Sunday, October 9, 2016 Lesson: Hebrews 3:1-6; Matthew 7:24-29; Time of The Lesson: The first section from Hebrews occurred about 67 A.D.; The second section from Matthew occurred about 28 A.D.; Place of The Lesson: The place that Hebrews was written is unknown; the second section in Matthew took place on a mountain near Capernaum Golden Text: For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4). I. INTRODUCTION. Throughout the ages, men have built great and beautiful buildings. However, it would be senseless to give credit to the building itself for its appearance, endurance or design. There is an architect or designer behind every building who has conceived its plan and put it together. Today, the architect and the builder may be different people, but in ancient times the builder of a house was probably the designer as well. He was the one who deserved credit for a well-constructed building. In this week s lesson, the writer of Hebrews used the building illustration to compare Jesus Christ with Moses and to show the importance of building on a solid foundation.
II. LESSON BACKGROUND. The Book of Hebrews was written to first-century Christians who were saved out of Judaism. The letter was composed before the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome (70 A.D), since it is evident that the Temple was still standing when Hebrews was written (see Hebrews 10:11). The writer s purpose was to demonstrate the superiority of Christ in His Person over all human and angelic beings and the superiority of His work and sacrificial ministry to the Mosaic priestly system. The writer did not name himself, and we don t know when it was written or who it was originally written to. Its authorship has been debated since post-apostolic days. In certain places the language is like Paul s and because of the personal reference to Timothy in Hebrews 13:23, some scholars have attributed the letter to Paul although there is no conclusive proof that he was the author. The book begins with a glorious statement of Jesus equality with His Father and His superiority over the angels (see Hebrews chapter 1). In chapter 2, the writer declares that Jesus voluntarily lowered Himself and took on human form so that He could become our High Priest. Our lesson begins with chapter 3. III. JESUS AS THE BUILDER (Hebrews 3:1-6). Although
Jesus Christ became human, His humanity does not in any way take away from His deity. Whereas Jesus was shown to be superior to humans and angels in chapter 1, in this first portion of our text, Christ is shown to be superior to Moses. Moses was the revered leader of the Israelites because God gave him the Law, and through him God led His people out of Egypt and preserved them in their wilderness wanderings for forty years. As a result, Moses was held in high esteem among the Jews. But no matter how great the Jews thought Moses was, it remained for the author of Hebrews to put Moses, whom the Jews looked up to, in proper perspective when compared to the Messiah. A. The faithfulness of Jesus and Moses (Hebrews 3:1-2). 1. (vs. 1). Our first verse says Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. The word Wherefore which can also mean as a result, connects this verse with Hebrews 2:9-18, which speaks of Jesus humanity, sanctification of believers, and His sufferings for us. The author then addresses his readers as holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling. Because of our sanctification or being set apart for God s work (see Hebrews 2:11), believers are holy brethren. We are also partakers of the heavenly calling meaning that we have been chosen for heaven or salvation and we share it with other believers (see John 15:16, 19; Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 3:12; II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:2; 2:9). The writer exhorted his readers to consider the Apostle
and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. The word consider means to ponder carefully or to carefully think about. In other words, these Hebrew Christians should think carefully about Jesus claims. Their thoughts should be on the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. The writer called on his Hebrew readers to study the Person of Jesus Christ whom we confess. He is both the Apostle and High Priest of our profession or our faith. The term Apostle means sent one (see Matthew 10:1-7; Luke 9:1-2). As the Apostle of our faith, Jesus Christ was the One sent forth as God s messenger to mankind that superseded the Mosaic Law. While He is the Apostle of our faith, Jesus is also the High Priest of our faith. As such, Jesus Christ interceded before God for His people. Both as the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, He is the center of our faith. 2. (vs. 2). This verse continues to say Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. These Hebrew Christians had accepted Jesus claims including providing spiritual freedom (see John 8:36), but because of persecution from the Jewish community, they had started to return to the Law of Moses. Therefore, the writer encouraged them to reexamine the truths they once had about Jesus Christ. It was only fitting that the writer compared Him with Moses. The author began by showing a similarity between Moses and Christ. The pronoun Who refers to Jesus Christ. He was faithful to him (God) that appointed him. In other words, Christ was faithful or true to God who had appointed him to the offices of Apostle and High Priest (see verse 1). He
