The Compass. Leading Families Toward Spiritual Maturity. High Priests and Our High Priest. Hebrews 7:23-28

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1 The Compass First Family Church VOLUME 2 ISSUE 19 JANUARY 25, 2015 FOR THE WEEK LEADING INTO FEBRUARY 1 Leading Families Toward Spiritual Maturity High Priests and Our High Priest Hebrews 7:23-28 This week s R2R distinctive Prayer (Psalm 66:16-20): I pray to God to know Him, to lay my request before Him and to find direction for my daily life. Recently, I was reading an article on the Islamic State, the fighting force now occupying parts of Syria and Iraq better known as ISIS. The commentator was noting the great contrast between the Islamic fighters and their Western enemies. The Muslims think in terms of hundreds of years, he noted, while Westerners grow impatient if their objectives are achieved in 2-3 years. The point he was making was that the Muslims have been fighting against Western influences for centuries, and they are OK if their objectives are not achieved in the next couple of years or even their lifetime. Americans, on the other hand, give up the fight after a few short years. In the eyes of Americans, we have been at war since 2001, which is a lifetime! In the end, the Muslims are focused on moving the ball one step closer to their objective of a return to an Islamic Caliphate that will reival the great Rashidun Caliphate of the 7th Century a.d. In many ways, we Christians today are equally short-sighted. Our commitments are measured in days, perhaps weeks, rather than decades or even centuries. Consider for a moment, the Great Prayer Watch of the Moravian Church under the leadership of Count Nicolaus Zinzendorf. The Prayer Watch began in the community of Herrnhut in 1727 and continued nonstop for 100 years! Every hour of every day, members of the Moravian Church took turns interceding before God on behalf of a lost world. Before the prayer vigil ended in 1827, the small Moravian community had sent 300 missionaries with the gospel of Jesus Christ to evangelize the world. The Christian History magazine tells part of their story: During its first five years of existence the Herrnhut settlement showed few signs of spiritual power. By the beginning of 1727 the community of about three hundred people was wracked by dissension and bickering. An unlikely site for revival! Zinzendorf and others, however, covenanted to prayer and labor for revival. On May 12 revival came. Christians were aglow with new life and power, dissension vanished and unbelievers were converted. Looking back to that day and the four glorious months that followed, Zinzendorf later recalled: The whole place represented truly a visible habitation of God among men. A spirit of prayer was immediately evident in the fellowship and continued throughout that golden summer of 1727, as the Moravians came to designate the period. On August 27 of that year twenty-four men and twenty-four women covenanted to spend one hour each day in scheduled prayer. Some others enlisted in the hourly intercession. For over a hundred years the members of the Moravian Church all shared in the hourly intercession. At home and abroad, on land and sea, this prayer watch ascended unceasingly to the Lord, stated historian A. J. Lewis. Continued on page 2...

2 Page 2 The Compass Continued from page 1... The Memorial Days of the Renewed Church of the Brethren, published in 1822, ninety-five years after the decision to initiate the prayer watch, quaintly describes the move in one sentence: The thought struck some brethren and sisters that it might be well to set apart certain hours for the purpose of prayer, at which seasons all might be reminded of its excellency and be induced by the promises annexed to fervent, persevering prayer to pour out their hearts before the Lord. The journal further cites Old Testament typology as warrant for the prayer watch: The sacred fire was never permitted to go out on the altar (Leviticus 6:13); so in a congregation is a temple of the living God, wherein he has his altar and fire, the intercession of his saints should incessantly rise up to him. That prayer watch was instituted by a community of believers whose average age was probably about thirty. Zinzendorf himself was twenty-seven. The prayer vigil by Zinzendorf and the Moravian community sensitized them to attempt the unheard-of mission to reach others for Christ. Six months after the beginning of the prayer watch the count suggested to his fellow Moravians the challenge of a bold evangelism aimed at the West Indies, Greenland, Turkey and Lapland. Some were skeptical, but Zinzendorf persisted. Twenty-six Moravians stepped forward the next day to volunteer for world missions wherever the Lord led. The exploits that followed are surely to be numbered among the high moments of Christian history. Nothing daunted Zinzendorf or his fellow heralds of Jesus Christ prison, shipwreck, persecution, ridicule, plague, abject poverty, threats of death. His hymn reflected his conviction: Ambassador of Christ, Know ye