Heb No.6 Superior to Moses 3v1-6

We're going to be looking at the first six verses. I'm reading from the Revised Standard Version of the Scriptures, and I think we'll set the context by picking up the reading from the 14th verse of the previous chapter, then on to the first six verses of the third. Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself, that is the Lord Jesus, likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.

For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned, but with the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Therefore, holy brethren who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. He was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in God's house. Yet Jesus has been counted worthy of as much more glory than Moses, as the builder of a house has more honor than the house.

For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later. But Christ was faithful over God's house as a son, and we are his house.

If we hold fast our confidence and pride in our hope. Amen. Well it's my privilege again to direct you to Hebrews and to the third chapter, where we examine somewhat closely, but not quite as closely as I would like, for time won't allow me to subdivide these verses.

At that passage, embraced up to the sixth verse. Now let me remind you about the book of Hebrews, just in case you've forgotten one or two essential factors. The person inspired to write it, and if you still think it's Paul, well God bless you, the authorship was of the Holy Spirit, and that's the important thing.

The one who was stimulated to write it, was concerned to show to Jewish readers in particular, that there is nobody more wonderful than Jesus Christ. And the wonder of the Lord Jesus is that he has perfectly fulfilled the work that God his Father gave him to do. He has revealed that God is a God of love.

He has shown something of the awful nature of sin by going to Calvary's cross, and not only assuming the role of priest, but twinning with that the function of sacrificial victim. And he has made atonement for all those who trust him as Lord and Saviour. He's linked them up with the Father.

He has done for us what nobody else did in the old world, could do in the present age, nor will do in the one that is to come. In the words of a title of an address I preached some months ago in the tabernacle, Jesus Christ is the supremo, he is supreme, there is no one to compare with him. Now it's essential for us to re-examine the argument, although it was written almost 2000 years ago, because there are people today who question the supremacy of Jesus.

Some of you are aware that I'm engaged in a running battle with one or two of the so-called sects in these days, Christadelphians, Christian scientists, and in particular the Unification Church of the Moonies. And one of the great dividing points between my understanding of the word of God and theirs is that they believe their founder Sung Myung Moon has eclipsed Jesus Christ in honour and in value. They are so bold, so reckless as to suggest that in the 1930s in the spirit world, Jesus manifested himself to that Korean man and did obeisance to him and I acknowledge that Sung Myung Moon is supreme.

He is the Lord of the Second Advent who will perfect the work which Jesus left incomplete on this earth. So you see, just by way of that example, I can demonstrate for you that it's necessary that Christian people should appreciate more and more the gist of, the nucleus of, this argument in the Epistle to the Hebrews, because it's the person of Christ that is under attack today on every front, as well as the ethics and the message of the Gospel which he proclaimed. So let's not think that this study has little relevance to the 20th century.

The miracle of God's word is that it is timeless, it is always contemporary. And we are coming then to this third chapter, appreciating that the raison d'etre, the reason for being of this Epistle is to demonstrate finally that Jesus is supreme. He is greater than the prophets.

He is greater than the patriarchs. He is greater than the angels. And yet it was the angels, you remember, who brought the law of God.

They were the intermediaries who placed it in the hands of man. And maybe though our author has established the fact that Jesus Christ is greater than the angels, perhaps in one respect there's someone who vies with Jesus Christ as being as important, if not more so. And that is Moses.

Because Moses was the human mediator, the human intermediary, who brings the Ten Commandments and places them before the ancient Hebrews. He is the one responsible for the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch. He is the one who gives the ancient Hebrew community their body of law.

He is the great preacher. He is the great savior of the Old Testament era. Surely, if anyone has a position and a right for a position of preeminence in the ancient world, it is Moses.

And with that piece of argumentation, we would have to agree. Moses was a great man. Moses was a most remarkable individual.

He renounced so many things for the benefits of other people. He renounced being called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He renounced the riches of Egypt.

He renounced the career that could have been his. He divested himself of this wealth and took upon him the form of a slave. And went into the Hebrew camp.

