Sunday sermons | Passionate worship

This sermon was preached by Pastor Keith Cardwell at Swift Presbyterian Church.

Jesus Is the Greatest; Therefore . . .
Hebrews 10:19–25; 11:1
Feb. 26, 2017
Transfiguration Sunday

J ESUS IS THE GREATEST. That’s the proposition the writer of Hebrews sets out to prove. He opens the sermon with these propositions. Jesus Christ is the agent of creation. Christ is the exalted Son of God. Christ is the High Priest installed at God’s right hand.

Yet at the same time, Christ in the flesh shares every aspect of our humanity but sin. Both his godly greatness and his great humanity stimulate our firmness in faithfulness and obedience — so that we do not grow weary and lose heart (12:4).

Hebrews, written to second-generation Jewish Christians, spends a great deal of time comparing Jesus Christ to other priests. One interesting point is that priests stand, and Jesus sits. We might not think that makes much of a difference. But it does. Priests stand because they offer the same sacrifices for sins over and over again. The sacrifices they offer do not affect the heart. In contrast, Jesus sits because his sacrifice has brought complete forgiveness of sins. He sits because his work is done.

Moreover, Jesus doesn’t just sit down anywhere. He takes a seat at the right hand of God. Those who claim him as priest go right into the holy place of God (10:19). His sacrifice, like those of other high priests, cleanses the body, but it also removes the consciousness of evil from the heart. This internal cleansing makes Jesus’ sacrifice the herald of the New Covenant. Sins are forgotten. Laws are put in hearts. Minds are prepared for the implantation of God’s law (10:16–17).

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THROUGHOUT THIS HEBREWS SERMON, the author consistently shows Jesus as greater than everything between the throne room in heaven and the altar on which we sacrifice. And because he gave himself as sacrifice, he is the greatest sacrifice.

Jesus is the greatest; therefore . . . . Have faith. Faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Have faith. Hold tightly to that hope. God is a keeper of promises. Motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Meet together. Encourage one another. Draw near to God in assurance of faith. Jesus is the greatest — therefore, have faith.

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You need faith examples? Look to the great stories of heroes of faith. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the people of Israel, Rahab. It would take too long to recount these stories of the faith as well as those of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. Have faith; be guided by those who have gone before. Have faith; we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

Hebrews picks up the litany of Psalm 146. Lifelong praise, trust and faith are reserved for the Lord alone. Those who rely on Israel’s God for help know “happiness.” God, not angels, is the source of this happiness. Angels can’t help you, but the God who created the angels can. God, not mortals, is the source of this help. Moses can’t help you, but the God of Moses can. The world can’t help you, but the God who brought the world into being can help you.

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THE PSALMIST OFFERS God’s résumé.

● First, God does justice for the oppressed — primarily financial — defrauding one’s neighbor
(Leviticus 6:2–4) or withholding wages (Deuteronomy 24:14)
● Second, God is the one who gives food to the hungry.
● Third, God sets the prisoners free.
● Fourth, God opens the eyes of the blind.
● Fifth, God lifts up those who are bowed down.
● Sixth, God loves the righteous.
● Seventh, God watches over the strangers — resident aliens, immigrants.
● Eighth, God upholds the orphan and the widow. Fatherless children were orphans even though
their mothers were very much alive.

This is quite the résumé. Who wouldn’t serve a God like this? Hebrews has already affirmed that Jesus is the exact human, physical, incarnate representation of God — the radiance of God’s glory. So, this is also the résumé of Christ. Who wouldn’t want to worship, praise, honor, and serve the Son of God who is God with us?

This Hebrews sermon is written to early Christians. Hold fast in faith. Jesus is the greatest. Live fully in him. This sermon is written to you. Is this a God in whom you can place your faith and hope?

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BENEDICTION
Hebrews 13: Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

— Keith Cardwell

Hebrews 10:19–25, 11:1
New International Version

A Call to Persevere in Faith

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.