20-0126p Transcript

Preacher: Steve Cain

(0:03) I always feel humbled on Sunday nights (0:07) to think that you deemed it worthy to come back tonight (0:11) to hear whatever it is that I might have to say (0:15) or to put together and so works on my ego maybe. (0:22) Makes me think in terms of perhaps the lesson (0:27) that I desire to give tonight and that is again (0:32) coming out of Hebrews and concerning Jesus (0:35) being a high priest. (0:40) And it reflects on the idea that Jesus was tempted (0:43) in every way as you and I. (0:51) And I’m sure that he was tempted to have an ego.

(0:56) But he didn’t apparently because he did not sin. (1:02) And that’s something that I think it is very important (1:06) for us to think in terms of. (1:08) I just spilled water all over that thing.

(1:14) As I reflect upon the purpose that Jesus came, (1:19) the incarnation and how that he came to condemn sin (1:24) in the flesh and that he came to make it possible (1:28) for us to have that hope of eternal life (1:32) with God in heaven. (1:35) And that word hope means so much to me (1:39) from the standpoint that it’s more than just desire. (1:43) It is an anticipation of being able to be with God (1:46) in heaven and that’s my desire.

(1:48) What is your hope? (1:49) Your hope is, I hope, to be with God eternally in heaven. (1:56) And of course we know that in order to be able (1:58) to accomplish that, we must be sinless ourselves. (2:02) And so how do we deal with our sins (2:04) and how do we come about being able to have that hope? (2:09) And so God holds out to us a solution.

(2:13) And that solution, within that solution is held, (2:18) that hope of being realized of wanting (2:21) to be with God in heaven. (2:23) So as we reflect upon it, the letter of Hebrews (2:27) and the reason why I’m picking on it here lately (2:29) is because I have been studying out of it quite intensely (2:34) and so many things in there just trigger thoughts (2:37) and trigger sermons and trigger various things (2:40) that I have wanted to talk about (2:46) and feel that it’s important for us. (2:49) And so how do we achieve this hope? (2:52) How does God hold out to us this hope? (2:54) Well he’s providing for us a high priest (2:57) who through his service and through his worship, (3:01) the worship that he can offer and provide for us to God (3:05) is the answer because it’s his service (3:09) that provides us with the opportunity (3:11) to be presented before God without spot, without blemish.

(3:16) He can present us that way. (3:18) That’s what Jude tells us. (3:20) And that’s what various other passages (3:22) hold out to us, the fact that we, (3:24) when we come to Jesus and take on his service, (3:29) take on his offer to worship for us (3:37) and to be our go-between with God, (3:40) that we’re taking him up on it (3:42) and we’re giving him everything that we need to do.

(3:46) So as we reflect upon this, we know that it is God’s plan (3:50) and we know that he is doing it (3:54) with Jesus. (3:55) Look at Hebrews, the first chapter, (3:58) in particular, verse three, (4:01) but let’s look at the passage itself, (4:05) verses one through four. (4:09) In the past, God spake to our forefathers (4:12) through the prophets at many times and in various ways.

(4:15) But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his son. (4:21) And that is very important to me. (4:24) Because the sonship that Jesus has is very important.

(4:29) What about your relationship with your father, (4:32) daughter or son? (4:33) You tell me that you don’t hold a special place (4:36) in your father’s heart, (4:40) whether you’re a daughter or a son. (4:42) You hold a special place in his heart. (4:47) Jesus holds a special place in God’s heart.

(4:50) And that’s what is entitled to me, (4:53) the fact that Jesus is his son. (4:57) And so, but in these last days, (5:00) he has spoken to us by his son, (5:02) whom he appointed heir of all things (5:06) and through whom he made the universe. (5:09) The son is the radiance of God’s glory (5:13) and the exact representation of his being.

(5:17) Now, what is he saying to us? (5:21) He is saying, like father, like son. (5:23) That’s what he’s basically saying, like father, like son. (5:28) You see him, this is what Jesus said in it.

