Bulletins - First Baptist Church Litchfield

- - Psalm 22:27–28ESV
Your Love
They will see God (Matthew 5:8)
- - Hebrews 4:14–16ESV
Sovereign One
Carry It On Philippians 1:8
His Mercy Is More
Standing Strong with Our High Priest
Hebrews 4:14-16 emphasizes the dual role of Jesus as both our High Priest and a compassionate mediator who understands our weaknesses, having lived as a human yet without sin. Jesus, our High Priest, truly understands our human experiences and warmly invites us to seek His grace whenever we find ourselves in need. His sinless nature shines as a beacon of strength for our own challenges. Throughout the Scriptures, Christ is lovingly portrayed as the perfect mediator who fulfills the sacrificial system, becoming the ultimate High Priest. Because of His sinless life, we can confidently draw near to God. This beautiful message should encourage you to face your struggles with assurance, knowing that you can always turn to Jesus for help and mercy during the tough times in your life.
You can face life's challenges with assurance because Jesus, your compassionate High Priest, understands your struggles and offers you grace and help in your time of need.
Marvel at Your Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16)
“14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
In the Old Testament, the high priest played a vital role as a representative and mediator between the people and Yahweh. This important office was first held by Aaron, Moses' brother, and high priests served as the head priest initially at the tabernacle and later at the temple. During Solomon's reign, Zadok had the honor of serving as the high priest in the temple.
The high priest had several essential responsibilities that were crucial to Israelite worship. It was the high priest’s duty to ensure that the covenant was upheld and to guide the people in fulfilling their obligations to the temple and the law of Moses. As the representative for the nation of Israel, the high priest carried a significant responsibility to lead the hearts of the people toward God and the fulfillment of the covenant. Some of the key tasks included regularly overseeing sacrifices and offerings, blessing the people, and entering the most holy place of the tabernacle/temple during the Day of Atonement each year.
What makes Jesus different than the high priest in the Old Testament? Why do I call you to marvel at Him? I have five reasons you should marvel at Jesus, your Great High Priest.
He is not just a high priest, but the great high priest! (v. 14a)
Jesus is referred to the great high priest in the book of Hebrews twelve times. Jesus is a “great” high priest for several reasons. He is highly exalted, superior to Moses, Aaron, and the Levitical priests, and designated as the Son of God. The word “great” beautifully highlights Christ’s uniqueness and his superiority over Old Testament people like Moses and the Aaronic priests. It signifies his remarkable journey into God’s presence, along with his esteemed title as the Son of God, reflecting his exaltation, excellence, and dignity. When we say ‘high priest,’ which translates to ‘great priest,’ the term ‘great’ here enhances the meaning, suggesting a wonderful exaltation- an elevated position beyond that of the Aaronic high priests.
What makes this so exciting for us is that Jesus, as the great high priest, serves as our ideal mediator before God. In ancient Israel, the High Priest had a special role, entering the Holy of Holies once a year to seek atonement for the people's sins. Unlike any other priest, our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, has torn the veil, allowing us direct access to God. Imagine a child being granted entry to the president's office without needing an appointment. This privilege illustrates the depth of God's love and the new covenant we share in Christ. How did he accomplish this? He is both the perfect priest and sacrifice. As a sacrifice, his blood is flawless and sufficient to atone for our sins. As a priest, he remains perfectly and eternally clean in every sense- ritually, ceremonially, and morally.
He is the Son of God who has passed through the heavens (v. 14b)
The text says, “he passed through the heavens.” What this means is Jesus has ascended into heaven and now sits at the throne of God. Jesus transcended the heavens, signifying the fulfillment of the redemptive work and access to God. He moved beyond the boundaries of time and space, ensuring His greatness and uniqueness. As I said before, the veil in the temple that separated the Holy of Hollies from everything else, was torn in two. Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension allows redeemed sinners to enter the presence of God and behold his glory without perishing.
Consider the story of a man who wanted to climb the highest mountain. After years of preparation, he finally scaled the summit only to realize that the journey was not merely about reaching the top, but about the view and what lay beyond. Similarly, when Jesus passed through the heavens, He did not just ascend; He opened a doorway for us to look upon the glory of God and know Him personally as our Father.
This is important because now that Jesus is seated at God’s right hand, he not only opens the door for us to be in the presence of God, he intercedes for us. John Flavel says,
If Christ had not ascended he could not have interceded, as he now does in heaven for us. And do but take away Christ’s intercession and you starve the hope of the saints.
John Flavel (Presbyterian Minister)
He empowers you to live well in this life. Norman Geisler helps us understand this when he says,
He was saying that life in this world will be better if it is lived by a power beyond this world, the power of the resurrected, ascended, glorified Christ.
Norman Geisler
Jesus passing through the heavens also give your heart the assured rests it longs for.
Because Jesus already has ascended into heaven and entered into God’s rest, believers can be confident that they, too, will have a share in God’s rest.
