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Go To Meeting
Albert Jones—February 12, 2022
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Today I want to bring this message for two reasons; not so much a discovery, but
- a reflection on what we do know
- a broader understanding of it
We are members of God’s Body in that respect and we have been called to comprehend His plan for us. Ee’re made in the image of God. The Father Himself is instructing this process. Jesus Christ is the Author of life is forming and shaping us with His own hands, bringing mankind into existence.
All Truths that we are aware of, one might say basic understanding of Truth that God has revealed to us. It’s important to remember that we didn’t always comprehend that, even some of those who grew up in what we would call ‘good Christian upbringings,’ and have regular reading of the Bible. Not fully understanding and grasping the depth of what God is doing.
There are many in the world who comprehend Scriptural things. They know Who Jesus Christ is and know about His name and that salvation is through Him. But the true comprehension of the greater things is what we want to focus on and being reminded of.
We do know that sin came into the world through one man. That is the problem that we have grappled with, and that is the problem of sin. Sin had captured man to the extent that it had him in bondage to death.
This topic will focus on Jesus Christ, both His sacrifice and priest what that really means in terms of this journey that we’re on and where we’re trying to end up. Let’s see if we can travel and re-visit some of the known Scriptures that we have read over the years. At the end let’s see if we can have a renewed appreciation for the relationship that we have with God the Father and Jesus Christ, and Their insight into the value that we bring to the relationship.
Romans 5:1: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we ourselves boast in the hope of the glory of God” (vs 1-2).
Those two verses alone kind of spans our understanding of God’s plan of faith that we have, and the hope that we all have and stand on.
Every one of us was called by God the Father into this glorious relationship that we have with Them. A glorious relationship that is made available even within the Body between us. We are journeying toward the Kingdom of God together in this process.
I think about that a lot as we fellowship with one another on the Sabbath; as we have the opportunity to study together. We say it; we are in it together! Yes, we are, more than we realize! We’re in it together with one another, but let’s not forget that God the Father and Jesus Christ are in it with us!
We are struggling against this flesh and this world and trying to overcome, and we’re in the process of overcoming. We are truly engaging the weakness of the flesh through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Keep that in mind.
Verse 3: “And not only this, but we also boast in tribulations, realizing that tribulation brings forth endurance, and endurance brings forth character, and character brings forth hope. And the hope of God never makes us ashamed because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, which has been given to us” (vs 3-5).
So, the Holy Spirit is awakening our comprehension to spiritual things, without which before we would not have had a clue. But because we have had this revealed to us, we’re able to see it, we have committed ourselves through that covenant relationship we are rejoicing because of what we understand.
Verse 6: “For even when we were without strength, at the appointed time Christ died for the ungodly”—and were among that number at that time, prior to God’s calling! But He reached out and gave us something to hold onto.
We were in bondage to this chain of death that Satan had put around our ankles. We know that by one man sin came into the world. Because of Adam’s sin, we were placed in this state of penalty, without which we had no release on death row, so to speak, in bondage to death.
Ephesians 4:1: “Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, am exhorting you to walk worthily of the calling to which you were called with all humility and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit… [we all have God’s Spirit, one Spirit from the Father and from Christ Himself] …in the bond of peace. There is one Body and one Spirit, even as you were also called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, Who is over all, and through all, and in you all” (vs 1-6).
I’m emphasizing here a very important message that we are in this together as a body, but this body includes the work of the Father and Jesus Christ within the midst of us. Conjoined to Christ, the Father’s Spirit dwelling in us, we have access to Him. This is an incredible, well thought out, brilliant spiritual plan that God has put together. The God of perfect wisdom and love; we will see that unfold.
So, we have this condition that we found ourselves in, and that is held bondage to sin and death! Now salvation has come, and it is represented in what the Father Himself did first in terms of our perspective, and Jesus Christ is not far behind.
So, here comes the Father, salvation has come into the world. So, the Father Himself offers up a pathway.
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world…”
All of His creation; this act impacts the entirety of God’s creation for which He made in His own image or purpose so that we would have the opportunity to become a part of His Family!
“…that He gave His only Begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish, but may have everlasting life” (v 16). That is a pathway forward made possible!
Ephesians 4:4: “There is one Body and one Spirit, even as you were also called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, Who is over all, and through all, and in you all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ. For this very reason, He says that after ascending on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men” (vs 4-8).
