Sermon Outline

CHOSEN PEOPLE

“THE REST THAT BRINGS ASSURANCE!”

Hebrews 4 (Psalm 95)

Introduction

Backgrounder and Stuff:

Sources: The Holy Bible KJV Version; Explore The Bible Lifeway Bible Study; The Cradle, The Cross, And The Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament by Andreas J. Kostenberger; L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles; An Introduction to the New Testament by D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo; The New Testament and Wycliffe Bible Commentary; Christian Research Institute/Bible Answer Man (www.equip.org) Online March and April 2009; Blue Letter Bible (blueletterbible.org), and Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Bible Commentary.Author: Unknown (many say Paul, others say Apollos, Barnbas, Luke, Timothy, Aquila, Priscilla, Silas, Aristion (one of the first seventy that went out into the world), Philip the Deacon (mentioned in the book of Acts (6:5), and the virgin Mary.Date: c.65A.DDestination: Jewish-Christian congregation(s) in Rome or Alexandria (most say Rome).Occasion/Reason: Jewish Christians (large or small congregations) were in danger of going back to Judaism in order to avoid being persecuted as Christians. People were going back to the Old Covenant when the New Covenant set them free. There was no public worship (10:25), weak prayer life (12:12), instability in doctrine (13:9), refusing to shepherd other believers (5:12), and neglect of the scriptures (2:1). Theme: The supremacy of Christ over OT antecedent figures and other intermediaries.Key Verse(s): 12:1-2

Proposition:

I. A lack of rest brings forth wrath due to unbelief. – Hebrews 4:1-13

A. The setup (Hebrews 3:7-19)

B. The pitch (Hebrews 4: 6-10)

C. The crushing blow (Hebrews 4: 11-13); Key Verse: 12

II. Due to this Jesus Christ is superior in His Position.- Hebrews 4: 14-16

Conclusion: We can rest on that Jesus paid it all and that we win!!!

Note: Pay attention to the three “Let Us “ exhortations at the end.

“OUR HIGH PRIEST!”

Hebrews 5 (Psalm 95)

Introduction

Key Controversy: Examining “The Seat of Peter” Belief

The Roman Catholic church claims that the papacy can be traced all the way back to Peter. The question is: “Was Peter the first pope?”

WAS PETER THE FIRST POPE?- Twisting ScriptureCatholics often cite Matthew 16:18 as biblical support for the papacy. In this passage Christ says: “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” From this, the Catholic church argues that Jesus built His church upon Peter, and that Peter was the first pope. Is this accurate?

WAS PETER THE FIRST POPE?- The Original Greek TextWell, in order to resolve this very important question we need to look at two key words in the original Greek: The word “Peter” and the word “rock.” In the original language the text reads: “You are Petros, and on this petra I will build my church.” Notice how Jesus distinguished between Petros (Peter’s name in the Greek, which means “stone”) and petra (the Greek word for “rock”). For Jesus to have avoided any confusion all He needed to do was to simply use the word “Petros” twice. In this way, He would have clearly demonstrated that the church would be built upon Peter. However, as we have seen, He used a different word — namely, “petra” — to make it absolutely clear that He was referring to the foundation of the church. The context of the passage (which, by the way, begins in verse 13) attests to a play, by Jesus, on these two words. In fact, interestingly enough, He used “petra” (or “rock”) to refer to Peter’s confession — that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Thus, Jesus (not Peter) is said to be the rock upon which the church would be established.

WAS PETER THE FIRST POPE?- Jesus the Foundation of the ChurchPeter himself underscores this fact in Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:4-8, when he alludes to Christ as a “stone rejected by builders” and as a “rock that makes unbelievers fall.” Furthermore, the apostle Paul calls Jesus the foundation (1 Cor. 3:11), the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20), and the spiritual rock (1 Cor. 10:4) of the church. And so, in light of this we must conclude that the Bible does not support the idea of Peter being the very first pope. And remember, you and I do not need any go-betweens to get to Jesus Christ — not the pope, not Mary, not anything. In fact, we can come boldly into His presence because of the finished work of Christ Himself.

Proposition:

I. Jesus is HIGHER than Aaron. – Hebrews 5:1-4 (Lev. 9:7, 16:6, Exodus 28:1)

II. Jesu is HIGHER than Melchisedec (means “My king is righteous”).- Hebrews 5: 5-

10 (Genesis 14: 12-24, Psalm 110)

III. But YOU do not HEAR ME though and here is WHY! – Hebrews 5: 11-14

Note: This the only NT writer to say this!

Application/Conclusion:

I. Be Real With God!!!

II. Trust and Believe In Jesus and do not faint in your faith or fall into unbelief!

III. God will call on YOU to answer for NOT RESTING in Him!

IV. Tell Him About It and be prepared to listen after you tell Him about it!

V. Lastly, long for the MEAT of the word and not for the weak milk of this world!

VI. Altar Call/Close.