Jesus: The Ultimate Apostle and High Priest

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we focused on the theme "Jesus is so much better," as highlighted in Hebrews chapter 3. This passage encourages us to consider Jesus Christ, the apostle and high priest of our faith, and to understand His superiority over Moses, a revered figure in Jewish history. Moses was a faithful servant in God's house, a mediator, and a leader who delivered the Israelites from Egypt. However, Jesus surpasses Moses in every way. He is not just a servant in the house of God; He is the Son over the house, the builder of the house, and indeed, God Himself.

Moses was an apostle and a high priest in a limited sense, but Jesus fulfills these roles perfectly. He was sent by God to the world, not just to Israel, and He serves as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. Unlike Moses, who faltered at times, Jesus was perfectly faithful, completing the work God gave Him without fail. His faithfulness and His divine nature make Him worthy of more glory than Moses.

The passage warns us against the danger of unbelief, using the Israelites' failure to enter the Promised Land as a cautionary tale. Despite witnessing God's miracles, they hardened their hearts and did not trust Him. We are urged to examine our own hearts for unbelief and to respond to Jesus today, as none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. True faith is evidenced by perseverance, and we are called to encourage one another daily to remain steadfast in our faith.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus as the Superior Apostle and High Priest: Jesus was sent by God as the ultimate apostle and high priest, surpassing Moses in His mission and mediation. While Moses was sent to deliver Israel, Jesus was sent to save the world, fulfilling His role perfectly and without sin. [38:30]

- The Faithfulness of Jesus: Unlike Moses, who had moments of failure, Jesus was perfectly faithful to His mission. He completed the work God gave Him, demonstrating His superiority and reliability as our Savior. His faithfulness assures us of His trustworthiness. [51:06]

- The Danger of Unbelief: The Israelites' unbelief serves as a warning to us. Despite witnessing God's miracles, they hardened their hearts. We must guard against unbelief and respond to Jesus today, as tomorrow is not guaranteed. [58:54]

- Evidence of True Faith: True faith is evidenced by perseverance. Those who truly belong to Christ will continue in their faith until the end. This perseverance is not about earning salvation but is a natural outcome of genuine faith. [01:02:54]

- Urgency of Responding to Jesus: The call to respond to Jesus is urgent. Today is the day of salvation, and we must not delay in examining our hearts and encouraging others to trust in Him. Our eternal destiny depends on our response to Jesus. [01:05:06]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Announcements and Prayer
[03:00] - Reflection on Missions Conference
[07:45] - Adopt a Missionary Program
[11:20] - Faith Promise Commitment
[15:00] - Introduction to Hebrews 3
[18:30] - The Greatness of Moses
[25:00] - Jesus: The Superior Apostle
[30:00] - Jesus: The Superior High Priest
[35:00] - Jesus' Faithfulness
[40:00] - The Superiority of Jesus
[45:00] - Warning Against Unbelief
[50:00] - Evidence of True Faith
[55:00] - Urgency of Responding to Jesus
[01:00:00] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 3:1-6
- John 17:3
- 1 Timothy 2:5

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Hebrews 3:1-6, how is Jesus described in relation to Moses, and what roles does He fulfill that Moses also held? [38:30]

2. What does the sermon say about the faithfulness of Jesus compared to Moses, and how does this highlight Jesus' superiority? [51:06]

3. How does the sermon use the example of the Israelites' unbelief to warn us today? What specific event from their history is referenced? [58:54]

4. What does the sermon suggest is the evidence of true faith, and how is this related to perseverance? [01:02:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' role as a high priest is superior to that of Moses, and how does this impact our understanding of His mediation between God and humanity? [38:30]

2. How does the sermon interpret the warning against unbelief in Hebrews 3, and what implications does this have for believers today? [58:54]

3. The sermon emphasizes the urgency of responding to Jesus. What reasons are given for this urgency, and how does this relate to the concept of eternal security? [01:05:06]