That is a rejoicing verse there if there ever was one, because it hails freedom for us!
- we were given freedom
- we were given access to life
Which before we didn’t have, it was not there! ButJesus Christ came and made it possible. We are rejoicing in that; we should rejoice in that. We should truly think on that.
Verse 9: “Now He Who ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He Who descended is the same One Who also ascended above all the heavens so that He might fulfill all things” (vs 9-10). Fulfilling the aspect of God’s plan for us!
Everything here is pointing toward God’s purpose for His creation.
Verse 11: “And He gave some as apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints…” (vs 11-12).
Here we go again, pointed to the work that God is doing:
- in His Church
- in His Family
- in those whom He has called
That includes you, brethren; this is a plan that includes you by name! You are part of this Body! Christ is very much aware of who you are, where you are, what you are going through.
“…for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ until we all… [every single one of us] …come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; so that we no longer be children, tossed and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men in cunningcraftiness… [there’s a lot of that out there] …with a view to the systematizing of the error” (vs 12-14)—which is what Satan wants us to get trapped, confused or caught up in!
Verse 15: “But holding the Truth in love, may in all things grow up into Him Who is the Head, even Christ from Whom all the Body, fitly framed and compacted together by that which every joint supplies…” (vs 15-16).
Talking about the fellowship we have after these meetings; the conversations that each one brings in the perspective of God’s Spirit working in them. All desiring to learn more, to be more a part of God’s Body.
“…according to its inner working in the measure of each individual part, is making the increase of the Body unto the edifying of itself in love” (v 16).
So, you can see how it works! But it can also work opposite; when we see that happening, we respond, we recognize it and we change.
The sacrifice of Christ provides that pathway out from sin and the bondage that we have there. Access to a whole other reality. I like to refer it to it as the spirit realm; from that of flesh to the spirit realm, a higher realm. Where flesh cannot go or comprehend.
This is a good place to go when we think about Christ’s power made possible through His sacrifice for us.
Romans 8:12: “So then, brethren, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh; because if you are living according to the flesh, you shall die…” (vs 12-13).
There is no profit in the fleshly things of this world! We are flesh, but we stand in grace, we live in Christ, and \we look to those things that are faith unto God.
“…but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (vs 13-14).
This is this new spiritual realm that we exist in. We are the begotten sons and daughters of God.
Verse 15: “Now, you have not received a spirit of bondage again unto fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship, whereby we call out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit itself bears witness conjointly with our own spirit, testifying that we are the children of God. Now, if we are children, we are also heirs…” (vs 15-17).
This is just piling on more revelation about who we are in God’s eyes, and what he is doing in our lives so that we truly comprehend the work that They are doing.
“…truly, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer together with Him, so that we may also be glorified together with Him” (v 17).
Verse 21: “In order that the creation itself might be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God…. [that day is coming] …For we know that all the creation is groaning together and travailing together until now” (vs 21-22).
Even the creation itself will benefit from this plan! And not only that:
Verse 23: “And not only that, but even we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, also groan within ourselves, awaiting the sonship—the redemption of our bodies. For by hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is not hope; for why would anyone still be hoping for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see… [and we do] …we ourselves wait for it with patience. Now, in the same way also, the Spirit is conjointly helping our weaknesses…” (vs 23-26).
This why it was so important for Christ to send it back. The Spirit is helping our weaknesses!
“…because we do not fully understand what we should pray for, according as it is necessary, but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groaning that cannot be expressed by us” (v 26).
So, we have here a great calling in that respect.
Verse 27: And the One Who searches the hearts comprehends what the strivings of the Spirit are because it makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose, because those whom He did foreknow He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His own Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren” (vs 27-29).
This is our Savior, this is Who He is; Acts 4:11: “This is the Stone that was set at naught by you, the builders, which has become the Head of the corner. And there is no salvation in any other, for neither is there another name under heaven which has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (vs 11-12). Jesus Christ is that name!
We are not at all confused to think that we can make it without Him, without the power of the work of God the Father and Jesus Christ in our lives. Let’s see what Christ says. Let’s be reminded of what He told us.
John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
This is the means by which we can access the Father. To have that access to the Father and to have that relationship and have access to the things that the Father provides. God the Father is very much involved.
