Jesus can save you to the uttermost.

Sermon Transcript

Easter is the day when Christians around the world celebrate that Jesus of Nazareth really was truly human and also truly God, that he really was tempted in every way we are yet never sinned, that he really died on the cross to forgive our sins on Good Friday, and that we really believe all that because death could not hold him. Yes, he was crucified on Friday, but on Sunday he really did rise from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. The resurrection proves Jesus is who He said He was, the resurrection begins a new creation where all the sad things will one day finally come untrue, the resurrection gives a factual, historical foundation to Christian faith as opposed to mere mythology, and much more. But this morning, this Easter I want us to take a uniquely personal look at what the resurrection of Jesus means for you and for me. Please look with me at Hebrews 7:23-25 – The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently (Circle this word – it’s the kind of word that signals that the author is about to make his big point) , he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. What does Jesus’ real, historical, bodily resurrection mean for you and for me personally? Big idea: Jesus can save you to the uttermost. The word “uttermost” isn’t one I typically use or hear. But these days, in times of war and military conflict, it’s not uncommon to hear a political leader say that their nation will defend themselves to the uttermost. What they mean is that their nation will defend themselves completely and at all times. And that’s what Jesus rising from the grave means for you and me. Jesus can save you to the uttermost; completely and at all times, permanently. To get to the heart of Jesus’ ability to save you to the uttermost, we’re going to explore: (1) Why he can save (2) Who he can save, and (3) How he can save.

WHY HE CAN SAVE

Our passage from Hebrews begins with a contrast that helps us see why Jesus can save us to the uttermost. Hebrews 7:23-25a – The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him… Why can Jesus save us to the uttermost, perfectly and permanently? Because death could not hold him. Because He is risen and continues to live forever. He can save you forever because He is risen and continues forever.

A little background will bring this home. Before Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God’s people Israel had priests. Priests represented the people before God and God before the people. Each priest would serve for the duration of their lifetime. The priest’s primary job was to bring people near to God and God near to people through offering sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins – this allowed sinful people to approach the holy God. The problem with the priests is that they were constantly turning over, they didn’t live forever, and so they couldn’t save the people to the uttermost; completely and at all times. Death prevented them from continuing. They couldn’t bring the people near to God or God near to the people because they died.

These priests remind me of my grandfather. Growing up my grandpa was my greatest hero and my biggest encouragement. During WWII he served first in the army and then in the navy. I loved his stories. When I was sick, he was the one who nurtured me. When I was sad, he was the one who could comfort me. When I wanted to give up, he was the one who could encourage me. When one of my parents was harsh with me, he was the one who was gentle and kind. When everyone was too busy, he was the one who had time for me. He was the complete man and was there for me at all times. I loved him so much. But when he died twenty years ago, everything that he was to me was taken away. That’s what death does. Death takes and relatives everything. My dear grandfather is prevented by death from continuing to take care of me, to save me.

Who is able to save us from death? Who is able to save us from the eternal death and judgment that we all deserve because we’ve all disobeyed and ignored God in His world? No one and nothing in this world, not even my grandfather, can because death prevents them. But not Jesus. Jesus is able to save you from death and Hell. Jesus is able to save you completely and at all times because after He died for our sins on Good Friday, on Easter Sunday He rose again, conquered death, and he continues forever. Jesus is the only Savior that can save sinners like us from judgment. As one pastor says it, “We are to-the-uttermost sinners. We need a to-the-uttermost Savior.” Jesus can you to the uttermost because He is risen and continues forever. His grace outlasts our sins. But as amazing as Christ’s ability to save is, it’s not yet personal. And that brings us to…

WHO HE CAN SAVE

Hebrews 7:25 – Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him… Who can Jesus save completely and at all times? Those! Anyone (anyone!) who draws near to God through him.

Circle or highlight that word “those.” I want you to notice who it doesn’t say Jesus can save. It doesn’t say that he is able to save those who are the responsible people, those who are the sexually unblemished people, those who are the people without a record or rap sheet, those who are the successful and intelligent people, those who are the good husbands and wives, those who are the successful mothers and fathers, those who are the morally decent, or those who are the socially conscientious. If you’re keeping your distance from God because you’re holding your sins, guilt, or shame in your hands, using them as your excuse, Jesus can’t save you.

