moses
even
over
those
whose
sinning
was not
like
the
transgression
of
Adam
who
was a
type
of
the
one
who
was
to
come
therefore
no
child
of
Adam
could
ever
qualify
as
this
human
mediator
this
representation
this
representative
who
would
represent
Adam's
race
to
God
why
because
all
of
Adam's
children
inherit
corruption
none
can
stand
in the
presence
of
God
for
others
that
presence
is
still
shut
that
presence
is
still
closed
so
how
will
God
resolve
this
human
problem
you know
based upon
what we've
read in
Hebrews
that God
raises
up
his
final
son
this
final
son
Jesus
only
a
divine
son
can
become
a
human
representative
who can
represent
men
to God
and represent
God
to men
and only
the
God
man
can
enter
God's
presence
without
fear
and bring
his people
near with
confidence
Jesus
is
that
mediator
Jesus
is
that
priest
he's
the
true
son
of
Adam
he's
the
true
seed
of
Abraham
he's
the
heir
of
David's
throne
all
the
genealogies
converge
on
Christ
he's
the
one
who
can
now
represent
man
to
God
as
the
true
and
final
high
priest
it's
all
encapsulated
in
summary
probably
the
best
summary
we
get
of
Christ's
ministry
is
found
for
us
in
1st
Peter
chapter
3
verse
18
see
it
or
listen
to
it
as
I
read
for
Christ
also
suffered
once
for
sin
the
just
for
the
unjust
that
he
might
bring
us
to
God
being
put
to
death
in
the
flesh
but
made
alive
in
the
spirit
all
the
components
are
there
Jesus
as
the
mediator
who is
able
to
usher
us
into
the
very
presence
of
God
Jesus
himself
who was
just
and
righteous
and
holy
who met
the
standard
who only
was the
only
representative
who
could
stand
as
a
perfect
reflection
of
God's
nature
and
he's
being
put
to
death
in
his
flesh
and
made
alive
by
the
spirit
this
summary
of
the
righteous
work
of
the
ultimate
mediator
Jesus
who
stands
in
our
place
he
does
this
in order
to
bring
us
to
God
Jesus
as
that
perfect
representative
of
humanity
is able
to
finally
do
the
work
of
mediation
he's
finally
able
to
lead
us
into
the
presence
of
God
that
he
might
bring
us
to
God
and
now
through
Christ
the
way
that
was
once
guarded
the
fellowship
that
was
once
broken
the
sin
that
once
blocked
access
is
all
obliterated
because
Jesus
is
able
to
mediate
for
us
he's
the
one
who's
able
to
deal
with
the
sins
that
we
bring
to
the
table
but
then
we
come
to
this
very
interesting
plot
twist
we
come
to
this
plot
twist
of
this
mediator
who
needs
no
mediation
Jesus
now
emerges
not
only
as
the
mediator
not
only
as
the
priest
but
Jesus
emerges
as
this
new
son
this
new
Adam
as
it
were
this
new
figurehead
this
new
representative
that
now
those
who
are
in
line
and
who
participate
in
Jesus
as
the
new
Adam
can
enjoy
the
benefits
of
this
mediative
work
Jesus
stands
utterly
alone
in
redemptive
history
he is
the
only
mediator
that
never
needs
a
mediator
never
needs
a
go
between
he is
the
new
representative
head
of
humanity
he is
the
faithful
firstborn
he is
the
beginning
of a
new
line
of
sons
and
daughters
where
Adam
fell
Jesus
stands
where
Adam
lost
access
Jesus
restores
the
access
where
Adam
required
a
mediator
Jesus
is
the
mediator
this
is
the
storyline
of
the
Bible
this
is
the
storyline
of
redemption
this
is
the
story
of
the
perfect
Adam
our
savior
Jesus
Christ
as
Paul
says
in
Romans
chapter
5
verses
17
and
19
it
says
for
if
because
of
one
man
one
man's
trespass
death
reigned
through
that
one
man
much
more
will
those
who
receive
the
abundance
of
grace
and
the
free
gift
of
righteousness
reign
in
life
through
the
one
man
Jesus
Christ
therefore
as
one
trespass
led
to
condemnation
for
all
men
so
one
act
of
righteousness
leads
to
justification
and
life
for
all
men
for
as
by
one
man's
disobedience
the
many
were
made
sinners
so
by
the
obedience
one
man's
obedience
many
will
be
made
righteous
this
ministry
of
the
new
Adam
for
all
those
who
are
now
in
Christ
through
faith
in
the
Lord
Jesus
and
forgiveness
of
sins
and
recognizing
that
he
is
the
only
priest
who
can
mediate
for
your
sins
this
is
the
only
way
in
to
access
with
God
again
through
the
sinless
son
who
becomes
the
perfect
mediator
Jesus
is
the
new
and
perfect
Adam
to
close out
our time
this
morning
just by
looking
at
what
does
this
superior
sacrifice
of the
priestly
son
accomplish
and
there's
more time
for this
subject
that we
have time
for this
morning
but I
want to
just
draw your
attention
to a
couple
of
passages
in
Hebrews
again
drawing us
back
to the
book
of
Hebrews
to
see
what
does
Christ's
priestly
ministry
accomplish
for us
beginning
with
Hebrews
chapter
9
verses
11
to
14
but
when
Christ
appeared
as
high
priest
of the
good
things
that
have
come
then
through
the
greater
and
more
perfect
tent
not
made
with
hands
that
is
not
only
of
this
creation
he
entered
once
for
all
into
the
holy
place
not
by
means
of
blood
and
goats
and
calves
but
by
means
of
his
own
blood
thus
securing
an
eternal
redemption
Jesus
enters
the
greater
and
more
perfect
tent
not
by
the
blood
of
bulls
and
goats
but
by
his
own
blood
because
a
true
mediator
must
offer
a
true
sacrifice
and
Jesus
offered
that
sacrifice
through
his
precious
blood
it's
the
precious
blood
of
Christ
that
we
have
forgiveness
of
sins
remission
of
sins
are
you
in
Jesus
have
you
enjoyed
the
benefits
of
that
covering
eternal
blood
the
blood
of
Christ
who
mediates
for
you
who
makes
a
way
through
himself
so
that
we
can
enjoy
the
benefits
of
forgiveness
and
cleansing
and
redemption
this
true
mediator
who's
offered
this
true
sacrifice
for
you
we
also
see
the
finality
of
his
priesthood
in
Hebrews
chapter
10
verses
19
through
22
therefore
brothers
since
we
have
confidence
to
enter
the
holy
places
by
the
blood
of
Jesus
by
the
new
and
living
way
that
he
opened
for
us
through
the
curtain
or
that
veil
that
is
through
his
flesh
!
