TEXT: Heb8:1-
TIME
& PLACE: 17/02/08 ELBC
SUBJ: CHRIST
THEME: A
SUMMATION OF CHRIST
P/S:
E.C. CAN SEE THE SUMMATION OF CHRIST
T/S: BY UNDERSTANDING 3 SUMMATIONS CONCERNING HIM GIVEN BY THE WRITER SET FORTH IN
THE TEXT.
INTRO: Last week I preached the message entitled “A
Testimony Found in the Scriptures” basically covering what Christ is from
Genesis to Revelation. Well as I was doing some studying this week in Hebrews,
a book that makes Christ the Superior theme of the entirety of the book, I came
across a phrase or statement that the writer of Hebrews makes after the first 7
chapters of the book. We find this statement at the beginning of chapter 8 and
verse 1“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum:” The
writer in Hebrews begins to make a summary if you will of several of the things
he has already discussed.
Hebrews as I have said before is a
tremendous book in regards to teaching us, and those it was written to, the
truths concerning the Types and Shadows of Christ in the Old Testament economy
and His Superiority to them in the New Testament. Hebrews is an excellent book as well to help us to better
understand the excellence that we have in our Great High Priest...Christ. I
want to quickly look at some aspects concerning the book of Hebrews possibly
highlighting the books greatness briefly by way of introduction to get us
headed in the right direction for the thought I want to deal with this morning
revolving around this statement made in Chapter8:1.
First off I would like to say that
Hebrews is a book of Better things. It is much better for us now to have the
fulfillment of what was pictured in the OT. And the real thing is always better
than a shadow.
1.
There
is a Better Person- Christ Ch1-6; He is better
a.
Than
the prophets 1:1-3
b.
Than the Angels 1:4–2:8
c.
Than
Moses 3:1–4:7
d.
Than
Joshua 4:8-16
e.
Than
Aaron 5:1-10
2.
There
is a better Priest – Christ Ch7-10
3.
There
is a better Promise – Ch9-11
4.
There
is a better Place – Heaven Ch12-13
This book is also a book of
Better Not.
1.
Disregard
His Word 2:1-4
2.
Doubt
His Word 3:12, 13; 4:11
3.
Depart
from His Word 6:4-6
4.
Despise
His Word 10:26-29
5.
Disagree
with His Word 12:25
So we see that Hebrews teaches us
that Christ is Superior than the shadow in that He offers us a Superior Person,
a Superior Priesthood, a Superior Promise and a Superior Place than what they
had. Those things were only there to point us towards the fulfillment of Him
when He would fulfill the promises of God. Which brings me back to
Chapter8:1“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum:” I
want to if I can this morning look at 3 summations that the writer draws in
this passage concerning the Preeminence and Excellency of Christ, preaching on
this thought.....THIS IS THE SUM. Paul takes a short break in his exaltation of
the Superiority of Christ to sum it up, if he can, in 3 basic summations.
I.
THE PARTICULARS OF HIS MAJESTY vs1-5
Note: I think many times we as believers forget that
Christ is actually at work and continuing on a ministry that He started from
the foundations of the world. All things are on time and going as He sees fit
in the scope of His Majesty and Sovereignty! We just need to see it and come to
the same summation that Paul has.
A.
THE
STRENGTH OF ITvs1a“who
is set on the right hand”
B.
THE
SEAT OF IT vs1b “of the throne”
C.
THE
SPHERE OF IT vs1c “in
the heavens”
D.
THE
SANCTUARY OF IT vs2
“A minister of the sanctuary”
E.
THE
STIPULATION OF IT vs3-5
1.
In
the Ordination “For
every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices”
2.
In
the Obligation “wherefore
it is of necessity”
3.
In
the Offering “that
this man have somewhat also to offer”
4.
In
the Operation “For
if he were on earth, he should not be a priest”
5.
In
the Object vs5
Appl: Do you see His Office and the Majesty of it. If
not you may not know Him or you may not be as interested in it as you are with
other things.
II.
THE PROMINENCE OF HIS MINISTRY vs5-6a
A.
BY
THE FORM OF IT “See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to
thee in the mount.”
B.
BY
THE FULFILLMENT OF IT “But now hath he obtained a
more excellent ministry,”
C.
BY
THE FAULTLESSNESS OF IT “by how much also he is the
mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better
promises.”
Appl: I reckon as Paul stated as to the Christ, He is
Prominent in His Ministry. Do you feel that He is or are you utilizing
something else to make it in the day we live?
III.
THE PROFITABLENESS OF HIS MEDIATION vs6b-13
Note: As Paul has shown us in the preceding chapters and
then concludes in chapter 8 Christ is much more Profitable in His Ministry than
were those that were His Shadow.
A.
IN ITS SUPERIORITY - To Replace vs7
B.
IN
ITS SUBSTITUTION - To Redeem vs8-11
C.
IN
ITS SPECIFICS - To Reconcile vs12-13
Note:
Jesus Mediation is much more Profitable than you or I can even comprehend. I
think sometimes we forget that Chp 4 and verse 14-16is
in the Bible.... Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Appl: Have
you come to the same summation that Paul the writer has if not today would be a
good day to.
Inv: Hymn 119 “Jesus Paid It All”