Sermon
Sermon On The Mount - Why Did Jesus Come?
December 26-27, 1998
Pastor Donald Sheley

I'd like for you to turn with me this evening to the book of Hebrews. We have enjoyed a wonderful, wonderful season of the year and Christ has been honored and we've rejoiced in His coming. The last time we were together we chose the story of Christmas as John told it is his gospel in chapter 1. And I would like for you to go with me now to Hebrews 2:9 as the writer to the Hebrews tells us why Jesus came. This is a very, very rich passage and my prayer is that we will be able to cover much of it in the next few moments. But, we must remember that the book of Hebrews was written with a very, very specific theme, and the theme is the superabundant bounding excellence of Christianity over Judaism. It was written to Jewish believers who, under great persecution, were beginning to falter in their faith and with a tendency to return to their Jewish roots and religion. 

As we have noted before, most of the very early Christians were Jewish and they labored under deep prejudice to their Mosaic institutions. And unlike Gentiles, who for long centuries past had lost all knowledge of the true God and in consequence worshiped idols, not so for the Jews. The Jews had a divine religion and a divinely appointed place of worship; and to be called to forsake those things which were so venerated by their fathers, was a tremendous choice that they had to make. It was natural that even those among them who had savingly believed in Christ should want to retain the forms and the ceremonies amid which they had been brought up; and we see that because the temple was still standing and the levitical priesthood was active, and there was a tendency by these Jewish believers, under tremendous persecution, to want to go back to their former faith.

And speaking of the persecution of which they were under, one of the historians writes, Then arose another persecution of the believers especially directed against the apostle Paul. Festus died about the year of 63 and under the high priest Ananias, who favored the Sadducees, the Christian Hebrews were persecuted as transgressors of the law. Some of them were stoned to death. And though this extreme punishment could frequently be inflicted by the Sanhedrin, they were able to subject their brethren to sufferings and reproaches which they felt keenly.

The historian goes on to say it was a small thing that they confiscated their goods, but they banished them from the Holy place hitherto they had enjoyed the privileges of devout Israelites. They could take part of the beautiful and God appointed services of the sanctuary, but now, part of that persecution, they were treated as unclean and as apostates. And unless they gave up faith in Jesus and forsook the assembling of themselves together, they were not allowed to enter the temple. They were banished from the alter, the sacrifices, and the high priest, and the house of Jehovah. And thus, those things that were so precious to them which they gave up for their Christian faith, now the persecution is so intense they can't even go into the house of God. There is a tendency now for them to forsake their Christian faith and join their families and go back to the Jewish form of religion. And this is the reason, this is the underlying reason why the book of Hebrews was written.

The writer shows the superiority of Christ over angels, because angels played a tremendous part in their Jewish religion. And he speaks of the priesthood and he speaks of the superiority of Christ over many of the institutions of the Mosaic law. And in this particular passage Paul is showing that Christ is superior to the angels, and notice what he says in verse 5 chapter 2. He says, For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that Thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God 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. For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren. Saying, I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee. And again, I will put My trust in Him. And again, Behold I and the children with which God hath given Me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on him the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in all things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted He is able to suffer them that are tempted. 

The first time that Christ is mentioned in this very beautiful letter He is referred to in verse 3 of chapter 1 as seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. In addition to this reference to Christ in heavenly places, the rest of the letter talks about a heavenly calling, a heavenly gift, heavenly things, a heavenly country, a heavenly Jerusalem, the church of the first born whose names are written in heaven. Now this emphasis I believe can be easily understood when we remember that this letter was addressed to Jewish people whose inheritance, whose relationship, and whose hope was always earthbound. And this letter takes their attention and points them to Christ. And I would like for you to note with me, as we go through this passage very quickly, the reasons for Christ coming; and the writer to Hebrews felt it was important that he again remind his Jewish believers why Jesus came. 

