”The Approachable Jesus” Hebrews 4:15

Episode 59

Title: “The Approachable Jesus”

Text:  Hebrews 4:15

 

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15

 

Opening thought

 

Introduction:

• Approachable: “Friendly and easy to talk to” (Oxford)
• What makes a person approachable?
  • Friendly, welcoming, and open (Initially)
  • Genuine, Kind, Truthful (Consistently)
• The Opposite of Approachable…
  • Unfriendly, out of place, or someone who is distracted/ preoccupied, someone who is upset, or people that are closed to a group, until they learn more (initial)
  • Two faced, inconsistent, lack of trust (continual)
• (Initial vs continual: Time is the best truth teller…linked-in; dating; friendship, etc.)
• Being approachable shows the truth of a person. Essentially, it shows how do they care about others and what are their priorities? It reveals our character traits…
  • Selfishness; Kindness; Intolerance/Prejudice; Truthfulness; Dishonesty; Compassionate; Cold; Gracious/Merciful; Judgmental
• When it comes to being approachable, the greatest example is Jesus
  • “Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.”— Blaise Pascal
  • “In a sense the most approachable Person this world has ever seen was the Lord Jesus Christ.”—  Martyn Lloyd-Jones
  • Past examples:
    • Luke 8:41-55
  • Present Examples: Hebrews 4:15
    • “In all points”; “Yet without sin”
    • Jesus is just as approachable and available to sinners and sufferers now as he was when he was on earth.
    • “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Outline: “The Approachable Jesus”

1. He’s Reachable: Find Him

• Go to Him, Seek Him, Pursue Him!
• The one thing about Jesus was that He was reachable in so many different places:
  • At Work: Matthew 4:21,22 “And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.”
  • At Home: Mark 1:29-31 “29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
  • The Temple: John 2:18-22 “18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?21 But he spake of the temple of his body.22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.”
  • Various locations throughout the city: Matthew 11: 19,20 “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:”
• Reachable = Accessed
• Jesus was and is accessible
• A lot of the times He was introduced was by others:
  • Matthew invited the tax collectors and other sinners ( 9:9-13)
  • Philip told Nathanial (John 1:45-51)
  • The Scribes brought the Adulterous Woman (John 8:1-11)
• In every one of those situations, Jesus was welcoming and spoke to the truth

 

1. He’s Reasonable: Favor Him

• Prefer Him, Regard Him, Choose Him!
• He’s Reasonable, meaning He is not only Truthful, but He is also Practical
• Jesus understands what we go through and still offers a way to a Holy God
  • “In every respect” (Heb 4:15)
    • Temptations
    • Trials
    • Troubles
  • “Yet Without sin”
• We live in a world where it’s cool to relate. We must instead preach that Jesus understands

 

• He’s Reliable: Follow Him
• Follow Him, Obey Him, Practice His ways!
• Jesus is Reliable, meaning He is always the same and will give us more than we even bargain for.
• Hebrews 4:15,16 “1For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, a very special thank you to my dead friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.