Looking At Christ Part 3: The Offices of Christ
Notes
Transcript
Preliminary:
Preliminary:
This is our last Bible Study together and I want to share a few thank you’s before I begin
Thanks:
To the Committee in asking me to give Bible Study
To your for your putting up with me and some of you even came back, and for your kind words
To God for his help - I have sensed him both as I have prepared and delivered.
You know I was reading in the Bible
where Jesus slept during a storm,
Then I read where Daniel slept in the lions den.
Peter slept in prison,
Elijah slept while running from his executioners.
Then I saw it...No matter the circumstances. You should take a nap - the Bible says so...
Just not while I’m teaching this morning....
Review:
Review:
We have been looking unto Jesus or attempting to these past four studies, using as a springboard my life verse:
Hebrews 12:2 “2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; ...”
I have attempted to show a couple of things so far about Jesus
Jesus is the final part of the accumulative, and progressive revelation of God - disclosing to finite humanity as much of Infinite God that we can attempt to grasp.
That this Revelation is better and superior than all of the previous forms of revelation through angels, prophets, the Law of Moses, or any other way God has spoken in the past. We attempted to use the illustration of Macintosh -
The Revelation or God spoken to us is better for two reasons:
It is the final revelation: That doesn’t mean God doesn’t speak to each of us individually or still speak through His word to us - God is not silent now - it means that as far as disclosing who He is -
The second reason is -
- Jesus is God -
He is the Brightness of His [God the Father’s] Glory
He is the express image of his person
I talked about the importance of Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus
Yesterday I ended with the uniqueness of Christ.
One additional part of the uniqueness of Christ are the offices he fulfills - that is what I want to talk to you about this morning
The Offices of Christ: Prophet, Priest, & King
The study of The Son of God is one of endless research.
Just looking briefly at these three offices of Christ is enough for me to realize this is true.
No one can boast of having a more illustrious ancestry than Jesus.
And he alone is Prophet, Priest, and King
This theme is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, revealing the depth and breadth of Christ's mission and work.
This is sometimes referred to as Christ’s Manifold Office
The early Methodist preachers were encouraged to “preach Christ in all of his offices!”
I want to explore each of these this morning, with the Lord’s help
“Jesus first appeared as a teacher in the prophetic office; then as high priest and lamb sacrificed in his suffering and death; and finally by his resurrection received his kingdom and remains active in his office of cosmic governance, as eschatological ruler in this kingdom.” (Tom Oden, Word of Life, p. 280)
Jesus was a type of Moses, Aaron, and David. Moses was prophet, Aaron was a priest, and David was a king. Jesus fulfilled each of these types.
You could call this a Triple Cure for Sin
Prophet:
Prophet:
15 The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
16 According to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
17 And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
In this passage we have some of the final words of Moses before they go into the Promised Land
Moses tells them while he is explaining the importance of prophets, giving laws concerning their prophecies, and gave warnings against false prophets and divination.
While he is talking about that he inserts this little promise -
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee...”
Moses is saying there will be a “Prophet like me”
Peter quotes this and applies it directly to Jesus - He is asserting the Jesus is the Prophet that Moses spoke about and promised:
22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Stephen also talks about this in his sermon that cost him his life:
37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
A prophet is a messenger sent by God, a person who speaks for God. He or she witnesses to God, calls people to conversion, and may also foretell the future. ...
The biblical teaching concerning the office of a prophet is that the prophet is the mouthpiece of God speaking to man (Dt. 18:18; Jer. 1:9; Gal. 1:11f; 1 Cor. 15:1–4).
The prophet thus reveals to man the word of God, which may be a statement and explanation of that which was past, is present, or will come in the future (Dt. 34:10f; Jgs. 2:1–5; 3:9–11; Jer. 15:1).
Jesus Christ Our Lord (Christ as Prophet)
Without question, Christ is the greatest of the prophets.
His teachings contained in the four Gospels demonstrate a greater variety of subjects, a broader scope of prophecy and a more comprehensive revelation than is found in any of the Old Testament records of the prophets.
In almost every aspect of revelation, Christ made a distinct contribution.
Unlike all other prophets, Christ revealed God not only in His spoken ministry but in His life and person.
As the Logos of John, Christ was eternally the source of knowledge, truth, wisdom and light.
When He became incarnate, He became a declaration in human flesh of what God is (John 1:4–18).
As prophet Christ was the cure for the first part of sin in that he taught us the truth, enlightening our minds because they had been darkened.
Jesus, as the ultimate Prophet, not only spoke God's words but embodied them. His teachings in the Gospels cover a wide range of subjects, offering a more comprehensive revelation than any other prophet.
So The Word became flesh
And was the Mouthpiece of God
Hebrews 1:2 “2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”
He is The Prophet
Jesus the Priest
Jesus the Priest
Just as a Prophet speaks to men on behalf of God
A Priest speaks to God on behalf of men
They are a mediator - a Daysmen, an arbitrator,
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Christ's priestly role. Unlike the priests of the Old Testament, who had to offer sacrifices repeatedly, Jesus offered Himself once for all.
