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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 2

The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all.

Today we are continuing our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”.

Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus.

But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him.

One of the “Jesus is better” themes we find in the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is a better high priest. As we will see this morning, this was a game changing statement for the original audience, and for us, even if you didn’t even know you had a Great high priest.

Hebrews 4:14

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

The news of having a high priest might feel strange today because we don’t typically relate associate our faith and relationship with Jesus in priestly language.

But, listen, for the people who first read the letter to the Hebrews, this was a much bigger deal than you could imagine.

A priest in the Old Testament times was the person selected to bring offerings and sacrifices before the Lord. The priest was your spiritual quarterback…or clean-up hitter, or poll sitter…use your own analogy.

In those times, you didn’t just waltz into the presence of the Lord in the temple- that would get you killed. You did NOT get to God without the priest. Period.

There was only one person, the High Priest, who could do that. His job was to bring offerings and sacrifices on behalf of the people while they stayed outside. There was always a barrier between the people and God. So there had to be a go-between. That was a priest.

But now, Jesus is our “go between”, our agent, our representative, before the Father.

Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Why is having Jesus as our great high priest good news?

Because Jesus knows what you’re going through, he knows what it’s like to face temptation, suffering, and the trials of life. In fact, what we endure on this earth may be hard, but it’s really nothing compared to what He suffered on our behalf.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

You have a great high priest. He understands the temptations and trials of life. And he’s here to help.

With Jesus as your great high priest, you can come into the presence of God with confidence that we can receive the mercy and grace that we need for this life.

No religious ceremony, no burnt incense, only by the blood of Christ. Not only can we do this, in fact, we must.

Hebrews 5:1-10

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus didn’t win a contest or have a popular vote to become the Great High Priest, he did not take that role upon himself. He was appointed or given that position by God the Father.

Just because Jesus was the Son of God, that did not exempt him from necessity of obedience. Being the son didn’t exempt him from suffering, suffering even to the point of death. But he did it; our great High Priest earned that that title.

Jesus had to say no to his desire to live, his desire to side step what was ahead- he had to choose obedience, choose the way of the Father.

That’s the essence of this passage. Jesus took the Master Class of obedience and completed the course perfectly and now he offers eternal salvation to those who obey him.

He is The Great High Priest.

No matter where you find yourself today, the message of Hebrews is loud and clear. Chris is above all.

Above any challenge, above any temptation, or any suffering. He is above all. And as your great high priest, he is here to help. To lead you to the throne of grace and mercy.

Jesus has been there and now, he’s here to help you. Will you trust him?

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https://www.bible.com/events/49259423

Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg

Power of Prayer Part 3

Psalms 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Isn’t it strange that we can sometimes be wrong…about OURSELVES?

We sometimes don’t know ourselves as much as we think we do.

1. Sin Clouds Our Vision

Psalms 119:18

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

When we ask for God to uncover our sin, the Holy Spirit reveals the things of our life that break our Father’s Heart

1 John 1:8

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Yada- The Hebrew word for “know” to have an intimate knowing relationship.

This is so important because, apart from it, we can’t experience real Holiness- which is, ultimately, what God wants for us.

2. When God Saturates, Holiness Radiates.

Salvation and Holiness illustration

Chocolate Milk

Our Life- Glass of regular white milk in a glass

Salvation- Chocolate syrup poured into the milk sitting at the bottom of the glass. The presence of the chocolate alters the taste of the milk a little, but one wouldn’t say, “It’s chocolate milk”

Holiness- When the Chocolate is stirred and overwhelms the white milk. You no longer see the “regular milk,” instead it’s now a new creation. It has a whole new taste.

When we ask God to search, test and uncover our sin, we are asking God to stir our hearts and make us Holy.

David desired the presence of God and in this prayer, he sought to eradicate anything in his own life that might destroy that life-giving relationship.

3. Hidden Sin doesn’t Exist

There is no such thing as Hidden sin, so why keep it from the one who already knows.

Asking God to examine our own heart allows us to pursue God’s will.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Bottom Line:

Seeking insight from the divine within reveals the masterpiece where His will begins

The more we allow God to chisel away our sin, the more we will be formed into His image, His original masterpiece.

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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Power of Prayer Part 3

Search me, test me, uncover my sin, and lead me.

Today we are continuing in our teaching series called “The power of prayer” based on Psalm 139.

Prayer like we find here in Psalm 139 is very vulnerable. It’s a complete opening of ourselves to the Lord.

In Psalm 139 David is inviting the Lord behind the curtain, behind what even David himself knows, to search him, to test him, to uncover hidden sin, and to lead him. As David sought the Lord in these areas, we want to do that as well.

Throughout this series we are exploring and praying these four petitions: Search me, test me, uncover my sins, and lead me.

Today we continue with “See if there is any offensive way in me”

Psalms 139:23-24

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

David is inviting the Lord to come in close and have a look at his life.

The word for “see” here is pretty much like it sounds.

To have a look, to perceive, to look closely. To become aware or to realize.

David knows he cannot see his own sin completely, but that the Lord sees perfectly.

We already know the Lord sees and knows everything about us, we learn that in the beginning of this psalm. The point of this prayer is so that David will become aware, that he will have the same perspective as the Lord about things in his life. Even things he doesn’t know about yet…

What David is asking to see are the “offensive ways” that are in his heart.

Some translations say “wicked way” or “Grievous way.” The NASB says “See if there be any hurtful way in me.”

The central idea is that anything at all that might be in David’s heart that is separating him from God, is hurtful to him in their relationship, is offensive to him and his holiness- David wants to know about it.

He cared deeply about Holiness of heart and life, and David had learned the hard way that hidden sin, could cost him big time.

During much of David’s life he was wildly successful in whatever he did. David was chosen by God to be king of Israel, to lead his people in the way of the Lord, to defend the nation, to see them flourish, and that he did with excellence.

2 Samuel 5:12-13 “12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.”

At what seemed like pinnacle of his success, what was once a hidden desire below the surface emerged and began to drive the decisions and actions of his life.

The man after God’s own heart has become an adulterer, a murderer. He has broken God’s law, and his heart. Sin that was once well below the surface has emerged to consume David’s life.

Imagine how David’s story might have been different if he had prayed Psalm 139-see if there is any offensive way in me…

He could have spared himself a lot of heart ache if he had only stopped to pray: Lord, see if there’s anything in me, that’s offensive to you, anything upsetting to you. No matter how small of a deal I might think it is, I want to surrender that to you.

While David’s life could have been different, the good news for you and for me is that your life CAN be different.

David learned the danger of hidden sin the hard way, but we have the opportunity to learn from him, and to pray for ourselves: Lord, will you come in and have a close look, show me anything in my life that is upsetting to you, that is hurtful, that is sinful. Come and see, show me Lord, and lead me in the life everlasting.

How about you today? Will you invite the Lord to uncover sin in your life?

You might be wondering: What do I do when he shows me something?

That’s a really important question, because you can be assured that if you pray this with sincerity, that he will show you things in your life. So, what do we do?

1 John 1:8-9 “8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

If we think that it’s not possible for us to be holding sinful desires in our hearts, we are kidding ourselves. But if we will confess our sin, if when the Lord reveals something to us that is offensive to him- rather than brushing it off, rather than saying “it’s just the way I am”, or “I can’t help that”. If we will agree with him in what he finds, if we will confess that he is right, it has no place in our lives- he will forgive us.

And not only will he forgive, but he will also bring healing and purity in our hearts.

Praying and asking the Lord to reveal sin in our lives can be painful, can be frustrating, but it’s the only way we can ever find forgiveness and healing.

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

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In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It’s a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us!

https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch