A Greater Glory
Jesus is Greater: An Exposition of Hebrews

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Good morning church! It is good to see all of you here this morning. We’re continuing our series through the book of Hebrews. We’ll be in chapter three today. We’ve entitled the series, “Jesus is Greater.” He’s greater than all.

Before we dig into the message today, I wanted to give you an update about our outreach efforts yesterday. Several of us met here yesterday morning and headed into our neighborhood behind the church. For the last year, we’ve called the neighborhood behind our church, “our” neighborhood. There’s 800 households behind us; if you take a look at Forest Hills, Tarboro, Raleigh Road and Ward Boulevard, which make a rectangle, there’s 800 houses right behind us. What a shame it would be if the people right behind our church building didn’t know about Jesus. We’ve been coming up with strategies and ideas about how to make sure every man, woman and child has repeated opportunities to see, hear and respond to the Gospel. Yesterday, we went out with these little bags of candy and knocked on doors, inviting them to a block party at one of our member’s houses this coming week, in their driveway.

I wondered how this would go. This was a new outreach; we knocked on doors, gave them a little bag of candy and talked with them. How is this going to go? What was really cool, though, was that almost everyone opened the door and talked to us. They were a little nervous at first. I am sure that they were wondering, OK, why are you knocking on my door? We gave them a bag of candy and told them that we are having a party in their neighborhood on Halloween night. We invited them to bring their kids and grandkids. Come and join us. We’re going to be cooking hot dogs and it will be a lot of fun.

We weren’t promoting our church. We were just saying to them, ‘Come and meet your neighbors.’ The reason why we were doing this is because we love Jesus and we wanted them to know about that. Several of the people invited me into their house and told me stories about their lives. I met one fella from New York who wanted to see if we could find a buyer for his snow machine to clean the driveway. I told him that he probably should have sold that before he left New York. We don’t see a lot of snow down here. I told another older lady to bring her grandkids. She said to me, “I don’t have any grandkids, but can I come?” I said, “Absolutely, please come!” It was a great time yesterday. We want to reach our neighborhood and not just our neighborhood behind this building, but we want to reach your neighborhood, too. We’re praying about this as we see God move in our church.

Today, we are in Hebrews, chapter three. We’ve entitled this message, “A Greater Glory. The theme verse of this book is found in Hebrews 1:4 (NLT) “This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.” This is where we get the name of the series, “Jesus is Greater.” Jesus has a greater name. He has a greater message and a greater salvation.

Today, the sermon title is, “A Greater Glory.” Now, what is glory? One of the synonyms that I often visualize when I think of glory is the word, “beauty.” The word, “beauty,” has a sort of synonymous feeling for me. When you try to define glory or beauty, you run into trouble because, as we know, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” It’s hard to define what beauty is. I heard someone say that it’s easier to define what a basketball is than it is to define beauty. A basketball is this round thing; you throw it in a hoop and you can bounce it. If you’ve never seen a basketball, you can get an idea from this description, but beauty, that’s a whole other thing.

You can look the word, “beauty,”up in the dictionary and the words, “glory,” “high renown,” “honor,” “magnificence,” “great beauty,” “high praise” and even “worship.” We will often lean towards worshiping that which we find glorious. We have a human tendency to look for glory to look for beauty. We see something or someone and we admire it. We want to gaze at it and take a longer look. We’ll even open open our pocketbooks and offer that kind of “honor.” We’ll pay for it.

The most obvious place that we see people giving glory to someone is to musical artists, Hollywood artists or great athletes. We’ll give a lot of glory to artists and athletes. Perhaps, the latest and greatest example of this is the new power couple; you’ve probably seen and heard about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey. They are two household names in the industry for good reason. Taylor Swift is a singer, songwriter and producer; she is currently estimated to have a net worth of over $600 million. That’s a lot of honor right there. She’s on course to be a billionaire before the next 12 months goes by. Her Era’s tour is in movie theaters now. It’s almost a three-hour movie. It’s estimated to generate $2 billion globally. This singer is receiving a lot of honor and glory. I’ve even heard that many of you are members of what’s called “The Swifties,” her fan club. Some of you have already seen her movie; some have said that you have seen it twice.

