The Better Savior pt 2

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus.

It continues to be an honor to be given this time to share the Word of God with this congregation. I have to tell you that I am both fired up and a bit worn down this morning. I spent a good part of this week with a few of our men at a conference in Louisville. The conference was great. I am fired up this morning because I was able to be so saturated by the Word of God and the gospel that it infiltrated every waking moment of the trip. However, I also come to you today a bit worn down because the sounds of snoring that infiltrated every attempt at a sleeping moment of our trip! We have some men that can saw some logs!

But in all seriousness, it was such a great privilege to spend time together with men focussed on rightly dividing the Word of God and centering all things on the gospel of Jesus Christ. If I ever become a broken record in this pulpit may I get stuck in repeat of the gospel. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ truly is the most incredible thing to ever happen. The Savior, Jesus Christ, has been the subject of this sermon series we have been going through in a very explicit way. Every word we have walked through thus far has shown the supremacy and excellency of Jesus Christ.

Let’s be real this morning though. We take the gospel for granted. We live in a place so saturated with access to the living water that we forget to drink! What do I mean by that? I mean that at any given point we have digital access to thousands of hours of faithful pastors preaching, we have churches on every other corner. Just think about the Bible specifically, we have digital bibles on our phone, pocket sized versions on our hips, one for every coffee table and hotel room. And yet with all of the ways our lives are saturated with access to biblical content we would rather be discipled, taught, conformed by the whims of pop culture.

We have taken the gospel for granted.

Sure we come to church most Sundays. We hear the sermon. We say amen. But when we walk out those doors into the world our eyes are distracted by the glitz and glamour of immediate and shallow gratification.

We have taken the gospel for granted.

We are surrounded by so great a clutter of tweeters, gathering every weight of cultural pressure, and normalize and accept the sin that clings to us so closely, we run this race of life with with heavy breath, not looking to Jesus, but looking towards the whims of cultural zeitgeist.

We have taken the gospel for granted.

Church, we must not take the gospel for granted. We must not exchange the gospel. And we must not misunderstand the gospel. The gospel, the good news, is the only real hope there is in this world. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way of deliverance in our world. One of the speakers at our conference this past week said very poignantly, “The human soul is too heavy to be lifted with the twigs of entertainment.” The human soul is only truly able to be lifted by the power of God through the act of God as professed in the Word of God. And that is the gospel that mustn’t be taken for granted.

It is my aim that we would all have a renewed understanding of the grand nature of the gospel and live everyday in reflection of the awesome truth it is.

If you would, open your bibles to Hebrews chapter 2. What we have been walking through thus far in this book should make all us pause and awe at the glory of Jesus Christ. Last week we celebrated Resurrection Sunday with a heavy focus on the Salvation Jesus brings. He is the great Savior. The better Savior than we any we could imagine on our own. And what He is saving us for, eternity in glory, is better than any kind of salvation we could imagine.

The basic facts of Christ’s saving work are simple enough to understand. Jesus lived, died, and rose again. Believe in Him. Be forgiven. Many people are aware of this and pay lip service to it. But while that is a true way to briefly explain the gospel, it is also elementary. Today I hope you will feast your souls on the glory of Christ as we consider just what exactly He did to be our Savior and the greatness of the salvation He brings. Read with me verse 10 of Hebrews 2.

Hebrews 2:10 ESV

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.

Where we left off last week, we had learned that God has a glorious plan for man. Man was created to have dominion over the earth and in glory that dominion will return. Man’s place as regent over the world was usurped by Satan when man sinned. Even still, God promises to restore mankind back to its original place. We saw in verse 9 that humanity is only restored through what Jesus Christ did. We are guaranteed that glory is coming, because although we still are experiencing hardness and suffering in our lives, we can see that Christ has Risen from the grave. The glorious Resurrection celebrated on Easter Sunday is the proof of glory that is to come for all those who believe in Him!

Verse 9 says that by the Grace of God, Christ tasted death. We talked about why He had to die last week, but that topic is fleshed out more here in verse 10.

Verse 10 begins expanding upon the idea of God’s grace. We say it often but we are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

The only way we, or anyone for that matter, is able to be saved, is because of the one for whom and by whom all things exist! It’s fitting that God would initiate salvation through the work of Jesus, because only God can save us! And He does so by His amazing grace!