He said first of all, he said in verse 9, but Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death. He said, what he's really saying, Jesus came so that He might die. He became the substitute for everyone, and you will notice he says that Jesus was made a little lower than the angels. And that's an interesting word. We find it also in Galatians 4:4-6. But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Jesus became mortal. It was imperative that He take upon Himself flesh so that He could die, and the writer to the Hebrews emphasizes as the very first reason why He came. He came to die, and in order to die, He had to take upon Himself mortal flesh. For angels do not die, for they are eternally created, and a spirit hath not flesh and blood therefore a spirit cannot die.

You cannot drive nails through a spirit, but you can through a body. And it says that Jesus tasted death, the suffering of death, that He might be crowned with glory and honor. He came to die, and through His sufferings for us, He has received glory and honor. Philippians 2:8-11 says, And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Ephesians 1:19-23 says, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all. Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians that Christ is above all principalities, all powers and might, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world but in the world to come. And the writer to the Hebrews has reminded us He came to die, that through His sufferings, He might be glorified. In 1 Peter 3:22, he says, Who, speaking of Christ, Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him. On account of His unspeakable sufferings when He died in the place of everyone of His people, God has bestowed upon Him the highest honors that He should taste death for everyone.

Do you notice that phrase at the end of verse 9? It says, "taste death for every man". Let me pause; just a comment on a theological question. The question often is asked in theological circles, not normally in a congregation, but the question is this, When Jesus died did He include everybody as the object of His death, or the benefits of His death, did He die for all mankind? Or did He die just for the elect, those that would be called out to follow Him? Is salvation universal or is it just for those whom the Father calls? One of the great questions that theologians wrestle with, the observation that I make here, we read the scripture verse, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We say that verse and many, many others which say His death was for everyone who will believe. But then we come to the scripture verses that say only those who are drawn by His Father come, and that because of the very sinful nature of our being, none of us have the capacity as a sinner to respond to spiritual things.

1 Corinthians 2:14 says, But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness onto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. And so the theologians wrestle with that, and yet, you will notice that throughout this entire epistle it's directed to those who are the children of God, those who are sanctified, those who are the brethren. It's interesting in the original Greek the word that is used for everyone is a word that is naturally leads one to ask, everyone of whom, or everyone of what particular designation. That's implied not just a general opening. And so, I don't presume to answer the question. I have read both sides. It's my deep conviction that whosoever believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. He tasted death for every man, and I'll leave the scriptures at that point.

So reason number 1 why Jesus came, He came to die. That's the reason for Christmas; reason number 1. Notice verse number 10. Here's the second reason why He came, For it became Him, of whom are all things, and by whom are all things, speaking of His omnipotence, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering. So the second reason why He came, as the writer to the Hebrews is reminding these Jewish believers, He came to establish His church bringing many sons unto glory. But there is a phrase there that I think all of us have a question, but what did it mean when he said to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Now that word for captain is used three other times in the Bible. It's used in Hebrews 12:2 and its says, Looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. So the word we have for captain here is the word for author in the book of Hebrews, speaking of Christ.

Then in Acts 3:15 it's Peter's sermon in the temple and here's what he says, "And (you) killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And the word for Prince of life is that same word that is used for captain in the book of Hebrews. Then we come to Acts 5:31, Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and the forgiveness of sins. And so we know that when he speaks of making the captain of their salvation, it's a direct reference to Christ, but how do you take one who is perfect and make them perfect through sufferings? Christ came as the perfect Son of God. He was sinless.

What did the writer mean when he talked about being perfected through sufferings? Jesus Christ, this does not speak of His divine character because His character was always perfect, but it speaks of His accomplishment in working out His humanity as He lived His life in the flesh. Christ, as He took upon himself mortal flesh, flesh and blood just like us, He learned, in another passage, He learned obedience it says through the things that He suffered. You see, He came to His own and His own received Him not, and in working through that rejection, and still to come to the cross without sin, was a process of suffering that brings perfection in His humanity. So he is not talking about His character, but he is talking about learning perfection and sinlessness in human flesh as He had to react to all of these situations which He faced in His earthly journey, in His earthly ministry. So he is saying the captain of our salvation was made perfect through His suffering, and the other word that is used for captain is leader.

