5. We cannot save ourselves from our sins, but the world offers many “self-help” “The Mediator” Dr. David Jeremiah ways to “fix” our problems. How can self-help compete with Jesus’ redemptive July 24, 2011 work in our lives? How can a self-help philosophy undermine what the Bible Hebrews 9:15-28 provides in the sacrifice of Jesus as payment for our sins? Self-help can be a very good thing when applied biblically, but when we use self-help to change Small Group Questions our perspective from “God working through us” to “me changing myself into a
better person,” that’s when the trouble starts. At the foundation of all our I. The reason for the Mediator - Hebrews 9:15a; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23 problems, issues, and pain is our sin. And, the only person who can do anything about that is Jesus. II. The retroactivity of the Mediator - Heb. 9:15b; Rom. 3:24-26; I Peter 1:18-20
III. The requirement of the Mediator - Hebrews 9:16-17
Bringing it Home IV. The ritual of the Mediator - Hebrews 9:18-22; Exodus 24:5-8; Leviticus 17:11 1. The Bible shows us how limited we are because of our sinfulness. How do people reject Christ’s intercession and wear themselves out trying to “atone” V. The results of the Mediator - Hebrews 9:23-28 for their sins – even when they are Christians? What is it about the simplicity of the Gospel that we are uncomfortable with? Have you ever tried to pray A. He provides a better righteousness. - Heb. 9:23; II Corinthians 5:21 away your sin? Guess what, praying more about your sin doesn’t do more to remove your sin. Have you ever tried to behave away your sin? Guess what, B. He provides a better representation. - Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; behavior doesn’t save; only Jesus can do that. These types of “self- I John 2:1 atonement” do only one thing – dismiss what has already been done (by Jesus) for what we could never do without Jesus. In a word, self-atonement is C. He provides a better remission. - Hebrews 9:25-28a impossible. D. He provides a better return. - Hebrews 9:28b
2. What is one area of your life that you are trying to manage without Jesus? How is resisting Jesus as Mediator a sin that is both limiting you and creating Getting Started more sin in your life? What can you do, today, to give this part of your life over 1. We see mediators (“go-betweens” that help resolve issues being argued) in to Jesus and allow Him to intercede on your behalf and set you free? Two daily relationships. What are some practical ways arguments are mediated in targets are in the middle of our hearts: resistance to Jesus or repentance our homes, work, churches and with friends? When have you been a (returning) to Jesus. Anytime we are resisting, we cannot repent. We are mediator? When have you utilized a mediator? In a home with more than one given the opportunity to choose one target or the other. child, a mediator is an absolute necessity. If there is a disagreement between departments at work, a mediator may be called. In ministry, two people may have completely different opinions about how a ministry should run; a mediator may be necessary to help make a decision about how best to move the ministry forward. Do you remember when you were a kid and you and your friend had a disagreement? I remember a third friend stepping in and helping us “settle our differences.” www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups 2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019, 619.440.1802 © Copyright 2011 by Shadow Mountain Ministries 2. When have you seen (observed) a mediator do a good job of mediating? 3. We heard that Jesus “is making intercession for us daily.” Read the following When have you seen it done poorly? When the mediating has been done well, passages and discuss the many ways that Jesus intercedes for people. what were some factors that were present? When the mediation was done poorly, what was missing? Did you have a peace-keeper in your family? Isaiah 53:12 - For sinners; “And made intercession for the transgressors.” Maybe you have one at work? This would be a person who always gets into the middle of an argument with the intent of “keeping peace.” Sometimes this works, and other times it backfires. How about in a more high-profile situation? Luke 22:32 - For weak believers; “But I have prayed for you, that your Do you remember the O.J. Simpson trial? There was a lot of action in that trial faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your and there were lots of people trying to be the mediators at different points brethren.” during the trial.
Luke 23:34 - For enemies; “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.” Digging Deeper 1. Why is it so important for the mediator to 1) comprehend the claims of both parties and 2) understand the needs of both parties? What does a mediator John 14:16 - Sending the comforter; “And I will pray the Father, and He bring that is not present in the parties who are disagreeing or arguing with one will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” another? Claims and needs can be the same thing, but they can also be very different things. A person may claim someone stole something from them, but the other person may claim nothing was stolen. However, a mediator’s job is not to place blame, but to bring both parties together in agreement. What is John 17:9 - Special for the Church; “I pray for them. I do not pray for the needed is peace; and that is very different than trying to place blame. world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.”
4. Many people struggle with the idea of accepting Jesus’ payment for our sins 2. What happens if a mediator is found to be flawed – especially when he/she is past, present, and future. How might a person struggle to accept Jesus’ in the process of mediating? How does a mediator’s character weigh in to the payment for all their sins? Have you ever struggled with this? How did your process of interceding for both parties? What could happen if a mediator’s struggling process unfold? At one time or another, we all feel like we have out- character is a hindrance to the negotiations? When a mediator is called in and sinned God. That is part of our sin nature, to not accept God at his Word. the mediator isn’t able – or doesn’t have the capacity – to handle the Jesus rebuked His apostles for not believing His words. We struggle to believe personalities, complexities or uncertainties of an argument, then that mediator that anyone could love us so much that we can never make them stop loving is not able to adequately handle the responsibility of mediation. Or, if the us. Why? Because we have never seen that type of love except in Jesus’ mediator’s intent is to control or make judgment, he/she is not executing his redemptive work on the cross. No parent, friend, or spouse could ever come job in the correct way. It’s like a salesman who “overpromises,” but “under- close to that kind of love. And, if we cannot grasp it – many times – we fall into delivers.” A salesman’s job is to accurately communicate about the product or a place of disbelief based on our own understanding. service he/she is selling. Likewise, a mediator’s job is to accurately represent both parties in such a way that a pathway toward agreement – or peace – is cleared and navigated.