North Center Baptist Church
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
A diverse church for all ages
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June 20, 2010 Hebrews 3 by Pastor Stan Audio THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST: A SERMON SERIES IN HEBREWS “MOSES WAS GREAT; JESUS IS GREATER” (HEBREWS 3:1-6 / P. 847) JUNE 20, 2010 INTRODUCTION -- Lead-in song: “Lord, Most High” -- He referred to himself as their father, but the members of the People’s Temple didn’t know that following him would result in one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. His name was Jim Jones, and he founded a church that eventually was named the People’s Temple in the 1950s in Indiana. Jim Jones was charismatic and gifted as an organizer and leader. His church provided a number of practical ministries to help those in need and became a leader in advocating civil rights for blacks in the 1960s. Members of the church were extremely loyal to Jones, even when he started criticizing the Bible and suggesting that he might be the reincarnation of Jesus. In the late 60s he moved the Temple to California and eventually located it in San Francisco, where he became a close friend and confidant to most of the city’s political leaders. He continued to be a strong advocate for the poor and was even appointed as chairman of the city’s Housing Authority Commission. In 1974 he started building Jonestown in the South American country of Guyana and moving the People’s Temple and its members there with the vision of establishing a multi-racial socialist paradise. But growing reports of abuse attracted media attention and attempts at investigation. In November of 1978 San Francisco Congressman Leo Ryan went to Jonestown to investigate for himself, and when he attempted to help several members return to the States, they were all killed. Later that day all 909 inhabitants of Jonestown committed suicide by drinking cyanide-laced kool aid. It was one of the largest mass suicides in history. -- Jonestown still serves as a warning about being careful whom you choose to follow, because it can have destructive and even deadly consequences. -- In the part of Hebrews that we come to today the author addresses this same matter about whom we choose to follow. He proclaims that there is only one who is worthy of being followed without reservation and without fear of disappointment or ever being led astray. So turn to the third chapter of Hebrews (p. 847). -- Remember that the book of Hebrews was addressed originally to Jewish Christians who were facing opposition because of their decision to become followers of Christ. Some of these Christians were now wavering in their faith and even leaving the church to return to Judaism and to following the Law of Moses. -- The author of Hebrews exhorts them to keep on because while Moses is great, Jesus is greater and is the only one who can lead us to God. I. MOSES IS GREAT. A. MOSES & AMERICANS’ MEASURE OF GREATNESS -- American culture measure greatness in terms of money, power, and status. Using those measures, Moses had it all. He was part of Pharaoh’s household at a time when Egypt was the greatest power on earth. Moses had it all—position, wealth, and power. B. WHAT REALLY MADE MOSES GREAT -- But none of that is what made Moses great. In fact, Moses had to loose all that before he could become great. Indeed, if Moses had held on to those things and based his life on them as the measures of greatness, we wouldn’t even know his name today. -- True greatness, lasting greatness doesn’t come from possessions or power. This passage identifies the basis for Moses’ greatness: v. 2b, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house v. 5a, Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house -- The basis for Moses’ greatness is the same basis for lasting greatness for anyone—faithfulness to God. Real success and greatness starts with your standing before God, your relationship to Him, your faithfulness to God’s purpose for your life. -- Moses was great because he was fai |
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