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Christ’s Followers Fixate and Grip onto Christ
Hebrews 3:1-6
Life is like playground politics. You’re friends with Jim - the new kid in school. And in that time, he’s been a loyal friend. He always has your back. But he’s not one of the cool kids. He’s teased because he’s new. Many are cruel to him. And your friends ask why you’re still friends with him. They tell you instead, to join back Mike’s gang. He’s always been the cool kid. Your life in school would be far less complicated if you were in his circle. So now, you hang less with Jim. But to ease your conscience, you spend a few obligatory minutes with him. But you really identify with Mike’s gang. But what you didn’t realize, is that Jim’s the son of the school’s founder. This is playground politics. And we don’t always grow out of it. And it happens in matters of faith too.
There are many reasons why people turn away from Christ. Last week, we saw that some do it to preserve their status in life. In those days, Christians couldn’t buy or sell. Their faith was mocked. And it came from both sides. Pagans mocked them for not having religion - to them, religion needed rituals. And besides two simple sacraments, Christianity has none. It’s not cool. There is no fire, pizzazz, loud music, or mysticism. And their fellow Jews asked them to return to Judaism. “We still worship God. If you return, you still have Moses and the 10 commandments. You can obey the laws, keep the feasts and rituals, and save yourself heartache. You can buy and sell again, you’ll have ritual and you won’t be in that weird gang.” Some deny Christ for a good life - motivated by satisfaction; others are motivated by religious or ritualistic gratification. So the writer addresses this religious motivation in 2 propositions. Firstly, Christ’s church must be obliged to fixate on Christ. Secondly, Christ’s church must be convinced to grip onto Christ.
Firstly, Christ’s church must be obliged to fixate on Christ. We get the sense the Hebrew Christians were wavering in their faith, which is why the writer calls them to hold firmly to Christ in verse 6. And he gives the reasons why. Verse 1 - “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” “Wherefore” links back to the previous chapter. There, we saw that Christ the God-man will restore our rightful high status. If he’s God and has redeemed us, then consider him. So to build up to that command, he tells them who they are. He called them as “holy brethren.” Finally! After 2 chapters, he got to them. Paul and other writers always addressed their readers first; but this writer only in chapter 3. And he addressed them corporately as the church. If you all know Christ restores your status, then you as holy brethren would consider him. But wouldn’t holy brethren do that anyway? Aren’t they holy? Aren’t we a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a chosen generation? If they were brethren and holy, how could any of them be drifting away?
To understand Hebrews, we must understand this - not all in the church are truly believers. The word “holy” is understood in 2 ways. One way to understand “holy” is the usual way. Believers are justified - counted holy by God. They love Christ, have received him, and are not only baptized outwardly, but inwardly. They desire holy things and yearn for heaven. They live by faith. When Israel came out of Egypt, God called them a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a chosen generation. Moses trusted in God. Joshua and Caleb fought for God’s glory. Aaron and Hur supported Moses in prayer. But true believers do struggle with their faith. Some are so weak, they falter in their faith. Yes, holy brethren can be weak in faith.
But the word “holy” can also mean “set apart.” Israel was a mixed multitude - not all were truly holy, even though they were called holy. Yes, they were set apart. They weren’t no longer slaves in Egypt, but pilgrims in the wilderness headed to Canaan. And they were distinct - separate from the world. And it’s the same for us. We know not everyone here has truly understood or believed. But they’re still part of the church. For example, 1 Corinthians 7:14 - “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified (or made holy or set apart) by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified (made holy or set apart) by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.” Children are part of the church. They’re raised in the faith. But some are infants who understand nothing. But they’re obliged to confess faith one day. Christ is the only savior they know. There were also unbelieving spouses in church. Also those who made credible professions, passing the interview, but who didn’t truly believe. So the writer knew it was a mixed multitude. The fact that some had already given up their faith proved that. They had joined the cooler gang.