Verse 13: “And whatever you shall ask in My name, this will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
You can see the relationship there from what the Father put forward and what Jesus Christ is and makes available to us. So, we pray in His name. The Father provided that, as we’ll see later when we talk about the other aspect of this relationship that we have with Him, and in the seat in which He sits today. So, He is there!
Verse 15: “If you love Me, keep the commandments—namely, My commandments.”
Not in any way apart from our responsibility toward obedience and commitment to God. But we are moved to obey God, moved to change and repent, and change our life because of what God has done.
We are part of His Family and want to do those things that please Him. So, keeping the commandments is important to that respect, for the ability for us to grow and overcome.
Verse 15: “If you love Me, keep the commandments—namely, My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter… [the Holy Spirit] …that it may be with you throughout the age” (vs 15-16).
As we journey to the Kingdom, we have the power of God within us, the Holy Spirit of God!
Verse 17: “Even the Spirit of the Truth… [comprehension and understanding of the Word] …which the world cannot receive… [because the world is in darkness and of flesh] …because it perceives it not, nor knows it, but you know it because it dwells with you, and shall be within you.”
All of us remember our calling, as God began to work with us with the Holy Spirit. After baptism and that full commitment to Truth within a covenant, receiving it and seeing the change start to happen in our lives.
Verse 18: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” He does every day accessible through prayer! Accessible through His Word as we study it!
Verse 19: “Yet, a little while and the world shall see Me no longer; but you shall see Me. Because I live, you shall live, also. In that day, you shall know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you: (vs 19-20).
Once again we have this relationship between what the Father is doing in our life, what Jesus Christ is doing in our life and for us, and our relationship with one another in Them making this all possible.
As we live and we go about our life, as we strive and overcome, as we lift each other up, we have our eye on the prize of the Kingdom. We see it clearly and we’re not going to lose sight of it. We’re going to keep our focus there.
It’s a very important thing to remember, that Jesus Christ is for us! Let’s begin to have some understanding or re-visiting our understanding of what God is doing.
Hebrews 2:9: “But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor on account of suffering the death, in order that by the grace of God He Himself might taste death for everyone; because it was fitting for Him, for Whom all things were created, and by Whom all things exist, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He Who is sanctifying and those who are sanctified are all of one; for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (vs 9-11).
You’re starting to see this wonderful close knit family relationship here. We are not in this just alone; we’re not in it just as a church. We are in it together with Him and with the Father.
Verse 12: “Saying, ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the Church I will sing praise to You.’….”—referring to the Father!
Once again, just an incredible plan for us. I want you to truly comprehend that. Never think that you are alone in this battle against the flesh. You have a might God Who is in your corner. The Father Himself Who called you, and Jesus Christ your personal Savior, and also—as we will learn later—He officiates in a way that:
- makes sure that you have access
- makes sure that you have connection
- makes sure that when you need it, you can get it
But you have to realize that you need it, and you have to ask for it! You have to come to the Father. You have to come to Christ. It is a forward motion; it is an active relationship based on engagement, based on interaction. It is not one where you just sit back in a corner and there is no engagement. It is not one where you just coast onto the Kingdom of God. It is not that kind of relationship.
It is a relationship of active work with the Father and Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit doing those things that produce the good works that God is looking for. Just keep that in mind. The Holy Spirit becomes a major part of that, as well.
What I want to emphasize here is that here we have God, this spirit being, divesting Himself of His God existence because of the love that He has for us. It’s one thing to be in a high position and have subjects. Typically those in charge will kind of separate themselves from the ‘little people’ so to speak. Here’s this kingly existence and the subjects are down here.
What the Scriptures revealed about our King is that He is willing to come and be among us. To truly comprehend what His people are going through.
Hebrews 2:14: “Therefore, since the children are partakers of flesh and blood, in like manner He also took part in the same, in order that through death He might annul him who has the power of death—that is, the devil.”
First assignment: let’s get My people free! Let’s eradicate this chain around their leg, which has them fearing death eternal, because that’s what we were subject to prior to. Satan the devil had us all in chains! He knew it!
Verse 15: “And that He [Christ] might deliver those who were subject to bondage all through their lives by their fear of death. For surely, He is not taking upon Himself to help the angels; but He is taking upon Himself to help the seed of Abraham…. [that promised seed] …For this reason, it was obligatory for Him to be made like His brethren in everything that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest.” (vs 15-17).