the way ye go? It leads into the jaws of death, Is strewn with thorns and woe. Church historians look to the eighteenth century and marvel at the Great Awakening in England and America which swept hundreds of thousands into God s Kingdom. John Wesley figured largely in that mighty movement and much attention has centered on him. It is not possible that we have overlooked the place which that round-the-clock prayer watch had in reaching Wesley and, through him and his associates, in altering the course of history? One wonders what would flow from a commitment on the part of twentieth-century Christians to institute a prayer watch for world evangelization, specifically to reach those, in Zinzendorf s words, for whom no one cared. [Leslie K. Tarr, A Prayer Meeting That Lasted 100 Years, Christian History Magazine-Issue 1: Zinzendorf & the Moravians, 1982).] In Hebrews 7:25, we see Jesus serving His church by interceding on our behalf before the Father. As His followers, we have the same responsibility to serve as intercessors for those with whom we walk this life together. The Apostle Paul urges us in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to intercede on behalf of all people, for this is pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved. Fellow Christian pilgrims of 21st Century America, may we strive to set aside the many distractions of our technological age to turn our attention to the One who sacrificed His life for us. May we burn with passion to intercede for the lost and bring the good news of Jesus to their dying ears. Chris Eller Day 1 ENCOUNTER God s Word to put yourself in touch with him. Hebrews 7:23-28 (ESV) Greatness of the New Priest 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 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. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

3 The Compass Page 3 Day 2 ENQUIRE the answer to these questions to better understand what the passage means. Use the questions below to guide your reading and to ensure you are grasping the key lessons and themes of the text. This is called Inductive Bible Study, in which you ask the questions, Who?, What?, Where?, Why?, When?, How? as you read the text. (Also known as the 5Ws and an H. ) 1. How is Jesus unique among the priests who represented Israel before God? (7:23-25) 2. What does Jesus do for those who come to God through Him? How? (7:25) 3. What is Jesus, our high priest, like? (7:26-27) 4. What did the Levitical priests have to do before they offered sacrifices for the sins of the people? (7:27) 5. How did Jesus perform His function as high priest when he was on earth? (7:27) Summary Notes Write a one paragraph summary of this week s text including key areas of interest and significant instruction. Consult the commentary on the text and the notes following this page for additional help.

4 Page 4 The Compass Day 4 EXPLORE the commentaries to answer the questions. The Permanence of Christ s Priesthood The permanence of Christ s priesthood and his ever-occurring intercession on our behalf should be causes of great peace and stability. This system of the new covenant, by definition, cannot be replaced with another system. Jesus is a priest forever and can save us completely. Therefore, we do not have to worry about our status before God. Jesus is the guarantee of covenant life lived in spiritual stability. Jesus has become the guarantee (7:22). Because God s oath must be seen as permanent, the threat of our change in status before God must be understood as having been dealt with decisively. Jesus has become the guarantee of a covenant that is better. The word translated guarantee (engyos), which could also be translated guarantor, was common in legal contexts, but was not normally used in the ancient world to discuss covenants or testaments. In legal contexts the word indicated a person who guarantees the position or endeavors of another person by putting himself or herself at risk. In 7:22 the author pictures Jesus as the guarantee for God s covenant promises. As the originator of that covenant, through his sacrifice of himself, and his permanent position as the high priest of our new covenant with God, Jesus gives firm assurance that this relationship with God will last. Such a high priest meets our need (7:26). The author now brings us back around to the place at which the section started in 5:1 3. In giving the general guidelines for high priesthood at the beginning of chapter 5, the author points out that the high priest under the old covenant served to meet the needs of God s people in a specific context. In that context, however, the high priest also had to deal with his own weaknesses. His sacrifices too had to be offered over and over again. Jesus, by contrast, has been appointed by different means (an oath) and has a superior basis for meeting our needs. He does not die and, thus, always lives to intercede for us. His sacrifice for sins was offered once for all. Therefore, he meets our needs in a superior way because he serves as the ever-present high priest whose sacrifice for sins does not need to be repeated. [Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Hebrews to Revelation., vol. 4 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002).] The Superiority of the New Priest If, as the author has shown, Melchizedek was greater than Levi (vv. 4 10) and the new priesthood necessarily abrogates the old (vv ), then the new Priest has to be greater than the Levitical priests. 