Sermon: Christ Greater Than Moses

If you would take a copy of God's word this morning, we're going to turn open to the book of Hebrews as we continue. Our way through that book this morning Hebrews chapter 3 verses 1 through 6 who want to grab a Pew Bible there right in front of you? It's there on page 102 in the Pew Bible this morning. We're looking at Hebrews chapter 3. again versus one through six this morning

and let's go ahead and pray one more time before we open God's word together. today

Father we do come before you this morning. We pray that you would open our eyes. We might have eyes to see your son. the savior of men and women and children

we pray that you would give us ears to hear. and that we would hear

this word would not fall upon rocky soil or he choked out by the cares and the concerns of this world this morning. That it would find our hearts to be fertile soil. The word would go deep within. And that it would produce a Bountiful Harvest. And truly Christ might receive praise this morning from us. Think that we might give Christ praise this morning give you praise this morning her father and give praise to the spirit this morning or one Triune

God. but a privilege we pray it would be true. Christ's name we pray. amen Hebrews chapter 3 verses 1 through 6. This is a holy inherent sufficient. word of God

therefore holy Brothers you who share in a Heavenly calling? considered Jesus the Apostle and high priest of our confession Who is faithful to him who appointed him just as Moses was also faithful in all God's house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more Glory. Than Moses. As much more Glory as the Builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but the Builder of all things is God.

Now Moses with faithful and all God's house as a servant. To testify to the things that were to be spoken later. But Christ is Faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house. If indeed we hold fast or confidence. And are boasting in Our Hope. the grass withers the flower fades word of God is forever. Thanks be to God. amen

I want to read. So the start this morning a few different verses for you. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind Romans 12:2. Set your minds. on things that are above not on things that are on earth Colossians 3:2 Brothers I do not consider that I have made it my own but one thing I do forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead I press on toward the goal

for the prize of the upward call of God and Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way. And if any of you think otherwise God will reveal that also to you Philippians 3 verses 13 and 14. right thinking makes for godliness and right thinking marks a person as Godly. the writer of Hebrews is concerned here in these verses and so go on he's concerned with yours and my thinking what is it that We're thinking upon.

And how do we think about things and the message is very simple from this text very simple. you and I Are to consider Christ? consider Christ Again, let's remember the context the Hebrew Christians are suffering a form of persecution. They see even greater persecution on the horizon. They are standing to lose an awful lot for the sake of following Christ. And so they are tempted to turn back to that which they knew before Judaism.

Because following Christ is costly. And that's what they're finding. And here's the reality. It is costly to follow Christ. And think often we present the gospel the people and we present the gift of Christ who came into this world to live and to die for Sinners and was resurrected on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the father this great message for Sinners that need reconciliation with their maker and their creator and we

offer it as if once you receive Christ by faith that everything is Green Pastures and blue skies and singing birds. It's just a pleasant and easy life. But it's not. Following Christ is costly.

It's incredibly costly. In fact, it costs your life. Jesus said if anyone would come after me let him deny himself pick up his cross and follow me. The Christian Life is across bearing life. It's difficult. It is hard. And it is more than worth it. Because Christ is more than worth it.

What do you do when things are tough?

Will you consider Christ?

The life has been tough. It's becoming tougher consider Christ. He's saying to them.

You push your thinking into this one corridor. consider Christ

you've been out on. a Michigan summer day in June or July or yesterday and it's gorgeous outside and you think I'm going to travel from this place to that place in Michigan, I'm gonna get my car and I'm gonna go visit this place and You get in your car and As You Are? Driving along you realize as they often say that there are only two seasons in Michigan there is winter and then there is construction and you know that before you got up all of those Road workers decided

that they were going to try and fix every single road that is between you and the place that is your destination. They just decided that And you've been on one of those roads where? It's now all been funneled into this one lane on the highway headed in One Direction. There's no other way to get there and they had decided though. They're only working on a hundred yards of the road that they're going to make it one single file Lane

for miles and miles and miles just to ruin your day. Just getting you to go in One Direction.

Can't Veer off it. This is what the writer of Hebrews once then to do in their thinking. Funnel it all down. to one corridor

consider Christ said her Christ How could they return to Judaism when they are considering Christ? Now he's going to have them considered Jesus in various ways before he does. So he gently reminds him of who they are or maybe not so gently he says therefore holy Brothers you who share in a Heavenly calling therefore takes us back to the verses that preceded this in verses 14 through 18 where he's laying out that Jesus died and he

died for Sinners and as he died for Sinners, he destroyed our adversaries he destroyed the whole that Satan has over you he destroyed the whole that death has over you and he is delivered us from slavery. He helps as he says The Offspring of Abraham and so he is reminding them even now as he launches into this. He is there to be of help to you now. consider him He calls them holy brothers. That is you've been brought into the very family of God

You Are Holy in this family of God. You've been set apart. You've been distinguished from the world and don't you know, he is reminding them in verse 1 that you have a Heavenly calling. That is God has called you from heaven. He's called you from Heaven to save you and not only has he called you from heaven, but he has called you to heaven he is calling you home. At this be reminded to you in the midst of all of your trials.

