Able to Save Completely

Open with me, please, to Hebrews chapter 7. I was thinking, just as credit card companies advertise their cards—their benefits. One card advertises there’s no annual membership fee, another card advertises you have free travel insurance, another card advertises you even get money back for the purchases you make with this card. Just as they advertise their benefits, so also, in a sense, a great deal of the New Testament and really the Bible—the whole Bible—in the same way is setting forth the blessings, the benefits, and the privileges that we have as Christians, that we have in Christ. That we might walk worthy of the calling, that we might possess our possessions, that we might not neglect, or moreover, that we might enjoy such a great salvation as we have in Christ. And it is indeed a full salvation.

Hebrews 7:25

I’d like to highlight a text this morning along that very theme:

Hebrews 7:25 (KJV):
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Main Points

There are four things I see here:

1. How Our Savior Qualifies
2. What Is the Work of His Salvation
3. What Is the Extent of His Salvation
4. Who Are Those Who Are Saved in This Full Salvation

1. How Our Savior Qualifies

Will you permit me to try to boast, to brag a little on our Savior, if I can? How our Savior qualifies:

Our text says he qualifies in that he always lives. It says, “since he always lives to make intercession for them.” He always lives, in contrast to what we have in verses 23 and 24—the former priests, that is, the Old Testament priests.

Examples of Old Testament Priests Prevented by Death:

• Aaron: The first high priest in the Jewish nation. When they came to Mount Sinai, God said, “Aaron, you go up there,” and he was stripped of his priestly garments and died.
• Eleazer: A very faithful high priest who died.
• Phinehas: Received high honors from God but was prevented by death from continuing.
• Others: Him, Eli, Joshua, Zechariah—all died, prevented by death from continuing their priestly duties.

Illustrative Comparisons:

• Lawyers, Bankers, Barbers: Imagine having a skilled lawyer who dies mid-trial, or a banker who dies unexpectedly. The problem of death preventing the continuation of essential roles is evident.
• Kings and Presidents: Even long-reigning kings like Pharaoh Pepi of Egypt or presidents like Bran and Bush eventually die, disrupting leadership.

Contrast with Christ:

• Permanent Priesthood: Unlike all who served before, Christ holds a permanent priesthood.
• Hebrews 7:3: “He has neither beginning of days nor end of life; but he is made like unto the Son of God…”
• Indestructible Life: Christ’s eternal life ensures His unending intercession.

Key Verse References:

• Hebrews 7:8, 16, 17, 21, 28: Emphasize Christ’s eternal and permanent priesthood.

2. What Is the Work of His Salvation

What is the work of His salvation? It says here in our text that he always lives to make intercession.

Intercession Defined:

An intercessor is someone who prays, makes petitions, or requests on behalf of another. Just as Abigail interceded for her husband with David, our Lord Jesus intercedes with our God for us.

Functions of Intercession:

1. Praying for Conversion:
   John 17:20—”I do not ask for these alone, but also for those who believe in me through their word.”
2. Praying for Preservation:
   Keeping us steadfast in faith despite challenges.
3. Praying Against Accusations:
   Defending us against Satan’s accusations.
4. Praying for Sanctification:
   John 17:7—”Sanctify them through the truth.”
5. Praying for Unification:
   John 17:21—”That they all may be one.”
6. Praying for Outpourings of the Holy Spirit:
   John 14:16—”I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper.”
7. Praying for Pardon:
   Advocating for our forgiveness.
8. Praying for Acceptance of Our Labors:
   Ensuring our good works are accepted through His intercession.

Illustrative Examples:

• County Jail: A man trusts his lawyer to intercede on his behalf.
• Esther: Pleads with the king to save her people, paralleling Christ’s intercession.

Summary:

Christ’s intercession is comprehensive, covering every aspect of our spiritual needs and defenses.

3. What Is the Extent of His Salvation

What is the extent of His salvation? This full salvation—are there any boundaries, limits, or contingencies?

Key Phrase:

“He is able to save forever”—translated as “to the uttermost” or “completely.”

Greek Word: “Pantelis”:

• Meaning: All ends; completely; to the utmost.
• Implications: Salvation covers every situation, every need, every phase.

Aspects of His Ability to Save:

• Time: Young or old.
• Sins: All manners of sin and iniquity.
• Needs: Body, soul, spirit.
• Total Redemption: From Earth to Heaven.

Illustrative Comparisons:

• Pentecost: Outpouring of the Holy Spirit through Christ’s intercession.
• Promises in the New Testament:
  • 2 Timothy 1:12—Able to keep promises.
  • Ephesians 3:20—Able to do beyond what we ask or think.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:8—Able to make all grace abound.
  • Hebrews 2:18—Able to aid those being tempted.
  • Jude 24—Able to keep us from falling.
  • Philippians 3:21—Able to subdue all things to Himself.

Conclusion on Extent:

Christ’s salvation is limitless, covering every aspect of our lives without exception.

4. Who Are Those Who Are Saved in This Full Salvation

Who are those who are saved in this full salvation? It says here in our text: those who draw near to God through Him, those who come to God through Him.

Characteristics of Those Saved:

• Continual Drawing Near:
  Like sheep to a shepherd, children to parents, lovers to spouses.
• Faith and Honesty:
  Coming in faith, with a true heart and full assurance.
• Purity of Heart:
  Coming without double-mindedness.

Key Verse:

John 14:6—”No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Implications:

• Exclusive Access:
  Only through Christ can we approach God.
• Personal Relationship:
  Emphasizes a direct relationship with Christ, not intermediaries like Mary.
• Complete Dependence:
  Christ is the bridge between deity and humanity, the only door to Heaven.

Conclusion

Thank you for this promise—loaded with grace and glory:

• Able to Save:
  Christ can save completely.
• Full Salvation:
  To the uttermost, completely.
• Perfectly Fitted:
  Christ is perfectly appointed to do the job for you.

Final Encouragement:

• Confidence and Security:
  With such an intercessor, we can lay back with confidence, knowing Jesus pleads on our behalf.
• Eternal Intercession:
  Christ lives forever to intercede, ensuring our salvation is secure.

Call to Prayer:

Amen. Should we pray?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the assurance of Christ’s eternal priesthood and His unwavering intercession on our behalf. Help us to draw near to You through Him, to trust in His full salvation, and to live worthy of the calling You’ve placed on our lives. May we continually seek unity, sanctification, and the outpouring of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.