(5:32) You’ve seen me, you’ve seen the father. (5:34) Like father, like son. (5:37) And so he’s the exact radiance of God.

(5:39) So he’s the epitome of God. (5:41) You’ve seen him. (5:43) He’s God’s glory (5:44) and the exact representation of his being, (5:48) sustaining all things by his powerful word.

(5:51) After he had provided purification for sins, (5:55) he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven. (5:59) So he became as much superior to the angels (6:03) as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. (6:07) What did he accomplish? (6:09) And this is important.

(6:10) This is the reason why I wanted you to look at (6:12) this particular verse, verse three. (6:15) What did Jesus do? (6:17) He provided purification for us. (6:21) After having provided purification for sins, (6:26) corruption, if you will, for sins, (6:30) he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven.

(6:33) He accomplished it. (6:35) He came and did and accomplished what he came to do. (6:42) And so we know that he came to help us (6:46) be able to deal with the sins.

(6:50) John 3, 16, take a look at it and refresh your memory (6:54) because we know that this is exactly what we need (6:58) to keep in the back of our mind (7:00) with Jesus’s life here on this earth. (7:03) And John, he starts out telling us, (7:09) and as soon as I locate it, (7:11) for God so loved the world (7:13) that he gave his one and only son, (7:15) that whoever believes in him (7:18) shall not perish but have eternal life. (7:22) For God did not send his son into the world (7:24) to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

(7:30) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, (7:33) but whoever does not believe stands condemned already (7:37) because he has not believed (7:39) in the name of God’s one and only son. (7:42) This is the verdict. (7:45) Light has come into the world, (7:47) but men love darkness instead of light (7:49) because their deeds were evil.

(7:52) Everyone who does evil hates the light (7:55) and will not come into the light (7:57) for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (8:02) But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light (8:06) so that it may be seen plainly (8:08) that what he has done has been done through God. (8:13) Notice now what he said there.

(8:16) This is the verdict, verse 19. (8:20) Light has come into the world, (8:22) but men loved darkness instead of light (8:26) because their deeds were evil. (8:28) What is he reflecting on? (8:30) John is telling us that Jesus came into the world (8:34) to show us we’re evil, (8:38) to show us that there is none righteous, no, not one.

(8:44) And so when Jesus came into the world, he was the light, (8:48) and he was reflecting on every person’s sin. (8:53) No matter what they were guilty of, (8:56) he showed them for what they really were. (9:00) No matter who you would be, whether you were John, (9:03) whether you was Paul, (9:05) or whether you was any of the other individuals, (9:07) when you were in the presence of Jesus, (9:10) you were made aware of your shortcomings (9:16) because he was perfect, and he was light, (9:20) and nobody likes to be shown for what they are.

(9:25) So as we reflect upon this, he says, this is the verdict. (9:29) Light has come into the world, (9:30) but men loved darkness instead of light (9:33) because their deeds were evil. (9:35) Everyone who does evil hates the light.

(9:40) They don’t want to be shown for what they are. (9:42) They hate the light and will not come into the light (9:46) for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (9:52) And I’m one of them.

(9:53) I wouldn’t want you to know everything. (9:56) I don’t want you to know all my shortcomings, (10:00) and I still don’t, no matter what. (10:08) That was Jesus.

(10:10) What did he come into the world? (10:12) Why did he come into the world? (10:14) He came into the world to condemn sin in the flesh. (10:19) He came into the world to help us (10:23) to overcome and defeat death. (10:29) What is death? (10:31) It is the product of sin, isn’t it? (10:35) For the wages of sin is death.

(10:40) So he came to defeat death. (10:44) And who holds the keys to death? (10:48) Satan. (10:51) And so he came in to condemn Satan.

(10:54) He came in to defeat Satan. (10:55) He came in to minimize his effects on our lives. (11:04) And so he came in to make it possible for us (11:07) to be able to live a life that God wants us to live.