There is a connection. Now that He has died and freed us, through His death—this perfect sacrifice, which was accepted by the Father—and He was raised and now has another role that He is involved with, as well.
Verse 17: “For this reason, it was obligatory for Him to be made like His brethren in everything that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, in order to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
This ever atoning sacrifice made available to those whom God has set apart to be His! To those who have committed themselves to the covenant relationship. His death paid the penalty for mankind. His office as priest, and this propitiation that He provides gives us access to forgiveness eternally, ongoing. It is a continual forgiveness of sins based on that one act.
Jesus Christ is not being sacrificed over and over again, lest we as individual members think that He’s a license to do evil. None of us would have that type of mindset; and if we do, we would ask God to remove that quickly so that we don’t in any way think that Jesus Christ is a license to sin. I have said this in our sermons many, many times: Jesus Christ didn’t die so that you could sin more! He didn’t die so that you can just feel good about sin!
That is a demonic concept that is taught by the world! The Bible teaches that He made a pathway forward from the bondage of sin through Him to access the Father to be able to stand and be justified before God the Father in that covenant relationship.
Indeed, it is a beautiful, beautiful relationship. I wanted to emphasize one other thing: Jesus Christ divested Himself and came and dwelt among us, as the Scripture shows. A seed from among His sheep, as it were, He became our perfect sacrifice.
Isaiah 53:1: “Who has believed our report? And to whom is )the arm of the LORD revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; He has no form nor comeliness that we should look upon Him, nor beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected of men…” (vs 1-3).
He came down to do this among us, for us, while being rejected and being put upon!
“…a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He has borne our infirmities, and carried our sorrows; yet, we esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we ourselves are healed” (vs 3-5).
I just want to emphasize that this is the Christ Who came and dwelt among us for the purpose…
Verse 9: “And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; although He had done no violence, nor was anydeceit in His mouth. Yet, the LORD willed to crush Him and He has put Him to grief: You shall make His life an offering for sin….” (vs 9-10). Not His sin, but ours! He died for our sins!
“…He shall see His seed; He shall prolong His days, and that the purpose of the LORD might prosper in His hand” (v 10).
This is the whole plan of God being orchestrated here. It wasn’t an exercise in masochism; it was for a purpose! We are the product of that purpose today in His Church first then the world. First part done, second part to come.
Verse 11: “He shall see of the travail of His soul. He shall be fully satisfied…. [this is the Father] …By His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many; and He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will divide to Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He has poured out His soul to death; and He was counted among the transgressors; and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for transgressors” (vs 11-12).
There is our Savior, right there! Here the Father put forth the perfect sacrifice, His very own Son!
Malachi 1:14: “‘But cursed be a deceiver who has in his flock an acceptable male—yet, he vows and sacrifices to the LORD a blemished one, for I am a great King,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and My name is feared among the nations.’”
Verse 13: “‘You also said, “Behold, what a weariness it is!” And you have snuffed at it in contempt,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And you bring that which was taken by violence, and the lame, and the sick…’”
These are offerings being made to God without any consideration or honor and understanding of Who they were offering it to. Offerings represent the best. God the Father gave the best! He didn’t hold back anything, He knew what was necessary to save mankind.
In v 14 He emphasizes this; “‘But cursed be a deceiver who has in his flock an acceptable male…’”
- one that is perfect
- one that is without blemish
- one that is without spot
As Christ was!
“‘…yet, he vows and sacrifices to the LORD a blemished one, for I am a great King,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and My name isfeared among the nations’” (v 14).
God the Father recognized that the sacrifice needed for us had to be perfect, so He offered His Son! Christ was such an offering for us.
1-Peter 1 very much defines the entirety of what we have been talking about so far.
1-Peter 1:1: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect strangers scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia; who have been chosen according to the predetermined knowledge of God the Father, by sanctification through the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you” (vs 1-2).
Again, this is where we are today, and now we know why. We’re reminded as of why!
Verse 3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to His abundant mercy, has begotten us again unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” We’re marching forward unto that hope!
Verse 4: “Unto an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for us, who are being safeguarded by the power of God through faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you yourselves greatly rejoice; though for the present, if it is necessary, you are in distress for a little while by various trials” (vs 4-6).
We understand trials, it’s a part of our development and growth.
