Let's have a word of prayer first.
O Lord, Thou art one who is so
worthy to be praised.
We do desire to sing praises unto Thee
from the very bottom of our hearts.
We do desire to come into Thy presence
with a worshiping spirit, knowing that Thou has
done all things well.
And Thou Thyself is so supreme and superior.
Thou art truly the finality of God, the
all-ending all to us.
Lord, we do pray that more and more
we may lose sight of things, but we
may be occupied with Christ.
We pray that more and more there may
be a deeper union with Thyself.
We do commit this morning into Thy hands,
Lord.
We pray that Thou will give us the
spirit of wisdom and revelation to the full
knowledge of God, without which we are lost.
O Lord, we open our hearts to Thee,
we turn our hearts to Thee, that we
may behold Thy glory and be transformed accordingly.
And to Thee be all the praise and
the glory to the ages.
Last night we read two passages from the
book of Hebrews.
In the first passage, that is in chapter
one, it says, God having spoken to our
fathers formerly in many parts and in many
ways, now He has spoken to us in
son, that is in His son.
God speaking through the prophets are in part
and in many ways.
But when God speaks in His son, He
speaks fully, completely and finally.
So in this we see the finality of
Christ.
And because Christ is final, therefore in the
second passage we read from the twelfth chapter
of the book of Hebrews, we are exalted
to look away from all things.
And to look steadfastly, fix our eyes upon
one, that is upon Christ.
Christianity is not full of things.
Christianity is Christ.
And until Christ becomes all things to us,
that is to say, it is no longer
a thing to us.
It is no longer things to us.
But it is Christ to us.
Until that happens, we find the will of
God is not completed.
So the theme of the book of Hebrews
is to encourage us to go on to
Christ.
From things to Christ.
And this is the kingdom that cannot be
shaken.
So we mentioned last night we are living
in the days of great shaking.
Everything will be tested.
Not only things that are not of God,
but even things that come from God.
They will be shaken.
Until only Christ remains.
And that is.
Now this morning we would like to still
continue with the book of Hebrews.
You know in the book of Hebrews there
is a key word.
Sometimes when you read.
Now if you can find a key word,
say in any book of the Bible, then
you are able to open that book.
Now if you do not find the key,
it is very difficult.
Sometimes you may read it many times, but
if there is no key, then the book
is still close to you.
You may get some good thoughts here and
there.
But so far as the whole book is
concerned, it is not open up.
Now in the book of Hebrews there is
a key word.
And this key word is not difficult to
find.
Why?
Because it is a word that is repeated
many times in this letter.
Now whenever you find something being repeated, and
you know the Holy Spirit never repeats himself
in vain.
When he repeats something, he wants to emphasize
something.
He wants to bring to us a very
important message.
And that is the reason why he repeats.
Now in the book of Hebrews there is
a word, which is being repeated thirteen times.
And when you find a word being repeated
so much, you know there is something to
it.
You know that the Holy Spirit is trying
to say something to us.
And that word, if I mention it, you
know it already.
It is the word better.
Better.
B-E-T-T-E-R.
Better.
The whole book of Hebrews is based upon
this word better.
The writer of Hebrews is trying to show
us something better.
What you have may be good, but God
says he has something better for you.
Now let us go very hurriedly over these
thirteen mentionings of the word better.
In chapter one verse four, the writer speaks
of Christ.
How he is much better than the angels.
Taking a place by so much better than
the angels.
As he inherits a name more excellent than
they.
You will find not only the word better
here, but you will find another word like
more excellent.
Actually it carries, conveys the same meaning.
So in Hebrews you will find not only
the word better being mentioned thirteen times, but
there are other words which carry similar meanings.
And that increase, increases the force of the
word better.
The second mentioning is in chapter six, verse
nine.
But we are persuaded concerning you beloved, better
things, and connected with salvation, even if we
speak thus.
Better things.
Connected with salvation.
Chapter seven, verse seven.
But beyond all gains saying the inferior is
blessed by the better.