(11:11) And he came in to make it possible for him (11:13) to offer a sacrifice on our behalf (11:16) that deals with our sins, (11:19) and that we can have the forgiveness of our sins, (11:23) and to be able to walk in the light as he is in the light, (11:27) and to do the things that he wants us to do. (11:30) As long as we walk in the light, isn’t that what John says? (11:34) Jesus' blood will continue to cleanse us. (11:37) But if we’re not wanting to walk in the light, forget it.

(11:41) You may as well go back into the darkness, (11:44) because what does John 3, 16, the following say? (11:48) Men hate the light, (11:50) because they don’t want their deeds to be exposed (11:53) for what that is. (11:55) Jesus came in to make it possible for that. (11:58) And so as we look at the Hebrew writer, (12:03) he came to give us the opportunity to be, (12:11) as I’m looking for my message here that I want, (12:15) let’s take a look at Hebrews 2, verses 11 through 10.

(12:30) Let’s pick up with, let’s pick up with verse, (12:33) let’s pick up with verse nine. (12:47) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels (12:51) now crowned with glory and honor, because he suffered death (12:56) so that by the grace of God, (12:59) he might taste death for everyone. (13:04) In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, (13:09) this is what God has done, in bringing many sons to glory, (13:11) God is working to bring you and me to glory, (13:17) his children, boys and girls, (13:21) in bringing many sons to glory, (13:23) it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom (13:26) everything exists, should make the author (13:28) of their salvation perfect through suffering.

(13:33) Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy (13:39) are the same family. (13:41) So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers, he says. (13:47) Notice what he’s saying there, (13:50) that in order for us to become children of God, (13:55) God made the sanctifier (14:00) of men to be of the same family.

(14:05) So he says, verse 11, both the one who makes men holy (14:10) and those who are made holy are the same family. (14:14) So who makes men holy? (14:16) It’s Jesus. (14:17) And who is being made holy? (14:20) It’s you and me.

(14:22) And we are of the same brotherhood. (14:27) We are the same family. (14:30) And so how is he saying this? (14:32) And how does he make us come about? (14:35) If Jesus is the same as you and me, (14:39) the sanctifier is the same as you and me, (14:42) I have to reread this, (14:44) both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy (14:49) are of the same family.

(14:50) How can we be of the same family if he isn’t one of us? (14:57) So Jesus had to become flesh, didn’t he? (15:01) And that’s exactly what John is trying to point out to us (15:05) is that God had to be, (15:09) in order for Jesus to bring this about, (15:13) take a look at Philippians 2. (15:16) And I know you know this scripture just as well as anybody. (15:21) As we pick up with verse five, (15:25) where he talks about Jesus in heaven (15:29) and his conversation that he’s having with the Godhead, (15:33) if you will, talking about our Sunday morning class, (15:38) he says, your attitude should be the same (15:40) as that of Christ Jesus, (15:43) who being in very nature God. (15:46) In other words, he’s telling us that Jesus was God.

(15:50) Before he became flesh, he was God. (15:53) Being in the very nature God (15:55) did not consider equality with God (15:58) to be something to be grasped. (16:01) In other words, here is Jesus.

(16:02) He’s in heaven. (16:04) He’s with the Holy Spirit. (16:06) He’s with God the Father.

(16:07) And he’s not considering the fact that he is one of them, (16:12) something to be grasped. (16:14) He is volunteering. (16:16) He is willing to become one of us, (16:18) to bring about our salvation.

(16:22) And so listen to this. (16:25) Who being very nature God (16:27) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, (16:30) but made himself nothing, (16:33) taking the very nature a servant, (16:36) being made in human likeness (16:38) and being found in appearance as a man, (16:42) he humbled himself and became obedient to death, (16:47) even death on the cross. (16:50) Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place (16:53) and gave him the name that is above every name, (16:57) that at the name of Jesus, (16:59) every knee should bow in heaven and on earth (17:02) and under the earth.

(17:03) And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord (17:08) to the glory of God the Father. (17:11) So this is the fulfillment of the Ephesian letter. (17:17) We are going to be confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord (17:22) to the glory of God.