So here is the idea, the writer is saying if He is going to be the leader of the church and He is going to bring many sons to glory, then it was vitally and eternally necessary that He take upon Himself mortal flesh and in that flesh live a sinless life so that when He went to the cross it could be said of Him "I find in Him no guile". He had to walk the way before us. That's why it says that we have a great High Priest who's touched with the things that touch us because He understood. He came and as our leader He made His way through life. He conquered life without sinning and He was perfected through sufferings. His humanity was perfected through suffering. So He becomes our perfect leader of the church.

It goes on to say, verse 11 says He's the one that was sanctified. He was set aside by God for an eternal purpose to fulfill the promises of the messiah, and as a result, we that are sanctified and He that sanctifies us. The word sanctifies, He was set aside for a very specific purpose. We are brought into His kingdom. We are sanctified and set aside for a holy purpose, and so what the writer is saying, both He that sanctifies us, sets us apart, and we who have been set apart for a spiritual purpose, we are the same. He took upon himself our flesh so the sanctifier could be the same and the sanctified.

And then in verse 12 you will notice he uses the term brethren, and when you study the words of Jesus through the gospels, He never approached His apostles with the designation of brethren until after the resurrection. And so he says I will declare Thy name unto my brethren in the midst of the church will I sing praise to Thee. And this is an Old Testament Psalms 22:22 verse that the writer brings to our attention. And what he is simply saying, He came to establish His church, taking upon our flesh, living a sinless life so He could set the example as our leader, and we who are sanctified are the same as He that sanctifies, as mortal beings. In human flesh, I should say. And it says that He now becomes the object of our worship, in the church, we sing praise to Him.

And you notice again in verse 13, it's another one of the passages that he brings from Psalms. The children which God hath given me. Here he is speaking of the ultimate purpose of the church. Jude says on that eternal day He will present us faultless in His presence. And so here is the writer's thought, these verses 10 through 13, he is saying the reason, another reason for Christ 's coming is that He might establish His church bringing many of us unto His glory. He lived His life in His mortal flesh and He lived it to perfection and therefore He learned perfection, He perfected their salvation through sufferings, and one of these days He will bring us into His eternal glory. He will present us before God. So, first of all Christ came to die so that He could be glorified. Secondly, He came to establish the church of which we are part and He so identified with us that one of these days He will call us into His eternal presence.

Now go with me to verse 14. Here is the third reason. For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood. He is just simply saying that because we as human beings partake of flesh and blood, that's our humanity, He also Himself likewise took part in the same. It's just another way of saying He took upon Himself flesh like us. The reason He did that, reason number three, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Reason number three, He came to destroy the works of the devil, and to deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Paul has much to say about this in this Roman passage.

Go with me to Romans 6:6, Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive onto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lust thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness onto sin: but yield yourselves onto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you, being then made free from sin, ye become the servants of righteousness.

Our writer to the Hebrews is saying He came to set us free from Satan's dominion over us. To free us from the bondage and he also includes in this one of the great fears that we have, and that's the fear of death. He says to deliver them who through the fear of death were all their lifetimes subject to bondage. He says that when a believer, when one becomes a believer, we look forward to one of these days being with Him forever. And our approach to death is much different than an unbeliever. I don't think any of us ever really cherish the moment of death, but we receive it as part of life, part of the journey, and one of these days we will say farewell to this world and we will be welcomed into heaven. It's that moment when we are transformed into His likeness. It's that moment when we shall see Him face to face.

I've talked with a lot of people who wrestle with the issue of death, even Christians. And it's a difficult subject even for Christians. It's something so very unnatural. Something so foreign to all of what we are as a person. I find that as one comes to those closing moments of life and they being really to make their adjustments, their faith shines through, and that fear of death becomes an acceptance and oft times with joy. So his point is this. The third reason why Jesus came was to destroy the works. And the word destroy is not meaning to do away with, but to strip it of all of its power. You know there's an interesting picture that Paul paints for us in the Colossian letter.

