Sermon Synopsis
This sermon addresses the problem of exposed sin and our natural tendency to withdraw from a holy God. It presents Jesus as the solution—our sympathetic and faithful High Priest who understands our struggles, lived in perfect obedience, and secured our salvation. Because of His work, believers are invited to approach God with confidence and receive grace in times of need. The message calls both non-believers to faith and believers to draw near to God and live out their priestly role toward others.
Please note: This transcript is provided as close to verbatim record of the sermon.
Our Sympathetic and Faithful High Priest
Hebrews 4:14–5:10
Introduction: When Sin Is Exposed
I want to begin by thanking everyone for your prayers. Many of you sent messages to say you were praying for me, and I’m deeply grateful—for those who shared, and also for those who prayed quietly.
I also want to thank the elders for helping to move our breaking of bread service along, and Uncle Hong Choon for speeding through the announcements. I have more time than last year, so I think we’ll be fine.
Let me begin with a question:
What if your secret sin or struggle was put on this screen right now?
What would you do?
Would you hide your face in shame?
Would you run out of the hall and never come back again?
Or would your mind start racing, trying to explain everything away?
Don’t worry—I’m not here to expose anyone’s secrets.
Instead, I want us to consider what Hebrews tells us about how we should respond when our sins are laid bare.
Last week, Joel spoke about “the one who gives true rest”—that God’s rest is spiritual, not physical; not temporary, but permanent. The passage ended in Hebrews 4:12–13, reminding us that the Word of God discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart, and that nothing is hidden from His sight.
That leaves us in a daunting position.
The truth is: we are prone to sin and unable to enter God’s rest because of our disobedience. When our sins are exposed—even the secret ones—we naturally shrink away from God, trying to hide from His holiness.
Just like a child hiding wrongdoing when a parent walks into the room.
This is not new. From the beginning in Genesis, Adam and Eve, after eating the fruit, realized they were naked and ashamed—and they hid from God.
So the question is:
In our nakedness and shame, how can we approach a holy God and enter His rest?
Last week, we saw the diagnosis: we are in desperate need of God’s rest, yet our sin disqualifies us.
Today, we see the cure:
The Lord Jesus—our sympathetic and faithful High Priest.
Scripture Reading (Hebrews 4:14–5:10)
Main Idea
The main point of today’s message is this:
Jesus is our great High Priest who faithfully intercedes for us—because He knows us, has suffered like us, and has overcome sin through His death. Through Him, we can approach God with confidence and receive grace.
This section serves as a summary—a kind of “resume” of Jesus’ qualifications.
a. His Exalted Position
Verse 14 tells us that Jesus is the Son of God who has passed through the heavens.
He is no longer in the tomb or walking on earth. He has ascended to heaven, as recorded in Acts 1:9—lifted up and taken from their sight.
He is alive and exalted, reunited with the Father.
b. His Sinless Sympathy
Despite His exaltation, verse 15 tells us that Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses.
He was tempted in every respect as we are—yet without sin.
Though He is God, He humbled Himself:
And yet—He did not sin.
Let me illustrate.
There’s an HDB block near our church—Block 601 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5. Our church is at 601 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4.
Every Sunday, my wife and I call a taxi to get home quickly so our kids can eat and nap. It should take 20 minutes.
But often, drivers go to the wrong block.
So a 20-minute ride becomes a 40-minute ordeal—with two impatient children asking, “Where’s the taxi?”
When I call the driver, I sometimes snap:
“Hello, uncle—this is a church, not an HDB block.”
Even when I don’t say it aloud, my thoughts are unkind.
That’s how easily I fall into sin.
But Jesus—when He faced far greater pressures—responded with compassion.
In Matthew 14, after hearing of John the Baptist’s death, He withdrew to mourn. But the crowds followed Him.
Instead of being annoyed, He had compassion on them.
Even on the cross, instead of calling for judgment, He prayed for forgiveness for those who mocked Him.
Truly, He was tempted in every way—and yet without sin.
c. Confidence Amidst Struggles
Because Jesus has overcome sin and has ascended to heaven, we are invited to:
Draw near to the throne of grace with confidence.
He understands us—not just intellectually, but experientially.
Like a director who immerses himself in the daily work of his team, Jesus entered human life fully. But more than that—He completed the work.
He didn’t just observe—He accomplished salvation.
And because of that, we can approach God with confidence.
For the original readers of Hebrews, this was revolutionary.
In the Old Testament, a thick veil separated people from God’s presence. Only the high priest could enter—and only once a year.
But when Jesus died, the veil was torn.
Now, through Him, we have direct access to the throne of grace.
So let us cherish this privilege—and draw near with confidence.
a. The Inadequacy of the Levitical Priesthood
Earthly priests were:
This shows the limitation of the Levitical system.
b. Divine Appointment
Jesus, however:
He did not inherit His role—He was divinely appointed.
And unlike earthly priests, He is eternal.
He is not only priest—but also king.
Jesus is our perfect priest—forever.
a. His Anguish
Verse 7 shows Jesus praying with loud cries and tears.
In Gethsemane, He knew what awaited Him—yet He stayed.
He prayed through the night, while His disciples slept.
His sweat was like drops of blood (Luke 22:44).
He willingly submitted to the Father’s will.
This shows the depth of His anguish—and His obedience.
b. His Obedience Lived Out
Verse 8 says He “learned obedience.”
This does not mean He was previously disobedient.
Rather, His obedience was proven through suffering.
Like a doctor fresh out of school versus one with real experience—Jesus didn’t just know obedience; He lived it.
At every step—from fatigue to betrayal to the cross—He obeyed perfectly.
c. Source of Salvation
Because of this:
He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
This obedience is not about earning salvation—but about a heart that submits to God, confessing our need for a Savior.
Applications
For those who do not yet know Christ:
This is an invitation. Jesus has taken your judgment and invites you to come to Him.
For believers:
Hold fast to your confession.
Draw near to the throne of grace—even in small moments.
Sometimes it’s just a 5-second prayer:
“Lord, I’m getting irritated. Please give me Your patience.”
Whether it’s daily frustrations or deeper struggles—bring them to Him.
With Jesus as our sympathetic and faithful high priest, let us remember that we are also called to be a royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2:9)
When others fall, we reflect Christ’s sympathy and lead them back to the throne of grace.
Conclusion
We ended by singing Before the Throne of God Above.
Remember this:
The veil has been torn.
What lies beyond is not a judge waiting to condemn—but a Father full of grace.
Because Jesus has already taken our punishment, we are invited to come with confidence.
Closing Prayer
(Prayer preserved and refined for clarity)
Messages: 17