(17:25) How can it be the glory of God (17:27) if it isn’t God working it out? (17:30) If it isn’t God’s plan, (17:33) he cannot be glorified if it’s not his working, (17:36) if it is not his doing, (17:38) if it’s not his plan, (17:41) he cannot be glorified.

(17:45) So yours and my salvation, (17:47) the fact that Jesus was willing to become one of us, (17:51) it was to the glory of God. (17:54) And so this has all worked out that way.

(17:56) Now notice, let’s go to John’s gospel (17:59) and just read the first few verses. (18:02) We don’t have to read the whole thing (18:03) because I get carried away when I’m reading that (18:06) because I really do find this so intriguing. (18:11) But what John is saying here in the very first chapter, (18:15) in the beginning was the word and the word was with God (18:18) and the word was God.

(18:20) He was with God in the beginning. (18:22) Through him, all things were made. (18:24) Without him, nothing was made that has been made in him.

(18:28) In him was life and that life was the light of men. (18:32) Here we go again with that concept of light. (18:35) The light shines in the darkness (18:37) but the darkness has not understood it.

(18:40) The darkness doesn’t want to have anything to do (18:42) with being exposed, doesn’t want to go away. (18:48) And so he comes down to verse 10. (18:51) He was in the world.

(18:53) Who was in the world? (18:54) The word, the word that was with God and created the world. (18:58) He was in the world and though the word, (19:02) the world was made through him, (19:03) the world did not recognize him. (19:05) He came to that which was his own, (19:08) that his own did not receive him.

(19:10) And yet to all who received him, (19:12) who is his own, fellow mankind. (19:18) He came to the world. (19:20) There isn’t anyone that was not like him.

(19:24) You tell me that there’s somebody in this world (19:27) that is not human and like you or me or any of us. (19:32) We’re all alike, no matter what. (19:36) So he came to his own, but his own did not receive him.

(19:40) Yet to all who received him, (19:42) to those who believed in his name, (19:44) he gave the right to become children of God. (19:48) In other words, Jesus is offering to you and me (19:51) the opportunity to become children of God. (19:54) Children born not of natural descent nor of human decision (19:57) or of a husband’s will, but born of God.

(20:02) In other words, this is God’s working. (20:05) And it’s God’s will that you and I become his children. (20:09) The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

(20:12) We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only (20:15) who came from the father, full of grace and truth. (20:20) So that’s the quality of Jesus. (20:22) He came and he was full of grace and truth.

(20:26) We know about the incarnation. (20:28) We know the story, Matthew and also in Luke. (20:31) We have those accounts that are given to us (20:33) concerning Jesus' birth.

(20:37) So we know that as the Hebrew writer tells us, (20:43) he says that God made him a body. (20:47) Hebrews, the 10th chapter. (20:49) I got to keep flipping here in my Bible (20:52) to get back to Hebrews.

(20:53) Hebrews, the 10th chapter. (20:57) Let’s pick up with the very beginning. (21:04) The law, make sure I’m in Hebrews.

(21:06) The law is only a shadow of good things that are coming, (21:10) not the realities themselves. (21:13) For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifices (21:16) repeated endlessly year after year, (21:19) make perfect those who draw near to worship. (21:22) If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? (21:28) For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all (21:32) and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.

(21:36) But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins (21:42) because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats (21:47) to take away sins. (21:48) Therefore, when Christ came into the world, (21:51) he said, sacrifices and offerings you did not desire, (21:54) but a body you prepared for me. (22:03) Who’s saying it? (22:05) Jesus is saying, you have prepared a body for me.

(22:10) I have taken on flesh. (22:12) I have become man. (22:15) How much man is Jesus? (22:19) 100% man.

(22:21) That’s an argument that we have constantly. (22:24) Was he 100% man or was he 100% God? (22:27) Well, at this point, he’s 100% man. (22:31) If he’s anything but 100% man, he’s a fraud.

