And I believe I'll go ahead and
get started, so if you would, turn with me to Hebrews 3. Hebrews
3. Hebrews 3, and I'm going to read the first
six verses. And I'm just going to reaffirm
what Joe was preaching. Hebrews 3 and verses 1 through
6. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers
of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high priest of
our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to him that
appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch
as he who hath built the house hath more honor than the house.
For every house is built by some man, but he that built all things
is God. And Moses verily was faithful
in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things
which were to be spoken after. But Christ, as a son over his
own house, whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence
and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. This first verse starts out talking
to brethren. But not just brethren, it is
talking to those who have been made pure. This is how they have
been made pure. Partakers, that is sharers in
the calling from above. It is a calling and this calling
comes from above. It does not come from us and
go to the heavenlies. This is a calling that comes
from above down to us. And that calling invites us to
be partakers of it in a way that we cannot resist. There is a
reason, there is a cause for this because we have a wherefore
beginning this verse. And we have to go back three
verses, so just turn back to Hebrews 2. And I'm gonna read
verses 16 through 18. For verily he took not on him
the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved
him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and a faithful high priest in things pertaining to
God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in
that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to
succor them that are tempted. Jesus Christ was specific to
what nature he would take on. It was not angels. It was the
seed of Abraham. It behooved him, it says. It
was what he thought was best, that he should be made like unto
his brethren. This is before they were called
with that heavenly calling. Yet it says here, it behooved
him to be made like unto his brethren. He already had us in
His mind when He came down and was made of a woman, made under
the law. This He did, it says here, that
He might be a merciful and a faithful high priest. He wanted to know
about His brethren. He wanted to know what they felt. And in becoming this by His wise
decision, He is able to succor them, it says. That is, he is
able to aid or relieve his people who are tempted. He knows in
the heavenly calling just how to call them in such a way that
they will not and cannot resist. It is a heavenly calling to his
brethren. If you would turn with me to
Ephesians 1 for a minute, Ephesians 1. those people that he's talking
about here. Ephesians 1 verses 3 through 6. Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he hath
chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should
be holy and without blame before him in love. having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according
to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of
His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved." Jesus Christ was specific to
what nature He would take on. Going back in my notes, let me
get back down where I'm supposed to be here, Ephesians 1, 3, 6.
So it is a specific group that God, the three in one, purposed
to bring to himself in Christ, the apostle and great high priest. Because it is according as he
hath chosen us in him, and that's in Jesus Christ. In this choosing
based on Jesus Christ, we will be made holy and without blame
before Him. And before Him who? Before God
in love. All to His praise because He
did it all. Had He not chosen us, we would
not have been called. So back to verse 1 of chapter
3 in Hebrews. We are told to consider something,
the apostle and high priest, Jesus Christ. The apostle, that
means a delegate, but more specifically an ambassador of the gospel.
He who is the gospel is an ambassador of the gospel. He is also named
here high priest. He is the chiefest of ten thousands,
the great high priest. He is that one who knows exactly
what pleases God, because He is God. He is truly able to call
us with a heavenly calling, so let's consider then the apostle
and great high priest. It says here of our profession. What we're going to go through
here is that one which we acknowledge our profession. That is what
it means by the word profession. It does not say consider your
profession of the apostle and great high priest. No, this is
talking about a specific one and not just what we might think
of him. If the one you are professing
is not this one that is described here, then you are not professing
the apostle and great high priest. We are going to be told some
things here about this apostle and high priest, because the
apostle writing this epistle by God's Holy Spirit is instructing
us to consider this one specifically. It is he that was pleased to
be made like unto his brethren, so that he might succor them
that are his. This one which we profess, which
is the apostle and great high priest, And the main point today
is only one point I have, but it has several sub points. But
he is faithful, that's my point. He is faithful to him that appointed
him. He is counted worthy of more
glory than Moses. And all things are built by God,
and Jesus Christ is God, and a son over his whole house. So
he is faithful to him that appointed him. Hebrews 12, 2 we read, looking
unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. I know
we quote, I quote this verse a lot anyway. But if we look
at this verse as it pertains to Hebrews 3, what do we see?
We are told to observe fully. Consider Jesus Christ and the
context is the faith of Jesus Christ because it is He who is
faithful. When we read that verse there
in Hebrews 12, it says, Jesus Christ is the author. This word
author is derived from a word that means corner. It is derived
from another word which means to lead. which gives us this
word, which means chief leader. It is He that leads because He
is the chief cornerstone and He starts the building. If your
building does not start with Jesus Christ and His faith, then
your building is built on sand. Your building is sure to fall.