Associated himself with those he was not ashamed to call brethren. Identified himself with their predicament. Became their spokesman.

Became their leader. Became their savior. Went through the Red Sea with them.

Brought them into the wilderness. A great man was Moses. So great that it would be true to say.

In the words of a theologian whose book I was reading not so long ago. In the thought of the Jew, Moses held a place which was utterly and absolutely unique. He was the man with whom God had spoken face to face.

He received the Ten Commandments. To Moses was the accolade given. He was faithful in all his house.

And it is arguable that Moses in Jewish theological thought. Before the turn into the New Testament era. Was esteemed to be even higher than the angels.

So you see the delicacy with which an argument has to be presented to a Hebrew readership. When the objective of the author is to emphasize the supremacy of someone over that of Moses. Mishandle this.

Be indelicate. Be crude. Be unduly critical.

And this Hebrew community. Although associated with the name of Jesus. Will be disenchanted with the thesis that is put forward.

Now here you see the masterly way in which our writer takes up his pen. And he argues for the supremacy of Jesus. Without in any way belittling Moses.

He acknowledges all the values of this great ancient Hebrew leader. And yet he shows that though this man towers high. Higher than him.

The Everest of God's revelation. Is the Lord Jesus Christ. This then is the sum total of what you are going to find in these verses.

The faithfulness of Moses. And the faithfulness of Jesus. The concept of Moses being part of the house of God.

The larger concept of Jesus being the builder of that house. And the significant teaching. That you and I also are householders.

Part of that same body of people who are saved. As Moses was. Well then that's sketching in some brief outline.

What you'll find in the six verses here. Changing the metaphor. I've just taken the pulse of what is now argued.

So we're going to look at it somewhat closely. And I trust in God's grace, not tediously. For I want you to thrill to scripture even more.

Than it is my pleasure to thrill to what the word of God has to say. When it becomes a life to me in my study. And when I have the great privilege of bringing you.

Something of what God has shown me. In a public exposition. To whom is a writer addressing his remarks? Look at that first verse.

For he calls his readers holy brethren. Immediately he identifies with those who are going to receive his letter. Maybe he's got in mind the twelfth verse of the previous chapter.

Where again that collective term brothers is employed. And in the first verse of the second chapter. Also he uses the plural pronoun we.

Identifying himself with his readership. He's not going to stand aloof. He realizes that what he has to share.

Applies to him as much as it applies to everyone else. I was saying to someone earlier today in my office. That the remarkable thing about preaching.

About carrying a message. Is that message can apply to you far more. Than what it applies to those who are listening.

And that was the experience of the writer of this epistle. So he pens his introductory comments to men. He regards us holy brethren.

What was the privilege of these people? Well they are partakers. Of a heavenly calling. Now does that not immediately.

Bring a note of recognition in your heart. How did you become a Christian? Well Jesus called you. There was no other way.

The actual manner of the call. May differ from one believer to another. Perhaps it was an evangelistic meeting.

Maybe as you listened to the radio. Perhaps at your mother's knee. But Jesus did call.

You can't belong to him unless he calls. As the twelve disciples couldn't have followed him. Without receiving the invitation.

So we are called. As the great apostle Paul says in Romans chapter one. Call to belong to Jesus Christ.

And this is the most remarkable vocation. That anyone can follow. It's a heavenly call says Paul in Ephesians four.

It comes from God and to God. It's a call that's addressed to the total body. Of the Lord Jesus Christ.

All who shall follow him. Not only in the days of the writer of this epistle. But down to the twentieth century.

And what are these people? What are they to do? These who are partakers of the heavenly calling. These people with whom our author identifies himself. Well they have the superb privilege.

Of looking at Jesus. Consider. The apostle.

And high priest of our profession. Christ Jesus. Look at him.

You can spend a lifetime. Looking at some scenes in our world. And you never fully comprehend their beauty.

They tell me though I find it hard to believe. That there are cows at the bottom of the Jungfrau in Switzerland. Who never look up.

They're always concerned with eating the green grass. They never see the beauty of the Jungfrau. They are never dwarfed.