Lanny Wolfe the writer of the song Sis. Della sang earlier in camp speaks to this:
So many years,
so many lambs were offered up;
But all the blood that was spilled
could never fill that bitter cup;
'Til one spotless lamb
in the form of man
gave His life on Calvary
His was the only blood
that could ever set me free.
For His blood
was not just blood
of another spotless lamb;
But His blood was precious blood
for it washed the sin of man
All of the thousands of years, the countless gallons of blood that was shed, - it still wasn’t enough
But Jesus offered himself one time -and that was enough - that is all we need today
Hebrews 7:25 “25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, ....
He is our High Priest who intercedes for us continually.
Hebrews 7:25 “... seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
“He ever lives above, for me to intercede” Charles Wesley
His priesthood is eternal, based on the order of Melchizedek, superior to the Aaronic priesthood.
The priest represents man to God, making atonement for sins and restoring fellowship with God.
Jesus, through His sacrificial death, reconciled us to God.
He stands between us and God, symbolically bringing us together. His sacrifice was sufficient to cover all our sins, and His intercession ensures our continued relationship with the Father.
"High Priest, Holy, Innocent, Unstained" (v. 26)
"High Priest, Holy, Innocent, Unstained" (v. 26)
Greek Terms:
"Holy" - "ἅγιος" (hagios): Set apart for God, sacred.
Harmless: "Innocent" - "ἀκόλαστος" (akolastos): Free from moral defects, not corrupt.
Undefiled"Unstained" - "ἀμίαντος" (amiantos): Pure, without blemish.
Meaning: These descriptors highlight the moral and ethical perfection of Christ. Unlike the Old Testament priests, who were themselves sinners and had to offer sacrifices for their own sins, Jesus is perfectly pure and free from any blemish. His moral and spiritual purity qualifies Him uniquely to serve as our High Priest.
4. "Separated from Sinners, Exalted Above the Heavens" (v. 26)
4. "Separated from Sinners, Exalted Above the Heavens" (v. 26)
Greek Terms:
"Separated from sinners" - Jesus' separation from sinners emphasizes His absolute moral and spiritual superiority.
"Exalted above the heavens" - His exaltation "above the heavens" signifies His divine status and supreme authority. This position underscores His unique ability to serve as mediator between God and humanity.
Christ is the HIgh Priest forevermore
1. He is the High Priest of our profession (Heb. 3:1).
2. He, as our High Priest, can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Heb. 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
I love Heb. 4:15
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
This just oozes with the themes of empathy, intercession, understanding, compassion,
As a High Priest - who is all of those things -
Holy
Harmless
Separate from sinners
You would think, what in the world would he have to do with me?
Why would I be anyone he would even give any time of day to?
But that is because He is also a High Priest that understands us, that knows us that is touched with the feelings of our infirmities
The idea seen here is: Jesus is like a shepherd who not only guides his sheep but also understands their weaknesses and needs
He is like a doctor - not only able to diagnose but feeling the pain along with
According to the epistle to the Hebrews, Christ fulfilled the five necessary requirements of the priesthood:
(1) He was qualified for the office (Heb. 1:3; 3:1–6);
(2) He was appointed of God (Heb. 5:1–10);
(3) His priesthood was of a higher order than that of Aaron’s—Christ’s priesthood superseded Aaron’s as Aaron’s had superseded the patriarchal system (Heb. 5:6, 10; 7:1—8:6);
(4) all functions of the priesthood were performed by Christ (Heb. 7:23–28; 9:11–28; 10:5–18);
(5) His priesthood is eternal, indicating His superiority and finality (Heb. 7:25).
Christ offered himself up as a sacrifice for our sins, since our sins had separated us from God.
So Christ is our Prophet, our Priest - now I want to see Him as King -
Jesus as King
Jesus as King
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Answers to Common Questions about Jesus (Question 24: In What Way Was Jesus a King?)
Though Jesus never called Himself a king, the prophecy that Jesus fulfilled declares Him to be a king (Zech. 9:9);
the wise men adored (Matt. 2:1–2, 9–12)
and Herod feared the baby born king (Matt. 2:3–4, 16–18);
the crowds hailed Him as such (Matt. 21:9, 15; Mark 11:9–10; John 12:13)
and His disciples considered Him to be king (John 1:49);
His enemies accused Him of claiming to be king (Luke 23:2; John 19:12)
and mocked Him for this perceived claim (Matt. 27:29, 37, 42),
but Pilate, ironically, confirmed that He was King of the Jews (Matt. 27:37);
the authors of the New Testament believed Him to be king (1 Tim. 1:16–17; Rev. 17:14; 19:15–16)
and Jesus indicated before Pilate that He was king of another world (John 18:33–37),
but before the Sanhedrin, He clearly indicated that He would return as King at His second coming (Mark 14:62).
