Sketches of Sermons Hebrews 3:1 Why, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; I. THE CHARACTERS ADDRESSED: " Holy brethren." 1. All real Christians are — (1) Partakers of the same spiritual nature. (2) Members of the same family. (3) Interested in each other's welfare. 2. Christians are " holy" — (1) By the dedication which they have made of themselves to God. (2) By the purification of their minds, 3. They are partakers of a calling — (1) Heavenly in its origin. (2) Heavenly in its end. II. THE ADVICE GIVEN. 1. Christ was a Divine Messenger. He is a Divine Person. He was divinely sent (John 4:34; John 5:23, and John 7:16). 2. Christ was a voluntary messenger. He came willingly (Hebrews 10:5-9). The undertaking was arduous, but " He gave Himself for us." 3. Christ was a merciful messenger. He came not to destroy, but to save; and it was all free, unparalleled mercy. 4. He is the High Priest of our profession. (1) He made an atonement for sin (Hebrews 9:28). (2) The Jewish high priest blessed the people (Numbers 6:23-27). (3) The Jewish high priest interceded for the people; and Christ ever liveth to make intercession for us. 5. The advice given is, "Consider the apostle," &c. Consideration is the exercise of thought, not a hasty glance at an object, but a deliberate exercise of the mind. Hence we should consider Christ. (1) That we know Him. The knowledge of Christ is the most beneficial we can possess; but no man can know Christ who will not consider Him. (2) That we may be grateful to Him. Our obligations to Christ should bind us to be grateful to Him; but these obligations can be known only by consideration. (3) That we may keep His commandments. No man can keep Christ's commandments who neglects the advice in the text. (4) That we may emulate His example. (Sketches of Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; |
    |