But he called them all holy brethren. Why? While he knew there were goats, he didn’t know who. So as far as he knew, they professed. They were in covenant with God. And until they denied Christ by life or profession, he could address them all as holy. Now, true believers will never and can’t ever abandon the faith. The one that God predestinates, he calls, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies. No man can pluck him out of the Father’s hands. And those who struggled hadn’t denied the faith. They wavered, but they still professed and persevered. So he reminded them of their status as holy brethren. Dearly beloved, likewise, we here who believe, we’re holy - and whether we’re strong or weak in faith, must persevere. There’s only one savior - Christ.
And holy brethren are called by God our heavenly Father. He reminded them too that God had called them from heaven. They heard the gospel, were catechized, and they believed and repented. But how could they believe? Because God called them. He changed their hearts, gave them the gift of faith, and led them to repent. They participated in the life of the church, loved one another, gave to the poor, and suffered for their faith. There was no reason to assume they weren’t called. Only on the last day will Christ separate the goats and the sheep. But their calling as holy brethren would be evident if they remained in the faith and in church. Yes, others had denied Christ whether by profession or life. That showed they never were truly holy brethren. Their hearts were rocky or thorny soil. But here were those who were still persevering. That’s why he urged them to persevere more. Your pressing on proves you’re truly holy brethren and called.
Yes, it’s shows you’re followers of Christ. After addressing them as holy and called by God, he finally gave them the command to follow Christ. “Therefore, holy brethren, called by God, consider Christ Jesus.” Now the English word “consider” is not a very strong word. To us it means - I’ll think about. But that’s not the meaning. The NIV translates it as “fix your thoughts on Jesus.” And that’s a superior and surprising translation. Why fix? The writer uses the strongest possible language for a command. And the object of the command lends that force - “consider the apostle and high priest of our profession!” It means - fixate, obsess. In Acts 11, when Peter described his vision of the unclean foods, he used the word. Listen to his description, “Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts…wild beasts…creeping things…and fowl…” So while Peter fixated on the picnic mat with fascination, we’re to fixate our minds on Christ in awe and reverence. So saying we’re followers of Christ is not strong enough. We’re obsessed fans of Christ. Why? Why ever not? He’s our apostle and high priest. We’re holy brethren because of him. We’re called. And this must be the desire of all who call themselves Christian. Holy and called brethren obsess over Christ together. We do it corporately. It involves the whole church. We can’t do it alone. And so it’s disheartening when we know someone struggling with the faith, but leave him alone. Their eyes might be fixed on the other cooler kid, but we’re to help fixate them on Christ - because he’s truly the better one.
But not just fixate or obsess over Christ. Secondly, Christ’s church must be convinced to grip onto Christ. Verse 6 says, we’re Christ’s house, “if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” What’s the remedy for drifting away? Fixate and grip. Here, the writer, after comparing Jesus with prophets and angels, he now compared him to Moses. Verses 1-2 - “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.” Remember the context. Some were thinking of returning to Judaism - to Moses the cooler kid. But Christ’s our apostle and high priest. Apostle means he was sent by God. John 3 says Jesus is “he whom God hath sent.” Yes, Moses was also a kind of apostle. God sent him to rescue the people from Egypt. But he wasn’t a priest. On the other hand, Christ’s apostleship was connected to his priesthood. He was sent to be a high priest. Not Moses. So while Moses did pray for the people, God didn’t have to listen to him. He was a sinner - he struck the rock when he should’ve spoken to it. He didn’t even get to enter the Promised Land. On the other hand, our Lord never sinned. He was faithful - “Not my will but thine be done.” And he was faithful unto death. Only at the cross did Jesus say, “It is finished.” And because of that, he could ascend to the true Promised Land, and take us there. Yes, Moses was faithful. Verse 2 says Christ was faithful to God just as Moses was faithful. But Christ’s faithfulness was better than Moses’. Verse 3 tells us “this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses.”
