Confidence in Christ: Our Great High Priest

 

Summary

In the epistle to the Hebrews, we are reminded of the profound truth that Jesus Christ is our great high priest, who has passed through the heavens and is seated at the right hand of God. This truth is the cornerstone of our faith and the source of our comfort and strength. The early Hebrew Christians faced persecution and doubt, questioning whether they had made a mistake in leaving their old religion for the new faith in Christ. They were disheartened by the delay in Christ's return and the hardships they faced. In response, the writer of Hebrews emphasizes the preeminence of Christ and the necessity of holding fast to the confession of faith.

The message is clear: hold fast to the profession of faith and come boldly to the throne of grace. These two actions are inseparable and essential for a vibrant Christian life. Orthodoxy alone is not enough; it must be coupled with a bold approach to God in prayer. The Christian faith is not a vague feeling or an emotional experience but a well-defined doctrine centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is through understanding and holding fast to this doctrine that we find assurance and strength in our Christian walk.

The writer of Hebrews urges us to remember that Jesus, our high priest, is both God and man. He understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us. This knowledge should embolden us to approach God's throne with confidence, knowing that we will receive mercy and grace in our time of need. The resurrection of Christ is a testament to God's satisfaction with the sacrifice of His Son, assuring us of our salvation and God's readiness to forgive and sustain us.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian faith is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, our great high priest. Understanding and holding fast to this doctrine is essential for a vibrant and assured Christian life. [03:24]

- Orthodoxy and prayer must go hand in hand. A church that is orthodox but does not pray is lifeless, and a church that only prays without understanding its doctrine is prone to error. [15:10]

- Jesus, our high priest, understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us. This knowledge should give us confidence to approach God's throne boldly, knowing we will receive mercy and grace. [45:17]

- The resurrection of Christ is a testament to God's satisfaction with the sacrifice of His Son, assuring us of our salvation and God's readiness to forgive and sustain us. [36:10]

- The Christian faith is not a vague feeling or emotional experience but a well-defined doctrine. It is through understanding and holding fast to this doctrine that we find assurance and strength in our Christian walk. [23:55]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Hebrews
[03:24] - The Great High Priest
[05:24] - The Struggles of Early Christians
[07:08] - The Preeminence of Christ
[09:42] - The Prescription: Hold Fast and Come Boldly
[12:16] - The Balance of Orthodoxy and Prayer
[15:10] - The Importance of Doctrine
[18:16] - Defining the Christian Faith
[23:55] - The Necessity of a Defined Faith
[29:20] - The Person of Christ
[36:10] - The Resurrection and Assurance
[41:00] - The Work of Christ as High Priest
[45:17] - Confidence in Prayer
[52:32] - The Throne of Grace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 4:14-16

Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean that Jesus is our "great high priest" who has "passed through the heavens"? How does this role differ from the earthly high priests mentioned in the sermon? [03:24]
2. According to the sermon, why were the early Hebrew Christians feeling discouraged and uncertain about their faith? [05:56]
3. What are the two actions the writer of Hebrews prescribes for a vibrant Christian life, and why are they inseparable? [11:10]
4. How does the resurrection of Christ serve as a testament to God's satisfaction with the sacrifice of His Son? [36:10]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding Jesus as both God and man provide comfort and confidence in approaching God's throne? [45:17]
2. Why is it important for orthodoxy and prayer to go hand in hand, according to the sermon? What might happen if one is emphasized over the other? [15:10]
3. In what ways does the resurrection assure believers of their salvation and God's readiness to forgive? [36:10]
4. How does the sermon suggest that a well-defined doctrine can prevent believers from falling into doubt or error? [23:55]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of Jesus as your high priest. How does this understanding impact your daily life and prayer habits? [03:24]
2. Have you ever felt discouraged in your faith like the early Hebrew Christians? What steps can you take to hold fast to your profession of faith during such times? [05:56]
3. Consider your church community. How can you contribute to ensuring that both orthodoxy and prayer are balanced and emphasized? [15:10]
4. When approaching God in prayer, do you feel confident and assured? If not, what aspects of your understanding of Jesus might need strengthening? [45:17]
5. Think about a time when you relied on feelings rather than doctrine in your faith journey. How can you ensure that your faith is grounded in a well-defined doctrine moving forward? [23:55]
6. How does the resurrection of Christ influence your view of salvation and forgiveness? Are there areas in your life where you need to embrace this assurance more fully? [36:10]
7. Identify one specific way you can deepen your understanding of the doctrine of Christ this week. How might this impact your confidence in your faith? [23:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Christ as Our Great High Priest
Understanding Jesus as our great high priest is central to the Christian faith. He has passed through the heavens and is seated at the right hand of God, signifying His authority and divinity. This truth was especially comforting to early Hebrew Christians who faced persecution and doubt. They needed reassurance that their faith in Christ was not misplaced. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus is preeminent and that holding fast to this confession of faith is crucial. This understanding provides believers with comfort and strength, knowing that Jesus intercedes for us and understands our weaknesses. [03:24]

Hebrews 4:14-16 (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. 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. 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."

