Let us imagine a conversation between a Hindu or a Muslim and a Christian. The Hindu/Muslim listens intently as the Christian briefly summarizes the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. At the conclusion of the message four basic questions might quickly come to his mind:
Question 1: Why did Jesus have to be born?
Answer: John 1:18: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” He was born to declare God.
Question 2: Why did Jesus have to die?
Answer: Galatians 1:4 “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” He died to deliver us from our sins!
Question 3: Why did Jesus have to be resurrected?
Answer: First Corinthians 15:14 “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty,” He was resurrected to assure us that God is pleased with His sacrifice; to assure us of our salvation!
Question 4: Why did Jesus have to ascend into heaven?
Answer: The Epistle to the Hebrews!
The Epistle to the Hebrews presents the only full discussion in the New Testament of Christ as the believer’s High Priest. It answers the question, “Whatever happened to Jesus after His resurrection?” He is sitting at the right hand of God as our great High Priest pleading our cause. The Epistle to the Hebrews has been called the fifth Gospel. The first four describe what Christ once did on earth while Hebrews describes what He is now doing in Heaven.
This sermon series focuses on the glorious four verses in Hebrews 7: 25 -28
Christ Our Great and Perfect High Priest, Part 1
Hebrews 7: 25"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
This sermon looks at the ability of this our great and Perfect High Priest to be a mediator and the necessity of this ministry for the believer.
Christ Our Great and Perfect High Priest, Part 2
Hebrews 7: 26"For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;..."
If ever we are to obtain access to the thrice Holy One, not only is a high priest necessary, but there must be one possessed of certain qualifications of excellencies. Jesus is the only one that meets these qualifications.
Christ Our Great and Perfect High Priest, Part 3
Hebrews 7: 27 -28"...who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever."
Only the Son could be the High Priest, and He became the High Priest. Through His incarnation, through all the experiences of His life of sorrow and of faith, through His death on the Cross, through His resurrection and ascension, Jesus is perfected forever more.
Christ our Great High Priest – what a name and what an Office!
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