The Story of Jesus 4 Ways He Serves Us (Lesson 52)
Introduction:
1. The apostle Peter concluded his writings with the admonition to grow in the knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18). 2. "Searching the Scriptures" is the key to attaining this growth (John 5:39). 3. We learn from Hebrews 9:24 that Jesus ascended to heaven "to appear in the presence of God for us." 4. In this lesson we are concentrating on "four ways in which Christ serves His followers."
Discussion:
I. CHRIST MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34)
A. Intercede: to plead or make a petition on behalf of someone else B. To illustrate, see: 1. Romans 8:26-27 2. 1 Timothy 2:1. C. When we pray, we pray to the Father through Christ (John 16:23b). D. As we pray, Christ makes intercession in that He pleads on our behalf.
II. CHRIST IS OUR MEDIATOR (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
A. Mediator: a go-between, one who reconciles, one who intervenes between two parties to make peace B. Illustration: Moses (Numbers 14:11-21) C. Christ, who gave Himself for us, serves as our mediator with the Father.
III. CHRIST IS OUR ADVOCATE (1 John 2:1-2)
A. Advocate: one who pleads another's case before a judge B. To help us appreciate this: 1. John said he wrote certain things to help Christians avoid sin. 2. Unfortunately, we do sin (1:8). C. When we sin we have a very special advocate with the Father. 1. He is called "the righteous." 2. He is "the propitiation for our sins."
IV. CHRIST IS OUR HIGH PRIEST (Hebrews 3:1)
A. (Hebrews 5:5-6) The Father made Christ a High Priest "for ever after the order of Melchisedec." B. (Hebrews 7:26) Christ is a perfect High Priest. C. Christ is also a compassionate High Priest because He became a man and faced our temptations. 1. Hebrews 2:17-18 2. Hebrews 4:14-16
Conclusion:
1. In the presence of God in heaven, Jesus: a. makes intercession for us b. is our mediator c. is our advocate d. is our High Priest. 2. The fact that Christ serves us in these four ways should lead us to serve Him faithfully.