(22:39) He has to be 100% us. (22:44) He can’t accomplish what he came to accomplish (22:48) if he isn’t one of us. (22:50) If he didn’t shed everything that he needed to shed (22:55) when he came into this world to become one of us, (22:58) he’s a fraud.

(23:02) So in order for him to be one of us (23:05) and to accomplish what God wants him to accomplish, (23:08) to defeat sin, to defeat death, (23:11) he has to become one of us 100%. (23:14) And he came to do the will of God. (23:18) So he says, but a body you prepared for me.

(23:22) With burnt offerings and sin offerings, (23:24) you were not pleased. (23:25) Then I said, here am I. (23:27) It is written about me in the scroll. (23:29) I have come to do your will, oh God.

(23:35) So Jesus has come to do the will of God. (23:39) So now, how is he going to accomplish these things? (23:46) Now we know that he was tempted in every way (23:50) that you and I were. (23:52) In order for that to be true, he has to be us 100%.

(23:59) He cannot, if he’s reserved anything about his Godhood, (24:05) if he’s reserved anything, he’s a fraud. (24:10) He cannot be one of us. (24:13) So he has to be one of us.

(24:15) And he has to be literally tested and tempted (24:19) in every way as you and me. (24:27) Now, I’m not going to try to tell you (24:30) what ways he was tempted. (24:32) No, no way am I going to try to tell you (24:36) that he was tempted in various ways (24:39) because I don’t know exactly what all the ways (24:42) in which he was tempted (24:43) because you aren’t tempted the same way (24:45) in many ways that I am.

(24:47) And the same way is true with the rest of you. (24:51) There are things that tempt us (24:53) that doesn’t necessarily tempt anybody else. (24:56) So we know that Satan knew how to tempt Jesus.

(25:00) And we see when Jesus receives the gift of the Holy Spirit (25:04) and the Holy Spirit takes him out into the wilderness (25:08) and there he is for 40 days. (25:11) And then Satan comes to him at the end of those 40 days (25:15) and starts tempting him. (25:16) He knows, he knows how to tempt Jesus.

(25:21) He knows how to do it. (25:23) He knows otherwise he would not have wasted his breath. (25:29) He knows how to do it.

(25:34) And then we see that Jesus is able (25:37) to ward off those temptations, isn’t he? (25:42) And we see how he does it. (25:45) We see the various ways in which he was able to accomplish (25:49) sending Satan on his way and Satan promising to come back. (25:54) And we know that Satan tempts him in so many different ways.

(25:58) All we gotta do is just read the gospels. (26:00) We know that men were just furious. (26:05) They were just doing everything possible to make him sin (26:08) and to catch him in a fall.

(26:10) They were doing everything to get him (26:12) to become short-tempered and to various other things. (26:18) How are you when people try to get you to get your goat?

(26:23) Get you to say something, do something? (26:27) How do we approach it? (26:28) How do we deal with it? (26:31) Jesus was able to deal with it, wasn’t he? (26:35) And that’s the reason I had the scriptures read tonight. (26:39) And I want to draw your attention to it one more time.

(26:48) First of all, I would like to read the very first part (26:50) of James first chapter. (26:52) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, (26:54) whenever you face trials of many kinds, (26:56) because

you know that the testing of your faith (27:00) develops perseverance. (27:04) Jesus was tested in every way.

(27:07) We’re tested in every way. (27:09) How do we grow into maturity? (27:12) How do we become what we’re going to become? (27:17) Hebrew writer tells us that Jesus was able to learn (27:25) obedience from the temptations that he received. (27:29) He was able to learn obedience.

(27:31) Obedience? (27:35) Obedience. (27:38) That’s a curious way of putting things, isn’t it? (27:42) But notice what he says here. (27:44) James says, consider it pure joy, my brothers, (27:46) whenever you face trials of many kinds, (27:48) because you know that the testing of your faith (27:50) develops perseverance.

(27:52) Now that’s not it, you know, that’s not the finish of it. (27:57) He goes on and he says, perseverance must finish its work. (28:03) Or because you know that the testing of your faith (28:06) develops perseverance.