By the sense of the majesty. Of that sight. I know Christians with respect.

Who are a little like cows. More concerned with the grass. At the bottom of the mountain.

Than looking up. And considering. The Lord Jesus Christ.

Hold him in review. Take stock of Jesus. As he said consider the ravens.

Consider the lilies. And the concept was scrutinize them. Analyze the spiritual significance.

Of the bird. Of the flower. So says our Hebrew writer.

Consider the Lord Jesus Christ. And consider him. In a most remarkable fashion.

Consider him as the apostle. And high priest. Of the Christian family.

Of all those who confess that he is Savior. Now if you like to discover novelties in the Bible. Where one book becomes unique.

Here is something to underline. For in no other epistle. As far as I can detect.

Do you come across the title apostle. Applied to our Lord Jesus. And yet.

It's a valid way. In which to see our Savior. For the notion of apostle.

From the original languages. One who is sent. And was there anyone.

Who could qualify. To that designation more than Jesus. For God so loved the world.

He gave. His only begotten son. And the following verse.

Indicates again. The divine commissioning of Jesus. The one who said.

Here am I Lord. Send me. There were other apostles.

But he is the apostle. In chief. He is the one who comes to earth.

With a mandate from God. All apostleship. That is subsequent.

Owes him as its source. And though there will be many people. Who will be sent forth.

To this world. To communicate the gospel. They all.

Derive their authority. From the chief apostle. Who says.

Even as God sent me. So also send I you. But that word apostle.

To our writer here. In getting across his point. Is so important.

That he won't even use it. To apply. As a designation.

Of those who. Earlier on. Preached the message of the evangel.

To this Hebrew community. And are by implication. Referred to.

In the opening verses of the second chapter. Jesus is the apostle. And more than the apostle.

He is also. The high priest. As an apostle.

He brings God's word to us. As high priest. He stands before God.

On our behalf. Pleading our cause. All those old testament.

Characteristics of prophet. Priest and king. And all that they imply.

They converge in Jesus. That we discovered in an earlier study. But to those old testament titles.

You can place. Alongside. The word apostle.

Listen to this. From a great Christian commentator. By the name of A.W. Pink.

Who spent some years. In nearby Hove. As prophet.

Christ is God's representative. To his people. As priest.

He is their representative. Before God. As apostle.

He speaks to us from God. As high priest. He speaks.

To. For us. To God.

He fills the whole space. Between God. And us.

As apostle. He is close to us. As prophet.

He is close to God. I think that is superb. As apostle.

Jesus is close to us. As high priest. He is close to God.

He fills the whole space. Between God. And us.

Our great intermediary. The Lord Jesus Christ. Well that verse you need to have in mind.

Because it is the launching verse. That takes you into the remaining five verses. And I am rather reluctant to go through the remaining five.

Verse by verse. Because one it might be tedious. And two there is a concept there which we must take out.

And have a look at. Before we actually come to the teaching of the remaining passage of scripture. Because this for some is a very difficult catalogue of verses.

Difficult for them to grasp. And they fall at the point of understanding. Because they haven't quite grasped the use of the word house.

From the second verse to the sixth. I think it's employed seven times. So let me talk to you about this word house for a moment or so.

And then we'll have another look at the apostle and high priest of our faith. Jesus. And bring forward also the man that I referred to five minutes ago.

Moses. And run contrasts between the two. What is meant by the word house.

When you find it in scripture. Well sometimes of course it means the literal building. We refer to.

We find an incredible reference. Which you can look up at your leisure. To God making houses.

For the midwives. Who ministered to the ancient Hebrew women. When the children.

The male child was under sentence of death. That's the most striking verse. And possibly the thought there is literally of God making houses for them.

But whether that be that. Whether that is the case or not. A more popular usage of the word house in scripture.

Denotes a group of people. So Israel could be referred to as the house of Israel. David the king marries.

He has children. He establishes a family. The house of David.

If the BBC hadn't been so awkward. Or the ITV whichever program it's on. As to bring that program on.

