NCF South City February 2nd 2008
Text: Hebrews 7: 15-28
Soon the world will welcome the new president of the most powerful nation on earth. This is not only the business of Americans, but the whole world is watching what happens in this place, because the world knows the power and the influence of the President of United States of America. Democrats, Republicans and Independents are in the race and many factors are in the mix for Americans to make their choice near the end of this year.
Candidates are selling themselves and their followers are selling the candidates: what they can do for the nation, and how well equipped they are to lead. Experience, good judgment, and knowledge of war strategies are powerfully expressed by candidates and their supporters, hoping you will buy their product. And we should be thankful to see this in America. Don’t take it for granted.
In the same vein, the author of Hebrews has one point, which is the center of his message: There is no one like Jesus. You can’t find anywhere in history one to compare with him. Before him and after him, no one can be compared to him. No one has lived like him, no one was perfect like him, and no one has shown love and compassion like him. No one has changed the trajectory of this world like him. No one transformed the lives of millions of followers like he did.
And today the good news I have for us is that, he never changed! He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And what he did 2000 years ago he is doing today.
Therefore, do not lose hope, no matter where you are: struggles, pains, loneliness, sins, troubles, despair, questions, anxiety. Know that his love for you is forever, because there is no one like him.
You may agree with me that in this world, or even in your own life, you have known great men and women, great leaders, great pastors. But none can compare to Jesus, the king of righteousness. Abraham, King David, Socrates, Aristotle, Descartes, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Queen Elizabeth, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, John McCain. Great men and women, but none can be compared to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Therefore, don’t put your trust and hope in any man, any system or institution. Jesus alone can do what others cannot.
In sending this letter to his brothers and sisters, the author of Hebrews is making one point: the ultimate and final solution to the distress of men and women is Jesus. His readers knew the story of Abraham, the story of this King Melchizedek—"King of Righteousness"—because of his character, and they knew the story of the city of that king, Salem, City of Peace.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—the author would say—I have greater news for you, because this man and king I am talking about—this Melchizedek—was the image of the king of kings, the king of righteousness, the king of peace: Jesus. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be afraid or troubled because of your situations. A better hope is here, by which we draw near to God.
Believers to whom book was written were going through hard times, persecutions and all manner of issues in the church and in the community. They needed to hear that they have a priest who is like Melchizedek and even greater than that.
“17For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Do you feel overwhelmed by your own situations? Are there sins in your heart and life, opposition, real-life tough issues, and you don’t know where to go get rest, security and peace? Have you been there? Are you there even now, as I am talking?
Don’t let Satan steal these words from you. You are in the right place at the right time. I am not promising you will become a millionaire or solve all the problems of your life. But I am 100 percent sure about one thing: Your life will not be the same as you surrender yourself to Jesus Christ and his message. He is going to do something new, and your mouth and your heart will explode with joy and thanksgiving, because he alone can do it.
For, Brothers and Sisters, a better hope was needed: The earlier covenant could not make things right. Read with me in verse 19, “the law made nothing perfect.” That was the reason the priesthood ministry was in place to begin with.
The Old Testament priest was called to represent his brothers and sisters before God and in their place by offering sacrifices. But the priest has to offer sacrifices for himself first, because he too is subject to sin. Only then can he offer sacrifices for his brothers and sisters.
What a huge contrast between the ministry of the levitical priesthood and the ministry of Jesus Christ.
“20And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever.”’ 22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”
“2 5Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
He can save completely: There is no area of your life of which Jesus does not say, “This is mine”! Don’t come to Jesus with categories where you don’t want him to be your Lord and Savior: body, work, sexuality, studies, relationships….
He can save completely those who come to God through him.
Where do you go when things are not “working” in your life? Or when somebody is messing with you or you are going through the valley of the shadow of death? There is no better place than at the feet of Jesus.
He can save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Dear friend, you are not alone when things are not right, or when you go through hard time. He is with you.
“26 Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens”
Hallelujah! Because he can understand our struggles and pain!
Praise the Lord! Because he became flesh and lived among us!
Thank you, Jesus! Because I can call you brother, and you are not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.
Song: He is a good God. Lord supper text: Genesis 14, 18-20.