since we
have
a
great
priest
over
the
house
of
God
let
us
draw
near
with
a
true
heart
in
full
assurance
of
faith
with
our
hearts
sprinkled
clean
from
an
evil
conscience
and our
bodies
washed
with
pure
water
you see
through
Jesus'
finished
work
the veil
is torn
into
that
which
separated
us
from the
presence
of
God
and
those
of
you
who
understand
that
this
picture
that's
woven
throughout
the
Old
Testament
that
veil
was
in
the
temple
and
it
kept
even
the
priest
from
being
able
to
enter
into
the
holy
of
holies
to
enjoy
and
experience
the
wonder
of
the
very
presence
of
God
but
through
Christ's
death
and
sacrifice
and
his
resurrection
those
who
are
in
Christ
get
to
enjoy
that
veil
that
!
is
God
is
possible
through
faith
in
Jesus
Christ
I
wonder
this
morning
if
some
of
you
approach
God
like
he's
still
behind
the
veil
I
wonder
if
there
are
some
of
you
this
morning
who
in
understanding
and
recognizing
your
sin
think
your
sin
is
too
great
for
God
to
overcome
there
is
guilt
and
shame
in
your
own
heart
there
is
an
unwillingness
to
recognize
that
God's
power
is
able
to
even
forgive
those
sins
however
wretched
they
might
be
that
you're
still
standing
behind
the
veil
as
it
were
you're
still
separated
from
that
intimate
fellowship
that
you
might
experience
with
God
but
God
has
made
a
way
through
his
mediator
Jesus
Christ
and
the
priest
his
high
priestly
!
ministry
he
has
made
a
way
for
you
to
enjoy
fellowship
with
him
through
in
Christ
the
veil
isn't
just
torn
it's
gone
it's
gone
there
is no
door
to
knock
on
anymore
because
your
priest
says
come
on
in
we
find
this
picture
of
Jesus
in
revelation
I
stand
at
the
door
and
knock
and
his
knocking
is
that
anyone
who
would
hear
his
voice
and
enter
in
they
will
come
and
enjoy
fellowship
and
supping
with
him
enjoying
fellowship
with
the
great
high
priest
your
high
priest
has
made
a
way
have
you
enjoyed
this
priestly
ministry
of
the
son
this
great
high
priest
who
can
sympathize
and
understand
not only
your
weaknesses
but also
your
rebellion
he's
experienced
those
weaknesses
himself
he's
endured
those
temptations
he's
done
it
without
sin
so
that
he
can
make
a
way
as
the
mediator
who
needs
no
mediator
to
welcome
us
him
to
fellowship
with
God
do
you
know
the
Lord
Jesus
the
high
priest
the
ultimate
mediator
for
sin
that's
the joy
that we
have
even in
this
moment
as you
consider
do you
know
Jesus
have you
come to
a place
in your
life
of bowing
your knee
to Christ
confess
with your
mouth that
Jesus
is
Lord
believe
in your
heart
that God
raised
Jesus
from the
dead
and you
will
be
saved
what a
joy
what a
privilege
I
would
plead
with you
if you
have never
come to
a place
of inviting
Jesus
to do
that work
of
mediating
and priestly
ministry
in your
life
today's
the day
myself
Pastor
David
raise
your hand
Pastor
John
raise
your hand
we would
love to
answer
questions
we would
love
to
invite
you
in
as
this
surrogate
mediator
as it
were
to help
introduce
you to
who
Jesus
is
so you
can
enjoy
his
mediative
work
for
yourself
let me
pray
oh God
I thank
you
for your
son
and his
high
priestly
ministry
to us
and what
Adam
spoiled
Jesus
has
saved
you've
made a
way
you've
opened
that
door
that
was
blocked
and I
pray
this
morning
if
anyone
here
today
has
been
blocked
either
by
this
perpetual
sin
in their
life
or
these
feelings
of guilt
and shame
whatever
it is
Lord
I pray
that
you would
help
them
even
in
these
moments
to
see
the
beauty
and
wonder
of
this
mediative
high
priest
who
can
sympathize
who
has
pity
who
has
made
a
way
Lord
please
make
a way
for
them
even
now
as
your
spirit
is
working
in
their
life
help
them
not
to
resist
but
help
them
to
step
in
and
Lord
for
the
rest
of
us
I
pray
that
our
lives
would be
a
model
of
this
mediative
work
that
we
would
stand
as
go
betweens
as well
as
those
who
represent
the
message
that
you
have
given
through
your
son
and
a
desire
to
bridge
the
gap
to
welcome
others
to
enjoy
the
same
benefits
of
this
work
Lord
may
you
be
pleased
this
Christmas
season
to
bring
many
sons
to
glory
we
pray
in
Jesus
name
Amen