Here you will find the better blesses the
inferior.
Chapter seven, verse nineteen.
For the law perfected nothing, and the introduction
of a better hope by which we draw
nigh to God.
A better hope.
Verse twenty-two.
By so much Jesus became surety of a
better covenant.
A better covenant than the old one.
Chapter eight, verse six.
But now he has got a more excellent
ministry.
By so much as he is mediator of
a better covenant which is established on the
footing of better promises.
This better covenant is based upon better promises.
Chapter nine, verse twenty-three.
It was necessary then that the figurative representations
of the things in the heavens should be
purified with these.
But the heavenly things themselves with sacrifices better
than these.
Better sacrifices.
Chapter ten, verse thirty-four.
For ye both sympathize with prisoners and accept
it with joy the plunderer of your goods.
Knowing that ye have for yourselves a better
substance and an abiding one.
A better substance.
Chapter eleven, verse sixteen.
But now they seek a better.
That is a heavenly.
Wherefore God is not ashamed of them to
be called their God for he has prepared
for them a city.
A better, a heavenly city.
Verse thirty-five.
Women received their dead again by resurrection.
And others were tortured not having accepted deliverance
that they might get a better resurrection.
A better resurrection.
Then verse forty.
God having foreseen some better thing for us
that they should not be made perfect without
us.
A better thing, a better arrangement.
That they will not be made perfect without
us.
And then in chapter twelve, verse twenty-four.
And to Jesus mediator of a new covenant
and to the blood of sprinkling speaking better
than Abel.
The blood of our Lord Jesus speaks better
than Abel.
Because Abel's blood accuses.
But the blood of our Lord Jesus forgives.
So you find in these many mentionings of
the word better.
In other words, the Holy Spirit is trying
to draw our attention to something better.
As we mentioned last night, the background of
this letter is to help those Jewish believers.
Who were still tied down with Judaism at
that time.
To be freed from Judaism.
That they might enter into the purity of
faith in Christ Jesus.
They had good things in their hands.
Many good things.
And these good things came from God.
And because they were good things and they
came from God.
Therefore they were very reluctant to let these
things go.
Even after they believed in the Lord Jesus.
Even after they have experienced salvation in Christ
Jesus.
They still held on to these good things
of Judaism.
And trying to mix up Christianity with Judaism.
Trying to put Christ on the same footing
as Moses.
And because of that they could not enter
into perfection.
And God wants to wean them from these
things.
That they might grow up in Christ.
God has something better for them.
And when you get the better things you
let the good.
Now better is not in contrast with bad.
Better is in contrast with good.
So here you find it is not a
question of whether it is good or bad.
Now our question is always in the realm
of good and bad.
We always ask the question now is it
bad?
If it is bad it should be rejected.
If it is good then it should be
accepted.
Our question is always a matter of good
and evil.
The knowledge of the tree of good and
evil.
Our question is now if it is good
then surely we should have it.
If it is evil then we should not
have it.
Our whole Christian outlook.
Our whole Christian concept.
Our whole Christian realm is actually in the
realm of the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil.
Why?
Because it is just a matter of good
and bad.
But God does not want us to live
in that realm.
God wants us to live on a higher
realm.
In a higher realm.
It is not no longer a matter of
good and bad.
It is a matter of better and good.
These things are good.
These things come from God.
These things are spiritual things.
And yet when Christ comes into our lives
God wants us to see it is no
longer these good things.
It is the better Christ.
Are we willing to let these good things
go?
In order that Christ may be all things.
There you'll find you're on a higher ground.
That is the meaning of Hebrews chapter 6.
We should leave behind the beginnings of the
Christ.
And move on.
Even though today we do not cling to
Judaism.
And yet we cling to many things in
Christianity.
And because we are occupied with things somehow
we are being held back by these things.
And unable to launch completely into the current.
And that is the reason why we need
the message of the book of Hebrews.
Last night we fellowship on the finality of
Christ.
This morning we would like to mention about
the superiority of Christ.
Christ is far superior to all things.
He is better.