Amen
Macklann Basse
Text: Hebrews 7: 15-28
Soon the world will welcome the new president of the most powerful nation on earth. This is not only the business of Americans, but the whole world is watching what happens in this place, because the world knows the power and the influence of the President of United States of America. Democrats, Republicans and Independents are in the race and many factors are in the mix for Americans to make their choice near the end of this year.
Candidates are selling themselves and their followers are selling the candidates: what they can do for the nation, and how well equipped they are to lead. Experience, good judgment, and knowledge of war strategies are powerfully expressed by candidates and their supporters, hoping you will buy their product. And we should be thankful to see this in America. Don’t take it for granted.
In the same vein, the author of Hebrews has one point, which is the center of his message: There is no one like Jesus. You can’t find anywhere in history one to compare with him. Before him and after him, no one can be compared to him. No one has lived like him, no one was perfect like him, and no one has shown love and compassion like him. No one has changed the trajectory of this world like him. No one transformed the lives of millions of followers like he did.
And today the good news I have for us is that, he never changed! He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And what he did 2000 years ago he is doing today.
Therefore, do not lose hope, no matter where you are: struggles, pains, loneliness, sins, troubles, despair, questions, anxiety. Know that his love for you is forever, because there is no one like him.
You may agree with me that in this world, or even in your own life, you have known great men and women, great leaders, great pastors. But none can compare to Jesus, the king of righteousness. Abraham, King David, Socrates, Aristotle, Descartes, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Queen Elizabeth, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, John McCain. Great men and women, but none can be compared to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Therefore, don’t put your trust and hope in any man, any system or institution. Jesus alone can do what others cannot.
In sending this letter to his brothers and sisters, the author of Hebrews is making one point: the ultimate and final solution to the distress of men and women is Jesus. His readers knew the story of Abraham, the story of this King Melchizedek—"King of Righteousness"—because of his character, and they knew the story of the city of that king, Salem, City of Peace.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—the author would say—I have greater news for you, because this man and king I am talking about—this Melchizedek—was the image of the king of kings, the king of righteousness, the king of peace: Jesus. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be afraid or troubled because of your situations. A better hope is here, by which we draw near to God.
Believers to whom book was written were going through hard times, persecutions and all manner of issues in the church and in the community. They needed to hear that they have a priest who is like Melchizedek and even greater than that.
“17For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Do you feel overwhelmed by your own situations? Are there sins in your heart and life, opposition, real-life tough issues, and you don’t know where to go get rest, security and peace? Have you been there? Are you there even now, as I am talking?
Don’t let Satan steal these words from you. You are in the right place at the right time. I am not promising you will become a millionaire or solve all the problems of your life. But I am 100 percent sure about one thing: Your life will not be the same as you surrender yourself to Jesus Christ and his message. He is going to do something new, and your mouth and your heart will explode with joy and thanksgiving, because he alone can do it.
For, Brothers and Sisters, a better hope was needed: The earlier covenant could not make things right. Read with me in verse 19, “the law made nothing perfect.” That was the reason the priesthood ministry was in place to begin with.
The Old Testament priest was called to represent his brothers and sisters before God and in their place by offering sacrifices. But the priest has to offer sacrifices for himself first, because he too is subject to sin. Only then can he offer sacrifices for his brothers and sisters.
What a huge contrast between the ministry of the levitical priesthood and the ministry of Jesus Christ.
“20And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever.”’ 22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”
“2 5Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
He can save completely: There is no area of your life of which Jesus does not say, “This is mine”! Don’t come to Jesus with categories where you don’t want him to be your Lord and Savior: body, work, sexuality, studies, relationships….
He can save completely those who come to God through him.
Where do you go when things are not “working” in your life? Or when somebody is messing with you or you are going through the valley of the shadow of death? There is no better place than at the feet of Jesus.
He can save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Dear friend, you are not alone when things are not right, or when you go through hard time. He is with you.
“26 Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens”
Hallelujah! Because he can understand our struggles and pain!
Praise the Lord! Because he became flesh and lived among us!
Thank you, Jesus! Because I can call you brother, and you are not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.
Song: He is a good God. Lord supper text: Genesis 14, 18-20.
Amen
Macklann Basse
posted by Macklann at 7:17 PM
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