The Ministry of Jesus Christ as High Priest

Opening

(Thank you and appreciation for the invitation to present God’s Word today and for the longstanding support of the ministries of Hillcrest Children’s Home and the growing ministries of AG COMPACT Family Services. If you would like to keep informed about the ministry, please visit COMPACT.Family on the web and subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter.)

Today, I come with a timely word from the Lord for you individually and as a congregation.

I believe that by the conclusion of this service, you will have an encounter with Jesus Christ with an enriched understanding of His ministry for you and your needs today and every day hereafter.

The world is seemingly forever searching for either a prophet, king or priest to satisfy its want and need. Today represents an excellent example - a clamoring nation and world hoping for leader who can secure hopes and dreams or wipe away fears and tears.

A prophet speaks

A priest represents or mediates

A king rules

Jesus Christ is altogether prophet, priest and king. He doesn’t just fulfill one or the other, but altogether fulfills the roles of prophet, priest and king.

In various books of the Bible we find texts emphasizing Jesus’ role as prophet, priest and king.

However today, my primary focus is on the ministry of Jesus Christ as high priest.

Now, for some you may be thinking, “That sounds more theological than relevant.” Don’t let you mind drift into thinking that this is somehow a boring subject. I believe that you are about to experience the joy of an “ah ha” moment in the Spirit.

The text for today’s sermon is taken from the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews.

Written to encourage Christians in a time of trial. It does so by focusing on Jesus Christ, who is over all and above all.

Originally written sometime between 60 and 70 AD, it still speaks to the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ for those of us today.

Some believe the apostle Paul wrote it or another believer of Jewish decent wrote. Scholars are unsure.

What Christians are sure of is that the NT book of Hebrews speaks about the powerful ministry of Jesus Christ in the unseen realm of heaven on behalf of believers on earth who encounter trials and battles in this life.

The focus of this message is mainly on chapters 4-10, which speak specifically to the ministry of Jesus Christ as high priest and why that is so important for you today. (Chapter 11 illumines brighter with an understanding of chapters 4-10.)

Understanding the ministry of Jesus Christ as high priest (as found in Hebrews 4-10) will produce a confident Christian faith ready to receive and serve in the day we live.

PRAY

READ Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV) “14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, lets 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.”

(high priest = Gk. archiereus or arc + hiereus, meaning chief, first, leading priest)

(great = Gk. megas, English derivative is mega. In other words, Jesus is not just any high priest, He is the mega high priest.)

The Ministry of Jesus Christ as (mega) High Priest (seven important things to know)

1. Jesus made atonement of sin.

Hebrews 2:17 (ESV) “17 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 of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

NIV - “make atonement”; NLT - “offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people”

What the writer of Hebrews is saying is that God (Jesus) came to earth in the form of man to take away the besetting sin of mankind. And because Jesus lived a sinless life as a man on this Earth and then died a sacrificial death on behalf of man’s sin, He has made propitiation, made atonement, taken away the sin of the people.

(Consider that depth of love for a moment. God, knowing in advance the amount pain and suffering it would involve for Him, chose to do that for you.)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV)

Jesus finished his atoning ministry on this earth and then ascended into heaven, but Jesus did not retire into a hammock to drink Chick-fil-A lemonade and watch the world rot away at the hands of the devil. No, Jesus is actively ministering in heaven right now for you!

2. Jesus represents human beings before God.

Hebrews 5:1 (ESV) “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 sin.”

Romans 8:34 (ESV) “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

1 John 2:1-2 (ESV) “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

3. Jesus entered the Most Holy Place (God’s sanctuary)

Hebrews 4:14 (ESV) “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.

Hebrews 9:24 (ESV) “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into [the or that] heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”

(“copies of the true things” - Describe the OT Tabernacle and Temple. Note that there were two tents/rooms, one inside the other. The Most Holy Place was inside the Holy Place. Only the high priest entered the Most Holy Place, and that once a year.)

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place (the sanctuary) which represented the presence of God. Jesus Christ fulfilled this ritual by entering heaven’s most holy place, the throne room of God.

4. Jesus made (and is making) believers perfect.

Hebrews 10:14 (ESV) “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

“perfected for all time” - Gk. MSS teleleioken (lit. to make perfect; perfect tense, active voice, indicative mood = In other words, “It’s perfect. Done!), Lemma teleioo, root is telos (to fulfill).

“those who are being sanctified” - (lit. those who are being made holy; present passive participle)

The idea is something that is already and under construction. Jesus’ offering on the cross was the perfect gift to make believers holy before the eyes of God.

Hebrews 7:25a (ESV) “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him…”

Likewise, “to save to the uttermost” speaks to God’s dynamic power to save “completely” (NIV) and “forever” (NLT). (Lit. to make whole to the perfect).

“he is able” (dynamai; English derivative, dynamic); “those who draw near to God through him” (believers).

The writer of Hebrews to declaring that Jesus’ work at Calvary on the cross was the once for all time sufficient sacrifice for all sins. And that work makes holy those who come to God through the great high priest, Jesus Christ.

