Sermons from 2015 (Page 4)

Most of us, including most Christians, have a limited understanding of the Old Testament sacrificial system. While a detailed understanding of these things may not be essential to the Christian faith, it certainly adds great richness if we do. The fundamentals of God’s great salvation plan were established in that OT system, but they were only ever meant to be temporary. Animal sacrifices and flawed human priests would never be adequate. In today’s message Pastor Murray explains how the old system worked, what it shows us about how we should approach God, why it was insufficient, and how Jesus replaces it by His own death on our behalf.

Sometimes we like holding on to old things. But there are also times when we have to be ruthless and replace old, worn out things that are no longer doing the job. The old priesthood, sacrifices and covenant that God had established with the Israelites at Mt Sinai 1400 years earlier had failed. A whole new way of coming to God was required. The prophet Jeremiah announced around 600BC that a day would come when God would introduce a new covenant, based on grace, in which God would forgive people’s sins, change their hearts, and relate to them personally. Jesus has made this possible. We all need this inward change of heart, and Jesus it offering it to each of us today. Have you experienced this miracle?

Many of us find Hebrews 7 a hard chapter of the Bible to understand. In the terms of Hebrews 5:14, it’s “solid food”! But a little effort is richly rewarded. In this message Pastor Murray works through the passage explaining who Melchizedek is and how God uses him as a model for a whole new way of “drawing near” to Him. No longer do we come to God through a complex system of priests and sacrifices. We come through the one perfect high priest who has offered Himself as the “once for all” sacrifice for sins – Jesus Christ. In every way Jesus is better! He guarantees to “save completely” those who trust in Him. Are you looking for a Saviour? Why not look to Jesus today?

A 5 year old taking a baby’s bottle to school suggests that there is something wrong! Under normal circumstances we expect babies to keep growing and maturing year by year. So it is meant to be with a Christian’s spiritual progress. In the first big challenge from today’s passage the question is asked: Are you growing ? In particular, are you growing in your understanding and living out of God’s word? Because every Christian should be! The second big challenge is to unbelievers, especially to the person who may think he or she is a Christian, yet their life clearly does not reflect this. This is to “fall away” from Christ and face God’s permanent rejection. Is it time to “examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5)?

Today’s passage begins: “Since we have a great high priest …. Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess”. For many of us the idea of priests and their role is not particularly familiar. But in the Old Testament priests had a vital role, standing between God and the people, offering sacrifices for their sins, and keeping them connected to God. Do we needs priests to serve us in this way today? Well, no! And the reason why is explained in today’s passage. Jesus himself has become our “great high priest” who suffered and died for us, and can therefore sympathise with us and represent us directly before God. We don’t need an earthly priest but we do need Jesus. Are you “holding firmly” to Him today?