What about Travis Kelsey, the star tight end for the Kansas City Chief? He was signed in in 2013. He’s been involved in winning two Super Bowls. He recently, in 2020, signed a four year extension for $57 million. Poor, poor Travis. He’s not even close to his girlfriend, but man, I guess he can get by with that much. He makes about $5 million a year in endorsements because his name has glory. People pay him to sell stuff on TV for them. Since he’s been dating Taylor Swift, his social media presence has grown 400% because the “Swifties” are now following him. This could go either way; it just depends on how things work out for him. The NFL has even reported that, since Taylor Swift is sitting in the stands watching Travis Kelsey play football, their earnings and attendance have gone up. There’s something about the glory that we will attribute to people. We’ll even pay for it.

We give glory to a lot of things. We give glory to a glorious sunrise over the ocean. We gaze at a mountain range and we see, perhaps, the snowy peaks and we wonder as we take a long look at it. I don’t do much of this anymore, but we sometimes will lay on our backs and look up at a beautiful blue sky. We gaze upon it; we look at it.

Today, I would remind us that we tend to lower our eyes to reflections of the truly glorious. It’s hard to figure out the science of beauty. It’s really a reflection of something higher and we lower our eyes to the reflections and put all of our attention there rather than remembering where it comes from.

Paul wrote about this in Romans 1:20-23 (NIV) 20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.”

This is what the sin nature does. It causes us to lower our gaze to things of this world rather than giving our glory and attention to God. That’s what the sermon is about today. It’s about looking at Jesus and recognizing His greater glory.

We’ll be looking at Hebrews 3:1-6. In this passage, the author told the Hebrew background belief that believed in Jesus, to closely consider Jesus and to consider Him worthy of the highest glory. I believe today, as we look at this text, we’ll see three reasons why we should give our highest glory to Jesus.

Hebrews 3:1-6 (ESV) 1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now, Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. This is God’s word. Amen.

WHY JESUS IS WORTHY OF THE GREATEST GLORY: 1. Because He is the Builder of God’s house.

Let me direct your attention to verse three, first of all, so that you can see where our sermon title comes from. Circle the phrases in verse three, “more glory” and “much more glory.” Do you see that? It’s a greater glory.

In earlier chapters, we saw that he was making the case that He’s got greater glory because He’s the last word. He’s got greater glory than the angels. Now, the author has moved on to Moses, the lawgiver. He has greater glory than that hero of the Jewish faith. Jesus has much more glory.

When my daughter was young and growing up, we used to play this little game. You’ve heard me talk about it, perhaps. At bedtime, we had to tell each other that we loved each other because that was a requirement at our house. You had to do night night prayers. You had to tell each other that you loved them. As my daughter would be leaving the living room, she would be going up the stairs to her bedroom and she would shout, “I love you!” I would shout, “I love you more!” Then, she would take off running up the stairs, so she could get in the last word. As she does this, she shouts, “I love you the most!” I would yell back, “I love you infinity!” Then I would hear her shout at the stop of the stairs, “I love you infinity times two!” There’s nothing wrong with loving people and telling each other you love each other.

Here we see in the book of Hebrews, that Jesus has “glory times infinity times two.” He’s got much more glory, but He doesn’t do this by diminishing Moses. He doesn’t pull Moses down. He’s talking to the Hebrews, who have now started believing in Jesus and they know they’ve got the book, the Old Testaments. This is their book and Moses is their lawgiver. Moses is a great man; they venerate him. The author is not tearing Moses down. He’s just saying that Moses is faithful. He has glory because he is faithful, but not like Jesus. Jesus has much more glory. That’s what I want you to hear.

The first case that he makes is because of this – he says it is because Moses didn’t build the house. Moses is in the house, but he didn’t build it. Jesus built it. Do you see that? This is what we’re talking about in the first reason – Jesus is the builder of the house.

Notice a few things ; notice that this passage starts off with the word, “Therefore.” We should always ask, when we see the word, “therefore,” “What’s it there for?” It points to that which has been spoken previously. We have two chapters of where we’ve been hearing that He’s the greatest prophet. He’s the greatest king. He’s the greatest high priest. He is greater than the angels.

Now, we read, 1 “Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,” Holy brothers is inclusive of brothers and sisters, holy brethren. Why holy? He told us, back in chapter two, that because you’ve been sanctified by Jesus, you’ve been made holy. Therefore, since you are holy, he gives you this attribute – that you share in a heavenly calling. We share in that which Christ has won for us, this heavenly calling, that this is no longer our home, but we are pilgrims. We are wayfaring pilgrims, strangers passing through this world, until we get to our heavenly home. We have a heavenly calling.