perfectly fulfilled both of these roles. Similarly, Moses was faithful in all his house. The term house here refers to God s people, the Hebrews. The phrase all his house refers to Moses jurisdiction over every aspect of Jewish life. God Himself attested to Moses faithfulness in Numbers 12:7 when He declared the same thing: My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. The writer was saying that God s appointment of Jesus as both Apostle and High Priest was in a sense similar to His appointment of Moses to his office (see I Samuel 12:6) and they both were wonderfully faithful in carrying out the tasks God gave them to do among His people (see I Corinthians 4:1-2). B. The basis for Jesus superiority (Hebrews 3:3-4). 1. (vs. 3). This verse goes on to say For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. Even though there were similarities in the faithfulness of Jesus and Moses, the word For indicates that a reason was about to be given why the Messiah is far more superior to Moses. The author wrote For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses. Of course, this man refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He is counted worthy of more glory than Moses, because he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. In other words, Moses faithfully fulfilled his calling to lead God s people or His
house, but he was not the Builder of the house, he was a part of the house. However, Jesus was the Builder of both the house of Israel as well as the household of faith, the church. Therefore, as the One who hath builded the house Jesus deserves more honor than the house, meaning everyone in the house. Note: Even though Moses was honored by his people, he was still only a part of the house of God in which he served. However, Jesus built the house, which puts Him in a completely different category from those in the house. The house may be magnificent, but the builder is the One who deserves the glory and honor for its appearance. It was Jesus, the Creator who brought Israel into being of which Moses was a part. 2. (vs. 4). In this verse the writer said For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. The fact that every house is builded by some man indicates that a house does not build itself. Some Jews in the first century saw Moses as the originator of their Law and way of life. They forgot that God was the One who created the nation and that Moses was only Israel s administrator. Therefore, the writer declared but he that built all things is God. Having previously stated that Jesus was the divine Creator (see Hebrews 1:8-10), here the writer also acknowledges that the Messiah built all things and He is God. There is no distinction between the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost for they are one (see I John 5:7).
C. The differing roles of Moses and Jesus (Hebrews 3:5-6). 1. (vs. 5). The author continues to say in this verse And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after. The phrase all his house again refers to God s house or the nation of Israel. The writer stated that Moses verily was faithful in all his (God s) house, as a servant. In other words, Moses did an honorable job working among God s people, but he was only a servant. As God s servant (see Numbers 12:7), Moses service or work was to be a witness testifying to those things that would be spoken by God in the future. Any revelations given to Moses were incomplete, preparing the way for the full revelation of God through Jesus Christ. 2. (vs. 6). In this verse the writer went on to say 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 unto the end. The conjunction But contrasts Moses position regarding God s house and Jesus position over God s house. Whereas Moses was a servant in God s house or among God s people, the writer referred to Christ as a son over his own house. In other words, in contrast to being a servant, Jesus Christ is God s Son and His heir (see Hebrews 1:2), therefore He is the Owner over his own house; whose house are we. This refers to a spiritual household or the church of God (see I Timothy 3:15). The word we refers to Christians. We are part of the house that the Son built and of which He is also the Head