Spurgeon put it like this. “Every part of the great plan of salvation sets forth the splendor of the grace of the Most High God. What do we see in our election but his grace? What do we see in our redemption but his grace? What do we see in our conversion but his grace? What do we see in our justification, sanctification, adoption, and preservation, but his grace? By him, in grace as well as in nature, are all things; and for him, in grace as well as in nature, are all things; unto him belong both the power and the glory, the two must ever go together. He works all our works in us, and unto him be all the praise, world without end!”

This week we had the opportunity to sing hymns with 12,000 other people. The moment that struck me the most was when the piano dropped out and all of sang out, “Grace, grace God’s grace!” His grace is amazing and it alone will pardon our sin! His grace is greater than our sin!

It is by the grace of God that many sons are brought to glory as we read in verse 10. Many are saved by the grace of God Amen! Thank God that many are saved and brought to glory! And thank God that such a salvation would be given even though it required such suffering, as we see at the end of the verse.

Take note here that when verse 10 says the founder of their salvation was made perfect through suffering, this is not saying that Jesus was less than perfect in nature prior to His crucifixion. Rather, it is saying that through suffering, Jesus accomplished all that was foretold in the Old Testament to be the promised Savior. He would be crushed for the iniquities of man. Why? To bring many sons to glory. Upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace. What peace? Peace in being reconciled with God! The Peace of Christ now rules in our hearts! Christ suffered He was oppressed and afflicted without opening His mouth, He was like a lamb led to the slaughter. All to be the perfect promised Savior whom by God’s grace would bring many sons to glory.

Glory is to come but there is immediate benefit to salvation as well! Check out the beginning of verse 11:

Hebrews 2:11 (ESV)

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.

Christ, in His atonement for sin, is the great Sanctifier. All those who believe in Him are being sanctified. Now, sanctify is not really a word we use in our regular vernaculars.

When something is being sanctified, it is being set apart and regarded as holy. In the Old Testament, the vessels of the sanctuary could only be deemed holy and sanctified when they were used by priests in the service of God. When they were working in the Holy temple, they were required to use holy instruments. The whole point of all the particulars and procedures was to show us that God is Holy! And if God is Holy, His people must be holy!

Three times in the book of Leviticus, God tells His people to be holy for He is holy.

Thinking of the Holiness of God terrifies us because we understand just how unholy we are! I mean do a simple review of your life this past week. How much of your conduct and your speech could you consider holy and set apart? If your answer is anything less than 100%, and that will be the answer for all of us, then you better praise God for the truth of Hebrews 2:11. Praise God that it is not your actions that sanctify, but Christ’s blood poured out on the cross! It is not our works that keep us clean, but the work of Jesus.

You may want to offer some pushback here. You may think, Brad this verse says we are sanctified, well I believe in Jesus but I had a rough week, I didn’t act very holy at times.

Understand that Hebrews 2:11 is talking about positional sanctification. That is, when you are saved by faith in Christ, you are made holy before God forever. The wording “have been sanctified” is in the perfect tense. That means that its referring to something that can’t be undone. This is put in perspective in Hebrews 10:14

Hebrews 10:14 ESV

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Through Christ’s death, all who believe are eternally glorified and positionally sanctified, perfect in the eyes of God. While in the short term, we are BEING sanctified, that is growing in the Lord, struggling with sin but with the sincere desire to serve the one who saved us.

Christian, we can rest in the grace of God AND pursue holiness for His glory because when we have been saved, we have been changed, and we have been born again.

It is point this way in the book of John:

John 1:12–13 ESV

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

When we are born again, we are completely identified with Jesus! Look back to hebrews 2:

Hebrews 2:11–13 ESV

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

The author, here, is quoting a variety of Old Testament Scripture of which the original recipients would have been very familiar with, to hammer home the point that through the salvation of Jesus Christ, an individual is now identified with Him as a child of God!

Jesus is not ashamed to call those who believe in Him brothers and sisters. Through faith in Christ you are a part of the family of God.

What is particularly interesting in this concept is that Jesus did not call His disciples brothers until after His resurrection. Before that in the book of Matthew, His followers were referred to as disciples, friends, or sheep. So why the change? Because up from the grave He arose and now that His followers sins had been truly paid for on the cross, their debt was paid and Christ’s righteousness would now be imputed to all who believed in Him. Inso, they went from friends to family!

These collections from the Old Testament combine to show us the ministry of Jesus on His way to bring us into the eternal family of God: He exalted love of the father to those who would believe. He modeled praise and worship. He was perfectly obedient and followed the Father. He is near in relationship with those whom love Him, given by the Father.