Then, he gives us one command. There’s only one command in these six verses, one imperative Greek verb translated, “consider.” Consider who? Consider Jesus. Verse 1, “Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus…” Take a look at Jesus. Consider Him. I want you to think about Him. That word, “consider,” doesn’t mean just a passing glance or a knowing nod. It means “to look closely,” “to observe,” “to pay close attention,” “to fix your thoughts upon Jesus.” That’s what he says. He’s done all of this; He’s made you holy and you share in the calling.

I want you to think about Jesus. I want you to consider Him. That’s why we’re gathered here on the first day of the week, the day that we remember, that on the first day of the week, He rose from the grave. We are a forgetful people. It’s something about us. We’re very forgetful . As we get older, we find out we’re even more forgetful. Would you remember Jesus, think on Jesus and consider Jesus?

The author names a couple of attributes of Jesus. One is strange. In fact, this is the only place in all of scripture that they call Jesus an “apostle.” Do you see it? It says in verse 1, “…consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,” I’ve never heard that before, but certainly, He is just that. The word, “apostolos,” means “one sent.” This is the only place where it refers to Christ.

Jesus tells us this, in John 20:21 (ESV) Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” Jesus was an apostle of the Father. He was sent by the Father here. The author of Hebrews says that He’s an apostle. He, also, says that He’s a “high priest of our confession.” He’s the founder of our salvation.

We learned in chapter two, that He is the the faith that we confess. He’s the one Who has come and brought it to us. He’s the one sent and He’s also the one Who made it right, Who offered a sacrifice to make it right.

It says in verse two, “who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.” In other words, Jesus was faithful to the Father who sent Him. ok, Now, he brings Moses in. Remember the Jews, how they consider Abraham the father of their faith? Moses is the lawgiver. He’s the one who brought them out of Egyptian captivity and brought them to the Promised Land. Moses gave them the law; he went up on the mount and brought down the Ten Commandments. The Jews venerated him.

Jesus has great glory in the house of Israel who was faithful to Him, who appointed Him just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. It’s not diminishing. Moses had a lot of glory. He was faithful in God’s house.

What is “God’s house?” The word, “house,” is in these verses six or seven times. What is God’s house? If we were looking at the Old Testament, it would probably be referring to the tabernacle or the temple. That’s what for the Jewish background believers would say; they would say that it’s the temple. That’s what they would think, but the Bible keeps progressively revealing more to us about what we mean by “God’s house.”

By the time we get to the New Testament, we find out that God’s house is actually “us.” It’s actually the believers; it is us. The church is not this building; this is an old movie theater that we bought years ago. It’s kind of easy to tell when we’re in this room, right? Aren’t you thankful for the cup holders? You can still smell popcorn if you take a big whiff. It’s still somewhere in the building. We can’t get rid of it . This is just a building and it’s only the church because we are here because, The church is the people, not the steeple.” We’re the church.

By the time we get to the New Testament, we know it’s the church, it’s the people of God. Even more than that, God’s house is you and me, because the scripture teaches us that the Holy Spirit dwells in us and we’re the temple or the house of God. You’re the house of God. The Bible says that Jesus built you. He’s your builder. He deserves the glory. Moses is in the house and so are you, but the one Who gets the greatest glory is the architect and builder of the house. He’s the one who built the house.

We’re working through the verses here. God’s house is the church. That’s us. Verse three, “For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory thanMoses – as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.” Moses is in the house. He is in the house, but so are we. Jesus is the builder; the builder has more glory.

Then, we have a parentheses in verse four, (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Do you ever look at a house and think, that house appeared by itself. That would be very unscientific, wouldn’t it? However, there are scientists who think the universe appeared by itself. Isn’t that odd? This is what the scripture says – “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.” The builder of all things is God. This shows a high view of Jesus, because He’s the builder and He is one with God. The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. One God, three personalities.

God got more honor, more glory, much more glory, because He’s the builder.

Remember what Jesus told Peter when Peter gave that great confession? We read it in Matthew 16:15-18 (ESV) 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus never told us to build the church. He told us to be the church. If you’ll be the church, I’ll build the church. That was something that took me a little while to understand.