(see Ephesians 4:15; 5:23). The last part of this verse says if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. In other words, we will remain part of Christ s house or church if we maintain confidence or boldness to an open profession of the truths of the gospel, and rejoicing of the hope which shall continue to be firm unto the end. Note: Because of persecution, some Jews apparently had decided to turn from the Messiah. Therefore, the writer s intent here was to warn Hebrew Christians to persevere boldly in their faith. They were to boast of their hope in Christ until the end of their lives. The Christian s hope that should cause us to rejoice is the return of Christ for His own, and eternal life with Him (see Colossians 1:5; I Thessalonians 2:19; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7). We must hold on to that hope with confidence, trusting that God will do what He has said (Numbers 23:19; Psalms 37:5; Isaiah 46:11). IV. JESUS AS THE FOUNDATION(Matthews 7:24-29). The second part of our lesson is the concluding application of Jesus Sermon on the Mount. In that sermon, Jesus set forth the principles of His kingdom, speaking of the character traits of His subjects (see Matthew 5:1-16), revealing His relationship to the Law (see Matthew 5:17-20), and contrasting His spiritual standards with the legalism of the scribes and the Pharisees (see Matthew 5:21-7:12). In the last part of Jesus Sermon on the Mount, which includes this portion of our text, the Lord made a series of appeals to His listeners. First, He warned them not to follow the majority
who take the broad way and the wide gate, but to follow the minority who enter through the narrow gate He has provided for salvation (see Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus then warned His listeners against false prophets, urging them to judge prophets or messengers by their actions and not their words (see Matthew 7:15-20). Then the Lord declared that the kingdom of God is open only to those who are humble and obedient and He would be the One who makes that determination (see Matthew 7:21-23). This is where the second part of our lesson begins. A. Building on the solid foundation (Matthew 7:24-25). 1. (vs. 24). As Jesus continued His Sermon on the Mount, in this verse He said Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. As Jesus closed His Sermon on the Mount, He appealed to His listeners to practice His teachings saying Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them. Everyone who heard Jesus teachings on that mountain side now had to decide whether or not to practice them. Whatever decision they made was vitally important (see Luke 11:28; Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25). Note: To hear the teachings of Christ means to obey Him. To do or obey Christ s teachings means to conscientiously abstain from the sins that He forbids, and to perform the duties that He requires. Our thoughts and affections, our words and actions, and the tenor of our lives, must conform to the gospel of
Christ. All the teachings of Christ, not only the laws He has enacted, but the truths He has revealed, must be practiced by us. His teachings are designed not only to inform our judgments, but to reform our hearts and lives. The truth is, we don t believe His teachings if we don t live up to them. It s not enough to simply hear Christ s sayings and understand them, or hear and remember them, or hear and talk of them, or hear and repeat them; but we must both hear, and do them and live (see Luke 10:28). Only those who hear and do are blessed (Matthew 13:16-17; Luke 11:28; John 13:17), and are kin to Christ (see Matthew 12:50). Jesus then said that the one who hears and practices His teachings I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. The man in this illustration is wise because he is patient, thoughtful, and looks ahead. He thinks the project through considering the challenges his house will face. Durability of the house is just as important as what it looks like. In his wisdom, the wise man built his house upon a rock. 2. (vs. 25). Jesus continued His illustration saying And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. The Lord presents a picture of a house being pounded by rain and floods. In addition, the winds blew, and beat upon that house. Through all of this, the house fell not. It continued to stand and withstand all of the elements coming against it. The reason why the house didn t fall was because it was founded upon a rock. In other words, he built his house
on a solid foundation. This is the way it is with the person who builds his or her life on Jesus Christ and receives His teachings. Even though the most difficult circumstances of life and the most severe persecution from the world may beat down on that person, nothing will be able to separate them from their faith. Those who are built upon Christ, the Rock will stand. When the storms of life come, they will be preserved and won t fall under difficult circumstances. Note: A Rock has been provided for us to build our house or life upon, and that Rock is Jesus Christ, the only foundation that can be laid (Isaiah 28:16; I Corinthians 3:11). He is our Hope (see I Timothy 1:1). The church is built upon this Rock, and so is every believer (see I Peter 2:5). Christ is our only Way to the Father (see John 14:6), and the obedience of faith is our only way to Christ. To those who obey Him, and to those only, He becomes the Author of eternal salvation (see Hebrews 5:9). Those who build upon Christ, having sincerely consented to Him as their Prince and Savior, endeavor to conform to all His rules. Therefore, they depend entirely upon Him for assistance from God, and acceptance with Him. B. Building without the solid foundation (Matthew 7:26-27). 1. (vs. 26). In this verse Jesus said And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his