The writer of Hebrews uses a number of
contrasts.
In chapters 1 and 2 You'll find Christ
in contrast with the angels.
Now today we do not talk much about
the angels.
You know we're the Jewish people.
The angels play a very important part in
their lives.
You remember in the old days how the
angels appeared to Abraham.
Before these angels went to investigate the sins
of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah.
God appeared to Abraham with two angels.
And you remember how in the dream of
Jacob at Bethel.
God was on the other end of the
ladder.
And Jacob lay on this side of the
ladder.
And angels ascending and descending on that ladder.
And you remember Moses.
The angel of the Lord appeared to him
in the burning bush.
And gave him charge, command.
To go to Egypt to deliver God's people.
And even on the mount of Horeb, Mount
Sinai.
When he received the Ten Commandments.
The angel spoke to him.
The law was ordained through the ministry of
the angels.
And this was confirmed.
Not only by Acts chapter 7.
But by Galatians chapter 3 verse 19.
The law was ordained through the ministry of
the angels.
And as you go on in the Old
Testament.
You'll find the angels played a very important
part.
In the lives of the prophets.
In the lives of the children of Israel.
And even when you come to the Gospels.
You'll find how an angel appeared to Zechariah.
While he was burning incense in the temple.
How an angel appeared to Mary.
Informed her.
She was blessed of the Lord.
And even with our Lord Jesus.
When he was in the wilderness.
Being tempted by the devil.
After the 40 days and 40 nights were
over.
He was tempted in all things without sin.
Then the angels came to minister to him.
And in the garden of Gethsemane.
He was agonizing in prayer.
His sweat came down like drops of blood.
If it's not because the angel appeared.
To strengthen his physical body.
He might collapse in the garden.
And of course in the book of Acts.
You'll find the same thing.
Peter was in prison.
And an angel was sent by God.
To open the iron gate and set him
free.
Oh even if you go on to the
last book.
Book of Revelation.
You'll find it was an angel.
That showed the apostle John the new Jerusalem.
The holy city.
So you'll find the angels play a very
important part.
In the lives of the Jewish people.
Very important part.
We are not too much aware of God's
angels today.
I wonder if because we are too materialistic.
In our mind.
But you know to the Jewish people.
They believe in a spiritual world.
Just as they believe in a physical world.
And these two worlds interact.
Even today.
We are not only living in a physical
world.
But there is a spiritual world.
And in the spiritual world.
There are angels.
Ministering servants of God.
They carry out God's commands.
And as the Bible says.
They are ministering servants.
Who minister to those who will inherit God's
salvation.
In other words they minister to us.
Many times things do not happen to us.
Many times things do happen to us.
And you have no explanation.
You do not know.
That God has sent his angels to minister.
I mean sometimes we are not aware of
these things.
They are angels.
Sent by God to minister to those who
inherit.
You are not alone.
You have angels.
And sometimes people make a joke.
And say now do not speed too fast.
In driving you know.
If you are speeding you may leave your
guiding angel behind you.
You know it may be a kind of
joke.
But still you will find there is something
to it.
There is something to it.
And in the book of Hebrews he says.
Sometimes when you receive people.
You may receive angels unaware.
Angels are very real.
Even though you may not see them.
And yet they are here.
They are carrying out God's will.
They are protecting.
They are helping.
They are ministering unto those who are the
Lord.
Just as evil spirits are very real.
Demons are very real.
Now more and more people begin to discover
that.
You know at one time Christians seemed to.
Laugh at the very thought of demons.
As if they were non-existent.
But more and more people are aware of.
The evil spirits.
The demons in this world.
But unfortunately.
When people begin to be aware of the
demons.
They are too conscious of the demons.
We should be conscious of God.
We should be more occupied with God.
And not to be occupied with demons.
What have they to do with us?
We should be God conscious.
Not too much demon conscious.
And that is something we should be careful.
And in like manner.
We should be aware of the angels.
But we should not be too much occupied
with the angels.
You know you can be so much occupied
with the angels.
