How is Jesus Better Than the God of Any Other Religion?

How is Jesus Better than the God of Any Other Religion? (Hebrews 4:14–5:10)

• Buddhism – no god, you reach enlightenment by working to cease all desire.= Works

• Confucianism – no god, education, self-reflection, self-cultivation, & moral life.= Works

• Hinduism – 3 primary gods/goddesses: 1. Brahma, creates univ 2. Vishnu, preserves univ 3. Shiva destroys univ + 330 million gods/goddesses – find the gods/goddesses you need, live in harmony = Works 

• Taoism – not a god per se, but a spiritual force to align & live harmony with. = Works 

• Orthodox Judaism – 1 God (not Jesus), repentance, prayer, obey law. = Works

• Islam – if you study Koran, obey the laws, & live a good Muslim life heaven. = Works 

• New Age – no personal god, impersonal force. Live in harmony w/Force. = Works 

Works = you “save” yourself          vs                    Grace – God saves you. 

Works = you go up to God              vs                    Grace – God comes down to you 

Please stand for the reading of God’s Word

Hebrews 4:14–5:10 ¹⁴ Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  5 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. ³ Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. ⁴ And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. ⁵ So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him [Psalm 2:7], “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;  ⁶ as he says also in another place [Psalm 110:4],  “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” ⁷ In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹ And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Person – Jesus Christ (1 Personal God) 

Relationship with us – High Priest

• Most of us have no idea what an ancient Jewish priest or high priest was like
• Catholics use the word, but it’s not the same role (married w/family) 
• Modern Judaism does not have priests = no temple or sacrifices 

Additional:

• Moses brother Aaron – 1^st High Priest 

• Sons are priests, oldest son High Priest every generation = family ministry 

• Priests – like Pastors of the nation 

• High Priest – like Senior Pastor of the nation (Leviticus detailed job description) 

• Primary Function – sacrificial system (Temple, Priest, sacrifices on holy days) 

• Alone behind veil enters Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement/ The Day! 

=2 goats – 1. substitute & 2. scapegoat (lay hands on both) 

Entire OT – point Jesus 1. Temple & Holy Holies 2. Sacrifice 3. Great High Priest 

1. Last week – Jesus as Lion (hell)
2. This week – Jesus as Lamb (heaven)

11 Reasons to Worship Jesus our Great High Priest

Jesus our Great High Priest “passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14). 

• Came down from heaven. Ascended back to heaven. Will return from Heaven. 

Jesus our Great High Priest is, “the Son of God” (Hebrews 4:15).

• 3000 BC Counterfeits – Kings & sons (e.g. Egypt) 

• A). Same attributes B). Loving relationship (“Our Father”) 

Jesus our Great High Priest can “sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15). 

• Jesus humbled Himself, set aside continual use of His divine attributes to be like us 

• Jesus is the only God who has been where you are, can get you through it 

Jesus our Great High Priest “has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15)

• Matthew 4; Luke 4 – Jesus H.I.T. – every temptation @ once.

• Scripture misquoted & quoted (Deuteronomy) 

Jesus our Great High Priest sits on a “throne of grace” where we “may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16)

-OT Mercy Seat                    -NT 60X; 45x in Revelation (center universe right now!)

-People sat on floor. Thrones for 1. Kings 2. Judges 3. Triumphant Warriors 

-Prayer & Worship – we have access to His throne (seen & unseen realms unite) 

Jesus our Great High Priest offered himself in place of other, “sacrifices for sin” (Hebrews 5:1)

-God is holy. -We are sinful. -Sin must be ended A. Cross B. Hell 

Jesus our Great High Priest “can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward” (Hebrews 5:2)

-Ignorant – 1. Daily Bible reading 2. Sermon, study guide, daily devos 

-Wayward – Hebrews 2:1 pay much closer attention…lest we drift…

“drift” – ancient word for boating (1. DRIVE or 2. DRIFT) = against current 

1 Tim 1:19-20 some have made shipwreck of their faith…Hymenaeus & Alexander

Jesus our Great High Priest is humble and, “did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son…” (Hebrews 5:5)

-Priesthood Father names Son as High Priest. 

-God Father @ Jesus Baptism “this is my Son” = highest authority 

Jesus our Great High Priest is, “a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:6)

-Prophet/Priest/King Salem (Jerusalem) – No genealogy. Abraham tithes to him 

-Before Aaron & the priesthood & before nation Israel? (Hebrews 7 & Study Guide Pt 2)

Jesus our Great High Priest before the cross, “offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence” (Hebrews 5:7)

-Gethsemane 

Jesus our Great High Priest learned obedience through what he suffered” and is the “perfect…source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9)

“Learned obedience through what he suffered” – Suffering not excuse disobedience 

“Perfect…source of eternal salvation” – Priests offered sacrifice own sin. NOT Jesus

If you “obey him” – YOU????? (Become XN; Repent; Return) = Throne Grace/Mercy 

Close: Prayer Team Forward

-Jesus High Priestly ministry was largely prayer & laying on of hands = Intercession

-Jesus our High Priest today!

-We have a priestly ministry of intercession to lay hands on you and pray for you