The king that abdicated forward half an hour. This evening. Then at nine o'clock.

I would have been. Listening to. And looking at something of the history.

Of the house of Windsor. You may also have been following that series. And find that you're as annoyed as I am.

That you'll miss it this evening. However it's provided me with an illustration. The house of Windsor.

The monarchy. In more recent days. Here in England.

The house of Hanover. To go back. Some generations.

The concept there is not of a literal house. Okay. Now here.

In scripture. You find in the New Testament. Reference made to the house of faith.

You remember that little scripture. Tucked away at the end of the epistle of Paul to the Galatians. He speaks about the household of faith.

And when the Bible refers to all those who are saved in the New Testament. And the Old Testament. It uses this collective term.

The household of faith. They've all gone into that house. They're all saved.

As in the days of the flood. Only those who were in the ark were saved. So only those who are in the household of faith.

Who have expressed living faith. In the God of the Bible. No salvation.

And it's that house. The house of faith. That is referred to.

In the second verse. The third verse. The fourth verse.

The fifth verse. And the sixth verse. Of this passage of scripture.

Right. Well you've got those two concepts in mind. The idea of Jesus as apostle.

And high priest. And also the idea of the house. Now let's place the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alongside Moses. Because that. As I reminded you some while ago.

Is the objective of the writer. At this point. Now there are several contrasts.

Which he draws. And I have brought them together. In five.

Although you could bring them together. In seven. But let's make a comparison then.

Between the Lord Jesus as apostle. And also Moses as apostle. Now you may say.

That you've never heard the notion. Of the Lord Jesus Christ. Contrasted with Moses.

In this capacity. But by implication. You're bound to do this.

You're bound to draw. Such a comparison. In Hebrews three.

And indeed. You get some intimation. Of this in one of the gospels.

I turn you to a reference. Which I think I gave you in the notes. In John chapter nine.

And verse twenty-eight. John chapter nine verse twenty-eight. While you're finding it.

I remind you. Jesus is engaged once again. In controversy.

With those who are his enemies. And they've come along. And they try to.

Try to trip him. But of course our Lord Jesus. Has got an answer.

For every. Assault that they make. Upon his reason.

As well as upon his character. So in the twenty-eight verse. We read of some.

Who reviled Jesus. And said. Thou art or rather.

Not reviled Jesus. Reviled the man. Who Jesus had just healed.

They reviled him and said. Thou art his disciple. But we are Moses' disciples.

We know that God spake unto Moses. As for this fellow. We know not.

From whence he is. And you remember the blind man. Who is.

Referred to. In this chapter says. Well this is a marvelous thing.

You people don't know. Who this fellow is. That's healed me.

And yet I know that he's. Opened my eyes. But the scenery behind this particular quotation.

Is unimportant for our purposes tonight. Go again through. What these men say.

As they revile the one who's been healed. And also revile the Lord Jesus. Thou art Jesus' disciple.

But we are Moses' disciples. As Moses was an apostle. So we are his followers.

We know that God spake through Moses. But as for this man. As for this fellow.

We don't know what his origin is. We don't know where. He comes from.

Now I use that reference. Just to substantiate the point. That I'm in no way dealing with scripture roughly.

When I suggest that Moses. And Jesus. In one sense.

Carry the designation apostle. But the distinction of course is this. That what.

Jesus was able to do. Was superior to that of Moses. Now Moses was a faithful man.

That you gather in the second verse. And later on. In the fifth verse.

Faithful in the way that he. Attended to his apostolic commission. What God said to him.

Moses said to Pharaoh. What God told him to transmit to the people. Moses relayed to the people.

When God told Moses to build a tabernacle. In a certain way. The Bible says he did it according to plan.

But there were things which Jesus did. With a greater excellency. Than that of Moses.

Moses brought a nation. Of slaves. Out of Egypt.

Into the wilderness of Sinai. But he couldn't bring them through the Jordan. He couldn't land them safely on Canaan's side.

He himself was defective in his discipleship. In certain areas. But not Jesus.