That you will come to the point of
worshipping these angels.
Even the apostle John.
Was tempted to do that.
You remember in the book of Revelation.
When the angel shows apostle John the new
Jerusalem.
The holy city.
Now it was such a great revelation.
Unconsciously John fell before the angel.
And worshipped the angel.
And it so happened.
Thank God that it was a good angel.
So the angel said now don't do that.
Don't worship me.
We are fellow servants of the Lord.
You worship God.
You don't worship me.
But Satan.
Will come to us as the angel of
light.
And the purpose is that he might receive
our worship.
That's the trouble.
On the one hand we should be aware
of the angels.
Yet on the other hand.
We should be careful.
Lest we be misled.
Into worshipping these angels.
The angels definitely have a part to play.
In the economy of God.
Very definite part to play.
And yet.
God wants us to be occupied.
With his son.
With Christ.
Not with angels.
You know in the book of Colossians.
In chapter 2.
There is.
A verse.
Even with the Christians at that time.
They have this difficulty.
In chapter 2 verse 18.
It says.
Let no one fraudulently deprive you of your
prize.
Doing his own will in humility and worship
of angels.
Entering into things which he has not seen.
Vainly puffed up by the mind of his
flesh.
And not holding fast the head.
From whom all the body ministered to.
And united together by the joints and band.
Increases with the increase of God.
Do you know.
That there are many heresies in Christianity today.
That comes through special revelation by angels.
Have you heard of that?
But Paul says.
If anyone should preach another gospel.
Even by an angel he is acquired.
In the former days.
When the law was given.
It was given through the ministry of the
angels.
Therefore.
The writer of the Hebrew said.
We should be very careful.
Lest we do not keep.
What God has said to us.
But now.
He has spoken in his son.
And when he speaks in his son.
That's the final word.
We will not have any new revelation anymore.
God's revelation is complete.
In Christ Jesus.
So if after Christ.
There should be an angel coming.
To give special revelation.
You know it is not of God.
Because God's revelation is already complete.
In his son.
How much better.
Is God's son.
Than the angels.
In chapter one of Hebrews.
The writer presents Christ.
As the son of God.
In chapter two.
As the son of man.
As the son of God.
He is seven fold.
Superior.
Than the angels.
Why because.
Here you find in Hebrews chapter one.
God has established him.
Heir of all things.
Christ is the heir of all things.
By him also he made the world.
By Christ he created.
The universe.
Who being the effulgence of his glory.
Christ is the outshining.
Of God's glory.
Just like the light.
Is the outshining of the sun.
The expression of his substance.
God's substance.
Is expressed.
Through his son.
Upholding all things by the word of his
power.
Christ not only created the world.
But he maintains the world.
By his power.
Having made by himself the purification of sins.
He accomplished.
Finished the work.
Of the purification of sins.
And set himself down on the right hand.
Of the greatness on high.
He is now sitting.
At the right hand of God.
Waiting his enemies to be his posture.
Now to which of the angels.
Did God ever.
Say something like this.
Christ is the son.
But the angels are servants.
Christ inherits all things.
And the angels.
Are only serving.
Those who are redeemed.
So you find that Christ.
Is far superior than the angels.
As the son of God.
He is far superior.
And then in chapter two.
Man is made a little lower than angels.
So far as the order of God's creation
is concerned.
Man is lower than angels.
Man is higher than the animals.
But man is lower than angels.
The angels are spirits.
They are superior to man.
In intelligence.
In power.
They are superior.
But even when Christ was made.
A little lower than angels.
When he came to become a man.
Yet.
After he has accomplished the work of salvation.
He is given glory and honor.
Glory and honor.
And he is to inherit all things.
So even as the son of man.
He is superior than the angels.
What is the practical application of this?
Why is it?
That we need to know that Christ is
superior than the angels.
Why?
Now the application is found in chapter two.
For this reason.
We should give heed more abundantly to the
things we have heard.
Lest in any way.
We should slip away.
For if the word which was spoken by
angels was firm.