(28:07) Okay, I didn’t miss anything. (28:09) Perseverance must finish its work (28:11) so that you may become mature and complete, (28:15) not lacking anything. (28:19) How about that? (28:21) Jesus was tested in every way possible.

(28:30) His testing provided perseverance. (28:33) And when perseverance has its way, (28:37) it develops and presents us complete, not lacking anything. (28:44) Notice what he says down here, though, in verse 12, (28:48) which Roger read in our hearing.

(28:52) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, (28:55) or not Roger, Wally read it. (28:59) I’m sorry, Wally. (29:00) I, at first I knew Roger had the scriptures, (29:05) and then I saw you get up here.

(29:09) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, (29:15) because when he has stood the test, (29:18) he will receive the crown of life (29:20) that God has promised to those who love him. (29:25) Jesus withstood the trials, didn’t he? (29:28) He persevered. (29:30) And so because of that, he received the crown of life.

(29:37) Then he goes on and he says, (29:40) now, brothers, I want you to realize this. (29:43) When tempted, no one should say, (29:45) God is tempting me, for God cannot be tempted by evil, (29:49) and nor does he tempt anyone, (29:52) but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, (29:56) he is dragged away and enticed. (29:59) Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, (30:03) and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death.

(30:09) Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. (30:11) Every good and perfect gift is from above, (30:14) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, (30:18) who does not change like shifting shadows. (30:22) He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, (30:27) that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

(30:34) Jesus passed the test. (30:38) We haven’t. (30:41) We fall under the condemnation that Paul says, (30:45) oh, I’ve fallen short of the glory of God.

(30:48) We have sinned. (30:51) We have allowed corruption to come into our lives (30:56) in one way or another, but Jesus didn’t, (31:01) and he learned obedience. (31:05) In the few minutes that

we have, (31:08) I just want you to stop and think, (31:09) how did he learn obedience? (31:14) You know, he was so popular, and people clamored after him.

(31:18) He was a good orator. (31:20) He was a good teacher. (31:22) Don’t you suppose that if you were classified (31:25) as a good orator or a good teacher, (31:27) that you’d let it get to your head (31:29) and perhaps help you get an ego? (31:33) I know I would.

(31:36) Ain’t there yet, but I would. (31:42) He didn’t allow it to get to him, did he? (31:47) He didn’t have an ego. (31:52) There was no way that they were going to get to him.

(31:57) So when we’re tempted, what is it? (32:01) It’s interaction in the, (32:05) Johnny, will you go and do the dishes? (32:11) That’s sin, right there. (32:15) That’s sin. (32:16) That’s sin.

(32:18) Yes, Mom, I’ll go do the dishes. (32:22) That’s obedience. (32:27) Will you go visit so-and-so who’s in the hospital? (32:30) Do I have to? (32:32) Football game’s on tonight.

(32:35) Oh, yeah, I certainly will. (32:39) That’s obedience. (32:43) If Jesus wasn’t born into this world (32:46) in the same way, in the same manner as you, (32:48) with the same features and so on, (32:54) he had to have been something else, wasn’t he? (32:58) We have free moral agency, (33:02) and we have to take that into consideration too, don’t we? (33:06) You and I exercise our free moral agency, (33:10) but we exercise it oftentimes to the negative.

(33:17) Jesus was given free moral agency. (33:21) He had to have that same quality. (33:24) He had to have that same ability.

(33:27) Free moral agency. (33:29) And his free moral agency was, (33:31) I have come to do the will of my Father who has sent me. (33:39) Yes, yes.

(33:42) And for him to give in to human traits (33:46) and human nature, (33:49) which exercising free moral agency does, (33:54) he would have sinned. (33:58) Now I want you to stop and think about that. (34:02) What did we say at the beginning? (34:05) He came into the world, he was the light.

(34:13) He was light. (34:15) And the world didn’t want to have anything to do with him. (34:20) They found him repulsive.