God the Father sees the believer through the person of Jesus Christ, who provided the perfect sacrifice and is sanctifying you as you draw close through him.

5. Jesus brings believers close to God.

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV) “19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 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.”

This reflects on what the founding generation of the Assemblies of God fellowship referred to as “pleading the blood” of Jesus over their lives and families for protection, deliverance, promise of a new day and as a witness of their faith in Jesus to atone for sin and their every need in life. (cf. Passover)

Jesus sits at the right hand of the throne (Heb. 8:1) as the great high priest inviting us to draw near to God.

Not just anyone can draw close to God. Those with “true” faith are called to draw close. You can draw close to God with great confidence.

6. Jesus helps those being tempted.

Hebrews 2:18 (ESV) “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV) “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.”

The perfect and holy God, in deep love for humanity suffering from sin, chose to subject himself to suffer temptation, yet without sin, and thereby understands what you are going through. He sympathizes and is dedicated to help us suffering temptation.

God does want you to live in fear of him due to your struggle with sin and its temptations. He loved you long before you were ever sinned. He even knew where you would fail. He understands. He sympathizes. So, he came to make it right.

Jesus calls out to you and says, I’ve atoned for all your sin. Don’t hide in shame. Come to me for help. I sympathetically understand. I want to help you.

7. Jesus intercedes continually for believers.

Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV) “24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 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.”

Satan wants you to hide in shame, accusing you and reminding you of your sin.

Jesus, the “great high priest,” is pleading on behalf of every believer as he or she draws near. ALWAYS! Not just once, ALWAYS!

Picture yourself in that privileged scene. Jesus, the perfect sacrifice and great high priest, is interceding for you.

Not only is Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, sitting at the right hand your Heavenly Father pleading for you, but the Third Person of the Trinity, who lives in every believer, is interceding for you at the same time!

Romans 8:26 (ESV) “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Believing friend, greater is He who lives in you than he who lives in the world. AND the Great High Priest is making intercession for you!

CONCLUSION

With this understanding of the ministry of Jesus Christ as high priest, you can draw near to Jesus and receive gifts of mercy and grace He wants to give you today and leave this place ready to serve the living God at this most important time in life.

HOW?

Therefore, let us:

A. Confess our faith in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:14-15 (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.”

Believers, this is a call for you to “hold fast” your “confession”

knowing that Jesus is in control

knowing that Jesus understands your battle, and even your weaknesses, even the most embarrassing weakness

knowing that Jesus, “without sin,” overcame all sin and weakness

JESUS is your great HIGH PRIEST! He (1) atoned for your sin (2) and now is in heaven representing you before God (3) in the Most Holy Place, (4) making you perfect (5) as you draw close to God (6) despite all temptations (7) and intercedes for you so that you may receive mercy and grace in your time of need today!

But, in order to “hold fast” your “confession,” you must first confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you are not in right relationship with Jesus Christ, the holy one, you need to repent of your sin, confess faith in Jesus Christ and gain all the benefits of Jesus Christ as your High Priest in heaven right now.

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV) “9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

B. Confidently (boldly) draw near to the throne of grace.

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) “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.”

Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV) “19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 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. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Pray prayers of faith, repentance, acceptance and bold confession.

Lost - confess your faith, repent of your sin, receive Jesus as Lord & Savior, and have confess your saving faith in Jesus.

Believer - boldly confess your sins and announce your trust in Jesus.

COMMUNION OF THE LORD’S TABLE

I believe that this morning will not be just another partaking of Communion. Rather, with a fresh understanding of Jesus as your High Priest, you are about to enter and approach the throne of grace in the Spirit.

Jesus is ready to meet your most urgent needs.

Confidently confess your need for mercy and grace.

Confidently confess your need of healing and restoration.

Confidently confess your need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

As we partake of the Lord’s Table, confess your need for God’s mercy and grace to Jesus. With thanksgiving present your requests to God. As your High Priest he will both represent that need and powerfully meet that need by the supremacy and sufficiency of His name.

You can plead the blood of Jesus over your life and family.

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV) - “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us...”

When Jesus came into your life, he brought with him ALL his overcoming power, wisdom, forgiveness, knowledge, miracles, and more. Jesus brings everything with him! He didn’t leave his ability behind!

Jesus is able to meet your needs of mercy and grace today! He wants to live and move in you right now!

[Lead in partaking of the bread and juice of the Lord’s Table as you share the the Word of God.]

The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Prayer and worship

Remember, no matter what happens around you, no matter what trial or temptation comes your way. You have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST who is not shaken by any of it. You are safe and secure in Him. He has overcome the world.

Jesus is all we really need. He is the all sufficient and supreme God over all creation! In the end, He wins. And, as His family, so do we.

Believer, do not hide in fear of your sinful weakness, do not live in neutral, Jesus has cleansed our conscience “to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14) We are ambassadors for Christ. (2 Cor. 5:20)

Be ready…Jesus is coming again soon.