And every transgression and disobedience received just retribution.
How shall we escape if we have been
negligent of so great salvation.
Which having had its commencement in being spoken
of.
We should pay attention to the law.
The law was the word spoken by the
angels.
Now if people should pay attention to the
law.
Because they were words spoken by the angels.
If anyone did not listen to the law.
They will be punished.
How much more.
We should pay attention to so great a
salvation.
Which was spoken to us.
Brothers and sisters.
What is it?
That Christ has spoken to us.
He has brought to us so great a
salvation.
Now what is this so great salvation?
We often think of salvation just in terms
of forgiveness of sin.
In terms of one day we will go
to heaven.
Now these are true.
These are very precious.
If we have experienced the forgiveness of sin.
We know how precious it is.
If we know one day we will go
to heaven.
And to be with God forever.
How comforting it is.
That's true.
But dear brothers and sisters.
When Christ.
And speaks to us.
He brings something far better.
Than just having our sins forgiven.
Or just promising us.
That after we die we will go to
heaven.
He brings to us so great.
He is to bring many sons.
That is so great.
To have our sins forgiven.
To be born again.
To receive a new life.
Thank God for this salvation.
But.
We are babes.
God's intention is not that we just remain
as babes.
God's intention is that we may be sons.
Like his son.
We may be conformed to the image of
his son.
As his son is.
So shall we be.
That his son may lead many sons to
glory.
You know sons and children are different.
Children means we are in the initial stage
of life.
But sons means we are matured.
We are grown up.
The message that Christ has brought to us.
Is that we may be sons.
He wants to lead many sons to glory.
He is the heir and we are joint
heirs with Christ.
Now that is the message.
That the son has brought to us.
Now is not this message far superior than
the message brought to us by the angels?
The message that the angels has brought to
us is the message of the law.
You do this.
You keep that.
And then you shall live.
But it puts us into bondage.
But the message that Christ has brought to
us is that.
He is to lead many sons to glory.
How far superior.
Is that message.
And because of that.
We must be careful.
How many of God's children today.
Have really heard the words spoken by Christ.
How many of God's children today only knows
the law of Moses.
They do not know the grace of Christ.
They do not know.
That Christ is to lead many sons to
glory.
How many of God's people just let the
word slip by.
How shall we escape if we neglect so
great.
One day when we shall appear before the
judgment seat of Christ.
The question will be.
Have we heard the words spoken by God's
son.
Have we accepted so great a salvation.
Do we allow Christ to so work in
our lives.
That we may grow into mature sons.
Do we have the glory in view.
Are we negligent of the whole thing.
Being contented just to be little children in
Christ.
Now that is the practical application.
Because Christ is far superior than the angels.
Therefore we shall pay more attention to what
he says.
What is the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God is this is my
beloved son.
Hear him.
That is the kingdom of God.
You have heard Moses.
But now hear him.
Hear him.
And his word is final.
In this respect we can see the superiority.
And if we hear him.
Then the angels will come to minister to
us.
God does not want us to hear the
angels.
God does not want us to set our
eyes on the angels.
God wants us to hear the son.
And fix our gaze upon him.
Then the angels will come and minister to
us.
They will help us to.
They will help us to be obedient to
the Lord.
They will help us to be mature in
Christ.
Because God has made them ministry.
Now this is the first point.
Then the second point.
You find in chapters 3 and chapter 4.
In chapters 3 and 4.
Christ is contrasted with Moses.
With the Jewish people.
Aside from say Abraham.
Because Abraham is their father.
I don't know how much about David.
But you know that with the Jewish people.
Moses was very great in their eyes.
Even at the time of our Lord Jesus
you remember.
These Pharisees told the Lord.
We are disciples of Moses.
Now who are you?
We are Moses disciples.
Yes.
Moses is a great servant of God.
As the Bible says.
Moses is faithful in all God's house.
Moses is a great servant of God.
He served the house of God.
That is Israel.
Very faithfully.
Again and again you find when God said.
I will wipe out the nation.
