CONSIDER CHRIST

Hebrews 3:1-6 (KJV)

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Isn’t it true that we tend, if we are not careful, to make life about just about everything but Jesus?

·   We can make being a Christian be about things other than Jesus

·   We can make going to church be about things other than Jesus

·   We can even make the Bible about things other than Jesus

This very chapter is a good case in point.

The chapter begins by calling us to consider Christ Jesus, but there are whole denominations built around teaching from this chapter that salvation comes from good works we do.

They would say something like this,

·   “You are a child of God, if you hold fast until the end.”[1]

·   “You are a partaker of his heavenly calling, if you hear His voice and don’t harden your hearts.”[2]

I would instead look to Jesus and say that we do not earn our salvation if we do these things but that doing these things proves that we have the salvation Jesus gave us.

Let’s do what this chapter tells us to do and, Consider Christ Jesus

First of all

I. CONSIDER HIS FAITHFULNESS

Hebrews 3:1-2 (KJV)

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

I have said many times that I think of Moses as the Bible’s best role model for the pastor.

We know that Moses was not a perfect man, but he was a faithful man.

·   All of those years in the wilderness

·   All of those times when the people blamed him for their problems

·   All of the struggles he suffered because of them

·   All of the heartache of watching them die one after another

God gave him the chance to be rid of them and start again, but he was faithful to his congregation.

Even when it was time for him to depart to heaven, he stayed with them until a new leader was at the reins.

Moses was certainly faithful to Israel.

But Christ Jesus is perfectly faithful to His people.

A. He is faithful in His promises

Hebrews 10:23 (KJV)

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

The circumstances of my salvation were not, shall we say, textbook. It was two years or more from when I called on Christ to save me until I began obeying Him.

Consequently, for the longest time I had real questions about whether I was really saved.

I struggled from December of 1979 until some time in the fall of 1982, knowing I had gotten saved and yet terrified that I was somehow not saved.

All of that ended when one day I realized that I was sure I had done what the Bible told me to do to be saved, I was really questioning whether God had kept His promise to save me.

God is faithful to His promises. Once I had that settled, I had no need to doubt again.

B. He is faithful in mercy and salvation

Hebrews 2:17 (KJV)

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (KJV)

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Because Christ is faithful to make reconciliation, I can agree with Apostle Paul who said, 2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV)

… I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

C. He is faithful in His providence

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (KJV)

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

This world is an evil place but Christ is faithful to protect us and keep us from being overtaken in its evil.

Most comforting of all,

D. He is faithful when we are not.

2 Timothy 2:13 (KJV)

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

I have met dozens of professing Christians over the years, who are riddled with guilt and burdened with shame over the things they have done.

They wonder if it is even possible for God to love someone as wicked as they have been.

The Bible promises us that Christ is faithful to us even when we are not faithful in return.

Consider His faithfulness

Secondly

II. CONSIDER HIS WORTHINESS

Hebrews 3:3 (KJV)

For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

·   The Jews today give great honor and glory to Moses.

·   The first five books of the Bible, all credited to Moses – are, to the Jews, the most revered of all the Old Testament.

And here the Bible says that Christ is counted worthy of more glory that Moses.

·   He is worthy of glory

·   He is worthy of honor and

·   He is worthy of worship

I would say that the book of Hebrews is mostly about the worthiness of Christ.

Another book that clearly spells out His worthiness if the book of Revelation

Revelation 4:11 (KJV) tells it like it is…

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

But all of Revelation 5:1-14 (KJV) is about the worthiness of Christ

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Consider His faithfulness

Consider His worthiness

Finally

III. CONSIDER HIS HOLINESS

Hebrews 3:3-4 (KJV)

For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Some people question whether Christians should celebrate Christmas.

We should observe and celebrate Christmas for this one compelling reason – the birth of Christ is a message concerning the deity of Christ.

Christ is Immanuel, God with us.

The point of Christmas is God became man.

That’s why both Old Testament and New tells us that a virgin conceived this son.

That Jesus is God is announced:

A. To the Old Testament audience

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

B. To Mary

Luke 1:26-35 (KJV)

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

C. To Joseph

Matthew 1:18-21 (KJV)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Conclusion

In my mind one of the most compelling stories surrounding the birth of Christ happened about 700 years before He was born.

The King of Israel found himself in a terrible situation.

The northern kingdom of Assyria was threatening an attack.

Years of disobedience to God had led to the removal of His blessing upon their people, but there was hope.

Through confession and repentance God promised to bring reconciliation and forgiveness.

All the king had to do is ask.

He would not.

It was under those circumstances that God promised,

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Lord Himself has given us His Son, Jesus Christ.

Through Him, all who

·   Repent of their sin,

·   Believe on Christ and

·   Call upon Him for salvation

Are forgiven and blessed and made the children of God.

The question is,

·   Will you obey Him and be saved? Or

·   Will you be like that king so long ago and refuse?

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[1] Verse 6

[2] Verse 7