Keep going is the implication remember who you are. Now he's going to show them that Jesus is more than worth following. He is worthy of more Glory than even Moses Moses who they are tempted to return back to as they turn back to Judaism. It's gonna do this in multiple ways. First. Jesus is the Apostle and high priest of the confession of our house. Jesus is the Apostle and high priest of the confession of our house. He is he's giving us a two-fold kind

of office that Jesus holds within the household of faith. I'm a sucker for those. family crests or those family seals that seems like every French and German and English and Irish and Welsh and Italian family has I don't know what happened to the Greeks in the midst of all that they didn't seem to understand that this was a cool thing and never developed it. But you have those different family crests and seals. If you ever see a halopolis when I want to

know it because I'm probably related but you have this Crest or seal where it's some kind of image. and then there are words under it that are usually in Latin that are under that Crest or seal and it is fixed on a pillar before a house or it's fixed upon a shield as they go into battle or it's fixed in a stained glass window that's been dedicated by their family. This is what as a family they are known by John Calvin

the reformer created his own. CEO or his own family crest at his famously open hands that are lifted up like this and they have a heart that is in these hands and then in Latin underneath that family crest your family seal. It reads. My heart is offered to you Lord promptly and sincerely

there's a confession. That is to Mark our entire family. the writer of Hebrews says and the confession is pretty simple. You don't need Latin. You don't need friends. You don't need German translates in every language. Confession is just Jesus. Jesus Our common confession is Christ. He is the Apostle and high priest of our confession. It's the same root word that is found in Romans 10. If you confess with your mouth that

Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. We confess Christ. And confess here note say real formal verbal public decorate declaration that this is what I believe or maybe even more importantly. This is the one in whom I believe. And that's a reason that we press church membership and say you need to become a member of a church and you need to stand before a body and you need to take vows. You need to confess publicly.

That you believe in this Christ. I confess Jesus.

Or two offices that are the focus of the writer of Hebrews here that we confess about Christ as part of the household of the faith. He says Jesus is the Apostle of our confession and he's the high priest of our confession. Apostle means one who was sent or the sent one and a Jew automatically hearing the word Apostle would have thought of Moses immediately. He was the one that was sent by God. He was sent from Midian all the way down to Egypt

be the Redeemer of God's people out of Egypt. when you and I think of apostle we think of the Twelve Disciples that Jesus sent out and he said go therefore and Make Disciples of all the nations baptizing the name of the father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you but the great apostle the Apostle above all Apostles. The writer of Hebrews is saying is Jesus. Jesus he was sent.

He was sent with more Authority. He was sent further and he was sent for a greater purpose than any other by his Heavenly Father. Jesus himself will say this over and over about himself and John 17 that high Priestly prayer when he's praying. He says in this his eternal life that they know you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sinned. And later, you will say for I've given them the words that you gave me and they have received them and have

come to know in truth that I came from you and they have believed that you have sent me. John Owen will count over 34 times just in the Gospel of John alone that it will be said of Jesus that he was sent. He is the Apostle of our confession. Do you really want to turn away? The writer of Hebrews is saying from this one that your father in heaven sent to you? Do you want to turn away from him?

Moses was also sent by God. And he was faithful as the writer says and all of God's house in verse 2. Moses was sent. Jesus was sent. To distinct periods and Redemptive history of God's people both were great Apostles both Moses both Christ, but notice that there are not two houses. What is this house? Have you look down at verse 6, you'll see and we are his house that is God is building up his people into a Dwelling Place. Peter will say that in First

Peter chapter 2. He says that Christians are living stones which are being built up as a spiritual house. There is only one house. There are not two people of God nor to salvations. God does not have a plan for Israel. And then a separate plan for the church Israel is the Church of the Old Testament and the churches the Israel of the New Testament. We are all offspring of Abraham as is his argument going all the way back to verse 16 all who have faith are

united in this same house. So you can't turn away from Christ and run back to Abraham.

You can't do that. Because he sent his son as the Apostle the Apostle of the faith. You're to follow him.

He is also the high priest of this house. you've confessed that Hebrew Christians Again, they're tempted to turn back to Moses Moses was also a priest in this house. You know that Aaron is brother was ordained as the high priest but it's also true that Moses is the one that often is the one that goes between God and the people and mediates on their behalf as a priest. He was a priest in this house. But Jesus is the priest.

in this house He's the great go between God and man. Because he is the god man. He holds a distinct place. In the household the faith. As he alone is the god man verse 4, he's making that clear Jesus as God and that's a pretty good interceder with God is one who is God? I would go back to Moose.

consider Jesus confessed him consider him again.

after giving us these two offices and the houses he then introduces two important relationships that Jesus has and Relation to this house. He's the Builder. And he's the owner verses three and four. He's the Builder consider this. Moses was part of this house a great part of this house, but the Builder of this house you have to understand Hebrew Christians is worthy of more Glory than the house itself, and he's the Builder.