Answers to Common Questions about Jesus Question 24: In What Way Was Jesus a King?
The significance of Jesus’ kingship is that as the Son of David, the king, He has a right to be legal heir as king over the nation of Israel. As God, the Son has been king over the universe, but the significance of Jesus’ kingship as a son of David is that He has a legal right to reign over the nation of Israel, something to occur yet in the future. At the present, He is sitting on His throne in heaven with the Father, but at His coming He will put down all opposition and sit on David’s throne—His own throne—in Jerusalem
Christ sets us free from the power of the devil, who had held our wills in bondage.
Christ will set us free from the power of death, hell and the judgment
Philip Bliss wrote that beautiful hymn that speaks of the man of sorrows but answers with Hallelujah what a Savior writes in the last verse
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
And one day the Father is going to give the signal and the heavenly stable door is going to fling wide open
and a white horse hooves sparking on the golden street
with him who is called Faithful and True astride will come galloping at high speed he will come in righteousness and judgement
with eyes as a flame of fire
the many crowns jostling on His Regal head
clothed in a vesture dipped in blood
and he will go forth conquering
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The sun will burn your eyes out from 92 million miles away, and earthly kings and kingdoms think they will stand strong and bold in the presence of its creator - no they’re going to fall under his rule
One put it this way:
“That name still lives and will live on forever
while kings and kingdoms will forgotten be
Through mist or rain, ‘twill be beclouded never
That name shall sine and shine eternally
Handel put it this way:
The kingdom of this world is become
the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ,
and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
In my New Testament Literacy class years ago the professor required us to listen to a sermon that has become a classic among Christians -
It was actually a clip of a sermon - and sometimes when I get dry, or I need to lift my eyes to Jesus I’ll pull it up and listen to it again
The sermon was by the late Dr. S. M. Lockridge (born Shadrach Meshach Lockridge) was the pastor of a prominent African-American congregation in California from 1953-1993. He was known for his preaching across the United States and around the world. An extra-ordinary orator in my opinion
But he preached a message about Christ and in that sermon he preaches about Christ the King. I want to read - I’m sure many of you have heard and know this - but I want to read how he put it this morning:
The Bible says my king is a seven way King
He's a king of the Jews that's a
racial King
He's a king of Israel that's
a national King
He’s the king of righteousness
he's the king of the ages
he's the king of Heaven
he's a king of
glory
he's the king of kings and he's
the Lord of lords
that's my king well I
I wonder do you know him
David said the heavens declare the glory of God and the fundament showeth his handiwork
my king is a is a sovereign King
no means of measure can Define his Limitless love
no farseeing telescope can bring into
visibility the coastline of his shoreless
supplies
no barrier can hinder him from
pouring out his blessings
he's is enduringly strong
he's entirely sincere
he's eternally steadfast
he's immortally graceful
he's imperially powerful
he's impartially merciful do you know him
he's the greatest phenomenon that has
ever crossed the Horizon of this world
he's God's son
he's a sinner's savior
he's a centerpiece of civilization
he stands in the Solitude of himself
he's August and he's unique he's
unparallel he's unprecedented
he is the loftiest idea in literature
he's the highest personality in philosophy
he is the Supreme problem in high criticism
he's the fundamental doctrine of true
theology
he is the core and necessity for
Spiritual religion
he's the miracle of
the age
he's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call him
he's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior
I wonder if you know him today
he supplies strength for the weak
he's available for the tempted and the tried
he sympathizes and he saves
he strengthens and sustains
he guards and and he guides
he heals the sick
he cleansed the lepers
he forgives Sinners
he discharges debtors
he delivers the captives
he defends the feeble
He blesses the young
he serves the unfortunate
he regards the aged
he rewards the diligent and he beautifies
the meek
I wonder if you know him
this is my king he is a key
he's a key to knowledge
he's a Wellspring of wisdom
he's a door way of Deliverance
he's the pathway of Peace
he's the roadway of righteousness
he's the Highway of Holiness
he's the Gateway of Glory
do you know him
his office is manifold
his promise is sure
his life is matchless
his goodness is Limitless
His Mercy is Everlasting
his love never changes
his word is enough
his grace is sufficient
his Reign is righteous and
his yoke is easy and his burden is light
I wish I could describe him to you but
he's indescribable
he's incomprehensible
he's Invincible
he's irresistible
well you can't get him out of your mind
you can't you can't get him off of your hand you can't outlive him and you can't live without him
well the Pharisees couldn't stand him
but they found out they couldn't stop him
Pilate couldn't find any fault in him
the witnesses couldn't get their testimonies
to agree
Herod couldn't kill him
death couldn't handle him and the grave
couldn't hold him
that's my king
and thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever and ever and ever
and ever how long is that and ever and
ever and when you get through with all
of the Forevers then
amen
Well I hope you have had your eyes lifted to see Jesus in these studies:
God bless you - thanks for your kind attention
