Bible Readings:
Hebrews 1:1- 3:6
Sermon Outline:
Hebrews 10:36 (NKJV)
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
I The temptation to the Hebrews
Hebrews 10:32–34 (NKJV)
32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
II The answer to spiritual declension
Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV)
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
1 – Superior and final revelation
Hebrews 1:1–2 (NKJV)
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
2 – The Son of God became flesh to save His children
Hebrews 2:14–17 (NKJV)
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
3 – Superior to Moses
4 – Our great high priest
Hebrews 4:14 (NKJV)
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
5 – The one, single effective final sacrifice for sin
Hebrews 7:27 (NKJV)
27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
Hebrews 9:12 (NKJV)
12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
6 – Better and greater
Hebrews 12:24 (NKJV)
24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
7 – Christ the exemplar of faith and hope
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.