Verse 7: “In order that the proving of your faith, which is much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is being tested by fire, may be found unto praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
We’re looking forward to that day where He will reveal His glory in us, because Christ has made it possible through what He had done. We have been given—or had given to us—great things. We have:
- our calling
- the promises of God
- the faith of Jesus Christ and God the Father
- we have hope
- we have the love of God poured out into our lives through the Holy Spirit
We’re able to give God back because He has given us love first!
- we have a priesthood, a very faithful priesthood that Jesus Christ now officiates over.
- we have been begotten by the Father, and the Father Himself having done the selection and the calling
- we are to be born into His very own Family
John 16:27—Christ says: “For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father” (vs 27-28). That’s where He is today!
Galatians 3:26: “Because you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (vs 26-29).
That is that spiritual seed that I was referencing in the previous Scripture.
Now that we know our Savior; and we comprehend the great power behind what God is doing for us, through this loving relationship that we have, it is a powerful, powerful love.
- it redeems us
- it transforms us from within
- it encourages us to fight on
- it gives us hope
- it gives us faith
- it moves us to action
- it moves us to repentance
- it fills us with encouragement
- it keeps us connected to the Father
This is truly, truly recognizing what Christ did in discerning His Body from what it truly represents in our life. Blood is given and, yes, it should move us to work. It should not in any shape, form or fashion make us lazy and thinking that He has done it for us and all we have to do is coast on in.
This is how we overcome, through this power that is made possible through Jesus Christ! Both the sacrifice and the office that He now holds in officiating for us, the access to the Father, propitiation for sins, He stands and officiates on our behalf as our High Priest.
This talks about Paul’s thoughts about this matter; Romans 8:34: “Who is the one that condemns? It is Christ Who died, but rather, Who is raised again… [we don’t have a dead Christ, we have a living God, living Christ, living Savior] …Who is even nowat the right hand of God, and Who is also making intercession for us.” So, we see a part of what He’s doing!
1-John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And yet, if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father; Jesus Christ the Righteous.” Not a license to sin! But so that you:
- don’t lose hope when you, in the flesh, stumble and fall, fall short
- don’t lose courage
- don’t lose hope
because Jesus Christ is there to advocate to the Father for you as faithful High Priest!
Verse 2: “And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
But they don’t know that, yet! That’s why it’s very important for us to get this message out. This good news about Christ. That’s important, yes, but God calls! We have to preach that Gospel, but God calls! He opens the mind to comprehend it, and to know what’s going on.
Heb. 11—this is the standing for the brethren holding onto the Truth, never letting go no matter what!
Hebrews 11:37: “They were stoned to death, they were sawed in two, they were brutally interrogated, and slaughtered by thesword. They went about in sheepskins and in goatskins, being destitute, oppressed, and ill-treated.”
We may have some things we have to go through in the future. We may actually have to witness some of this. We need to understand the bigger picture. It is not about just having the wherewithal to stand at that moment. It’s understanding the scope of what we’re involved with. Even today we’re able to overcome and go forward and do even more.
Verse 38: “Of whom the world was not worthy; they wandered in deserts and in mountains, living in caves and in holes in the earth. But these all, though they had received a good report through faith, did not obtain the promise, because God had determined in advance to provide something superior for us so that without us they would not be made perfect” (vs 38-40).
God has His entire Family in tow with Him! He’s not going to leaven anyone behind. He wants us all to be fully availed in that.
Heb. 8—This is where Paul summarizes the entirety of this priestly office that Christ now holds.
Hebrews 8:1: Now, here is a summary of the things being discussed: We have such a High Priest Who sat down at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens.”
Christ is our High Priest, a minister is His role, His office:
Verse 2: “A Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord set up, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer both gifts and sacrifices… [that’s their office, their charge therefore, it is necessary for this One also to have something that He can offer. Now, on the one hand, if He were on earth He would not even be a priest since there are priests who offer gifts according to the priestly law” (vs 2-4)—as it was when Paul was writing this!
Verse 5: “Who serve as a representation and shadow of the heavenly things, exactly as Moses was Divinely instructed when he was about to construct the tabernacle: ‘For see,’ says He, ‘that you make all things according to the pattern that was shown to you in the mountain.’”
So, the earthly priesthood, the earthly tabernacle was really a shadow of the reality that is in heaven. The reality is what we are part of today. Out Priest is in heaven at the right hand of the Father.