Now, I want you to notice who else it doesn’t say Jesus can save. It doesn’t say that Jesus can save those who think that they’re just fine with God on their own. It doesn’t say that Jesus can save those who think they can be near God because they’re a good person, a moral person, a selfless person, a socially engaged person, or a religious person. Did you know that the Bible says that if you’ve disobeyed even one of God’s commands, you’re guilty of breaking the entire law. Did you know that the Bible says if just once you’ve looked to anything but God for hope and happiness, significance and security that you’ve worshiped a false-God and deserve the real God’s judgment? If you’re trying to get near God by holding your own good works in your hands, Jesus can’t save you.

Jesus can only save those with empty hands. I know this is going to date me, but one of the most epic movie scenes is the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indiana Jones is an archeologist whose mission is to find the Holy Grail, the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper, which supposedly provides eternal youth and unfathomable material abundance. At the end of the film, Indiana’s girlfriend finally has the grail in hand when the ground splits open. She’s about to fall into the bottomless abyss when Indiana grabs her by the hand. But she won’t grab onto Indiana with two hands. She’s reaching for the grail with the other hand, which is on a ledge. She’s trying to fill her other hand with the grail and Indiana can’t save her, she slips to her death. But then Indiana falls over the same ledge and his father grabs his hand to save him. But Indiana also reaches for the grail. His father says, “Indiana, let it go.” He does and his dad saves him. They both needed a hand to be saved. One takes the hand and is saved. The other doesn’t because she wants to hold on to something else. Who can Jesus save? Jesus can only save those with empty hands who cling to nothing and no one but Jesus to save them.

So, we’ve looked at those Jesus can’t save. Who can he save? Hebrews 7:25 – Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him… Jesus can save anyone with empty hands. But it’s not enough to know, you have to go. Jesus is able to save completely and at all times those who draw near to God through Him. Jesus grants sinners access to God forever, despite all of our sins, because he died to pay for them all. But it’s not enough to know, you have to go. Jesus is able to save those who draw near to God through Him. Jesus has made the way for you. He lived a sinless life on your account. He died for your sins to forgive them all. He rose so he can continue forever as your Savior. He’s made the way so that you can draw near to God.

Question: Will you draw near to God through Jesus? As one pastor has said, “Drawing near is not moving from one place to another. It is a directing of the heart into the presence of God who is as distant as the holy of holies in heaven, and yet as near as the door of faith.” Would you grab your connect card. At the bottom of the card is a sample prayer that will help you direct your heart into the presence of God through Jesus Christ. Take a moment to look at that prayer. If you’ve never drawn near to God through Jesus. I invite you to make that prayer your own and direct your heart into the presence of God through Jesus for the first time and become a Christian. We’ve seen “why” and “who,” now let’s finally explore…

HOW HE CAN SAVE US

Hebrews 7:25 – Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Jesus can save you to the uttermost because death could not hold him, he is risen, and he always and forever lives to make intercession for you.

What does it mean that Jesus is interceding for you? Scholars point out that there are two primary aspects to Jesus’ intercession on our behalf: Pleading for our help and pleading for our forgiveness.

Friend – no matter what faith-shaking trial or overwhelming temptation you are facing or ever will face, you’re going to make it through with your faith intact because Jesus is risen and he always lives to pray for your help. Jesus is risen and He is praying that your faith won’t fail. We get a taste of how the Lord Jesus prays for our faith in Luke 22:31-32 – Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. The thought of Jesus living forever to pray for me reminds me of the old quote: “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me” (Robert Murray M’Cheyne). Friend – whatever temptation, whatever trial, whatever difficulty you’re facing, you’re going to make it through to the end with your faith intact. Take hope! He’s risen and he’s saving you by always living to pray that your faith won’t fail.

But Jesus is not only interceding by praying for our faith not to fail, but he intercedes by pleading for our forgiveness. 1 John 2:1 – My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Our every sin, our every failure to do and be what God requires in his word should lead to our eternal judgment. So, why doesn’t it? How can we be saved to the uttermost? Jesus our permanent high priest rose from the grave and he always lives to plead our forgiveness before the Father. As one theologian has said, “Christ turns the Father’s eyes to His own righteousness to avert His gaze from our sins.” Another says that “Christ continues to plead for our forgiveness in heaven because we continue to sin here on earth. Intercession is the constant hitting ‘refresh’ of our justification in the court of heaven.” Jesus is risen and he always lives to intercede for you, and that’s how he can save you from death and judgment completely and at all times.

CONCLUSION

Jesus is risen. He continues forever. He always lives to pray for you. He can save you to the uttermost. Draw near to God through Him and enjoy it forever.