What "Jesus Sat Down" Means for Us

 

To watch the sermon on this passage click here.

The main point of Hebrews so far: Jesus is our Advocate

He sat down at the right hand of the Father - the place o honor - the seat of mercy - where He acts as our advocate without ceasing. He never stops.

He both intercedes AND intervenes. As John MacArthur puts it: He is seated as our Redeemer and standing as our Helper in time of need.

He ministers to us from His position in The Sanctuary - In heaven.

verse 3 – every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices;

The Gifts - meal offerings - they were about a commitment to serve the Lord. 

Being thankful to Him for all He has done. 

The Sacrifices were about atoning for sin.

As Christians, we were saved for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

We didn’t save ourselves.

We cannot sanctify ourselves.

We still need the help of Jesus

We still need the ministry of Jesus

Our struggles as Christians are the result of trying to work in the flesh rather than lean into Jesus’ ongoing ministry on our behalf.

We NEED the ongoing present, active, right now ministry of Jesus to His people.

True Worship 

doesn’t happen without Jesus’ help

Serving God 

doesn’t happen without Jesus’ help

Sanctification 

doesn’t happen without Jesus’ help

You have to lean into Jesus’ ongoing work for you. 

Meaning: you actively, intentionally, look to Him all the time. 

Program yourself to think about that.

You have the resources

You have the tools

You have very specific instructions

And He Himself is ready to come to your aid.

You have but to ask.

How to "TAP IN" to the Advocate Ministry of Jesus:

1. Ask - meaning Pray

There needs to be far more prayer pouring

out of our hearts day in day out.

2. Obey

There are so many things we need to listen to and follow. 

There are over 1,000 commands to obey

There are sins to confess

There are promises you need to lean into

There are examples to follow

There are attitudes you need to change

Check everything you’re doing against the truth of God’s Word

Get a Topical Bible - helpful

Life Application Bible - also helpful

Bible on your phone - search tool

3. Create Margin

When there’s too much going on in your life, when there’s no margin - you very quickly shift into auto-pilot. More margin - more Drawing Near time

There are 168 hours in a week. 50 at work and 50 sleeping leaves 68 hours for God, family, etc.

How will you use those hours? If you "tithe your time" to the Lord, that's 16.8 hours. After church on Sunday morning, Home Group, etc., there are over 10 hours left. How will you lean into Jesus' intercession and intervention in your life in those remaining hours?

He stands ready to help you in whatever it is you come to Him with. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob