No Turning Back to Moses-like Religious Systems

October 13, 2013 Evening:

Title: Consider Jesus and Moses

Old Testament Passage: Psalm 118:19-29 – The stone that the builders rejected...

Gospel Passage: Mark 13:28-31 – The fig tree

Sermon Text: Hebrews 3:1-6 – Moses the servant, Jesus the builder and son

Sermon Point: It would be a great mistake to reject Jesus based on an uninformed loyalty to Moses

[3:1] Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, [2] who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house.

Those who were impressed with the religious system of Moses may have felt a certain loyalty to this great man who was the mediator of the Old Covenant. Many Jews in the first century were actively trying to convince Christians that what was most important was their loyalty to Moses and their dedication to the religious traditions of Judaism.

No offense to Moses... but he was not the Son of God. We who have been united to Jesus share in a heavenly calling. Our confession of faith looks to Jesus, not to Moses. Jesus is our Apostle, not any earlier Hebrew prophet. Jesus is our High Priest, not Aaron or any of his descendants. God appointed Moses to a task in his place and time, and Moses was faithful, but Jesus is forever faithful in all God's house.

[3] For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. [4] (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)

God's house was no longer the tabernacle or the temple in Jerusalem. God's house was the assembly of worshipers who were calling upon His Name. It was bigger than any house that came before. Moses did not build that house and he cannot take us there. Jesus is the builder of the church, and He alone can take us to the heavenly Jerusalem.

Simply put, Jesus is God. He is the builder and owner of all things. He lives in us. Without Him, the most impressive church counts for nothing. With Him, a humble flock has everything. He has been counted worthy of far more glory than Moses.

[5] Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, [6] but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

Moses was a good servant of the Lord. His life was a testimony to the Word. Jesus is the Word, the Son of God, and the Captain of our salvation. His house is for the people who sincerely hope in His appearing and who believe that He is building His kingdom.

Jesus was the preeminent Servant of the Lord. His cross work fulfilled the Servant prophecy of Isaiah 53. Moses did not die for our sins. He could not. As great as he was, he was not even permitted to lead the people of God into Canaan. Jesus has led us into heaven. He has sent heaven into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

1. Do not prefer the liturgy and ceremonial law of Moses to the grace and presence of Jesus.
2. Do not be moved by the pressure that others may bring upon you to follow a system more like the Old Covenant than the New. Stay with Jesus. Stay with grace.