A Great High Priest

Sunday, January 18, 2015
Heb 4:14-5:10 KJV

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

 1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as [was] Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Why may we be confident of our profession of faith in our Lord Jesus? (v.14)
2) Why may we come boldly to the throne of God in our time of need? (v. 15-16)
3) How does the author describe earthly priests? (5:1-4)
4) How does the author explain how Jesus was qualified to become our faithful High Priest? (v.5-9)
5) On what order was our Lord's priesthood founded? (v.10)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Who do you act as priest for (e.g., your wife, your children, etc.)?
7) Why are you qualified to intercede for them?
8) What do you do to ensure that your prayers are heard by the Lord?

LIFE LESSONS
9) The Lord has given believers the task of interceding on behalf of those we are responsible for on this earth.
10) We are qualified to intercede for those we love and care for because of our relationship with them and with the Father.
11) Before interceding for others, we must confess our own failures and shortcomings to the Lord.
12) We can boldly present our requests to God because of the blood of Jesus Christ.