Don’t go back to Moses. Grip onto Christ. He’s the new guy, but he’s more glorious. Jesus is preeminent in the church. Not only is Jesus a better apostle because he’s high priest, he’s also glorious. Moses’ face had the afterglow of God’s glory at Sinai. But Christ’s face shone with His own glory. Also, Christ’s the builder and son over his house. The writer used 2 similar illustrations to show Christ was more glorious. He used the picture of a house. In verse 2, Moses was described as being faithful in all his house. Whose house? God’s house. Who’s God? Christ. He built the house. Verse 3 - “For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.” Moses is not cooler. He was part of the house Christ built. Moses is like a brick. But Christ is the builder. When we look at a house, we can admire it. But we don’t honor it. We honor the architect who built it. Moses was not the architect - he was just a brick. But Christ is the builder. Then the writer expanded the illustration. Moses was a house servant. Verse 5 - “And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after.” Moses was faithful, but didn’t have a high position. But Christ? He’s the son of the house; the master. Verse 6 - “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we.” He was Son over his own house. And it says we belong to that house. Moses isn’t the cooler kid. He’s the same as us. In fact, we have a better standing. We belong to a time that Moses hoped for.
In verse 6, we learn that Moses’ job as a servant was to testify of things that would come to pass in the future. And Moses did teach very important things. He taught the law, the sacrifices, the priesthood, the tabernacle. But all of these things would all be fulfilled in Christ. The law would be obeyed perfectly by Christ, who would give the Spirit to fill his people to obey. The sacrifices would be fulfilled by Christ. He would forgive not only sins committed in ignorance, he’d also forgive purposeful sins that should be punished with death. He was also a better priest - not one who died, but one who ever lives to make intercession for us. And while the other priests never stopped offering sacrifices, Christ offered one final sacrifice. And Christ fulfilled the furnishings of the Tabernacle. He washed his people with the Word. He’s the Bread of Life. He’s the light of the world. He’s entered into the throne room of God and sat at God’s right hand. Furthermore, in Numbers 11, we see that the Spirit of God fell on 2 men and filled them. They started to prophesy and teach. Then Joshua, concerned for Moses’ position told him to stop them. Moses asked him - are you jealous for me? Don’t be! I wish that all of God’s people would have the Spirit and be prophets. Moses was speaking about a better time. Our time. Where we have the Spirit and are made prophets, priests, and kings. So Moses was preoccupied with the Lord Jesus. Why were some of the Hebrew Christians wanting to return back to Judaism? For a better life? Moses himself looked forward to Christ. The rituals were shadows pointing to a better system. And you want to go back to Moses?
Well, if you want to follow Moses, you’ll follow Christ. Moses was in Christ’s house. Are you? You may be in this church building, but are you in Christ’s house? Jesus is savior only of his followers - of those who are in his house. Verse 6 says, “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Christ is Son - his name is Jesus - he’ll save his people from their sins. And we’re saved by him, if we’re his people, in his house, his circle, his team. And we’re only in his house, if we hold tightly to the confidence and hope. If we believe that this world’s not our home, but we’re headed to a better Promised Land. If we reject this world and its lusts, if we hold firmly to the gospel, then we’ll be in his house, which he’s preparing for his followers.
Dearly beloved, how do we apply this to ourselves? Firstly, our own worship. Now, this passage may seem alien to us. We don’t really struggle with Moses. We don’t struggle with returning back to Judaism. But there may be some here that wish for more ritual and mysticism. You’re enthralled by Eastern Orthodoxy or by Charismatic worship. Or perhaps some of you still struggle with your old paganism. Whatever it is, it’s perilous for your soul to drift that way. Some of us have a different struggle. We’re prone to hero worship. The Hebrew Christians were tempted to return to Moses - his life was miraculous, having been saved from the reeds. He had the finest education in Egypt, met God at the burning bush, performed miracles, parted the Red Sea, God spoke to him face to face, and wrote the first five books of the Bible - called the law of Moses. But Jesus is better. For us, we’re always looking for some religious hero. Maybe a theologian or a favorite preacher - someone or even some system that you admire. No one else can compare with them. And that affects your own worship in your less cool church. But those great men are just servants like all of us. So it’s a fresh reminder for us to put servants aside, no matter how wonderful they may be - to consider Christ - our apostle and high priest, the builder and Son over us.
