Sunday, October 16, 2016 Lesson Text: Hebrews 4:14-5:10 King James Version (KJV) I. ENCOURAGEMENT FROM CHRIST S HIGH PRIESTHOOD (Hebrews 4:14-16) 14. 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. 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. 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. II. QUALIFICATIONS OF HIGH PRIESTS (Hebrews 5:1-4)
1. For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2. Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. III. QUALIFICATIONS OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR HIGH PRIEST (Hebrews 5:5-10) 5. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto
him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10. Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. New International Version (NIV) I. ENCOURAGEMENT FROM CHRIST S HIGH PRIESTHOOD (Hebrews 4:14-16) 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. 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. 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. II. QUALIFICATIONS OF HIGH PRIESTS (Hebrews 5:1-4) 1. 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. 2. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.
III. QUALIFICATIONS OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR HIGH PRIEST (Hebrews 5:5-10) 5. 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. 6. And he says in another place, You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. 7. 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. 8. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9. and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10. and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
PRACTICAL POINTS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. Since Jesus Christ is both our Mediator and High Priest in Heaven, we can confidently hold fast to our faith (Hebrews 4:14). 2. We should not hesitate to come to God through prayer in Jesus name, because we are approaching One who sympathizes with us and knows our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15-16). 3. Every high priest in history had to offer sacrifices not only for the people, but for their own sins (Hebrews 5:1-3). 4. God appointed Jesus to be our High Priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:4-6). 5. Jesus prayers were heard because of His reverence and obedience to the Father (Hebrews 5:7-8). 6. Suffering is often the cost of obedience (Hebrews 5:8). 7. It s not obedience to laws, but the obedience of faith in Jesus Christ that saves us (Hebrews 5:9-10; Romans 1:5).
***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***