From the pulpit
Sparks From The Gospel Anvil Hebrews 2:3
One night in New York, Colonel Robert Ingersoll, the atheist, proclaimed eloquently his doubts about judgment and an eternal place called hell. When he had finished his speech an elderly drunkard stood up in the back of the room and said, “Make it strong Bob, for I’m counting on you!”
But as for us today, as those that read this article and as I write it, make sure you count on the words of the Holy Bible, for it is true. I think this is the question that all of us need to ask ourselves at this specific time and specific hour. “How shall we escape, if we neglect?”
Now many people do not believe in an eternal hell, but think about it like this, who knows more us or God? The scriptures teach very plainly that hell was prepared for the devil and his angels (ref. Matthew 25:41) and it is a real place. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke in the affirmative that there is an eternal rest for those that believe and put their faith in Christ and there is an eternal unrest for those that do not seek after Christ.
Whatever God has said He will do, but the church of today, even the evangelical church can hardly be accused with obsession with damnation, very few mention the idea and then only in the most delicate matter. It is more interesting in discussing whether we should continue to believe the doctrine than in proclaiming it to the world. And as Christians, we need to warn other Christians of the coldness of heart and critical spirit.
Some people and scholars have given up the belief in a hell. Not many people believe that there is going to be a judgment day for all people, but the Bible clearly points out that we have all that one appointment (death) and after this the judgment and you will not be able to neglect this appointment.
William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, was correct when he said, “I am of the opinion the chief dangers which confront the coming 20th century will be …Heaven without Hell.”
Vance Havner said, “Such preaching of Hell is discouraged these days, but it is better to scare men into Heaven than to lull men into Hell.” The Rev. A. C. Dixon said one time, “If we had more preaching of hell in the pulpit, we might have less hell in the community.”
Do we look at people’s souls with eternity in mind? That is what the great soul-winners for God wanted to see is that men, women, boys and girls saved to the Lord Jesus Christ and saved from eternal separation from God. Again, we can’t neglect this appointment. The Bible says, “Behold, now is the accepted time!” Will you try to tell God I had no light but, “Light has come into the world and men love darkness rather than light.”
My grandfather, Benjamin Smith, used to tell me, “Son, use your head for more than a hat-rack,” that may not be Biblical, but it is reminding me to use common sense in not only my physical life, but my spiritual life as well.
I believe it is time for the plainness of speech in pastors’ sermons and of those witnessing for Jesus, because we don’t have the time to coddle sinners, but let us share with them of the Lord Jesus Christ – Who is mighty to save.
(Lieutenant Charles Smith is commanding officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado).
Ancient Words — Jesus, Our High Priest
The writer of Hebrews explains Jesus’ superiority above angels and all of creation in chapters 1-4. While sharing in our humanity He is far greater than
Moses. In chapters 5-7, Jesus’ parallel to the high priest is explained using the mysterious Melchizedek and unpredictable
Aaron as examples. Melchizedek is introduced in
Genesis, recounted in Psalms, and explained in Hebrews. He is certainly unique in God’s creation of the human race as having no mother or father, no genealogy and without beginning of days or end of life. He is like Jesus in that he remains a priest forever. The most important difference with Jesus, however, is that he (Melchizedek) is not the Son of God. Melchizedek performed sacrifices as the high priest in Abraham’s day but Jesus, in the order of Melchizedek, became the sacrifice. Jesus, as High Priest, meets our every need. He alone is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Melchizedek was great in the days of Abraham but Jesus was and is greater.
The weakness of Aaron is seen in the golden calf incident. The brother of Moses is subject to weakness as any man and therefore must offer a sacrifice for his own sins before he can offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. God called Aaron into the priesthood, he called Melchizedek in to the priesthood — and God called his only begotten Son into the priesthood: “You are my Son; today I have become your Father” and “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 2:7 and 110:4).
The story of Aaron’s consecration as high priest is described in Exodus 29. A bull and two rams were used for the slaughter; a tunic, robe and turban adorn the newly crowned priest; anointing oil runs down Aaron’s beard. The blood of bulls and goats have been surpassed by the blood of the High Priest himself. The crown of thorns and scarlet robe have now replaced the colorful adornment of Aaron. The unleavened bread and wine of Melchizedek has set the stage for the memorial of the ages.
Unlike other high priests, Jesus does not need to offer sacrifices day after day. Jesus, our High Priest, has sacrificed for our sins once for all when he offered himself. The law appointed weak men as high priests, but the oath of God has appointed his Son, Jesus the Christ, as our High Priest through his perfect life demonstrated by his suffering.
Hebrews 5:7-10 reads, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 4:14-16 reads, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Grace and mercy are both unmerited favor which now exist because of God’s love for man — being rewarded for that which we could never attain describes grace and not receiving what we deserve describes mercy. Grace and mercy are only found in the presence of the High Priest, Jesus. Not that God is selective, but humanity is selective.
Ignoring and fighting against what Christ has done separates man from God because in this rebellious spirit, the Son of God is crucified all over again and subjects Jesus to public disgrace no different than that of 2,000 years ago. Remember, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Jesus — we place you on the highest place, for you are the great High Priest!
(Scott Johnson is pastor at East Faulkner Church of Christ and author of the BRG Bible).