But if your building is built upon this rock, this cornerstone,
then no matter what comes, it will withstand whatever comes
at it. Because the builder is not you. The builder is Jesus
Christ because he is the chief leader in it all. But it also
says finisher. The word finisher there is derived
from a word that means to complete. It can mean to perfect, which
also applies here. So the word finisher here means
the completer, the finisher. The faith of Jesus Christ is
perfect. That verse explains what faith
is all about. The faith of Jesus Christ was
toward a certain purpose. Who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God. The joy was not
the cross because it is the cross he endured is what it says here.
The joy was the people he would have for his name and the glory
he would receive. Jesus Christ knew what he was
going to have to go through and he was faithful to endure the
cross. All the while he did, he despised
the shame. He was not up on the cross smiling
as things transpired. But there was a joy set before
him, it says, and for that he was pleased to endure the cross
for some men who are holy brethren and made so by him. He did this
on their behalf that he might get all the glory. He is, not
will be, but he is set down at the right hand of the throne
of God. We know what the right hand signifies. The right hand
is a symbol of power and authority. Him being at the right hand of
God, he has all power and authority given to him because he earned
it. You and I could not earn anything.
We have in fact have nothing but demerit. So we need such
a one who was able to endure the cross and despise the shame
who could bring us to God by holy calling through the faith
of this one who died on that tree, but not only died, but
has sat down at the right hand of God on high. He now has all
power and authority. And I only say it this way because
of that priority of position, if you will. This was given him
by God the Father. God that has always had power
and authority has given Jesus Christ all power and authority
because of his faithfulness. Jesus Christ is God, and I just
really like saying that. You remember Pharaoh and Joseph?
Joseph had the same authority as Pharaoh. Only Pharaoh himself
could change that. We know he did not. In fact,
we see Joseph as the mouthpiece for Pharaoh. Jesus Christ is
the mouthpiece of God, if you will. If we are to see or hear
of the Father, it will be through Jesus Christ or we will not hear
God at all. He was made like unto us that
He might succor us to Himself. So what else do we have? He was
counted worthy of more glory than Moses. I just like how it
says it here, it says, for this man. Knowing what we read in
the previous chapter, it just kind of hits home with me, this
man. This our Lord was made a man, made under the law that he might
redeem them that are under the law. This man was counted, that
is he was, to deem entitled is what the word means, to deem
entitled. Jesus Christ is entitled to more
glory than Moses. Moses had glory. I see the law
of God picture here when I read this. Moses did not build himself. He was also built by the builder,
who is God, who is Jesus Christ. Moses spoke of Christ. John 5,
45, and 46, we read, do not think I will accuse you to the Father.
There is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom you trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye
would have believed me, for he wrote of me. What does this mean? Remember, this book is written
to believers. No unbeliever will ever believe
what is written in this book. They will have to be made a believer
to ever believe what God has given in his word. But Moses
spoke of Jesus Christ, it says. He did this in speaking of the
rock or directing people to the rock, but he also did this when
he pointed out by the law of God, which he brought, the scripture
says, that could not be kept by us and in fact is broken by
us all the time. He spoke of Christ in the law
knowing that sacrifice would be needed to atone for sin. We know this is true from verse
5 of our text. And Moses verily was faithful
in all his house as a servant for a testimony of those things
which were to be spoken of after. He gave witness to Christ. This
is glorious to know. But when the one to whom it was
spoken of is come, there's no longer a need to speak of what
points to the thing. Just speak of the thing which
has the more glory. I do not mean here that we should
not read the Old Testament or preach from the Old Testament.
Jesus Christ is counted worthy of more glory because of what
he has done and who he is. The spotless lamb of God who
gave himself for his people. Why should we glory in any other? He does it all. So what next? All things are built by God and
Jesus Christ is God. Turn with me to Hebrews 11 just
a little bit over. Hebrews 11. Hebrews 11 verses 8 through 10. Hebrews
11, 8 through 10. By faith Abraham, when he was
called to go out into a place which he should after receive
foreign inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing
whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the
land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles
with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder
and maker is God. Here we read of Abraham. Abraham
did some things, but there is a word here that we read in that
passage that is an enabler, if you will, and that might not
be a real good word, but it's an enabler, faith. We have already read that Jesus
Christ is the author and finisher of faith. So what kind of faith
is it that Abraham had? Well, it's the very same faith.
