Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Preaching my Meditations

I was supposed to begin an exposition of the book of Joshua this past Sunday. But it is going to take me a few more weeks to be ready to begin. However, I didn't come to terms with that until the middle of last week. And Sunday was coming with a fast and in a hurry. So I have to switch gears quickly. First, I had to determine if I was going to preach. But that was a no-brainer, as tired as I was. I couldn't wait to get home from OKC to get back into my own pulpit. I felt a burden to preach. But what would I preach? I had been meditating on Hebrews 4:14-16 all week. And at some point, meditation turned into exposition. And I was comfortable enough with it by Sunday to take it to the pulpit. I trust that it was a blessing to the congregation. Here is the sermon skeleton:

Title: "Our Great High Priest"


 

Text: Hebrews 4:14-16


 

Theme: The high priestly ministry of Jesus Christ


 

Point: Jesus Christ is our great high priest who ministers everything faith requires to live for God.


 

Outline:


 

  1. The Superiority of our Great High Priest (4:14)


     

    1. Where is our high priest? (v. 14a)


       

    2. Who is our high priest? (v. 14b)


 

  1. What is the does any of this make? (v. 14c)


 

  1. The Sympathy of our Great High Priest (4:15)


 

  1. Jesus cares about your struggles (v. 15a).


 

  1. Jesus knows about your struggles (v. 15b).


 

  1. The Sufficiency of our Great High Priest (4:16)


     

    1. The sufficiency of Jesus Christ is demonstrated in the privilege of prayer.


       

      1. We can draw near to God continually.


         

      2. We can draw near to God with confidence.


       

    2. The sufficiency of Jesus Christ is demonstrated in the power of prayer.


       

      1. God will give your mercy to cover your past sins.


         

      2. God will give you grace to help you with today's trials.