4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between perseverance and evidence of true faith, and what does this mean for someone who may be struggling in their faith journey? [01:02:54]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the roles of Jesus as the apostle and high priest. How can you deepen your understanding and appreciation of these roles in your daily life? [38:30]

2. The sermon warns against the danger of unbelief. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with unbelief or doubt? How can you address these areas with faith and trust in Jesus? [58:54]

3. Consider the faithfulness of Jesus compared to Moses. In what ways can you strive to be more faithful in your own walk with God, especially in areas where you may have faltered? [51:06]

4. The sermon calls for an urgent response to Jesus. Is there a decision or step of faith you have been delaying? What can you do today to respond to Jesus' call in your life? [01:05:06]

5. True faith is evidenced by perseverance. How can you cultivate perseverance in your spiritual journey, and who can you encourage in their faith to remain steadfast? [01:02:54]

6. The sermon highlights the importance of examining our hearts for unbelief. What practical steps can you take to regularly examine your heart and ensure it is aligned with God's will? [58:54]

7. Think of someone in your life who may be struggling with faith or unbelief. How can you reach out to them this week to offer encouragement and support in their spiritual journey? [01:05:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, the Ultimate Apostle and High Priest
Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate apostle and high priest, surpassing Moses in His mission and mediation. While Moses was sent to deliver Israel, Jesus was sent to save the entire world, fulfilling His role perfectly and without sin. Jesus' mission was not limited to a single nation but extended to all of humanity, offering salvation and reconciliation with God. His perfect faithfulness and divine nature make Him the superior apostle and high priest, worthy of more glory than Moses. As believers, we are called to recognize and honor Jesus' unique role in our faith journey. [38:30]

Hebrews 7:26-27 (ESV): "For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 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."

Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge Jesus' role as the ultimate apostle and high priest in your daily life, and how does this understanding impact your relationship with Him?


Day 2: The Perfect Faithfulness of Jesus
Unlike Moses, who had moments of failure, Jesus was perfectly faithful to His mission. He completed the work God gave Him, demonstrating His superiority and reliability as our Savior. Jesus' unwavering faithfulness assures us of His trustworthiness and His ability to fulfill God's promises. His life serves as a model of obedience and dedication, encouraging us to trust in His guidance and provision. As we reflect on Jesus' faithfulness, we are reminded of the importance of remaining steadfast in our own faith journey. [51:06]

2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV): "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself."

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you struggle with faithfulness. How can Jesus' perfect faithfulness inspire you to remain committed and trust in God's plan?


Day 3: Guarding Against Unbelief
The Israelites' unbelief serves as a warning to us. Despite witnessing God's miracles, they hardened their hearts and failed to trust Him. This passage urges us to examine our own hearts for unbelief and to respond to Jesus today, as tomorrow is not guaranteed. Unbelief can hinder our spiritual growth and prevent us from experiencing the fullness of God's promises. By guarding against unbelief, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God and a more vibrant faith. [58:54]

Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV): "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

Reflection: Identify a specific area where you struggle with unbelief. What steps can you take today to address this and strengthen your trust in God?


Day 4: Perseverance as Evidence of True Faith
True faith is evidenced by perseverance. Those who truly belong to Christ will continue in their faith until the end. This perseverance is not about earning salvation but is a natural outcome of genuine faith. As believers, we are called to encourage one another daily to remain steadfast in our faith, supporting each other through challenges and trials. Perseverance in faith reflects our commitment to Christ and our trust in His promises, leading us to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Him. [01:02:54]

James 1:12 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial or challenge you faced. How did your faith help you persevere, and what can you learn from this experience to strengthen your faith in the future?


Day 5: The Urgency of Responding to Jesus
The call to respond to Jesus is urgent. Today is the day of salvation, and we must not delay in examining our hearts and encouraging others to trust in Him. Our eternal destiny depends on our response to Jesus, and we are reminded of the importance of making a decision to follow Him without hesitation. By responding to Jesus today, we embrace the opportunity to experience His love, grace, and salvation, impacting our lives and the lives of those around us. [01:05:06]

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV): "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have been delaying your response to Jesus? What steps can you take today to fully commit to Him and encourage others to do the same?