When we first planted this church, I felt this pressure. How do we build the church? I’m trying to figure out how to grow the church and build the church. Finally, I got this insight from God’s word – my role is to make disciples. Our role is to make disciples together, to be the church, to be like Jesus because we are the house. It’s His job to build it, to add numbers to our group, to draw people in. If you’re here, it’s because Jesus brought you here. You might think, Well, “such and such” told me about it or I’m a Google guest. I found it on Google when I googled churches. You might think that, but Jesus is the builder. He brought you here. He’s the one Who made us. The builder is worthy of more glory than the building.

Michelangelo is worthy of more glory than Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rome. Galileo is worthy of more praise than the telescope. Fulton is deserving of more glory than the steam engine. Bell is worthy of more praise than the telephone. Edison deserves more glory than the light bulb. Even Elon Musk deserves more than paypal, Tesla or space X all tied together. These are names we know because they built something, but the greatest name of all is the builder of all things and that’s Jesus. He’s the architect and builder of the church, which is the people of God. He’s worthy of greater glory.

Would you consider Jesus? That’s the one command in this passage. Meditate on Him. To consider means to do more than just a passing, fleeting thought. Think on Him. Give Him your closest contemplation; gaze upon Him. Think about Him. He’s the builder of God’s house, which is the church, the family of God and we share in this heavenly calling to be members of His house.

WHY JESUS IS WORTHY OF THE GREATEST GLORY:

2. Because He is the fulfillment of God’s Word.

We are at verse five, “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later,” What does that mean “to testify to the things?”

I have a couple of thoughts. First of all, the word, “servant,” is unusual here. Usually, when you see the word, “servant,” in the Greek, which is the original language of the New Testament, you’ll see “doula,” which is servant or slave. You’ll see “diakonos,” which is servant; we get the word,“deacon,” from that word, but very rarely do you ever encounter this Greek word, “therapōn;” it’s where we get the words, “therapy” or “therapist.”

This word in this passage is translated, “servant” here. Moses was that; he was an attendant, a servant whose job was to bear testimony to things. What does it say in verse five? “…to testify to things that were to be spoken later.” In other words, he’s pointing to something that hasn’t happened yet.

What is the author talking about here? He’s talking about how the life, words and law that God gave Moses was a thing pointing to the Messiah’s coming. Moses was a type, a foreshadowing, if you will, so that when we look at Moses, we see glory. Moses is pointing, actually, to the one Who is the source of glory. He’s the testimony.

The King James version of the Bible is, maybe, a better translation of verse five. It says in the Kings James version, “Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward.” His life and everything he does is this testimony toward these things that’ll be spoken later. This whole thing back here in the Old Testament is pointing towards something that happens, takes place and is recorded in the New Testament. Jesus is the fulfillment of that. Moses was a servant of that, but Jesus is the Son who brought that. He’s the fulfillment of God’s word; therefore, He deserves a greater glory.

Verse five of Hebrews is a near quote of of Numbers 12:7 (ESV) “Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house.” The author of Hebrews loves quoting the Old Testament because he’s speaking to a Hebrew background audience. This verse was God speaking.Moses was faithful, but Jesus is even more faithful.

The book of Hebrews really helps us with something today – it helps us to know how to read the Old Testament. Here’s what this means – the book of Hebrews goes back, looks and helps us with this one singular idea: Look for Jesus on every page. Look for Jesus in the Old Testament, because the Old Testament is speaking about the one Who will come later, this last Word that’s coming through. Jesus never came to abolish what Moses did. He came to fulfill it.

Jesus says this in John 5:46 (ESV), “For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.” The author of Hebrews is saying this to the Hebrews that were listening to Jesus during that time. He is saying to them, that if you study Moses closely, you’ll recognize that he was talking about Me the whole time.

In fact, Jesus says, over in Matthew 5:17-18 (ESV) 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Jesus came to fulfill what the lawgiver, Moses, brought. Jesus had very keen awareness that He was doing that, even on the night that He was betrayed. The soldiers came to arrest Him on that night before He was crucified.

Jesus says this in Mark 14:49 (ESV) “Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” Even at that moment, He knew that He was going through something so that the scriptures might be fulfilled . He’s greater than all and He’s greater than Moses.