Secondly, our own faithfulness. When we look at Moses, and other great heroes, we learn to be faithful to Christ. Moses was a positive example of a servant in God’s house. Let us be faithful in and to God’s house. This means time and effort devoted to the church. If you spend less time with God’s people, you won’t want to spend time with them. You spend less time in worship, you won’t want to spend time in worship. That’s why we must help each other to fixate and grip onto Christ. And we all know someone in church that’s weak and faltering. Someone who’s not coming. Someone who has no interest. If they persevere on, and continue, they’ll be saved. Now, perseverance will not save us; but it proves that we’re saved. But if they don’t, we know they were never truly holy to begin with.
And thirdly, this is where I become more specific to different people here. Covenant children, you must all persevere in your faith. You must believe. You’re obliged to confess your faith and to take Christ seriously. There’ll be many things that’ll call you in the world - and your faith will waver. You’ll falter. But you must continue in Christ. You must always remember that he forgives. Whenever you falter, if you come in repentance, he’ll always forgive. Why grow in your faith? Not because we say so. But because he saves. He loves you. You’re set apart for him. You’re special in his eyes. And if you believe him and press on in your faith, he’ll exalt you one day. Children, you’re so privileged to hear the gospel from your youth.
And then there are friends and visitors here. You’re still not baptized. You come to church. You’re learning. You’ve been hearing the gospel, understanding it. Will you not embrace it? Believe Christ. Repent. Get baptized. Let him be your king. Some are spouses of believers. You’ve seen how they’ve come to believe, how they’ve trusted for forgiveness of sins. And you’ve come for a long time. You must believe too. You have no savior outside of Christ. Same goes to those who are attached to believers. Yes, they sinned by allowing this relationship to happen - no question there. But in God’s providence, you’ve come to church; you’ve heard the gospel, and hopefully you see your sins and understand your need for a savior. You’ve been pointed to Jesus. Believe in him and you’ll be saved.
And fourthly, there are those of you, who just come, but have no church life. Going back to ritualism is one side of the coin. Treating church as a ritual is no different. You trust in church attendance, but not in the Christ of the church. You come to give some semblance of spirituality. You live life, but not as one of the holy brethren called by Christ. Pressing on in this way, remaining in the church, is not gripping onto Christ; there’s no obsession or fixation with him. And all that talk about him being the apostle and high priest sent from God, to be the builder of the church - his kingdom that will last forever - and to be placed over her as Son; that we might be faithful - brings no joy to your heart - you must pay the more earnest heed, lest at any time, you should slip.
1. Christ’s Church Must Be Obliged to Fixate on Christ
A. We are holy brethren of Christ
B. We are called by our heavenly father
C. We are followers of Christ
2. Christ’s Church Must Be Convinced to Grip Onto Christ
A. Jesus is the church’s apostle and high priest
B. Jesus is preeminent in the church
C. Jesus is savior only of followers
Conversation for Change:
- What are the things we’re often fixated on today? How can these earthly goals make us less fixated on Christ?
- The Hebrew Christians were tempted to return to Judaism, what similar religious examples in our context have you seen?
- What is the way to know whether you are merely a professing believer or whether you are a true believer who has been forgiven by Christ and made inwardly holy?
* As a matter of courtesy please advise Rev. Mark Chen, if you plan to use this sermon in a worship service. Thank-you.
(c) Copyright 2025, Rev. Mark Chen
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