It is a wonderful, satisfying, and uplifting thing to be a part of the family of God.

Starting in verse 14, the Spirit gives us an intricate view of how Christ accomplished this salvation:

Hebrews 2:14 (ESV)

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things,

In the first half of this verse, we are given the reason for the incarnation. God the Son took on flesh because He came to save a creature of flesh. By one man sin entered the world, death came right along with the sin, by another man would come salvation. We were told way back at the Fall of man in the garden that an offspring of woman would be the one to defeat the devil. And yet, it would be no mere man who would be able to accomplish such a feat. It would be the God-man, Jesus Christ, Fully God and Fully Man who would be the one to provide salvation and defeat the sin, death, and the devil! He came in flesh and blood. The flesh that was broken, the blood that poured out. Both of which that we remembered today through the taking of the Lord’s Supper. He took on flesh and blood to save creatures of flesh and blood:

Hebrews 2:14–16 ESV

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.

In Christ’s death He overthrew Satan’s power for all who trust Him. Spurgeon, “By his own death, Christ broke that evil power which brought death into the world with its long trail of woe. He did this, not by his example, not even by his life, but by his death. Therefore let those who speak slightingly of his atoning sacrifice see their folly, for it is through death that Christ destroys “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.””

We must understand that even in His death on the cross, Christ is the victor. That victory message was proclaimed loud and clear at the resurrections, but it was unsure.

We must understand death has been defeated.

As I was preparing for this message I came across an interesting statement I hadn’t thought of before. “It is a very natural thing that man should fear death, for man was not originally created to die.”

I had never considered this in this way. I know that there are many who are afraid of death. I know that all of us at least take some precautions to not die! But it never struck me that part of why we feel this way is that our being innately knows that death was not original to the design. It is no wonder that those who do not know Jesus are so frightened about the beyond.

Christians, here is what you must understand. If you have breath, God’s not done with you here yet, but when your breath is gone, it is nothing else but gain in the glory of heaven. And that glory is only given by faith in Jesus Christ. If you do not repent and believe in the name of Jesus, you honestly should fear death. But those of us who have repented and believed in Him have no reason to fear.

We do not have to fear death because Christ has died for us and when our time comes, we wont be unsure, but rather we will be enjoying the full presence of the Lord.

Christ died for us. That’s why He became like us:

Hebrews 2:17 ESV

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.

God the Son stepped into human flesh to be the perfect, merciful, faithful high priest, serving God the Father, and to make propitiation for the sin of people. Let’s break this verse down in steps.

We’ve already talked about becoming human to save humans. So let’s talk about priests briefly. The priests were responsible for making sacrifices for the people to God. They were called to be set apart. But the big problem from the Hebrews is that their priests were so often unfaithful to both the people and the Lord! Just a few months ago we looked through 1 Samuel and we were reminded of Hophni and Phinehas. They were two wicked priests who abused the people giving sacrifices and completely dishonored the Lord. They are just one example of continued disobedience and ineptitude by the priesthood.

But thanks be to God that the merciful and faithful high priest came in the service of God! The faulty priests tried to make sacrifices for the people, but they were never enough. Christ made propitiation, not through the offering of a lamb or a dove, but through the offering of Himself! The old sacrifices were never enough, but Christ was more than enough! He IS the propitiation. I know that is a fancy word, but it is simply saying that God was owed a price and Christ paid it!

In His incarnation, Jesus became the perfect high priest who made the perfect sacrifice to be the perfect propitiation for the sins of all those who believe in Him.

And in our text today, we are given one more glorious implication of His incarnation.

Hebrews 2:18 ESV

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

In His incarnation, Jesus became fully man, like you and I. In His humanity, Christ experienced the lure of sin without ever surrendering to it. Many of us know what it is like to be tempted by something, but we don’t understand what it is to suffer when tempted. MacArthur notes that the temptation Jesus felt was at a level most of us will never really understand. Jesus felt the full force of temptation. “Most of us never know the full degree of resistible temptation, simply because we usually succumb long before that degree is reached. But since Jesus never sinned, He took the full measure of every temptation that came to Him. And He was victorious in every trial.”

And because He never gave into temptation He was able to be the perfect sacrifice. He was able to be the propitiation for our sins. He was able to sanctify us for eternity.

While He has positionally sanctified us eternally, He is able to help us in our practical sanctification, currently. When you are tempted do two things, pray and remember. Pray to God for strength to resist. and Remember that Christ was also tempted, without failing while also remembering that your Lord and Savior died for your sin. Submit to the Lord and Resist the temptations of the devil.

