lesson 7

THE PERFECT HIGH PRIEST

I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS

1. Psalm 110:4 - Jesus was selected by God to be a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.

2. Hebrews 7:24-28 - God appointed as high priest the Son who has been perfected forever.

3. John 8:1-11 - Jesus acted like a high priest, dealing gently with those who were going astray.

4. Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus was tempted in every way like we are tempted, yet He did not sin.

5. 1 Peter 2:4-5 - We are a holy priesthood, serving with Jesus as our High Priest.

II. MAIN THEME: Hebrews 4:14-5:14 - The greatness of Jesus’ priesthood should increase our faith and it should also allow us to approach God with confidence knowing that God provides all grace to help us. Since Jesus suffered and was obedient to God as our High Priest, we should learn to be obedient to God and be willing to suffer for our faith in Him. Jesus is our example . Serving as High Priest, he teaches us how to serve as priests of God.

1. Our High Priest has gone on high, passing through the heavens to the Most Holy Place - chap.4:14.

a. Christ’s ascention into heaven was promised - Psalms 68:18-20; John 14:2-3;

b. Christ has gone into the presence of God in heaven - Acts 1:1-11; 2:27-36; Matt 28:18; Heb 1:3-4;

2. Our High Priest has been tempted in every way like we are so he can understand our weaknesses - chap. 4:15.

a. He was tempted in the same way as Adam and Eve - Genesis 3:4-6; Matt 4:1-11

b. We are tempted in the same way - James 1:13-15; 1 Tim 6:9-10; 1 John 2:15-17

3. Our High Priest is able to deal gently with the ignorant and those going astray - chap. 5:1-3.

a. Because He lived life in the flesh like we do - Heb 2:14; 1 John 1:1-3; John 1:14; 1 Tim 3:16

b. Because He understands our feelings - John 11:35; Luke 19:41; Mark 14:32-40; Luke 22:42-44

4. Our High Priest was selected by God - chap. 5:4-6.

a. He is God’s Son - verses 5 and 8; Luke 3:32; 9:35; 2 Peter 1:17; Matt 16:16-18

b. He was perfected through suffering - verses 8-9; Hebrews 2:10; John 19:23-30

5. Our High Priest became the Source of Eternal Life - chap. 5:7-10.

a. To all who obey Him - verse 9; Matt 28:18-19; Mark 16:15-16; Rom 6:16-18; 2 Thes 1:8

b. Who are called by the gospel - 1 Cor 15:1-4; Romans 1:16; 10:13-17; 16:25-27

c. Who put their trust in Jesus - Eph 1:13; Phil 1:27-30; Heb 4:2-3; 2 Cor 1:9-10; Rev 2:10

III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

1. We are all sinners. We are saved by the grace of God. Knowing this, we can approach God at the throne of

grace to help us when we need mercy or grace. The confidence to approach the throne of grace comes from

knowing that Jesus bore our sins (not that we are perfect) - chap. 4:15-16; 1 John 1:5-10; Acts 15:8-11;

Rom 3:24-26; 5:1-10; 6:13-16; Gal 5:4-6; Eph 2:5-10; Titus 2:11-14

2. We are called to be mature in Jesus Christ by study and practice of His word - Heb 5:11-14; 2 Tim 2:15;

Acts 17:11; 20:32; Jude 1:3

3. Jesus is the author of salvation to those who obey Him. Therefore we need to be faithful to Jesus so that our hope of eternal life is secure. Our faithfulness does not depend on our own perfection, but on trusting the power of God and the blood of Jesus. Heb 4:16; 5:9; 2 Cor 1:9-10; 1 Tim 6:17-19; 1 Pet 1:2-5; 1 John 1:7

4. When we put our trust in Jesus, our lives will be changed to become more like Jesus. Jesus said that his

disciples could be know by their actions - John 13:34-35; 14:15, 21, 24; Rom 12:9-18; 13:8-10

5. Jesus is our high priest, and all Christians are priests - Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:4-5

IV. MEMORY VERSE - HEBREWS 4:14

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