Jesus is a faithful Son of the Father within the Father’s household, now makes us the house of God. He dwells in us and we dwell in Him.Jesus is a faithful Son of the Father within the Father’s household, now makes us the house of God. He dwells in us and we dwell in Him.
Hebrews 3:1-6
SERMON OUTLINE
“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.” (Hebrews 3:1)
Moses and God’s House (Hebrews 3:2)
- Faithful in returning to Egypt (Exodus 3-4)
- Faithful in speaking to God’s people and Pharaoh (Exodus 5-13)
- Faithful at the Red Sea (Exodus 14-15)
- Faithful to lead through troubles (Exodus 16-18)
- Faithful at Sinai (Exodus 19-25)
- Faithful to build the tabernacle (Exodus 26-31, 34-40)
- Faithful amidst idolatry (Exodus 32-33)
- Faithful as one who spoke with God face to face (Exodus 33:11)
Jesus and God’s House (Hebrews 3:1-6a)
- Different message:
- Moses: “bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future” (3:5)
- Jesus: “our apostle and high priest” (3:1) & “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (1:2)
- Different status:
- Moses: “faithful as a servant in all God’s house” (3:5)
- Jesus: “faithful as the Son over God’s house” (3:6)
A Call to Faithfulness as God’s House (Hebrews 3:6b)
- “we are his house”
- “if we hold firmly to our confidence and hope”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Who is your favorite Bible character in the Old Testament and why?
- This week, as we continue our series on the book of Hebrews, “The Final Word,” we will look at Hebrews 3:1-6. Begin your study by praying that God would speak to you through His Word. Then, whether you’re alone or with a group, read Hebrews 3:1-6 aloud.
- Hebrews 3:1 begins with “therefore.” What is the “therefore” there for? That is, what has the writer said about Jesus in the first two chapters of the book?
- What do you think it means that Jesus is “our apostle and high priest”? Why might that be important?
- In verse 2, the writer begins a comparison between Moses and Jesus, beginning here with their similarity in faithfulness. How was Moses faithful to God from what you know about him from Scripture?
- Exodus 33:11 tells us “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” What do you think that tells us about how God’s viewed Moses?
- Verses 3-6 outline several contrasts between Moses and Jesus. How would you describe these contrasts in your own words?
- Why was Moses’ message to the Israelites powerful and meaningful in his day? At the same time, in what ways was Moses’ message still anticipatory of something yet to come, “bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future” (3:5)?
- Read Hebrews 1:1-4 again and consider the significance of Jesus’ superior status to Moses as “the Son over God’s house” (3:6a) with greater depth. What does that mean?
- Verse 6 describes us as God’s house. What do you think that means? You may want to read a few other verses to help inform this as well, such as 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-10.
- This section concludes in verse 6 with an exhortation for believers to persevere in their faith. How is God calling you to persevere in your faith right now?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study of Hebrews 3:1-6? If you are on your own, write that down. If you are in a small group, discuss your answers with one another. Close in prayer. Choose one person in your life with whom you will share something you learned through this study.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Hebrews 3:1 this week
- Take time to study the life of Moses by reading through the book of Exodus and taking note of who he was and how God used him
- Reread Hebrews 1:1-3:6 and make a list of ways Jesus is superior to the prophets, angels, and Moses. Use this list as a resource for worshiping Jesus on your own or with others through verbal prayer, singing, or writing a prayer of your own
- Listen to a song, old or new, somehow related to this text. Here are some examples:
- “The Law by Moses Came” by Isaac Watts (1709)
- “The Church’s One Foundation” by S. J. Stone (1866)
- “Find Us Faithful” by Jon Mohr (1987)
- “Let It Rain (Is There Anybody?)” by David Crowder & Ed Cash (2018)