We have two passages that are very familiar that I want to
point out. Joe's already mentioned one, but Ephesians 2.8. For by
grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it
is the gift of God. If you have faith, the kind of
faith that Abraham had, it will be the faith that God gives because
it is the gift of God and it is done by His grace or favor
to them whom He chose in the Son, who was faithful to perfection,
the Son was. But the other passage I want
to give to show it is the very faith of Christ and this is given
to his people is Romans 3.22, read it several times. Even the
righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference. The
righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ
gives in measure to every man that is every man chosen in himself. He gives a measure of faith that
he is pleased to give them. By this giving of faith, they
will be enabled to perform that which God requires of them. And
this faith is accounted to them for righteousness. Because the
faith of Christ is the righteousness of God and it is without the
law. for Christ is worthy of more
glory than Moses. It is God who builds the house
and the foundation of this house is Jesus Christ and his faith. The house being built of God
is kept by God and considers God always. It is the son who
has built the house for he is the cornerstone. So it is his
house, so we have next a son over his house. Jesus Christ
is the builder of the house. He is the son over the house. Jesus Christ is God and God is
the sovereign over all. And I mean to say here, He is
sovereign over all those who believe and all those who do
not believe. But here it is a more personal
thing. Not to those who do not believe.
We've already read that it behooved Him to be made like unto His
brethren. so that he might succor them
that are his. He will bring you to that place
where you will delight to see him in the scripture. You will
delight to hear him in the scripture. Hearing what he has done will
comfort your soul. You will hear and see this because
he will be right there with you. And if you would, turn with me
to Colossians 1. Colossians 1. Verses 25-27. Whereof I am made a minister
according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for
you, to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which hath been
hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his
saints. to whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles,
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." There's something here that previously
in times past was not made known. But we are privileged to know
these things now. What is it that we are told right
there in Colossians 1? Christ in you. the hope of glory. He is the
son over his house. Now, some might say this is the
church, and it certainly includes those who are a part of his church,
but I believe this is more personal. Remember, it talks about him
being made like unto his brethren, that he may succor or help them
that are tempted. Notice here also this says, whose
house we are if. This is not an if of it might
be or it might not be. It is giving a description of
those whom he suckers and comes in to abide with them. They will
hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm
to the end. They will be enabled by God to
continually consider the apostle and high priest of their profession.
It will be the one they profess, as it is He who is my hope. His
people have confidence and rejoicing in that, and this will be the
end by His grace. And I just like the thought of
Christ in you, the hope of glory. At the same times, it brings
that reverential fear, knowing He is always with me and He is
sovereign over all things. So what do we conclude from all
of this? We are told in the first verse
of our text to consider the apostle and high priest of our profession.
Jesus Christ is much more than just the apostle and high priest.
Jesus Christ is said to be all and in all them that believe.
How could we ever consider all that he is? It will take us an
eternity to know all that he is. We are told here two things
to consider. He is the apostle. That is, he
is the one that is the ambassador of the gospel. He brings the
gospel to our ears. Ears that he has given, eyes
that he has given, and to a heart that he has given. It is he who
brings to us what he has done. we begin to see his faithfulness. But he is also the high priest. He is the one who has actually
done it. He is worthy than more glory than Moses because Moses
pointed to him. He offered that which was needed
to atone for his people's sin. He builds his people up by giving
them faith. that they might believe Him,
and in believing Him by this faith, they do some things. What
do they do? They believe God. They love God,
and they love the brethren. What do you do when you believe
someone or you love someone? It's been said here before, you
can't really spell out the specifics. The one and only thing I can
think of is to say is how it's been said before. If you believe
someone and if you love someone, you spend time with them. You
spend money on them. You help them. They are your
life. And I cannot show you what it
looks like exactly because I have this old man with me and it likes
to look at itself all too often. So I cannot point. I cannot point
you to what I do. All I can do is point you to
what He did. But may He enable us by faith given to us to consider the Apostle
and High Priest of our profession, that it is He who is worthy of
all honor and glory, and may it continually be so with us. Amen. Dear Lord God, thank you
for allowing us to be here today. Dear Lord, we know not what to
pray for as we are, dear Lord. Help us, dear Lord. Cause our
minds to be fixed on you, dear Lord, and all these things we
ask in your name. Amen.