7: The priesthood of Christ differs dramatically from the Levitical priesthood in that it was instituted with an oath. By contrast, the descendants of Aaron assumed their jobs without any oath. The writer then quoted again the divine oath of Psalm 110:4 whose very solemnity argues for the superiority of the new Priest, who was majestically inducted into His role. Moreover, because of this oath, Jesus became the guarantee (engyos, used only here in the NT) of a better covenant. In His own person, Jesus assured the superiority of the new order over the old because His oath secured His permanent installation in the priestly office. 7: No Old Testament priest ever functioned in this permanent way, since all were subject to death. But the permanent priesthood of Jesus gives Him the capacity to carry His saving work to completion. When the writer asserted that He is able to save completely, he continued to have in mind the salvation- inheritance first referred to in 1:14. The readers were to hold fast to their professions of faith and to continue numbering themselves among those who come to God through Him, knowing that He can see them through every trial and difficulty right to the end of the road because He always lives to intercede for them. In saying this, the author reverted again to a truth he had already enunciated (4:14 16) where he had invited the readers to avail themselves boldly of the mercy and grace accessible

5 The Compass Page 5 to them through Jesus priesthood. As they did so, they would find that their Captain and High Priest could get the job done! He could lead them victoriously into the glory of the many sons. In this way He saves completely. 7: After all, He is the kind of High Priest who meets our need. His character is utterly without blemish and He has been exalted above the heavens. Consequently too, He had no need like the Levitical priests to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. At first sight verses seem to refer to the ritual of the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16), but that was yearly, not day after day. Probably these verses telescope that ritual with the regular sacrificial routine. There seems to be some evidence from Jewish tradition that a high priest was thought to offer daily sacrifice, and the stipulations of Leviticus 6:12 13 may refer to him. In any case the new Priest had no need either for sacrifices for Himself or for repeated sacrifices for others. His one act of self-offering was definitive and sufficient. Of this more will be said in Hebrews 9 and 10. Here the author was content to conclude that, in contrast with the Levitical priests, the Son is a perfected High Priest. The reference to the fact that He has been made perfect forever recalls 5:8 10. The sufferings of the Son, here referred to as His sacrificial offering of Himself once for all (ephapax, cf. 9:12; 10:10; also cf. hapax, once in 9:26, 28), are what have constituted Him perfect for His role in God s presence where He intercedes for His followers. Thus the Law appointed as high priests those who were weak, but the oath, which came after the Law, appointed this kind of Priest. Accordingly the readers could go to Him at all times, fully confident of His capacity to serve their every need. [Zane C. Hodges, Hebrews, in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 799.] The Sinlessness of Jesus For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26) In Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15 5:3, the author showed the importance of Jesus identification with us in undergoing temptation. But it is also imperative that He be without sin (4:15) to be qualified to enter the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf (8:1, 2; 9:11, 12, 24, 25). The New Testament teaches that Jesus was entirely free from sin (John 8:46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5). This assertion means not only that He never disobeyed His Father, but that He loved God s law and found whole-hearted joy in keeping it. In fallen human beings there is always some reluctance to obey God, and sometimes resentment amounting to hatred at the claims He makes on us (Rom. 8:7). But Jesus moral nature was unfallen, as was Adam s prior to his sin, and in Jesus there was no prior inclination away from God for Satan to exploit, as there is in us. Jesus loved His Father and His Father s will with all His heart, mind, soul, and strength. Heb. 4:15 says that Jesus was in all points tempted as we are, though without sinning. The temptations we face temptations to wrongfully indulge natural desires, to evade moral and spiritual issues, to