We read of our apostle Jesus Christ. In the ninth and tenth verses. Of the second chapter.

That he. Has had all things put under his feet. And we go on in the ninth verse to read.

We see Jesus. Who was made a little lower. Than the angels for the suffering of death.

Crowned with glory and honor. That by the grace of God. He should taste death for every man.

For it became him for whom are all things. And by whom are all things. In bringing many sons unto glory.

To make the captain of their salvation. Perfect through sufferings. Do you see the point? Did you get the emphasis? In my voice.

Jesus brought many sons through to glory. He brought them. To their final objective.

He brings them through to Emmanuel's land spiritually. They experience something of eternal life now. There's going to be a final consummation of that.

When we're taken to be with the Lord. But the point is. He was successful in his mission.

Our apostle Jesus. Is superior to Moses. Because he brings through sons to glory.

That Moses was never able to do. Not even physically did he place the Hebrews. In the land of Canaan.

But move on and run another contrast. And this involves the thought of the house. To which reference was made.

A little while ago. We discover in the second verse and the third verse. That Moses was faithful in all his house.

But we read in the third. That Jesus was counted worthy of more glory than Moses. In as much as he who has built the house.

Has more honor than the house holder. For every house is built by someone. But he that built all things is God.

What does that mean? Well think it through. It's not too complex for you to follow. We made reference to the household of faith.

Moses was a member of that household. As you are a member. As I am a member.

But he didn't build a house. He was faithful in exercising his ministry. In many, many departments.

But he wasn't the architect. Now this is where Jesus moves into a glory. A glory that is all his own.

You see he is the creator. Not only of the world. But he is the creator of the church.

He is the builder. We ask as the apostle Paul. His workmanship.

You're placed in the household of faith. Because of Jesus. Let me say something that sounds absurd.

Christopher Wren is far greater than St. Paul's Cathedral. Why is that? Well those of us who are in the know. Realize that he was the architect.

If there had been no Wren. There would be no cathedral. So however much you might appreciate the cathedral.

And even if one day they made me pastor of St. Paul's Cathedral. Think of that for success. I could never attain to the glory of Christopher Wren.

Because he was its architect. And it does not matter how great a ministry could be exercised within St. Paul's Cathedral. And how great an influence a man might have.

On that natural level in which I'm using the illustration. Everything depended primarily upon Christopher Wren. Now let's apply the illustration.

Moses is faithful. You may be faithful. As a servant of God living in the household of faith.

But greater glory attaches to the architect. So Jesus is the house builder. Moses is the householder.

No way will our author belittle Moses. He was faithful in all that he did. And heaven knows he had a difficult job with that bunch of Hebrews squabbling away in the wilderness.

But he wasn't as great as Jesus. And then in the third and fourth verses is another analogy which you must lift out. The concept that the building of the house of faith required someone who was more than just human.

Every house is built by some man. Yes you can establish a family house. You can have your sons and your daughters.

And they in turn can have their sons and daughters. And your house will be established in some sense on the human level. But the prime mover in everything.

Not only in the creation of the world. But in the bringing into being of a people who are redeemed is God. Moses was eminently qualified to be the leader of the Hebrew community.

And to take them out of slavery in Egypt. But only God could build the house of faith. So you see the point.

It's not dissimilar from the previous one. Another contrast between Moses and Jesus. Moses the householder.

Jesus the house builder. Moses man. Jesus God.

Again the next analogy is not divorced from that one. It's the idea of Jesus as the son. And Moses as a servant.

You find that in the fifth and sixth verses. Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant. But Christ as a son over his own house.

Look at the prepositions. There you see the distinction. Moses was faithful in his house.

Christ as a son had a greater faithfulness over his own house. He controls the lot. Though Moses was faithful in several departments.

I wonder if that was clear. Let's approach it from another direction. Moses is never called a son of God.

Let me rephrase that. Moses is never called the son of God. Now there's a lot that's said about Moses which is really wonderful.

He's a friend of God. Numbers, I think it's chapter six, refers to him as being faithful in all his household. And God speaking to him mouth to mouth.