house upon the sand. In contrast to those who hear and do His teachings, Jesus said there are those that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not. They hear Jesus teachings but don t obey them. Jesus said that such a person shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. The term foolish can mean stupid. The foolish man or stupid man will build his house quickly and will often cut corners and not use the best materials. Unlike the wise man, the foolish man builds his house not expecting anything to happen to it. We know that he ignores the foundation because Jesus said that he built his house upon the sand. Only those who are stupid will build a structure on sand which is unstable and will not hold up against any storms. 2. (vs. 27). Continuing His illustration, Jesus said And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Just like the house that the wise man built on rock, the house built on sand was pounded by rain and floods. Also, like the house that was built on a rock, the winds blew, and beat upon the house that was built on sand. The house built on sand was battered by the same destructive elements as the house that was built on a rock. However, unlike the house built on a rock, Jesus said that the house built on sand it fell: and great was the fall of it. In other words, this house totally collapsed under the beating it took from the rain and winds. This is the way it will be with those who ignore Jesus teachings and choose to build their lives on shaky foundations. Nothing can keep them when troubles and tragedies overtake them. But most
importantly, they will have no protection against God s wrath on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, the foundation of Jesus Christ is essential (see I Corinthians 3:11-15). C. Recognizing the solid foundation (Matthew 7:28-29). 1. (vs. 28). This verse says And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine. When Jesus finished with the illustrations of the wise man and the foolish man, He ended these sayings meaning that He ended His teaching. As a result of everything Jesus had taught, the people were astonished at his doctrine. The word doctrine refers to all of Jesus teaching in His Sermon on the mount. The word astonished can mean filled with wonder or even total shock. Note: No one can argue that this was an excellent sermon, and it s probable that Jesus said more than what is recorded here. However, this should remind us that it s possible for people to admire good preaching, and yet remain in ignorance and unbelief; to be astonished, and yet not sanctified. 2. (vs. 29). Our final verse says For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. The reason that the crowds were astonished or filled with wonder was because He (Jesus) taught them (the crowd) as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Jesus teaching was far different from the scribes who were
themselves teachers of the Law of Moses. They focused on the legalistic keeping of the Law, whereas Jesus teaching revolved around inner righteousness brought about by God and resulting in a transformed life (see Matthew 5:20). In addition, Jesus taught them (the crowd) as one having authority. When the scribes taught, they simply relied on the interpretations of earlier rabbis or Jewish teachers. A lot of their training was memorizing Jewish traditions. But Jesus was His own authority. When the prophets spoke, they often said Thus saith the Lord. However, Jesus never had to say that because He was the Lord. Note: When the scribes spoke, they spoke as if they were not the masters of what they preached. The word did not come from them with any life or force. They delivered it like a schoolboy would deliver his lesson. But Christ delivered His discourse, like a judge gives his charge or renders a verdict. He did indeed deliver His discourses with authority, His lessons were law and His word was a word of command to be obeyed. Jesus Christ preaching on the mountain showed more true authority than the scribes who were recognized as teachers of the law. Therefore, when Christ teaches by His Spirit, He teaches with authority. When Jesus says, Let there be light, you better believe there is light. V. Conclusion. While Christ is the Builder of His spiritual house, we who are part of that house have a part in the
building process which in this case is the building of one s life. Our life can be a stable or unstable spiritual building. Jesus put His finger squarely on our part in the building process obedience to His commands. As Jesus said in our lesson Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. Just knowing the truth is not enough; our lives need to be built on it, and that truth is Jesus Christ (see John 14:6). ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***