THE PRESENT WORK OF CHRIST (2)
1. The present work of Christ
a) Priest. The Old Testament said the coming Savior would be a Priest. Christ is a High Priest greater than Aaron. Aaron and his sons all died. Christ is a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. He is the only one called the Great High Priest, Hebrews 4:14.
b) The High Priest leads the people in worship and prays for them, Hebrews 5:1-2. Christ as our High Priest leads our worship and makes our praise acceptable to God, Hebrews 10:19-22. As Priest, He always lives to pray for His own, and so is able to save for all time those who draw near to God through Him, Hebrews 7:25.
c) Advocate. As Mediator Christ brings sinners to God. As Priest He keeps believers in the place of blessing. But if we fall into sin we need Christ the Advocate, or Comforter.
i) "My little children, these things write I unto you, so that you may not sin. And if any man does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous", 1 John 2:1.
d) From this verse we learn:
i) God does not want us to sin at all. But we must not think that we are sinless or perfect.
ii) When we do sin, God has provided an Advocate for us, Jesus Christ the righteous.
e) Just as a lawyer tries to help a person in time of need, so Christ acts to bring back the sinning believer to fellowship with God.
f) Christ has two other titles in the New Testament which tell about His present work, 1 Peter 2:25.
g) Shepherd. As the Good Shepherd Jesus laid down His life for the sheep, John 10:11. This is past. As the Great Shepherd He is now working in us to make us perfect in everything good according to the will of God, Hebrews 13:20-21. Soon, as the Chief Shepherd, He will appear in glory go give rewards to those who serve Him faithfully, 1 Peter 5:4.
h) Bishop. This word means "overseer" and tells about Christ as the One who watches over believers and churches. He has the right to expect us to serve Him well. He calls to account those who are careless. He knows what is going on in the churches, Revelation 2 and 3. He promises rewards for faithful service even now, and still greater rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. On the other hand, He is ready to set aside any church if the people will not repent, Revelation 2:5.
b) The High Priest leads the people in worship and prays for them, Hebrews 5:1-2. Christ as our High Priest leads our worship and makes our praise acceptable to God, Hebrews 10:19-22. As Priest, He always lives to pray for His own, and so is able to save for all time those who draw near to God through Him, Hebrews 7:25.
c) Advocate. As Mediator Christ brings sinners to God. As Priest He keeps believers in the place of blessing. But if we fall into sin we need Christ the Advocate, or Comforter.
i) "My little children, these things write I unto you, so that you may not sin. And if any man does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous", 1 John 2:1.
d) From this verse we learn:
i) God does not want us to sin at all. But we must not think that we are sinless or perfect.
ii) When we do sin, God has provided an Advocate for us, Jesus Christ the righteous.
e) Just as a lawyer tries to help a person in time of need, so Christ acts to bring back the sinning believer to fellowship with God.
f) Christ has two other titles in the New Testament which tell about His present work, 1 Peter 2:25.
g) Shepherd. As the Good Shepherd Jesus laid down His life for the sheep, John 10:11. This is past. As the Great Shepherd He is now working in us to make us perfect in everything good according to the will of God, Hebrews 13:20-21. Soon, as the Chief Shepherd, He will appear in glory go give rewards to those who serve Him faithfully, 1 Peter 5:4.
h) Bishop. This word means "overseer" and tells about Christ as the One who watches over believers and churches. He has the right to expect us to serve Him well. He calls to account those who are careless. He knows what is going on in the churches, Revelation 2 and 3. He promises rewards for faithful service even now, and still greater rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. On the other hand, He is ready to set aside any church if the people will not repent, Revelation 2:5.
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