And I will bless you and prosper you.
And make you a great nation.
But Moses said Lord.
Remember this is your people.
Moses was even willing to have his name
erased.
From the book of life.
If only God will forgive the children of
Israel.
And he was heard.
So you can see Moses was most faithful
in God's house.
He led the people of Israel out of
Egypt.
Through the wilderness.
But in spite of all his faithfulness.
He failed.
He failed to bring God's people into the
promised land.
And he failed to enter into the land
himself.
But here you find Christ.
When Christ is contrasted with Moses.
First he is the son over God's house.
Moses is but a servant in God's house.
And he was heard.
And he became the author of our eternal
salvation.
In a sense Moses was an apostle to
the Jews.
To that nation.
Because apostle means one thing but to do.
So in that sense Moses was an apostle
to the children of Israel.
And in a very real sense Christ is
our apostle.
Because in chapter 3 you find the apostle
and high priest of our confession.
Christ is the apostle.
He is our apostle.
He is sent by God.
To do a certain work.
He opens a way for us.
Into heaven.
Into the presence of God itself.
He has opened a way for us.
That we may enter in.
He is the author of our eternal salvation.
So brothers and sisters just remember this.
That Christ is superior than Moses.
That is the reason why when Peter tried
to put Moses on the same level as
Christ.
Let us make three tabernacles.
One for you Lord.
One for Moses.
And one for Elijah.
Immediately God dismissed Moses.
It is Christ.
What is the practical application of this?
Christ is superior than Moses.
What is the practical application to us today?
The practical application is this.
Great as Moses was.
As a servant of God.
God wants us to follow Christ.
And not to follow Moses.
Moses points us to Christ.
We should follow Christ.
And not follow man.
However great that man may be.
You know we have a tendency.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 you find the
problem with the Christians, with the believers in
the church at Corinth.
Was this.
Some say I am of Paul.
Some say I am of Apollo.
Some say I am of Cephas.
Now Paul, Apollo and Cephas they were great
servants of God.
God sent them to the church at Corinth.
And helped these believers.
By Paul they might be brought to Christ.
By Apollo they were being established and strengthened.
And by Peter they were helped in another
way.
You'll find these were servants of God.
Greatly used by God.
And these people at Corinth they received help
from different servants.
And then you'll find the human nature is
to follow a man.
So some say I am of Paul.
I follow Paul.
Others say well I think Apollo is deeper.
I am of Apollo.
And others say well Peter.
Peter is more orthodox.
I am of Peter.
Is Christ divided?
Brothers and sisters.
Paul said.
Why are you so small?
Say I am of Paul.
Yes Paul is yours.
And so are Peter and Apollo are yours.
You don't need to limit yourself to one.
They are all yours.
The whole world is yours.
And you are Christ.
And Christ is God.
Therefore you'll find in the book of Hebrews.
Today if you hear his voice.
Harden.
Today we are to hear him.
We are to follow him.
And if we do.
We will enter into a realm.
He is our apostle.
He goes ahead.
To open a way for us.
And we are to follow him.
And if we follow him.
We will enter into rest.
Just like in John chapter 10.
The Lord said.
My sheep hear my voice.
He is the shepherd.
Who goes before.
And the sheep follow him.
If the sheep follow him.
The shepherd.
They will be in good pastures.
They shall not be in want.
So the practical application.
For us today is.
Knowing Christ is superior than Moses.
How we need.
To be delivered.
From man.
And be wholly occupied.
That we hear him.
That we follow him.
Then thirdly.
You'll find from chapter 5 to chapter 7.
The right of Hebrews.
Contrast Christ with Aaron.
With Aaronic.
Or Levitical priesthood.
Now through Judaism.
To the Jewish people.
Aaron was very important.
Levitical priesthood.
Is very essential.
Why?
Because without Levitical priesthood.
They were lost.
Suppose an Israelite sinned.
And if he sinned.
He will be cast out.
From the presence of God.
He will be excommunicated.
From the congregation of Israel.
Suppose a person touch.