Moses gave them water from a rock, but Paul said, “the Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 4). Moses gave them bread (manna) from heaven, but Jesus said, “I AM the living bread that came down from heaven” (John 6:51). Moses delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, but Jesus delivers us from slavery to sin (Heb. 2:15). Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness that Israel might look upon it, in faith, to be healed, but Jesus was lifted up on a cruel cross on Mt. Calvary that we might look upon Him and be saved!

He’s got greater glory. Moses pointed to Him. But Jesus fulfilled it. Consider Jesus; meditate on Him. Think on Him. Give Him your careful contemplation. As believers, we’re not called to add anything to what He’s done. He’s finished the mission . Our role, as believers, is to consider Jesus and His great glory. As we consider Him, it pulls us towards being like Him. Because He’s doing the work in us, we meditate and consider Him.

WHY JESUS IS WORTHY OF THE GREATEST GLORY:

3. Because He is the Son over God’s house.

Let’s look at verse five briefly and then we’ll look at verse six. Remember, Moses is the servant. Verse five says, “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant…” He’s in the house as a servant.

Verse six says, “but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.” He is not the “butler;” Jesus is the son. Jesus is the prince. Jesus is sovereign over the house. He has a greater glory, but He is not finished here. He says, in verse six, “And we are his house…”

In case you weren’t sure up until now about what God’s house represents, it represents us. It represents all of the holy ones that Jesus has sanctified by faith in Him. We are His house. You are His house; I am His house. He lives in us by His holy spirit. You’re God’s house. He takes up residence in you and you belong to Him.

Ephesians 2:13 (NLV) “But now you belong to Christ Jesus. At one time you were far away from God. Now you have been brought close to Him. Christ did this for you when He gave His blood on the cross.” We are his house. He’s the builder. He’s the architect. If you are in the house, you belong to Jesus and He deserves your highest contemplation. He’s worthy of the highest glory.

Verse 6, “…And we are his house house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” Here, it introduces not a conditional statement, but shows evidence of something that’s already true.

It’s more of a clue into something evidentiary, like the word, “since.” I wrote my own translation just to clarify it – “Since we are His house, let us hold fast to our confidence and keep on glorying in our hope in Christ Jesus!” I don’t want you to read this scripture, thinking, If I don’t hold fast my confidence and keep on boasting in my hope, then I get kicked out of the house. That would be looking at it conditionally. That’s not what He is saying. He’s saying something more like this – ‘Jesus has done everything necessary and you belong to Him now. You’re His house and since that’s true, keep your confidence. Keep your hope. Since you’ve “got” this Jesus, this glorious Jesus and He’s done all – He built you, He put you in His house and you belong to him, keep up your hope. Hold fast to your hope. Keep boasting in your hope. Keep your confidence way high because you look at Him and He’s awesome. He’s the glorious one.

We are his house. I’m so glad that we are his house. We can have confidence that He’s the one Who built us and made us part of His house and we can boast not in ourselves.

Here’s the thing: we’re so tempted. See The thing about glory is that we want some of it on us. Maybe, that’s why we’re attracted to glory and beauty because we want to be glorious and beautiful too.

This is why we do “selfies.” Some of you “Swifties” out there, maybe, you went to the theater to see her movie and you took a “selfie” with the movie screen. You’ve got glory now too because your face is in the selfie with Taylor Swift. You want some of that glory for yourself.

Part of that is not sinful. Part of that goes back to our purpose, that we were made in God’s image to reflect His glory. Part of it is going back to God’s purpose for us, but part of it is bent because, then, we don’t share with Him. I don’t think we’re going to be in heaven waiting in line to get a picture made with Jesus. I don’t think that’s how it’s going to work, but somehow we are going to share in this glory. Somehow, we’ll share in His heavenly calling. Verse 1 says, “holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling,” We’ll know when we get to glory because He will be the light and there’ll be no darkness; we’ll walk in His light and the light will reflect on us. figure You have no idea how glorious the people around you are going to be in heaven. You have no idea that when we are seen as we truly are, God has an intent for us. We try to cheat, though. We lower our eyes and fail to put our glory on Jesus.

Jesus is over God’s house, but He’s, also, under God’s house. 1 Peter 2:4-5 (NLT) 4 “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.” Jesus is, also, the cornerstone.