But no way does Moses come near to Jesus in the unique relationship that Jesus has to the Father. Do you remember when our Lord was on earth he sometimes referred to the Father and in the context of the disciples. But he never goes alongside the disciples and associates himself with them as though they with him are looking to God and saying our Father.

Jesus always makes a distinction. Oh yes, when he's teaching the Lord's prayer he tells the disciples but it's they who are praying to say our Father who art in heaven. But when he refers to God and other people are present he makes a distinction.

So to the women who were there on the occasion when Jesus was raised from the dead. He says I go to my God and your God. My Father and your Father.

He maintains the unique distinction that he enjoys as the son of the living God. So Moses one of the greatest if you like the greatest human being that ever there was apart from Jesus. Even if that be the case when you contrast him with the Lord Jesus they're a mile apart.

They're a thousand miles apart. They're ten thousand miles apart. Because Jesus is something unique.

He is the son. And Moses at best is the friend and faithful servant. Another analogy another contrast between Moses and Jesus is that Moses used to talk about Jesus.

I find that exciting. Again I'm running out of time so I can't turn you to the scriptures. But not to worry they're in the notes with the reference Moses was a prophet.

He predicts that Jesus will come. He says a greater prophet than myself will come. And do you remember when when Jesus was with the two on the Emmaus road how he opened up the scripture.

This was after his death and resurrection. And these two were a little bit distressed despondent because they thought that everything had disintegrated as far as faith was concerned. But Jesus the risen saviour he speaks to them.

And he opens the scriptures. And the word of God says that beginning with Moses which is a title sometimes used to refer to the first five books of the Old Testament largely penned by Moses beginning with Moses and the prophets he opened up the scriptures and showed how they spoke of himself. There's hardly anything that Moses had to say that didn't have some implication for Jesus.

When Moses set down the qualifications about the building of the tabernacle and the utensils that were to be used when he spoke about the high priestly garments and so on and so forth in a very wonderful way which if one had opportunity to show you one could demonstrate that he was predicting the coming of Jesus. He was prophesying. But fulfilment is always greater than prophecy.

Obviously so. If there was no fulfilment then prophecy would be invalid. It would lose its value for any currency at all.

The one who fulfills prophecy is always greater than the prophecy or the prophet. And this is what our writer is here saying in the fifth verse. Moses spoke for a testimony of those things which were to come.

Let's see if that comes out clearer in the RSV. Verse 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant to testify to the things that were to be spoken later. And that's what he did.

He testified to the one who would come with a greater revelation of God. And verse 6 shows the fulfilment that Christ as a son over his own house the Lord Jesus reveals all that Moses was anticipating. Well then those are the contrasts.

And you see just how delicately our writer has gone about his business. He's shown Moses up to be a great, great man. Unique perhaps in Old Testament history.

But at five points at least he is less than the Lord Jesus Christ. And add all those points together and there's a chasm between Jesus and Moses. Jesus remains supreme.

But our author's not yet finished. And neither am I. Because I've got two minutes. And he applies what he's been saying to his readers.

All right. You've warmed your hearts to the thought of Moses being part of the household of faith and Jesus being the architect of that house. Are you sure that you're in it? Is it really the case that your holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling? Is this a just designation description of yourself? There's only one way in which you can prove that that is the case.

By holding fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. As Professor Bruce points out in his commentary continuance in the Christian life is the test of reality. If you continue in my word then are you truly my disciples.

Those were the comments of Jesus. And when our writer was addressing this epistle to the Hebrews remember he was addressing those who seemed to be vacillating in their faith. He wasn't too sure about them.

He wasn't absolutely certain that they were going to hold on. He wasn't too sure that their faith was genuine. And so he gives them the acid test.

If your faith is real. If it's true. If you're a member of the household then despite all the pressures despite all the problems you'll hold firm unto the end.

And realize as you maintain trust in Christ that you really are holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling who have the right to consider Jesus the apostle and high priest of our faith. Amen.