An unclean thing and is defiled.
And there is no way of purification.
Then he is forever lost.
He cannot come to God.
He cannot communicate.
Have fellowship with the rest of God's people.
He is permanently barred.
But thank God.
There is the Levitical priesthood.
When he fails.
When he sins.
When he is defiled.
Here you'll find these priests.
Being man.
They know human weakness.
Because they are with themselves.
So they are sympathetic.
Very sympathetic.
To those who have fallen.
And by the command of God.
They will help these fallen Israelites.
To offer sacrifices.
To help them to be purified.
That they might be restored to God.
As well as to the congregation of the
people of Israel.
So without the Levitical priesthood.
They were completely lost.
No wonder they lean so heavily upon the
Levitical priesthood.
He is the priest after the order of
Melchizedek.
He has come to this world to become
a man.
He was tempted in all things.
Without sin.
In other words.
We have a sympathetic high priest.
God in heaven.
Knows everything.
But sometimes.
You may wonder.
He has no experience of our weaknesses.
He knows.
He does not need to experience it to
know.
He knows.
But our faith sometimes is weak.
Say you are so strong.
You don't know what I have gone through.
Even though he does know.
But here you are.
Christ.
God's son.
Being a man.
He has passed through all things.
He is very very sympathetic.
By experience.
But without sin.
He was tempted in all things.
And such high priest.
Is worthy.
Is worthy of us.
He is not only sympathetic.
But he ever lived.
Not like the Levitical priesthood.
A priest may be sympathetic.
But he soon dies.
Is interrupted.
You have to start all over again.
But here.
He ever lives.
Making intercession for us.
He is able to save those.
Who come to God by him.
To the uttermost.
Oh what.
He never fails.
We can depend upon him.
For our whole life.
For our eternity.
You know in a sense.
Knowing Christ as a high priest.
Is essential to our daily life.
If we do not know Christ as our
high priest.
How can it live?
How can us live for a day?
We cannot.
But here.
We have Christ.
As a high priest.
Ever living.
Not only sympathetic.
But powerful.
All powerful.
Therefore.
We can trust ourselves.
To his ministry.
He will carry us through.
Let us hold fast.
Our confession.
And let us.
Come to God.
With confidence.
That is Christ.
He is superior.
And then lastly.
You'll find.
From chapter 8 to chapter 10.
Verse 18.
Christ.
Is being contrasted with.
All the cardinal essential things.
In Judaism.
Now in Judaism.
There are a few things.
That are most essential.
Number one.
The covenant.
God made a covenant.
With the children of Israel.
And that was the basis of Judaism.
Without that covenant.
How could they be God's people?
And secondly.
There was the tabernacle.
The temple.
That was essential to Judaism.
And thirdly.
There was.
The law.
And fourthly.
There was the sacrifices.
And fifthly.
There were the priesthood.
So these five things.
Constitute.
Form.
The very basis.
Of Judaism.
The covenant.
God made a covenant.
With the Jewish people.
But.
Christ.
Has a better covenant.
For us.
That's chapter eight.
The old covenant is God.
Held the hands of their fathers.
Trying to lead them on.
But sometimes.
When you hold the hand of your child.
To lead him on.
Your child will try to struggle.
Out of your hand.
Because he wants to go somewhere else.
And that's exactly what happened.
To the children of Israel.
So God said it didn't work.
In the old covenant.
God said now.
If you keep these laws.
Then you shall be my people.
And I will be your God.
In other words.
The responsibility rests.
Upon the children of Israel.
But in the new covenant.
God said.
I will put my law.
In your mind.
I will inscribe it.
Upon your heart.
I will be your God.
And you shall be my people.
In other words.
The responsibility.
Is upon the children of God.
I will be your God.
Because I am your God.
Therefore.
You will be my people.
It is the law of life.
That is inscribed.
In our heart.
It's different.
Brothers and sisters.
So here you'll find.
In Christ.
We have a better covenant.
Because the better covenant has come.
The old covenant passed.
But how many of God's children today.