My hometown of Springfield, Illinois. There's a famous house that people will travel from All over the country to come look at it's a beautiful house. It's a glorious house. It's called The Dana Thomas House. It's a special wonderful Christmas. I've been through that house probably two dozen times. It's a famous house because it was a famous architect who? Designed the house and built the house. Frank Lloyd Wright now

If you didn't want to go to Springfield, Illinois, I don't know why you wouldn't want to go to Springfield, Illinois. But if you decided you just wanted to see a Frank Lloyd Wright house. There's a couple in Okemos. It's not Springfield, but there are a couple there. and if you were to go there and it was an open house and Frank Lloyd Wright was standing there and taking tours through the house when you got done going through the house and

see it's in all of its glory and all of its beauty. You wouldn't congratulate the house. You would turn to Frank Lloyd Wright. and you would hail him as a master architect and graduate him as a master builder This is the argument of the writer of Hebrews. You don't congratulate in glory in the house above the architect himself for the Builder. Himself. Moses is great in the house. He is an amazing part of the house. But Jesus is the Builder of that house.

And he is worthy of much more honor. The Moses Moses is only what Moses is because Christ made him that Christ is greater.

He's not only the Builder though. He's also the owner versus five and six. Moses was a great as the writer says in verse 5 a great servant in the house. It's a unique word here that only appears here in the New Testament. It's not a demeaning term that he was a servant rather. It's very much a term of Honor. He was a unique servant in the house of God a servant of deity is exactly how it would be translated servant of a deity.

And Moses is unique. He will serve an all three of the great offices in the scriptures. He will be a prophecy will be a priest. He will be a king. He will be the great Redeemer of God's people out of Egypt. He will be called a mediator of the old Covenant. In Deuteronomy 34 upon his death at that eulogy as they read and kind of summarize moses' life. They say this and there has not Arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses.

Whom the Lord knew face to face none like him for all the signs and the wonders of the Lord's sent him to do in the land of Egypt the Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land and for all the mighty power and all the great Deeds of Terror that Moses did in the sight of all of Israel Moses is worthy of honor. But Jesus is Worthy of more. It's the owner.

He's the son. He's not just a servant as verse 6 tells us. Notice the comparisons here again Moses was a great man. But in every way crisis Superior Moses is a servant Christ is the son. Moses is in the house Christ is over the house. Moses is in another's house. Christ is over his own house. consider Christ

all your trials he's saying Sit or Christ?

silly It's just silly that these. Hebrew Christians would want to turn back to Judaism. when Moses himself pointed them to Christ

That's what he says in verse 5 now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant that testify to the things that were to be spoken later. Even Moses is great Apostle and great priest and prophet and Redeemer was pointing them to the ministry of Christ to come. All that he did in the house was pointing to the Builder and owner of the house. If you are reading the Old Testament scriptures and not finding yourself pointed to Christ

you're doing it wrong. Jesus himself will say that. and he's on that robe with the disciples to Emmaus and he's the resurrected Christ and they don't notice him. My favorite passages is and he's walking along with them. And he is chiding them for not. Knowing that the scriptures taught that the Christ had to suffer you see their suffering their disillusioned in their faith. They don't know whether to keep looking to Christ. They're thinking about returning back to

what they knew before on the Emmaus Road.

And he takes them and quote. We're told beginning with Moses. And all the prophets he interpreted to them and all the scriptures the things concerning himself. It all is meant the point. him

with Hebrews are saying you have to keep considering him.

So he gives one great application.

They must continue to hold fast their confidence and their hope in Christ. old fast

it must hold fast to Christ. Even as he holds fast to us. And my ultimate hope is not in my holding fast to Christ My ultimate. Hope is Christ hold upon me. He preserves those who are his but it's also true that those who are his persevere. He preserves we persevere the greatest sign that you are Christ is that you persevere to the end. And so the writer of Hebrews is saying to them hold fast. You've confessed this Christ you've placed your hope

in this Christ. He is the great Apostle. He is the great high priest. He is the Builder and he is the owner of the household of faith. You're his or his so now that things have become a little more difficult don't think Don't think about abandoning him you're his.

Keep considering him and keep holding to him.

Keep on clinging to Christ.

It's nothing back there for you.

Now listen, here's reality right to close a few applications. Here's reality. It's just not easy.

It's not easy to keep clinging to Christ.