cut moral corners and take easy ways out, to be less than loving and sympathetic to others, to be self-centered and lost in self-pity all these came upon Jesus, but He yielded to none of them (see The Humanity of Jesus at 2 John 7). In Gethsemane and on the Cross He fought temptation and resisted sin to the point of death. Christians must learn from Him to do likewise (Luke 14:25 33; Heb. 12:3 13). For our salvation it was necessary that Jesus be free from sin. He was a lamb without blemish and without spot, able to offer His precious blood for us (1 Pet. 1:19). If He had been sinful He would have needed a savior Himself, and His death would not have helped us. Christ obeyed on our behalf the moral commandments applying to all humanity. He also fulfilled all the will of God applying to Him in particular, as the One called to be the Messiah. His perfect obedience qualifies Him to be our all-sufficient Savior. [Luder G. Whitlock et al., The Reformation Study Bible: Bringing the Light of the Reformation to Scripture]

6 Page 6 The Compass Daily Bible Reading Plan SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1/25 1/26 1/27 1/28 1/29 1/30 1/31 Ge. 50:1-Ex. 2:10 Exodus 2:11-3:22 Exodus 4:1-5:21 Exodus 5:22-7:24 Exodus 7:25-9:35 Exod. 10:1-12:13 Ex. 12:14-13:16 Matt. 16:13-17:9 Matthew 17:10-27 Matthew 18:1-20 Matt. 18:21-19:12 Matthew 19:13-30 Matt. 20:1-28 Matt. 20:29-21:22 Psalm 21:1-13 Psalm 22:1-18 Psalm 22:19-31 Psalm 23:1-6 Psalm 24:1-10 Psalm 25:1-11 Psalm 25:12-22 Proverbs 5:1-6 Proverbs 5:7-14 Proverbs 5:15-21 Proverbs 5:22-23 Proverbs 6:1-5 Proverbs 6:6-11 Proverbs 6:12-15 For complete details on First Family s Daily Bible Reading Plan, visit our website at WORDSEARCH all the words come from this week s text or lesson. High Priests and Our High Priest Hebrews 7:23-28 E L I R V T J G H K G T H F J W Y M G U V T I B U I X J Y E W I R R P P U L U H P R N X N K A R Q V I A G Z H G W K L C P E R F E C T F O R E V E R R J Z Y M X X E J C Z S O R S A C R I F I C E S J E Y F J J L K G N W M X T N K O N N A Z U H O L Y D Z D C P Z U T A I A P F O R M E R P R I E S T S Z Q L O A T H L H N S D Y T W J F O O E B P N B Q H W C G S R E D L T O P E O P L E F K X L M V U D P K Z N F H E T N O A U N S T A I N E D K G R Q O X X I F T R I I H H F P I P K P X T T N N X N A A W S A X E A O T Z V P E R M A N E N T L Y T F Y D F W W F B P S H Z P A B D E X A L T E D V F F A A U F F I P E T O Q O V H E A V E N S U H I S W K O G O T A I A O I J Y R Y E Q K I N N O C E N T T Y I F S R E I N T E R C E S S I O N U W Q B H Y Y O X M P D S E P A R A T E D F R O M S I N N E R S I R Q G Y L U R R M E N I N T H E I R W E A K N E S S Former Priests Priesthood Permanently Intercession Holy Innocent Unstained Separated from Sinners Exalted Heavens Sacrifices Offered Himself The Law Men In Their Weakness Perfect Forever People Death Appoints Oath Sins To see the answers to the puzzle, go to

7 The Compass Page 7 the children s ministry of first family church The Manger, the Cross, and the Throne Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 Of course we must include in our total creed the manger, the cross and the throne. All that is symbolized by these three objects must be present to the gaze of faith; all is necessary to a proper understanding of the Christian evangel. No single tenet of our creed must be abandoned or even relaxed, for each is joined to the other by a living bond. But while all truth is to be at all times held inviolate, not every truth is to be at all times emphasized equally with every other. Christ was born that He might become a man and became a man that He might give His life a ransom for many. Neither the birth nor the dying were ends in themselves. As He was born to die, so did He die that He might atone, and rise that He might justify freely all who take refuge in Him. His birth and His death are history. His appearance at the mercy seat is not history past, but a present, continuing fact, to the instructed Christian the most glorious fact his trusting heart can entertain. Let us remember that weakness lies at the manger, death at the cross and power at the throne. Lord, it s an astounding thought that Jesus, having completed His work through the manger and the cross, is now at the mercy seat pleading on my behalf. I rejoice in the power of the throne. Amen. A.W. Tozer CONNECTING THE FAMILY kids FFC Youth the youth ministry of first family church Memory Time Memory Verse Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 R2R Life Distinctive Prayer (Psalm 66:16-20): I pray to God to know Him, to lay my request before Him and to find direction for my daily life. Family Devotions Set aside two times this week for family devotions centered around this week s text. Session 1: Read through this week s text (Hebrews 7:23-28). If you have children old enough to read, let one of them read the text. What prevented a priest from continuing in office? (7:23) How long will Jesus serve as our High Priest? (7:24) Session 2: Re-read this week s text (Hebrews 7:23-28). How would you describe Jesus as our High Priest? (7:16) Why did the priest offer daily sacrifices? (7:27)