John D. Barry; Douglas Mangum; Derek R. Brown; Michael S. Heiser; Miles Custis; Elliot Ritzema; Matthew M. Whitehead; Michael Grigoni; David Bomar
He is able to sympathize because he has also been tempted (v. 15a)
What does it mean that Jesus can sympathize with your weaknesses? Because he put on human flesh and he lived as a human being in this world, in the same manner we live, he understands our struggles and hardships. Jesus is sympathetic to our temptations and failings. The word “weaknesses” can refer to sickness, imprisonment, ostracism, moral and intellectual weakness. It reminds me of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53:3
“3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Is 53:3
There is no king, prime minister, or president like Jesus. He is a king who truly understands his people’s needs. He knows what the poverty of your soul feels like, its shame and guilt. He is a man of sorrows who is a true friend to sinners. If he knows every hair on your head then he also knows every fear, anxiety, hurt, and pain in your heart. The Bible says God is so aware of your hurt that he knows every tear you cry.
“8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” Psalm 56:8
Ellen Gould White sums it up well when she says,
Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs. Every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners. For in every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the Saviour’s life on earth, we see “God with us.
Ellen Gould White
In ancient Israel, a sacrifice had to be perfect—without blemish. The sinless life of Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice; He was the only one worthy to take on the sins of humanity. Just like the unblemished lamb in the Old Testament, Jesus’ purity made Him the only adequate offering for our sins, proving His divine nature.
Verse 15says he was “tempted in every way but without sin.” That is, Jesus has suffered every temptation and trial of faith we could suffer in this world. An example of this is most prominent in Matthew 4:1-10, where Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The devil tries to tempt Jesus with self-gratification, self-protection, and self-exaltation, three sins that are always near to us. Jesus overcame these temptation with faithful obedience to the Father. Therefore the Bible says of Jesus,
“15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
“21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
“22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22
“5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” 1 John 3:5
Jesus is sinless. Consider a white canvas, pure and untouched. One drop of ink would spoil its perfection. Jesus’ life is like that canvas, entirely free from sin, making Him the perfect vessel for God’s love and grace. By being sinless, He invites us to bring our mess onto His clean canvas, and He offers us a new canvas inspired by His purity.
He will give mercy and grace because we need it (v. 16b)
Picture a courtroom where one stands accused of all the wrongs in the world. Everyone has their flaws, but suddenly, Jesus steps in, having never committed a single offense. He, the sinless one, stands as the ultimate defense. His life represents hope for redemption, proving that purity exists and is the cornerstone of our faith.
“16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Because Jesus is your great high priest who ascended into heaven as a perfect sinless sacrifice that completely atones for your sins, as one who can sympathize with your weakness, he calls you to approach God in worship to receive mercy and grace as often as you need it.
How should you respond?
First, hold fast to the confession of your faith.
That is, persevere in believing Jesus is the Son of God who takes away your sins and gives you eternal life. Keep believing Jesus is Lord of all, and Lord over your life. Keep treasuring him and demonstrating your live for him with joyful obedience.
Second, approach his throne with boldness
That is, pray. Enter into God’s presence through prayer and worship. At the throne of God you find the mercy seat. You find forgiveness for your sins. You find grace to overcome temptation and evil. You find healing for your hurt. You find the power to forgive those who hurt you. You find a loving father who pours out his love on you, and loves it when you pray to him. And as a good father in heaven, he loves to answer your prayers for your good. John Wesley encourages us to
Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down.
John Wesley (Founder of the Methodist Movement)
You can face life's challenges with assurance because Jesus, your compassionate High Priest, understands your struggles and offers you grace and help in your time of need.
Empowered by the Spirit, Guided by the Word
- - Ephesians 3:17–19ESV

Psalm 22:27–28ESV

Hebrews 4:14–16ESV

Standing Strong with Our High Priest

You can face life's challenges with assurance because Jesus, your compassionate High Priest, understands your struggles and offers you grace and help in your time of need.

Marvel at Your Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16)

“14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

He is not just a high priest, but the great high priest! (v. 14a)

He is the Son of God who has passed through the heavens (v. 14b)

He is able to sympathize because he has also been tempted (v. 15a)

“3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Is 53:3

“8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” Psalm 56:8

“15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

“21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22

“5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” 1 John 3:5

He will give mercy and grace because we need it (v. 16b)

“16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

How should you respond?

First, hold fast to the confession of your faith.

Second, approach his throne with boldness

You can face life's challenges with assurance because Jesus, your compassionate High Priest, understands your struggles and offers you grace and help in your time of need.

Ephesians 3:17–19ESV