Consider Jesus! Hebrews 3:1-6

Consider Jesus

Text: Hebrews 3:1-6

What is the goal of this message?

To lead people to persevere in Christ-centered faithfulness.

How will you meet this goal?

[Everyone is believing in something/someone to sustain them — In stress, we tend to revert to old habits of belief…]

By expositing Hebrews 3:1-6 to show how Christ’s superior faithfulness as the confidence for our perseverance.

Why is this message necessary?

Some have not considered what they are hoping in...

We are often forgetful about what matters most

We tend to idolize good men

We deny the danger of our own falling away

How will you go about showing Christ’s superior faithfulness sermonically?

By describing faithfulness and challenging people to consider whether they are persevering in a Christ-centered way?

Are you biblically faithful? Are you obediently managing your marriage, your parenthood, your church life, your work life, your thoughts…in such a way that the sum of all of it points to Jesus?

Big Idea:

You should consider Jesus if you expect to have a life of persevering courage and hope.

Preview:

The author builds on what he’s already said about Jesus (v. 1)

The author makes a sacred comparison (v. 2-6)

The author gives words of encouragement with a condition of warning (v. 6)

Body:

The author builds on what he’s already said about Jesus (v. 1)

That Jesus is the one who makes holy brethren as the Father exercises his heavenly calling.

That Jesus is God’s “sent One” - God’s final speech.

That Jesus is our sympathetic High Priest.

Application to the hearers:

If Jesus really is all of these truths, then we should not merely catch a glimpse, but we must consider Christ.

What is presently changing in your life right now because you are carefully contemplating Jesus’ past finished work?

Past truth is meaningless if it does not continue to change present practice.

II Corinthians 5:14-15.

Who is the reason for your progress?

There is no way to endure to the end if we are not progressing by remembering.

Illustration: Cedar Point Picture: The refreshing times of remembering through memories...

The author makes a sacred comparison (v. 2-6)

Moses & Jesus

(*) Faithful stewardship of both (v. 2)

Christ worthy of more glory (v. 3)

Ill: Builder gets more glory than the house

Moses as servant -> points to Christ as the Son (the House points to the Builder)

Deut. 18:15; 18-19.

John 5:45-46.

App: A word on what “true faithfulness” means.

Christ is the Builder and Moses is part of the house.

App:

When you consider and apply Jesus specifically, He will expose people and things that are worthy of less glory than you are giving them.

Example: Rich young ruler - Matthew 19:16.

What are the sacred things or people in your life that you are unwilling to let King Jesus rule?

The author gives words of encouragement with a condition of warning (v. 6)

The words of encouragement is that the house of God is the people of God. [Remember that Christ will build his church].

The condition of warning is “if” we hold fast to the confidence and hope to the end.

How do you know that you are part of the people of God?

Christ-centered courage

Christ-centered rejoicing

“People do not become Christians because they persevere to the end, but true Christians do persevere to the end.”

Are you meeting these condition?

Illustration: Parable of the soils. Mark 4:11-20.

Concluding Applications:

How does what/who you’re hoping in match up with Jesus? (skeptic)

Begin your day with meditations on Jesus.

Pray that your life will point to Jesus.

Identify & confess sacred idols that are against Jesus.

Examine, with the help of others, for specific ways you are persevering in the faith.

“If discipline is the responsibility of the church, then examination is the responsibility of the church.”

Illustration: “Who can discipline you?”

Are you considering Jesus carefully so that you might have courage and hope to endure to the end?

Ill: “My hope is built on nothing less....”

Is it?