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Jesus – The Perfect Priest
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 18: 16-33; Hebrews 5
Intro: People who know God, are both personal and radical (James 2:23)
1. Abraham teaches us that priestly intercession moves God’s heart
a) The mysteries of God are revealed to those who love God! (vs 17-19; cf. Deut 29:29)
b) God’s transcendence and immanence is reality (vs. 1, 20-21; Gen 11:5)
c) Notice Abraham’s conversation –
o Who is the one approaching whom? (vs 22-23)
o is appeal is on God’s character – justice (vs 25, Deut 32:4; Ezek. 16: 46-50)
o As Abraham humbles himself, he gets bolder (vs 24, 27-32)
d) This is passage is not about Abraham’s negotiating skills, but recognizing God’s amazing mercy (Jonah 3:10; Ezek 33:11)
Q. If you were Abraham, and the conversation was continued with the Lord, what is the next missing question? (Luke 15:1-7)
2. Jesus teaches us that his priestly sacrifice is sufficient for God
a) Every High Priest till this point was sinful, and yet appointed by God for their role (vs 1-4)
b) Jesus was appointed by God, and appointed forever (vs 5-6, 10)
c) Jesus was interceding for us (vs 7-8
d) Jesus being perfect, his work has to be perfect (vs 9, 2:10)
e) Why don’t we sometimes understand/hear God? Caused by ‘dullness of hearing’ (vs 11) which happens when we ‘drift away from God’s Word’ (chp 2:1-3), and that is compounded by us ‘doubting of the Word’ (chp 3-4). If you don’t ‘train’ (vs 13) and “practice” (vs 14), you don’t learn to distinguish between “good and evil” … what is from God and what is not.
Concl: Christ, the High Priest presents us perfect to God! (Col. 1:22)
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Dec_4_2011
