Hebrews 4:14-5:10 † Gospel Confidence

Hebrews 4:14–5:10 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 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. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE

Jesus, as God’s Son and our High Priest, has given us real confidence to approach God’s throne and receive God’s mercy and grace.

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IF…

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Do my “what if’s” loom larger than my confidence in Christ >> If I am confident in Christ should that impact how I approach the circumstances of my life?

On a scale of 1-10, how confident do you feel about your faith journey this morning?

Let’s look at (1) the source of gospel confidence and (2) the path to gospel confidence.

INTRO PRAYER

Lord, you are good. You desire for our faith in you to give us confidence in the midst of our “what ifs.” You haven’t given us a spirit of fear, but you have given us your Spirit who leads us to a sound mind and a deep understanding of how you’re working in our lives. I pray today that as we open up your word, you will increase our confidence in you. In Jesus name we make this request. Amen. 

THE SOURCE OF GOSPEL CONFIDENCE

Any confidence we have in life can be traced back to a foundation or source.

The source of gospel confidence comes when we rightly see and understand who Jesus is and what he has done.

Who Jesus Is: The Son of God & Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

Jesus as the Son of God isn’t just a normal human being—his divinity means he is completely able to rescue us from sin and give us victory.

Hebrews 2:9–10 “9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.”

Our confidence is built on the foundation of Jesus’ divine identity.

AND the author focuses on Jesus as the great high priest.

5:1-3 guves us a good summary of the function and role of the HP.

Hebrews 5:1–3 ESV

1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.

Jesus as HP: chosen by God (5:5), compassionate toward people (4:15), and obedient to his calling (5:7-10). [YET; without sin.]

Jesus is able to relate to us as fully man, and able to save us as fully God.

What Jesus Has Done: Finished the Race

Hebrews emphasizes the enthronement/victory of Jesus. He has completed the race through his life, death, burial, and resurrection. His work is the source for eternal salvation.

Hebrews 5:7–10 ESV

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

So, where is our confidence?

If I am unable to walk in the confidence of the gospel, could it be that my focus is on some weaker source for confidence? (My own ability or control, the promises of other people/idols?)

To find gospel confidence, we must refocus our hearts on the right source: the identity and activity of Jesus.

How can we refocus our hearts? Walk the “path” to gospel confidence.

THE PATH TO GOSPEL CONFIDENCE

Hold Fast to the Confession of the Gospel (4:14)

Hebrews 4:14 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

“The word ‘confession’ denotes the faith the readers have embraced and promised to uphold.”

- Thomas R. Schreiner

What are we telling ourselves & others about our faith in Jesus?

Two better words to combat our “what if’s”: “We Have a Great High Priest”

What is the great High Priest to me unless He is mine? What is a Savior but a word to tantalize my despairing spirit, until I can say that this Savior is mine? Every blessing of the covenant is prized in proportion as it is had: “We have a High Priest.”

- Charles Spurgeon

When our confession reminds us what we have in Christ, we are empowered to draw near to God’s throne.

Draw Near to the Throne of Grace (4:16)

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The closer I get to greatness of God (the throne), the smaller my “what if’s” become.

Walking the Path

Judah story — “My dad will buy me another one…”

See how the enemy wants to twist our “what if’s” to overpower our confidence and confession. (He tempts us to loosen the grip).

See how our “what if’s” will convince us to run from the throne instead of running to get grace and mercy.

See the source. Embrace the path. Walk with gospel confidence.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Lord, there are so many “what if’s” in our lives this morning. Our world is surrounded by the threats of the enemy and the indwelling sin of our flesh. But we know that you promise us better confidence despite these realities. We ask that you might remind us of the source of our confidence—Jesus the High Priest and Savior. We ask that you might teach us more even in this moment what it means to draw near to you in confidence. Thank you, Lord, for meeting us here this morning. Please continue to bless and keep us. Amen.

NOTES

Charles Spurgeon, Spurgeon Commentary: Hebrews, ed. Elliot Ritzema and Jessi Strong, Spurgeon Commentary Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014), 105.

Thomas R. Schreiner, Hebrews, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Köstenberger, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021), 152.