It is my prayer that the gospel has been illuminated today. It is my prayer that all of us would seek to LIVE the gospel in all aspects of our lives.

The gospel truly is the most marvelous reality in all of existence. May it permeate your thoughts in all matters.

As we conclude our time this morning, I want to share with you a direct quote from one of the speakers at the conference this week. It is about everything we must remember about our Savior:

“Remember Jesus Christ first. Remember His glorious person. Remember that He is the eternal Son of God. God overall. blessed forever. Amen. Remember that He is the Word. Who was in the beginning with God and who was God. Remember that Jesus is equal in essence with the Father. Remember that all that can be said about the Father’s divine nature can properly be said about the Son as well. The Old School catechism puts it, “God is infinite in being and perfect, unchangeable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the council of his own immutable and most righteous will for His own glory, most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness, and truth. These things are all true about God the Father and they’re also true about God the Son. Remember His glorious person. Remember His preexistence, that Jesus did not begin to exist in the virgin’s womb, that from everlasting to everlasting He. Is. God. As Jesus prayed in John 17:5

John 17:5 ESV

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Remember His preexistence. Remember His perfect life. That Jesus fulfilled God’s Law perfectly, internally and externally, every thought that Jesus had was a sinless thought, every word that He spoke was a sinless word, and every deed that He preformed was sinless deed, He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in HIs mouth, Remember His perfect life.

Remember His Sacrificial death, Remember that on the cross Jesus suffered the full weight of the fury and wrath of God against sin. Remember that He laid down His life as a substitute in the place of all who would trust in Him. Including you if you trust in Him even now. Remember that He Himself bore our sins in his body on the tree. Remember that God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, Remember that the good shepherd laid down His life for His sheep. remember His Sacrificial death.

Remember His glorious resurrection. That Jesus did not stay in the tomb but on the third day He rose from the grave. Jesus is ALIVE. Remember that Jesus conquered Satan, and sin, and death. Remember that not only was Jesus delivered up for our trespasses, but that He was also raised for our justification. Remember that Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, Remember His glorious resurrection.

When you are tempted to sin, remember Jesus Christ, that He Himself suffered when He was tempted so He’s able to help those who are being tempted.

When you’ve fallen into sin, Remember Jesus Christ! That we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous! and that He’s the propitiation for our sins.

When you’re discouraged, Remember Jesus Christ. Who said, in the world, you will have tribulation, but take heart I have overcome the world.

When you’re sick, remember Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.

When you’re healthy, remember Jesus Christ, and give him thanks like the leper who was healed and returned to express his gratitude to Jesus.

When you’re anxious about finances, remember Jesus Christ who said, ‘Consider the ravens they neither sow nor reap they have neither storehouse nor barn and yet God forgives them. Of how much more value are you than the birds.’

Are you considering doing something difficult for the Lord, Remember Jesus Christ. Who said I’m with you even to the end of the age.

Children, remember Jesus Christ kids. God made you and He made you for His glory, that you might live and honor Jesus Christ all your days.

If you’re single, remember Jesus Christ. Your maker is your husband. The lord of hosts is his name and the HOly one of ISrael is your redeemer.

Father’s remember Jesus Christ in your homes as you lead your families. Pray that your home would be a sanctuary where God is acknowledged and worshipped.

Mothers, remember Jesus Christ, both in His power to save your children and in His acceptance of you when you feel overwhelemed.

Older saints, remember Jesus Christ, who says in Isaiah 46:4

Isaiah 46:4 ESV

even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

Deacons as you serve the Lord remember Jesus Christ, the ultimate deacon who came note to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Pastors, remember Jesus Christ, the good shepherd and overseer of our souls. remember that your righteousness is not found in your leadership, your sermons, or your counseling, your righteousness is found in Jesus.

That’s what we’re talking about, yall we’re talking about Jesus: The God glorifier, The universe creator, the prophecy fulfiller, the perfect law obeyer, the scripture validator, the Father honorer, the humility modeler, the cross carrier, the sin barer, the death conquorer, the grave defeater, the salvation acheiver, the prayer answerer, the proud humbler, the weak strengthen er, the ellect preserver, the triumphant returner, the justice executer, the satan destroyer, the eternal joy giver, That’s Jesus yall.

May we fixate on Jesus. Repent and believe. Respond today.

Let’s pray.