8 Page 8 The Compass R2R Life! Becoming Ready to Reproduce Disciples of Jesus 10 R2R Core Beliefs The Bible (2 Timothy 3:16 17): We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, and the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. God the Father (Psalm 121:1 2): We believe God is personally involved in and cares about the daily lives of His children. Jesus Christ (John 1:12): We believe in Jesus Christ, His deity, virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death, burial and bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father and His personal future return in power and glory. We are significant only because of our position as children of God. The Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14): We believe the God of the Bible is the only true God and is eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Humanity (John 3:16): We believe all people are born separated from God by sin, but God in his love sent his Son Jesus Christ as their savior. Eternity (John 14:1 4): We believe there is a heaven and a hell and that Jesus Christ is returning to judge the earth and to establish his kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the dead: the believer to life everlasting and the unbeliever to the resurrection of judgment. The Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16): We believe in the church as the body of Christ, which is composed of all believers who have accepted Christ as Savior. We believe the church is God s primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth today. Stewardship (1 Timothy 6:17-19): We believe that everything we have, including our very life, belongs to God. Salvation by Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-25; 8:38-39): We believe a person has a right relationship with God only by His grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. This makes believers eternally secure in Jesus Christ. Compassion (Psalm 82:3-4): We believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to those in need. 10 R2R Core Practices Worship (Psalm 95:1-7): I worship God for who He is and what He has done for me. Bible Study (Hebrews 4:12): I study the Bible diligently to know God, to become like Christ, and to discern His will for my life. Service (Colossians 3:17): I give away my time to fulfill God s purposes. Witness (Matthew 28:18-20): I live to tell the story of Jesus and to make disciples of Him even to the ends of the earth, knowing he is with me always. Biblical Community (Acts 2:44-47): I fellowship with other believers in a small group to accomplish God s purposes in my life, others lives, and in the world. Prayer (Psalm 66:16-20): I pray to God to know Him, to lay my request before Him and to find direction for my daily life. Spiritual Gifts (Romans 12:4-6): I know and use my spiritual gifts to accomplish God s purposes. Authenticity (John 13:33-34): I know and understand biblical truths and transfer these truths into everyday life. Who I am on the inside and outside is a pure reflection of Christ and His Word. Simplicity (Matthew 6:33): I seek to live a simple life focused on God and his priorities for my life. Possessions (Luke 16:11 12): I seek to maintain an eternal perspective on money and possessions, realizing God has give me all that I have, and that he expects me to manage it wisely for His glory. 10 R2R Core Virtues Gentleness (Philippians 4:5): I am thoughtful, considerate and calm in dealing with others. Faithfulness (Proverbs 3:3-4): I have established a good name with God and with others based on my long-term loyalty to those relationships. Hope (Hebrews 6:19-20): I can cope with the hardships of life and with death because of the hope I have in Jesus Christ. Joy (John 15:11): I have inner contentment and purpose in spite of my circumstances. Love (1 John 4:10-12): I sacrificially and unconditionally love and forgive others. Peace (Philippians 4:6-7): I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, myself and others. Self-Control (Titus 2:11-13): I have the power, through Christ, to control myself. Humility (Philippians 2:3-4): I choose to esteem others above myself. Patience (Proverbs 14:29): I take a long time to overheat and endure patiently under the unavoidable pressures of life. Kindness/Goodness (1 Thessalonians 5:15): I choose to do the right things in my relationships with others. About The Compass The Compass is produced throughout the school year to help you connect with the Word of God on a daily basis and to study and meditate on the specific biblical text that will be the focus of the upcoming weekend services. The Compass also helps tie-in the principles of discipleship found in 10 Core Beliefs (doctrine) 10 Core Practices (disciplines), and 10 Core Virtues (spiritual fruit). Together, we call these R2R Distinctives, or becoming a Ready to Reproduce Disciple of Jesus Christ. If you would like The Compass delivered each week to your box, you can to to compass and register.