Quotes



"During the time of Jesus, Moses held a position of unparalleled reverence within the Jewish society. He was not merely a prophet. He was the prophet, not the prophet as the Messiah was to come, but he was the important prophet that was there. He was the one that received the Torah, the law directly from God himself on Mount Sinai. This made Moses the cornerstone of Jewish identity, the architect of their covenant with God. His life as recounted in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, was a testament to divine intervention as he led the Israelites out of the Egyptian bondage, parting the Red Sea, received the Ten Commandments." [00:33:29] (44 seconds)


"Moses was venerated by the Jewish people because of his position as a mediator between God and man, just like the high priest was. And there's a reality. In one sense, Moses acted as a high priest to the Israelites. In another sense, he was not the high priest in Israel. That pertained to his brother Aaron who took on that role. And although Moses is designated as a priest only once in the Old Testament when it says that Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Moses had a Levitical background that was needed for the high priest. He had a ministry of the word of God." [00:36:07] (36 seconds)


"Moses faithfully took the children of Israel out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he believed the promise of God for deliverance and faithfully led his people through parted waters. He was faithful in the wilderness. Several times he faltered as he had long before in Egypt when he slew the Egyptian. For example, one time he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God had commanded to him. But Moses, for the most part, was faithful to God in his role as a servant and his faithfulness. And it's this faithfulness that the Holy Spirit is emphasizing here." [00:40:09] (36 seconds)


"Jesus was similar to Moses in the roles that he fulfilled. Like Moses, he said in verse number one, consider the apostle Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ was sent by God, the father. It tells us in John chapter number 17, verse three, and this is eternal life that they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. It says in John 20, Jesus said to them again, peace be unto you as my father has sent me, even so send I you. Jesus, like Moses, was sent into the world by the father, by God." [00:43:05] (36 seconds)


"Jesus was a mediator between God and man. As it says in 1 Timothy, for there's one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Aren't you glad for that? You don't have to go through any other man. You don't have to go through any other person. There is one person that stands between you and the father and that's Jesus Christ. You go through him, you have direct access to the father. There's one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. But not only was he a mediator, he was also the sacrifice as John the Baptist would look at Jesus Christ and he would signal to him, he is the lamb of God that has come to take away the sin of the world." [00:45:14] (41 seconds)


"In summary, we are to listen, we are to obey, and we are to believe. Look with me in verse number seven. It says, wherefore, as the Holy Ghost says, today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts as in the day of provocation, in the day of temptation, in the wilderness. He says in verse 12, take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief and departing from the living God. The author uses the example of the Israelites that Moses had led as a warning to us today of how we are to live." [00:47:31] (36 seconds)


"And now using this response of the Israelites and how they were unbelieving under the leadership of Moses, the author now encourages us in verse 12, Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief and departing from the living God. We need to be very careful with how we respond to Jesus Christ. We need to be on guard against a heart of unbelief creeping into our hearts. We can become hardened to the truth of the gospel. As it says in the latter part of verse number 13, Hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." [00:51:06] (42 seconds)


"Continuance is a proof of reality. We can tell that we're really a part of the house of God because we stay there. We can tell that we're really a partaker of Jesus because we continue with him unto the end. The one who falls away never belonged with him in the first place. And this is a very important verse. 1 John chapter number 2, verse 19. 1 John chapter 3, verse 19. with us, but they went out that they might be manifest that they were not all of us. John is stating, look, if they left us, if they left the faith, that indicated they were never really in the faith." [00:55:24] (43 seconds)

"Following Jesus Christ is a very serious thing. Listen up today. Do you sense the urgency from God? None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. We need to respond to Jesus today. We need to examine our hearts and our lives today. We need to see if there's an evil heart of unbelief creeping in today. Don't wait till tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day we need to hear his voice. Today is the day we need to respond to God if we've never put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ." [00:57:46] (30 seconds)


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Transcript
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