Verse 6: “But on the other hand, He has obtained a supremely more excellent ministry, as much greater as the superior covenant of which He is also Mediator, which was established upon superior promises. For if the first covenant had been faultless, then no provision for a second covenant would have been made” (vs 6-7).
The first covenant never took away sins! That law of sin and death was still around our ankles, but Christ did take away our sins!
Verse 8: “But since He found fault with them, He says, ‘“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “when I will establish a New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in theday that I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them,” says the Lord. “For this is the covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after those days,” says theLord: “I will give My laws into their minds, and I will inscribe them upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people”’” (vs 8-10).
This is the relationship that we have with God today! God has called us to truly comprehend His Truth in a way that had not before. The sacrifice necessary for our salvation:
- Who gave it?
- Who brought that sacrifice? The Father did!
- Who offered it? Christ Himself offered Himself!
He did it voluntarily!
- Who accepted it? It was accepted by the Father!
He commented that it was truly a sweet savor, completely acceptable for the penalty that it paid! So, God the Father accepted it as payment in full, and it was offered once forever!
- Who officiated for us? Christ Himself!
So, we go to Him in this relationship!
- it is an incredible thing that God is doing
- it is an incredible thing that He has done
For us to truly recognize it as we continue to march toward Passover, it is important!
Colossians 1:9: For this cause we also, from the day that we heard of it, do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”
This understanding for the brethren who have just been baptized, who even a deeper and more profound appreciation for those of us who have been around for years. This never gets old! It is an important aspect of our spiritual journey!
Verse 10: “That you may walk worthily of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work…”—which is a big part of this! It’s made possible:
- through this relationship
- through the office
- because of what God is doing
“…and growing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, unto all endurance and long-suffering with joy… [we’re going to need that] …giving thanks to the Father… [every day] …Who has made us qualified for the share of the inheritance of the saints in the Light” (vs 10-12).
- that included sending His Son
- that included the incredible plan that He is working out even now
He has qualified us; or qualifying us!
Verse 13: “Who has personally rescued us from the power of darkness… [saved us from Satan] …and has transferred us unto the Kingdom of the Son of His love; in Whom we have redemption through His own blood, even the remission of sins; Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation; because by Him were all things created, the things in heaven and the things on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether they be thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him” (vs 13-16).
Verse 17: “And He is before all, and by Him all things subsist. And He is the Head of the Body, the Church; Who is theBeginning, the Firstborn from among the dead so that in all things He Himself might hold the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell; and having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things to Himself… [the incredible perfect, loving mind of God] …by Him, whether the things on the earth, or the things in heaven. For you were once alienated and enemies in your minds by wicked works; but now He has reconciled you: in the body of His flesh through death, to present you Holy and unblamable and unimpeachable before Him” (vs 17-22).
Verse 23 is the part you cannot do:
- by sitting in a corner
- by not being engaged
- by not overcoming and growing
- by not utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit to change our life
- by not working with the brethren
- by not spending time encouraging and uplifting one another
Verse 23: “If indeed you continue in the faith grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which you have heard, and which was proclaimed in all the creation that is under heaven; of which I, Paul, became a servant.”
God has revealed that message through Paul in the book of Hebrews and throughout all his epistles, with all the apostles and prophets, going all the way back to the Garden of Eden; stretching all the way to the book of Revelation. We see the plan of God. We see that God the Father and Jesus Christ are working with u s to reproduce Themselves. And all mankind will have access to it.
So that is truly something to rejoice it! Keep that on your mind as you continue to march to Passover. As we enter that time in that room and start to view the wine, the bread and do the foot-washing. As we do those ceremonial things we see how precious they are and will approach it with even more solemn and thankful spirit and mind!
Scriptural References:
- Romans 5:1-6
- Ephesians 4:1-5
- John 3:16
- Ephesians 4:4-16
- Romans 8:12-17, 21-29
- Acts 4:11-12
- John 14:6, 13, 15-20
- Hebrews 2:9-12, 14-17
- Isaiah 53:1-5, 9-12
- Malachi 1:14, 13, 14
- 1 Peter 1:1-7
- John 16:27-28
- Galatians 3:26-29
- Romans 8:34
- 1 John 2:1-2
- Hebrews 11:37-40
- Hebrews 8:1-10
- Colossians 1:9-23
AJ:bo
Transcribed: 5/31/22
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