Remember, back in Hebrews, chapter two, the scriptures said that He’s the high priest, but He’s also the propitiation, the atoning sacrifice. He’s the high priest, but He also brings the offering. He’s the builder of the house, but He’s also the cornerstone. He’s the Alpha. He’s the Omega. He’s the founder. He’s the architect. He’s our all in all.He’s the living cornerstone of God’s temple.

He was rejected by people, but He was chosen by God for great honor, honor has ascended Him for glory and you are living stones. That’s us that God is building into His spiritual temple.

1 Peter 2:5, “…What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.” You are living stones, not rolling stones, but living stones. That’s us and we’re part of God’s house.

Paul says in Romans 14:8 (NLT) “If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Consider Jesus. I got up this morning thinking, how can I first consider Jesus and how can I invite you to join me? Come and look at the sunset with me. Turn off the TV. Put your iphone away. Put your smartphone away. Come outside and look at the sunset with me. Come and look at this rainbow. Let’s just sit on the back porch and look at this. Let’s just sit on the beach and look at this.

Could you just give me a second? Would you consider Jesus? That’s what the sermon is about. It’s not a “how to” sermon. It’s a “look at Jesus,” “consider” Jesus sermon. He deserves our greatest glory.

Have you heard of this woman named Lilius Trotter. She lived back in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s. She was originally from London, England. She was a great artist as a young woman. In fact, other famous art critics saw in her early work such potential that they were willing to invest in her to go to art school but she turned it down because, while she loved art, she loved sharing the gospel more. I don’t know how she heard about it, but she heard about the lost people, the Muslims in the North African country of Algeria. That’s a desert land right there on the Sahara. This young woman named Lilius, wanted to go and share the gospel with the Algerians. She went before mission boards and churches and everyone turned her down saying, ‘You’re single. You’re young. You’re a woman that would go among Muslims in North Africa. No, we are sorry. We can’t do it. We can’t send you .’ She went anyway, because she felt called and she spent forty years of her life sharing the gospel in the desert with people on camels and living in tents. She lived in obscurity. You probably have never heard of her. I know you haven’t unless you know the rest of the story. She wrote a poem and this poem so influenced another woman that it became a song. Here’s the end of the poem; it’s a long poem. I’ll just give you the end of the poem that Lilius Trotter wrote:

“Turn full your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him, and the Divine attraction by which God’s saints are made, will lay hold of you. For “He is worthy” to have all there is to be had in the heart that He has died to win.” (From “Focused: A Story and a Song” by Lilias Trotter).

You may not have been familiar with Lilias Trotter, nor her poem, but perhaps you have heard the song inspired by her poem, which was written in 1922 bynamed Helen Lemmel. Maybe, you remember the chorus of this song:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

Would you look at Jesus? There is one command, one purpose for this sermon from this book of Hebrews for each of us today and that is to consider Jesus. He’s the greatest. He has the greatest glory. Consider Jesus.

Let’s pray. Father, I first lift up that person today that’s never considered Jesus until today. Today, you hear His voice. He’s talking to you. He’s knocking on your heart’s door. He’s asking to be invited in. He’s a gentleman. He won’t kick the door in, but He’ll knock. Would you answer? Would you invite Him into your life? You can do that through prayer right now. You can pray along with me, if it’s your heart’s desire. The scripture says, “If you confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Would you do that right now? Pray along with me, “Dear Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner, but I believe that You died on the cross for my sin, that You were raised from the grave and that You live today. I believe that. I invite You to come into my life as my Lord, forgive me of my sins and make me the person You want me to be. I want to be a child of God. I want to be in the house. I want to be in your house. Father, I believe in You. Jesus, I want You as my Lord and Savior.” If you’re praying that prayer, believing, He will save you . Others are here today and you’re a believer, but you’ve gotten distracted, maybe even by Christian things. You started thinking, Well, if I read enough, if I pray enough… There’s nothing to be added; He’s done it all. Talk to Him, look to Him and gaze upon Him. Oh Lord Jesus, we look at You now. We give You our highest consideration, Lord Jesus. Thank You for saving us. Thank You for giving us this calling. Thank You for preparing heaven for us. Thank You for an eternal future that You’ve already purchased for us. You are glorious and we bow before you. in Jesus’ name. Amen.