Still live under the old covenant.
How many of God's children today.
Really lives in the good of the new
covenant.
And then you have.
The tabernacle.
Or.
Christ does not enter into.
The temple.
Made by hand.
But he entered into.
Heaven itself.
To appear before the face.
So in Hebrews.
The true tabernacle.
Is not made with hands.
Is not of this creation.
The true tabernacle is.
A new creation.
The true tabernacle.
Is not only heaven itself.
That is.
The face.
The presence of God.
The tabernacle.
True tabernacle.
In which.
Christ.
Ministers today.
Is the church of God.
And he is the minister.
Of the true sanctuary.
The law.
Those sacrifices.
Millions of them.
Offered.
But they.
Do not.
Cleanse.
But Christ.
By the eternal spirit.
Offer himself spotless to God.
Once.
And for all.
The redemption.
How much better.
Is the sacrifice.
That Christ has offered for us.
Even himself.
And the priesthood of course.
We mentioned already.
How far superior.
Is his priesthood.
Than.
Priestly ministry.
Than.
The Levitical.
Priesthood.
So here you'll find.
The right of Hebrews.
Bring everything that.
Is essential to Judaism.
And.
Compare it.
With Christ.
And the result is.
He dismisses.
Every one of them.
You have.
A better.
Covenant.
So why.
Hold on.
To.
The old covenant.
You have.
Grace.
Why hold on.
To law.
You have.
The true tabernacle.
Why hold on.
To the physical temple.
You have.
A better sacrifice.
Why.
Hold on to these.
Many.
Sacrifices that.
Never.
Cleanse us.
From our sin.
You have.
A better priest.
High priest.
After the order of Melchizedek.
So.
You don't need the Levitical.
Priesthood.
Anymore.
So here you'll find.
By.
Making comparison.
By making.
By contrasting them.
The writer.
Or the Holy Spirit.
Dismisses.
Every one of them.
And show us.
That Christ is not only superior.
But Christ.
Is.
All things to us.
He is.
Our new covenant.
If you really read the new covenant.
You'll find that he is the new covenant.
Because it is his very life.
That is given to us.
He is the new covenant.
He is grace.
He not only gives grace to us.
But he is grace.
He is the grace of God.
To us.
He is.
Our.
Dwelling place.
He is.
Our sacrifice.
Not only he offers a sacrifice.
He is our sacrifice.
He is.
Our priest.
Our high priest.
So you'll find that it is Christ.
That is all things to us today.
And because you have Christ.
You do not need.
All these things.
God has already dismissed.
Judaism.
But are we willing.
To let it go.
So that.
We may enter into the purity of faith.
In Christ Jesus.
Now this is.
The.
First part.
Of the book of Hebrews.
The book of Hebrews can be divided into
two parts.
The first part is from chapter one.
To chapter ten verse eighteen.
The second part is from chapter ten.
Nineteen.
To the end of chapter thirteen.
The first part.
Of the book of Hebrews.
Is trying to show us.
The superiority.
Of Christ.
And seeing that he is superior.
Let us pay more attention to him.
And let us be willing to.
Let other things.
Go.
Because God has already dismissed them all.
That we may have Christ.
If you have all these things without Christ.
You have nothing.
If you have Christ.
Without these things.
You have all things.
Now this is.
The will of God.
Shall we pray.
Oh Heavenly Father.
We do praise and thank thee.
Because thou does desire.
To keep.
Thy son our Christ.
Ever.
Before our eyes.
Thou wants us to be occupied with him.
And not with many.
Many good things.
We praise and we thank thee.
That in him.
We find the better.
And we want to be occupied with him.
Lord.
We pray that more and more.
Gradually.
We may come to see.
That Christ.
Is all things to us.
And if he is all things to us.
How much better it is.
Than to have all things.
In themselves.
Oh Lord.
Do exercise our hearts.
That we may.
Run.
In this direction.
Because we believe.
This is where thou does desire.
To lead us to.
We pray.
In the name of our Lord Jesus.