Moses was one of the greatest men in Israel’s history. God spared his life as a baby in the Nile River. During his first 40 years, he lived in the palace and received the finest education Egypt had to offer. During his next 40 years, he learned humility as a shepherd in Midian. At age 80, God called him to lead the nation of Israel out of Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land of Canaan. During those 40 years, his closeness to God and his meekness as a leader set him above his fellowmen. Truly, Moses was a godly and mighty man.

Knowing Moses’ amazing credentials, the apostle compares Moses with Jesus Christ to show us that Christ was even better than Moses.

Transition

In this section, God gives us two charges. The first is to consider Christ and the second it to take heed to Christ.

Wherefore, Consider … Christ, v.1-6

  1. Note first to whom this is addressed, v.1
    1. Paul was writing to holy brethren. Many of his readers were saints and brethren in Christ.
    2. He was writing to partakers of the heavenly calling. Many had truly answered God’s heavenly call to salvation by repenting and trusting Christ to save them.
    3. He is writing to those who profess Christ. They had made professions of faith in Christ. He was writing to those who either were Christians or claimed to be Christians.
  2. Consider next the subject, Christ Jesus, v.1
    1. The word “consider” means to observe attentively or to fix one’s eyes upon. We are urged to look at Christ!
    2. He is our Apostle or sent one. Jesus is the one whom God sent to this earth as His Ambassador and our Saviour.
    3. He is our High Priest. The human high priest was a bridge between man and God. Christ, the divine High Priest, bridged the gap between man and God in a complete way by giving His life a ransom for our sins.
  3. Now consider the qualities of Christ, v.2-6
    1. He was faithful to God who appointed Him, v.2. Christ was faithful as God’s Apostle and High Priest. He came to earth on a mission and fulfilled that mission completely when He died on the cross and rose again to life as our substitute. He is the way, truth and life leading to God.
    2. He was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, v.3. Moses was faithful in his house (i.e., his family and in a broader sense to Israel). While Moses was a faithful member of his house, Christ was the builder of His house.
    3. Moses was a faithful servant, but Jesus was a faithful Son over his own house that He built. We who know Him as Saviour are His house.
  4. Hold fast … unto the end, v.6
    1. This verse is not suggesting that a true Christian must hold something fast to get saved or to keep saved. Instead, holding fast is evidence of true salvation.
    2. Though Paul is writing to those who had made a profession of faith in Christ (v.1), not all who profess Christ are truly Christians (Mt 7:21-23).
    3. Harry Ironside states, “It was very possible then, and it is still, that men might mingle with a Christian company and find a certain amount of gladness and joy springing from an intellectual acquaintance with Christianity, who after all were not truly born of God. Continuance proves the reality of our confession.” Underline added.
    4. True Christians will hold fast their confident (i.e., bold, plain, open) testimony and joyful glorying of their hope in Christ until they see Him. Those who profess but do not truly possess often quit and fall away.

Wherefore, Take Heed, v.7-19

  1. Learn from God’s past response, v.7-11
    1. Verses 7-11 are quoted from Psalm 95:7-11.
    2. These verses remind us of Israel’s past hard hearts. The day of provocation was the day they provoked God by refusing to enter the Promised Land.
    3. This reminds us of God’s past response. God said that the rebels could not enter His rest in the Promised Land. They missed out on God’s promise because of their unbelief.
  2. Take heed, lest unbelief ruin you, v.12-19
    1. It is frustrating to purchase an item and later find out that it was not genuine. It was only a cheap imitation and it did not last. Just as there are many items for sale that look genuine but are cheap short-lived imitations, the same is true of many who claim to be Christians but lack genuine conversion. Inwardly, they have an evil heart of unbelief that will depart from the living God, v.12.
    2. God says, in verse 13, that we must exhort one another daily to help those deceived by sin. Exhort means to call to your side and challenge. As Christians, we struggle to obey this command. If you know a professing Christian who lacks a Christ-like life, you are to exhort him to examine his profession. This is the challenge God gave us in 2 Corinthians 13:5. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” If the spiritually lacking person is a true Christian, challenge him to get his life right with God.
    3. Verse 14 is similar to verse 6. Holding our confidence or resolution steadfast or firmly to the end is evidence of true salvation. These are true partakers of Christ. Kenneth Wuest writes, “Again as in verse 6, the question is not one of the retention of salvation based upon a persistence of faith, but of the possession of salvation as evidenced by a continuation of faith. … If that faith is a mere intellectual assent, it will not be able to stand up under this persecution, but will be repudiated by that person.”
    4. Some of the Israelites who came out of Egypt provoked the Lord with their unbelief (v.15-19). Even then, not all who claimed to believe truly did.
    5. God swore or affirmed that the unbelievers would not enter into His rest. That rest spoke of the Promised Land. Today, the Promised Land is a picture of heaven.
    6. Unbelief kept many from the Promised Land during Moses’ ministry. They refused to trust God. They rebelled against God’s directions. Also, unbelief will keep many from God’s eternal Promised Land of heaven.
      1. Some unbelief is bold like those who reject God and curse Him.
      2. Some unbelief is stubborn, prideful uncertainty.
      3. Other unbelief is hidden. Many religious people believe about God in their heads, but not in their hearts. They may do religious activities and say religious things, but their lives lack the Holy Spirit’s change. If convicted by the Holy Spirit of their sin, they have never humbled themselves and repented. They have never sincerely asked Christ to cleanse their sins and give them life eternal. Jesus described them in this way. (Matthew 7:21-23) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
      4. Every unbeliever will miss God’s rest in heaven.

Conclusion

This morning you are either one who needs to consider that Christ is much better than Moses and hold fast your confidence and rejoicing in the hope He promises you, or you are one who must take heed that you do not depart (walk away) from the living God in unbelief.

Jesus said that on Judgment day MANY would claim to know Him when in reality they never dealt with their sin God’s way and they are really religious hypocrites. I urge you to take inventory of your heart. Does the Spirit live within bearing witness that you’ve been cleansed from every sin and shame? Does the Holy Spirit bring deep conviction when you disobey God? Do you have a hunger for the Bible and prayer? If the answer to any of these questions is “No”, you very likely do not know the Lord as your Saviour. Do not ignore that great danger. Seek spiritual help this morning.

Song: Only Trust Him – 252
—
Christ was Better than Moses
31 March 2019 AM – Hebrews 3:1-19 – Heb19 – Scott Childs