Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- The Book of Hebrews: a message of faith - keep on believing
- The Christians were converted Jews
- They were discouraged
- There are times that will test us
- They were thinking about going back to Judaism
- The apostle says wonderful things - Chapter 11, 12 - to encourage the believers
- Three encouragements to go on believing
- The three appearances of the Lord Jesus Christ
The First Appearance (v26)
- A historical appearance
- If we lose sight of what Christ has done for us - we will be discouraged
- The devil tries to get us to forget Jesus Christ
- The writer of Hebrews says 'remember Him'
- Greater than the angels
- Remember what He has done
- Different words for "appear" each time in Greek
- v26 - Christ has been revealed
- We remember this at Christmas time - God incarnate, made known to the world
- Jesus did claim to be God on earth
- John 14:1 - "believe in God, believe also in me"
- John 14:9 - "He that has seen Me, has seen the Father"
- Col 2:9 - in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily
- Why did it take a long time for Jesus Christ to appear?
- Explanation from Dr Martin Lloyd-Jones
- In the fullness of time Jesus Christ comes
- To put away, to nullify, to cancel, to put an end to sin
- Matt 1:21 - "you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins"
- Jesus bears the sin Himself
- He went to Calvary
- A work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- He was punished in our place
- We deserve the punishment and wrath of God, we deserve to be in hell
- Yet we are able to rejoice and worship in Church as Christ has saved us
- A once for all sacrifice
- No repetition
- The work has been done
- The sacrifices of the Old Testament was a reminder of their sins, to remind them of their need for salvation
- Now the Lord Jesus has come - the great High Priest
- He has shed His blood once for all
- Quote from Martin Luther
- Personal example
- We can be saved
- By putting our faith in the Lord Jesus
The Second Appearance (v24)
- Christ appears in the presence of God for us
- The Greek word for appearance - meaning "to shine"
- Example of Saul of Tarsus
- Christ is shining in heaven
- Christ has gone into heaven itself
- The Hebrews were disappointed as they no longer had a visible high priest
- They were told to believe in something they could not see
- They were disappointed in this
- Sometimes people are disappointed when they come to church
- Be encouraged that you cannot see Christ - because He is heaven for us
- Heb 4:14-15
- Jesus knows and sympathises with us
- Jesus represents us before the Father
- Example of the Ephod of the High Priest
- A wonderful example of the Lord Jesus - He has our name on His heart, He carries us on His shoulders, He gives us grace in times of need
- Quote from Martin Luther
- If you lack - ask Jesus
The Third Appearance (v28)
- He will appear a second time for Salvation
- The Greek word for appearance - meaning "to see with the eye"
- One day we will see Him
- He is coming back
- We will see Him a second time
- To those who eagerly wait (Christians) - He will come in a special way
- Apart from sin - not to deal with sin
- Coming in glory and in power - for salvation
- We have been saved, we are being saved (sanctified), we will be saved (in all its fullness - body and soul)
- Jesus will come and make all things new
- 2 Pet 3:13 - we "look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells"
- Consider the rejoicing at the re-emergence of the High Priest
- There will be great rejoicing
- Death is not the end
Closing Remarks
- What difference does this make to us?
- Look to the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation - Heb 12:2
- Look for Jesus and His coming - v28
- Example of the people of Cwmavon
- The Lord Jesus Christ strengthens His people
- Looking for the Lord Jesus Christ