Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:5-9

The Humanity of Jesus Helps Humanity

Intro.

1. Jesus is both the Son of Man & the Son of God, Matt. 16:13-16.

2. His nature was fully human & fully divine, Col. 2:9.

3. Heb. 1: The deity of Jesus; Heb. 2: The humanity of Jesus:

a. A body was prepared for him, Heb. 10:5-7.

b. For the suffering of death, 2:9.

c. To sanctify us before God, 2:11.

d. To destroy the devil with his power of sin & death, 2:14.

e. To release the captives of sin & death (fear), 2:15.

f. To be High Priest who assists us, 2:17-18.

4. Jesus became flesh to save us & help us be faithful children of God.

I. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN JESUS WAS ALONE…

-Sometimes of his own choosing, Matt. 14:23.

-Sometimes by the choice of others, Jno. 16:32.

-Yet, the Father was always with Him, Jno. 16:32; 8:29.

…SO THAT YOU NEVER HAVE TO BE ALONE.

-I am with you always, Matt. 28:19-20.

-With the apostles, cf. Jno. 14:18 (Holy Spirit, another Helper).

-With Christians, Heb. 13:5-6.

II. JESUS WAS TEMPTED…

-Throughout his life, Lk. 4:1-2, 13; 22:28.

-In all points like we are, Heb. 4:15.

…SO THAT YOU MAY BE DELIVERED IN THE HOUR OF YOUR TEMPTATIONS.

-Come boldly to the throne of grace for help, Heb. 4:16.

-Always gives us a way of escape, 1 Cor. 10:12-13.

III. JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED…

-The sinless suffered for sinners to bring us to God, 1 Pet. 3:18.

-Bore our sins in his body on the tree (punishment), 1 Pet. 2:24.

-God’s purpose fulfilled to reconcile the world to God, 2 Cor. 5:19-21.

…THAT YOU MAY LIVE FOREVER.

-Through faith, have eternal life, Jno. 3:16.

-Freed of the guilt & penalty of sin, 2 Cor. 5:21.

-To be brought to glory, Heb. 2:10 (Col. 3:4).

IV. JESUS WAS A SERVANT TO MANKIND…

-Served our spiritual needs, Phil. 2:7; Lk. 19:10.

-To teach us to be servants of each other, Jno. 13:14-17.

…SO THAT YOU MAY BE A CHILD OF GOD.

-Adoption into family of God, Gal. 4:4-7.

-Through faith, Gal. 3:26-27.

-Heirs of the promise, Gal. 3:28-29 (bring sons to glory, Heb. 2:10).

V. JESUS PARTOOK OF HUMANITY…

-Became a man, Phil. 2:7 (1 Jno. 4:2-3; 2 Jno. 7); Jno. 1:14.

…THAT YOU MAY PARTAKE OF THE DIVINE NATURE.

-Godliness, truth, love, holiness, glory, virtue (moral goodness), eternal life…, 2 Pet. 1:3-4.

VI. JESUS WAS SEPARATED FROM GOD…

-The darkness of the cross, Matt. 27:45-46.

-To endure suffering of death (for sin; the stroke we were due, Isa. 53:8), Heb. 2:9.

-Made perfect (sacrifice) through suffering, Heb. 2:10 (5:8-9).

…THAT YOU MAY HAVE ETERNAL FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

-Called by the gospel into this fellowship, 1 Cor. 1:9; 1 Jno. 1:2-7.

-By the grace of God we “sit together” in heavenly places with Christ, Eph. 2:4-6.

VII. JESUS ENDURED THE CROSS…

-Despised the shame (to think little or nothing of; the shame of the cross did not deter him from it), Heb. 12:2.

-He endured: Injustice, torture, humiliation, mockery, rejection, abandonment of friends, isolation… (Matt. 27:27-50)

…THAT YOU MAY WEAR A CROWN.

-Crown of righteousness, 2 Tim. 4:8.

-Crown of life, Jas. 1:12 (Rev. 2:10).

-Crown of glory, 1 Pet. 5:4 (imperishable crown, 1 Cor. 9:25).

-Hold fast what you have (persevere) so not taken away, Rev. 3:10-11.

Conclusion

1. Jesus is the author of our salvation & he is not ashamed to call us his brethren, Heb. 2:10-13.

2. Do our lives show that we are not ashamed of him? (Mk. 8:36-38)

3. Obey Jesus now; be saved from sins and be adopted into the family of God, where eternal blessings are yours.