(34:23) He was perfect. (34:26) And because of his perfectness, (34:29) and because of his willingness to do the will of God, (34:31) and because of his willingness to remain sinless (34:34) and faultless and not give in to the various sins (34:37) of the flesh and the sins of the world and the gluttony (34:40) and all the various other things, he didn’t give in to it. (34:45) But we do.

(34:51) And so as you saw Jesus walking down the street, (34:54) as you saw Jesus giving lessons, as you saw Jesus, (34:59) there had to be a natural dislike. (35:06) But there were some who could perceive the fact (35:08) that he was the Christ and that he could give them life (35:12) and that he could through his life (35:15) because he was made a high priest before he died. (35:28) And they knew that he could forgive them of their sins.

(35:35) And they clung on to him because they knew (35:38) that he had the words of life. (35:42) They knew it. (35:45) And there were some who wanted that.

(35:49) You and I are those who want that. (35:52) We wouldn’t be here tonight. (35:58) So when Jesus went to the cross, (36:03) he became a curse, not because he sinned, (36:08) but because of the death that he suffered.

(36:11) The death that he suffered is what made him a curse. (36:16) Anyone who dies on a cross or on a tree is cursed. (36:22) And so Jesus allowed himself to be crucified on a tree (36:29) to become a curse for you and me.

(36:34) But he allowed that to happen. (36:37) And so then, because of that, he was sinless. (36:44) Satan couldn’t hold him.

(36:47) The Holy Spirit was able, God was able to resurrect him. (36:51) Three days later, he was seen by many people. (36:57) And then he took his blood.

(37:02) And ascended into heaven. (37:04) And there he took his blood (37:07) and sprinkled it on the Holy of Holies, (37:10) the real Holy of Holies, where God is, (37:13) and offered the sacrifice for our sins. (37:17) And that’s what happened.

(37:23) He died for us. (37:26) And so we’re asked to observe the Lord’s table. (37:31) We call it the Loved Supper, communion.

(37:35) It’s all designed by Jesus so that we can remember. (37:39) And whenever we partake of that, (37:41) we’re partaking of that sacrifice (37:43) that Jesus is offering for us, for our sins, (37:47) that he’s taken. (37:48) He has taken that sacrifice (37:51) and he’s gone into the Holy of Holies.

(37:53) And there he is interceding for you and me. (37:59) And he’s asking God to forgive him of their sins. (38:05) And he says, if you’re willing to confess my name (38:07) before men here on this earth, (38:10) I’m willing to confess your name (38:11) before my Father in heaven.

(38:16) He was sinless, but he’s one of us. (38:21) And Paul, I think it’s Paul, (38:24) said that we don’t know yet (38:27) what we’re gonna be like in the resurrection. (38:30) We don’t know what we’re gonna be like (38:33) in the day that Jesus comes.

(38:38) But whatever he is like, we will be like. (38:45) So we have a lot to look forward to. (38:48) But the main thing is, (38:50) the writer of the Hebrew letter tells us, (38:54) don’t, don’t give up on this reality, (39:01) this anticipation, this hope (39:03) that Jesus is able to provide for us (39:07) eternal salvation, (39:10) a life with God eternally in heaven.

(39:14) Don’t lose sight of it. (39:17) That’s why you grasp ahold of Christ in the first place. (39:21) That is why you’re holding on to Christ.

(39:24) And that is why you will die for Christ. (39:30) Hold on to it. (39:32) Don’t let it fall.

(39:35) Because that’s your hope. (39:36) That’s your glory. (39:38) And that’s the glory of God.

(39:40) If there’s anyone here that needs to respond (39:42) to the invitation of Jesus, (39:45) I don’t perceive that there is. (39:47) But if there’s anyone who needs to respond, (39:51) we’d like to extend to you the opportunity (39:52) to put Christ on in baptism (39:55) and to become a child of God (39:57) and let God credit Jesus' righteousness to you. (40:01) And let Jesus continue to be your high priest, (40:05) the one who goes in and intercedes for you (40:09) and prays for you and

encourages you. (40:13) Won’t you come? (40:15) While together we stand and sing the song of encouragement.