Some of you are wrestling with that even this morning you. through different trials or different hardships that have come into your life

Maybe he's forgotten me. Blind Eye to me just not sure that it's worth it. to follow this Christ

Maybe you're not tempted to turn back to Moses. I think very few of us in this room are tempted to turn back to Moses. Whatever it is that you enjoyed before you came to Christ. Whatever it is that there was comfort in and pleasure in maybe it's the Ecstasy that sex or drugs or drunkenness provided or maybe is just the ease of slothfulness and laziness or maybe it was frankly just the pleasure of living for self. There's

the pleasure in that

red febrews would say to you and I consider Christ

You're not know that Christ is superior to all that. If there was anything pleasurable if there was anything enjoyable if there was anything restful if there was anything good and the things they were simply pointing you to something for more pleasurable and enjoyable and restful and good. Christ greater it's worth it.

I think will this.

seems like maybe it's just a Period of time and go through this as a young Christian these Hebrew Christians. They must be young Christians to be faltering this way and I think often we look at that and we think ours we grow in the Christian Life as we get older in the Christian Life Things become easier. It becomes easier to claim to Christ. This was not true either.

It doesn't become easier.

It's a daily and continual Pursuit. There are always going to be pulls in this world. As long as you and I are holding to Christ in this world. There are going to be things that are seeking to pull you away from him.

And our staff meeting this week. I had us going around and I think just give us one thing before prayer time together. Give us one thing that you're thankful for that. You've seen in your C lately. And the thing that came to my mind was I thinking about it this week having watched it. when a half dozen or so of or people this week I was just thankful for some of our older generation in this church. They just keep on clinging to Christ.

They're not resting upon their Laurels. They're not resting upon what they were. Or what they have done. They haven't thrown in the towel things have gotten hard. To keep pursuing Christ and keep laboring for Christ for our common good and for his glory.

Was reading them. biography of a pastor recently passed away not too long ago. and pretty well known pastor and he was writing that in his eighties. He and his wife would often reflect that it was harder for them to have faith in Christ in their eighties than it had been. previous in their life It doesn't get easier.

You have to keep at it. It's a continual lifelong Pursuit. It takes effort to consider Christ. It's a discipline that is required until the end and you have to keep running until the day you finish your faith that run and your faith is turned to sight. Keep at it.

It takes real effort. Do you consider Christ? regularly

consider Christ

I think it's one of the most neglected disciplines in the Christian Life in our day and age and it's just becoming harder and harder to do. Previous generations would look at us and go what is wrong with these Christians? because you and I don't meditate as Christians not that Eastern mysticism. Were you? You empty your mind of all thought and try and become one with the universe whatever that is. It's Christian meditation where you fill your

mind with the person of Christ and with the acts of Christ and the promises of Christ and the teachings of Christ and you just turn those over in your head you keep thinking upon them, but you see that takes effort. It takes quiet. that takes solitude

do you ever just sit? quietly

consider Christ

so much of our languishing in the Christian Life. So much of our dryness so much of you and I getting nothing out of worship. How can that be possible?

Because we're not considering Christ.

It takes real effort.

Centering Jesus is not something that just happened. acquires intentionality requires time

So busy.

Often the most necessary Thing Remains undone. The most mature Christians I know are those who purposefully and intentionally and regularly. consider Christ

the great strategies of our adversary dear Christian is to keep you busy. So you're distracted. And considering Christ.

to turn screens off

To turn the music off.

to get away from people

to sit and quietly consider Christ you make that part of your living for Christ

Who often we occupy our minds with their trials and their circumstances which?

distance us from Christ Robert Murray McShane The wonderful 19th century Scottish Presbyterian Pastor famously said this he said for every look at self take 10 looks at Christ want to change that a little bit this morning and say for every look at your circumstances take ten looks at your Christ. consider Christ It's all that's all he's telling them to do isn't that fascinating? They're facing all kinds of persecution suffering.

They're struggling to maintain the faith and all he tells them to do consider Christ.

finally notice that your faith and your hope are always tied together. He is called you and will call you home. Let your faith feed your hope and let your hope feed your faith. This is one of the great secrets of the Christian Life and the Christian faith and the midst of trying circumstances. We allow our faith to feed our hope. And we allow Our Hope to feed our faith. It's what he's telling them to do. and all of that is done under the umbrella

and in the actual Act of considering Christ stop letting your circumstances dictate to you. Consider Christ. Stop wallowing in the pit of despair. Consider Christ.

consider Christ He's worth following and keep following.

pray

Father we are thankful that you have given us so great to savior.

And he is worth our every thought. Is worth our every effort. Is worth our every Pursuit. Is worth our very life.

Thankful that you sent him into this world.

I see Apostle of our faith. Be our high priest before you're through. You sent the Sun? Wounds this house and has built this house and that you have called us home. We continue to cling to him. until the very We pray all this in the strong name of this great. and mighty savior Jesus in his name we pray. amen