Jesus: Our Eternal Guarantee and Perfect High Priest

In a world full of uncertainty and empty promises, it’s natural to long for a guarantee—especially when it comes to the deepest questions of life, faith, and eternity. The good news is that Jesus offers a guarantee that is better than anything else we could ever hope for. Unlike the fleeting assurances of this world—whether from products, people, or even religious systems—Jesus stands as the unchanging, eternal guarantor of a better covenant. The old system of law and sacrifice, though it had its place, was ultimately weak and unable to bring us into true relationship with God. It could not perfect us or meet our deepest needs. But Jesus, by His death and resurrection, has accomplished what the law never could: He brings us near to God, not by our merit, but by His.

This is not just a theological truth, but a living hope. Jesus is not a temporary solution or a priest who will one day be replaced. He is the High Priest who lives forever, able to save to the uttermost all who draw near to God through Him. His intercession for us is not frantic or uncertain; it is the powerful presence of the risen Christ in heaven, guaranteeing our acceptance before God. No matter how deep our sin or how many our failures, His grace is deeper still. We are not left to wonder if we are good enough or if we can hold on to Him—He holds us, and He will not let go.

Jesus is the perfect High Priest we need: holy, innocent, unstained, and exalted above the heavens. He does not need to offer sacrifices for His own sin, for He is sinless. His one sacrifice is sufficient for all time. Our hope, our assurance, and our future rest not in our own efforts, but in the finished work of Christ. This frees us to live lives of gratitude and service—not to earn God’s favor, but because we have already received it in Christ. As we come to the table, we remember that our salvation is finished, complete, and secure in Him. Let us rest in this better guarantee and let it shape every part of our lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus Alone Is the Guarantor of a Better Covenant The old system of law and sacrifice could never perfect us or bring us into true relationship with God. Only Jesus, by His merit and promise, can guarantee our acceptance before God. Our hope is not in our performance, but in Christ alone, who fulfills every requirement on our behalf. [42:16]
• 2. The Depth and Permanence of Christ’s Salvation Unlike earthly priests who were limited by death and imperfection, Jesus is the eternal High Priest who saves to the uttermost. His salvation reaches the deepest places of our brokenness and extends through every circumstance. We are not left to wonder if we are secure—He holds us forever, and nothing can separate us from His love. [51:17]
• 3. Christ’s Intercession Is His Presence, Not Our Performance Jesus’ ongoing intercession for us is not a frantic effort to keep up with our failures, but the powerful reality of His presence in heaven. Because He is there, we are assured of our place with God. Our confidence is not in our ability to keep ourselves, but in the unchanging presence and advocacy of Christ. [53:28]
• 4. The Gospel Welcomes the Outsider and the Unclean Where the law excluded the unclean and the outsider, Jesus goes to the margins and brings them in. His sacrifice opens the way for all to draw near to God, regardless of background or past failures. The gospel is not about cleaning ourselves up to be accepted, but about being welcomed because of what Christ has done. [44:13]
• 5. Holiness and Good Works Flow from Christ, Not for Merit We are not made holy by our lineage, our church, or our good works, but by the Holy One who gives us His righteousness. Good works are the fruit of faith, not the basis of our acceptance. We serve and love others not to earn God’s favor, but because His love overflows in us, equipping us to do His will.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [30:40] - Mission Team Commissioning & Prayer
• [32:41] - The Problem with Guarantees
• [34:31] - The Search for Assurance
• [35:00] - What Really Matters: Eternal Guarantees
• [36:24] - Jesus: The Better Guarantee
• [37:36] - Is It All Worth It?
• [38:43] - The Weakness of the Law
• [40:22] - Jesus Alone: The Guarantor of a Better Covenant
• [42:16] - The Law’s Limits and the Need for Relationship
• [44:13] - The Gospel Welcomes All
• [45:42] - Jesus’ Priesthood by Promise, Not Lineage
• [46:52] - Jesus Holds Us Forever
• [48:17] - Saved to the Uttermost
• [49:24] - The Impermanence of Earthly Priests
• [51:17] - The Permanence of Christ
• [53:28] - Christ’s Intercession Explained
• [54:45] - The Temptation of “Better Options”
• [55:12] - Jesus: The Perfect High Priest
• [56:18] - The Character of Christ
• [57:47] - The Sufficiency of Christ’s Sacrifice
• [58:51] - Cling to Jesus
• [59:49] - Communion: Remembering the Finished Work
• [60:30] - Confession and Preparation
• [61:09] - Prayer for Renewal
• [75:06] - Faith and Good Works
• [76:05] - Benediction and Sending

Bible Reading

Hebrews 7:18–28 (ESV) —
> 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
> “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,
> ‘You are a priest forever.’”
> 22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
> 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 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.
> 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

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## Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 7:18–19, why was the old commandment (the law) set aside, and what does the new hope allow us to do?
2. What is different about how Jesus became our High Priest compared to the priests under the old system? (see verses 20–22)
3. What does it mean that Jesus “is able to save to the uttermost” those who draw near to God through him? (verse 25)
4. In verses 26–28, what qualities are listed about Jesus as our High Priest, and how do these set him apart from other priests?

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## Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “The law could not and will not produce in you what is needed for salvation for your sin and for this life.” Why do you think the law was described as “weak and useless” in this context? What does that mean for people who try to earn God’s favor by their own efforts? [[40:22]]
2. The pastor mentioned that Jesus’ intercession for us is not frantic or uncertain, but simply his powerful presence in heaven. How does this change the way we think about our relationship with God when we fail or struggle? [[53:28]]
3. The sermon highlights that Jesus’ salvation “reaches the deepest places of our brokenness and extends through every circumstance.” What are some examples of “deep places” or circumstances where you might doubt that Jesus’ salvation is enough? [[51:17]]
4. The message says, “Good works are the fruit of faith, not the basis of our acceptance.” How does this understanding affect the way we approach serving others or living a holy life? [[01:15:06]]

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## Application Questions

1. The world offers all kinds of guarantees—products, people, even religious systems. Where in your life do you find yourself looking for security or assurance outside of Jesus? What would it look like to shift your trust to Christ as your only guarantee? [[36:24]]
2. The old system excluded the “unclean” and the outsider, but Jesus welcomes all. Is there a part of your story or your past that makes you feel like an outsider with God or with others? How does the gospel speak to that? [[44:13]]
3. The sermon says, “We are not left to wonder if we are good enough or if we can hold on to Him—He holds us, and He will not let go.” When have you doubted your security in Christ? What helps you remember that Jesus is holding on to you? [[46:52]]
4. Jesus’ intercession is described as his presence in heaven, not our performance. Are there ways you try to “earn” God’s attention or favor, especially after you mess up? How can you rest in Christ’s finished work instead? [[53:28]]
5. The message challenges us to live lives of gratitude and service—not to earn God’s favor, but because we have already received it. What is one specific way you can serve someone this week out of gratitude for what Jesus has done? [[01:15:06]]
6. The pastor said, “You never held [Jesus] up in the first place.” How does this truth free you from the pressure to “keep” your salvation or prove yourself to God? [[58:51]]
7. As you come to the table (communion), what disappointments, failures, or sins do you need to lay down and trust that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough? How can your group pray for you in this? [[01:00:30]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion: — Thank Jesus for being the perfect High Priest, for holding us fast, and for welcoming us in. Ask for help to rest in his finished work and to live out of gratitude and love this week.