Go with me to Colossians chapter 2. He is speaking of Satan being defeated and it's a marvelous picture. I'll begin in verse 13 of Colossians chapter 2. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross. And then here's the verse, look at verse 15; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. It's the picture, as Paul at times as he watched the Romans and their response to a victorious general as the general came home from his wars, and he brought the ones that he had captured and he was allowed this procession down the main street of town. And oft times in Rome it was a tremendous procession and what you saw was you saw these armies marching and then you saw the man who was the conqueror and behind him comes all the conquered, the slaves and they are there by the thousands that he brings home. It was a tremendous scene of victory; the fighters, those that had lost.

And Paul sees almost a spiritual in the cosmic heavens. He sees that moment when Christ has died at the cross and He's conquered the devil. He sees the devil and his principalities as they are being brought across the skies in defeat. It shows Christ as the one who has triumphed over them. Let me read it again, And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. And the writer to the Hebrews says He came, He came so that He might destroy the works of the devil. Let's go back for the last one.

Look at verse 17. Here is the fourth reason why He came. First of all, He came to die. Secondly, He came to call many sons into glory to establish His church. Thirdly, He came to defeat and to take the power of Satan from him. Satan has no power over us. And fourthly, He came, it says, Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren. Remember, again he comes back to the need for Christ to take upon Himself human flesh. Why? That He might be the merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God. So He came fourthly to become our great High Priest.

Go with me to chapter 4 of Hebrews and let me read just some of the verses in speaking of His priesthood. Verse 14. Look at verse 14. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is past into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the thrown of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. We have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just like us.

Go with me to chapter 10. Here's more on the priesthood of Christ. Chapter 10:11-14, And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sin: But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God. From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Our High Priest.

Go with me to verse 19 of the same chapter. Look at what it says. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say His flesh; And having a High Priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our heart sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the perfection of our faith without wavering; (for He that is faithful has promised.) And back to our verse, it says He became like us so He could travel life's journey just like us, and still go to the cross and complete His ministry, sinless, as our captain. He now can be our merciful and faithful High Priest onto God and to make reconciliation for our sins.

I've often said I think one of the most beautiful words of the English language is reconciliation. It bespeaks of those who have been at odds, enemies, and now something has happened to melt their hearts together again as one. And it says that the work of Christ is to make reconciliation for the sins of people. For in that He Himself had made the journey of life, He suffered being tempted, He is able now to help us who are being tempted. Why did He come? Not just so we could give gifts, not just so we'd have another holiday, He came to die so that you and I might live. He came to die. He came to call all of us unto His eternal glory and make us a part of His church. He came to destroy Satan's power over us so that we might live in joyous victory in Him. He came to be our great High Priest so that when we need reconciliation, and all of us do everyday, when we need forgiveness, we can bow before Him and He understands. That's the reason why He came.

Let's pray. Lord Jesus, as we contemplate again the full meaning of this season of the year, we sometimes get lost in all of the tinsel and in all of the merriment and all the festivity. But this evening we have been reminded, as those ancient Jewish believers were, that You came for glorious purposes. And we are so glad that You've called us. You've touched our life with Your grace, with Your goodness, with Your mercy, and Your forgiveness. And You've called us onto Your glory, and one of these days you'll present us into Your eternal presence, faultless to stand before You. Until then, You've given us the power through the indwelling presence of Your precious Holy Spirit to be more than conquers through Christ, knowing that sin does not have dominion over us anymore. But when we do sin, we know that we have a great High Priest that we can come to. Jesus, thank you for coming and taking upon Yourself our human form, and in so doing we have all of these glorious and eternal benefits and blessings. Blessed Lord Jesus we love You. Thank you for this evening and these lovely folks who have come tonight just to spend this evening in worship in Your sanctuary, and as we go may Your peace and Your presence and Your joy fill our hearts. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit we pray. And everybody said...Amen. God bless you.