The GOAT

Introduction

Of all time in anything

Jesus is greater than moses

The heavenly calling is two-way: A call issued from God to people on earth and a call to God for people on earth.

To model this example, the writer begins with the GOAT - Jesus.

the titles Apostle and High Priest demonstrate this two-way calling principle.

An apostle was someone sent by God, meaning they received the call issued by God. No other NT writer applies the title Apostle to Jesus. The heavy focus of the use of the title apostle is on mission.

And the title high priest fits perfectly because it was the high priest who brought the sins of the nation of Israel to God.

Do you even wonder why you have the title you have or the position you have? Verse 2 says that Jesus was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was in all God’s household.

Did you know that one of the greatest appointments in the Bible wasn’t given to a person?

Jonah 1:17 (HCSB)

Now the Lord had appointed a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the fish three days and three nights.

In these titles, we see that Jesus is the

Captain of our salvation - He is the announcer of man’s salvation AND

the deliverer from sin’s bondage whereby He directs the sons and daughters of God into freedom and liberty.

As the OT goes, this is a strong call back to Moses.

He was charged with announcing God’s message to the Egyptians and to the Israelites. And he was charged with being the one responsible for leading the people after their release from Egyptian bondage.

The word connected to Moses is faithful. But what the author of Hebrews is trying to get us to see and understand is

When we consider the relationship of Jesus to the house of God, we must move our thoughts from place to people.

This is the power and idea of verse 6.

Hebrews 3:6 HCSB

But Christ was faithful as a Son over His household. And we are that household if we hold on to the courage and the confidence of our hope.

The house that Christ is building is confident is Him and act in accordance.

Christ is greater than unbelief

Why issue a warning against unbelief in verses 7-19?

Have you ever read the Old Testament?

The story of the exodus shows that right after God displayed miracles and rescued his people from the Egyptians, the people whined and complained, lacking faith that God could take care of them (Exodus 16). This constant show of unbelief would eventually lead to God rejecting that generation from entering the promised land. Christians are encouraged not to turn away from the living God through a hard heart (Hebrews 3:12)

Hebrews 3:12 (HCSB)

Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God.

The author refers to the classic failure of Israel at a place called Kadesh Barnea. This is the place that was supposed to be their entry into the Promised Land.

There wasn’t water at this location and serious discontent grew and Moses was accused, along with Aaron, and finally against God Himself, of leading the people to such a terrible place. The people had seen the miracles and now they lived in unbelief. The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95 and says God was provoked with that generation, the generation of unbelievers.

Moses became a participant in Israel’s sin and suffered with them the loss of entering the Promised Land.

The Hebrew Christians stood in danger of the same fate with regard to their experience in Christ.

Make of lists of complaints you have for God—frustrations that you have and grievances. Unbelief doesn’t just happen one day. Frustrations with God and expectations that we place on him can turn to bitterness. That prayer request not answered the way you thought it should be answered. The relationship lost. The death of a loved one. Bitterness and complaints can eventually turn into unbelief. The best thing is to get those out in the open to God, because he cares about you. He can take tough questions and the temptation and struggles we go through. Jesus went through disappointment, temptation, betrayal, anger, and suffering (Hebrews 2:18) and can relate to us and give us peace.

The people forfeited their hope of Canaan.

But there was something specific about Canaan that the people forfeited.

Rest.

In Christ there is a greater rest

Hebrews 4:1 HCSB

Therefore, while the promise to enter His rest remains, let us fear that none of you should miss it.

Moses only saw the Promised Land, he couldn’t enter it.

Under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites came into the Promised Land. Is this the full meaning of God’s promised rest?

Is it not.

Resting in God’s work as He did.

Our work doesn’t result in a supply of rest, rather it is to prepare us for the receiving of that rest.

The rest found in Jesus isn’t just for the future, it’s for today.

So, what is this rest?

It is a personal, spiritual, and practical experience for the people of God. It is not for the unbelievers and unrepentant sinners.

It is absolute confidence in our inability to bring the work of salvation to completion. It is reliance upon God to do what only He can do. It isn’t self-help and assurance, or a sense of believing harder. It is believing totally.

It is a regeneration of our sinful heart. Rest in Christ means we crucify our flesh and it’s affections and afflictions.

This rest is continuous and it starts at salvation.

Rest is Christ is greater that the rest of the Promised Land. Even more, it is a promised rest, a provided rest.

Rest is always about God’s promises to provide and protect His people.

Does your life reflect the reality of how great Jesus is?

Jesus is willing to let people go astray.

God will let us harden our hearts.

I know that It is heart-breaking to watch someone harden their hearts towards God. It hurts to know that the life ahead of them is a life filled with chasing rest and happiness and knowing they will not find rest.

Do not resist the rest that is already yours in Christ! Do not harden your heart by continually putting God on trial.

Each of us is capable of hardening our hearts.

No emotional or spiritual experience will protect you from hardening your heart.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth

Will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace