A message from the series "New Testament Challenge." Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus is the Great High Priest who has made the way for us to be with the Father.
The role of the High Priest in the Old Testament:
Three primary responsibilities:
1. Mediation - Our representative to God
2. Sacrifice - Blood offering for sin
3. Intercession - Acts on our behalf
Jesus, our High Priest through Faith
1. Jesus is our Great High Priest Heb 4:14; Rom 8:34; Heb 1:3; 1 Tim 2:5
2. Jesus is our sympathetic High Priest Heb 4:15; 1 Cor 10:13; 2 Tim 2:22
3. Jesus is our approachable High Priest Heb 4:16

A message from the series "New Testament Challenge." Matthew 9: 12-13 “Now when He heard this, He said ‘It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus specializes in choosing people the world overlooks.
Who are the outcast in your life? How have you responded to them?
Jesus and outcasts:
1. Jesus calls the unexpected. Matt 4:19
Have you believed the lie that you have to clean yourself up before following Jesus?
God’ Kingdom isn’t for those who think they have it all together, it’s for those who know they need Him. Titus 3: 4-7
2. Jesus touches the untouchable Matt 8: 1-3
Who in your world feels untouchable?
Do you feel like there’s something about you that makes you “too far gone” for Jesus?
3. Jesus lifts up the rejected. Matt 15: 21-28
Are there barriers in your own heart that keep you from seeing people the way Jesus sees them?
Jesus consistently moves toward the people the world moves away from.
How does Jesus want you to respond to the outcasts in your life?

A message from the series "New Testament Challenge." 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
What if we spend our whole lives running hard, only to realize we were in the wrong race?
What race are you running in life? Mk 8:36; 1 Tim 1:15
To run the right race…
1. Start by trusting Jesus as Savior. Rom 3:23; 6;23; 10:9; 1 Jn 1:8,10
The Gospel:
a. Keeps us humble
b. Reminds us that we are sinners
c. Evokes praise
d. Motivates us to do good works
2. Continue by following Jesus as Lord. Col 2:6
3. Run with endurance. Heb 12: 1b-2a
4. Finish well. 1 Jn 1:9
What’s your next step?

A message from the series "New Testament Challenge." 1 Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
Euphony: a pleasing or sweet sound; harmony
Cacophony: an incongruous or chaotic mixture or sound
Romans 16 - Paul took time to develop and nurture relationships during his travels.
Euphony is God’s desire for His church;
Euphony happens through diversity (see Galatians 3:28)
A euphonious church;
1. Walks in sync with God’s Word (2 Tim 3:16)
2. Lives in obedience to Jesus (John 14:15)
3. Stands united in mission (Phil 1;27)
What is your next step?

A message from the series "New Testament Challenge." The Church is birthed and spreading like a wildfire.
The Holy Spirit is God;
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity.
The Trinity: see Gal 1:26; Lk3:21; Acts 5; Debt 6; 1 Tim 2
1. God exists in three distinct Persons
2. Each Person is fully God
3. There is ONE God
The Holy Spirit is God’s acting agent in our lives to seal us, convict us, and transform us.
The Church changed the fabric of every city they entered.
God’s dream for us;
1. We would spread the Gospel like wildfire
2. We would change the very fabric of our sphere of influence
3. We would make a clean break from our old life and step into
our new life.

A message from the series "New Testament Challenge." “ This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:44-45
Plot Twists
Cleopas experienced a huge plot twist.
Possible storylines: Jesus was dead, Jesus was missing, Jesus was alive.
What storyline are you believing right now?
Cleopas’ personal storyline: Failure
Cleopas’ experience is your experience also!
Jesus is the ultimate plot twist to our story!
Jesus is still working out the big story.
Jesus has a great twist for your story also!

A message from the series "New Testament Challenge." Two Critical Truths About The New Testament:
1. The NT reveals who Jesus is.
a. Jesus’ humanity: the Gospel shows us His life. John 1:1
b. Jesus’ mission: He came to save us. John 10:10 & Rom 5:8
c. Jesus’ on-going works: the early church. Acts 1:8
d. Jesus’ future: The Book of Revelation. Rev 22:13
2. The NT offers life in His Name. Eph 2:1_10
John 20:31 “…but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.
The NT was written so that we may know Jesus.
Read Colossians 1:15-20

A message from the series "New Testament Challenge." God’s Word changes us because:
1. The Bible is powerful. Isaiah 55:10-11 Psalm 27
2. The Bible has penetrating power that exposes us. Jeremiah 17:9
3. The Bible has examine power that transforms us.
The Bible changes us through
1. Conviction 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Comfort Psalm 119: 50
3. Clarity Psalm 119: 105
4. Character formation Romans 12: 1-2