Reflection: In what ways can you hold fast to your confession of faith in Jesus today, especially in moments of doubt or difficulty?


Day 2: The Balance of Orthodoxy and Prayer
Orthodoxy and prayer are inseparable in a vibrant Christian life. A church that is orthodox but does not pray is lifeless, while a church that only prays without understanding its doctrine is prone to error. The Christian faith is not merely an emotional experience but a well-defined doctrine centered on Jesus Christ. Understanding and holding fast to this doctrine is essential for assurance and strength in our Christian walk. Prayer, coupled with sound doctrine, enables believers to approach God with confidence, knowing they will receive mercy and grace. [15:10]

Colossians 4:2-4 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak."

Reflection: How can you integrate both sound doctrine and prayer into your daily routine to ensure a balanced and vibrant spiritual life?


Day 3: Confidence in Christ's Intercession
Jesus, our high priest, understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us. This knowledge should give us confidence to approach God's throne boldly, knowing we will receive mercy and grace. The resurrection of Christ is a testament to God's satisfaction with the sacrifice of His Son, assuring us of our salvation and God's readiness to forgive and sustain us. This assurance empowers believers to live confidently, knowing that Jesus is advocating on their behalf. [45:17]

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."

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to bring before God's throne today, trusting in Jesus' intercession for you?


Day 4: Assurance in the Resurrection
The resurrection of Christ is a testament to God's satisfaction with the sacrifice of His Son, assuring us of our salvation and God's readiness to forgive and sustain us. This assurance is foundational to the Christian faith, providing believers with the confidence that their sins are forgiven and that they are reconciled to God. The resurrection is not just a historical event but a present reality that empowers believers to live with hope and assurance in their daily lives. [36:10]

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection: How does the reality of Christ's resurrection impact your daily life and the way you view your future?


Day 5: The Necessity of a Defined Faith
The Christian faith is not a vague feeling or emotional experience but a well-defined doctrine. It is through understanding and holding fast to this doctrine that believers find assurance and strength in their Christian walk. A defined faith provides clarity and direction, enabling believers to navigate the complexities of life with confidence. This understanding is crucial for maintaining a vibrant and assured Christian life, as it grounds believers in the truth of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. [23:55]

2 Timothy 1:13-14 (ESV): "Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your understanding of the core doctrines of your faith, and how can this understanding strengthen your walk with Christ?

Quotes



Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [00:03:24]

Let Us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need. For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. [00:45:32]

Orthodoxy alone is not enough. You can be absolutely Orthodox but at the same time absolutely useless. There are Christian people known to me and Christian churches whose Orthodoxy cannot be questioned or queried at any point, but they're lifeless, they're dead. You never hear of any conversions amongst them. [00:13:06]

A church that is orthodox but which doesn't pray is a failure. A church which only prays and doesn't know her Doctrine will soon make shipwreck and end in disaster. The two things are indissolubly linked and must always be taken together. [00:15:10]

The resurrection is absolutely essential. If Christ be not risen from the dead, says the great Apostle, your faith is in vain, our preaching is in vain, you are yet in your sins. But people say what's it matter whether you believe the resurrection or not? [00:36:10]

Hold fast the profession and then and then only come boldly unto the throne of grace. Now I want to show you the importance of taking them in this right and scriptural and only true order. I do so now then by proceeding to look at them with you separately. [00:16:05]

The Christian faith is not something that can be stated in propositions. You can't say this is right and that is wrong. He says that's a complete misunderstanding of the entire Christian faith. He says the Christian faith is something like this. [00:23:55]

The Christian faith is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, our great high priest. Understanding and holding fast to this doctrine is essential for a vibrant and assured Christian life. [00:03:24]

Jesus, our high priest, understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us. This knowledge should give us confidence to approach God's throne boldly, knowing we will receive mercy and grace. [00:45:17]

The resurrection of Christ is a testament to God's satisfaction with the sacrifice of His Son, assuring us of our salvation and God's readiness to forgive and sustain us. [00:36:10]

The Christian faith is not a vague feeling or emotional experience but a well-defined doctrine. It is through understanding and holding fast to this doctrine that we find assurance and strength in our Christian walk. [00:23:55]

Hold fast the profession, come boldly unto the throne of grace. That's his prescription, and it is the prescription for the Christian church tonight and never perhaps as she needed it more than at this present time. [00:15:10]

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Transcript
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