November 3, Sermon & Ministry Resources

The Preeminence of Christ's Priesthood (Hebrews 9:11-14)

Lectionary Readings — Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost — November 3, 2024

Ruth 1:1-18; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34

---

Call to Worship (based on Hebrews 9:11-14)

Leader: Come, for Christ has entered the holy place as our great High Priest.

People: Not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own precious blood.

Leader: Through the eternal Spirit, He offered Himself without blemish to God.

People: By His sacrifice, our consciences are cleansed from dead works.

Leader: No longer must we seek redemption through earthly sacrifices,

People: For Christ has secured eternal redemption for us.

Leader: Let us then serve the living God with clean hearts and renewed spirits,

All: Through Jesus Christ, our perfect sacrifice and eternal High Priest. Amen.

---

Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 146)

Living God, Creator and Sustainer of all,

We gather in Your presence today with hearts full of praise. Like the psalmist, we declare that we will praise You as long as we live, singing Your praises until our final breath. We place our trust not in earthly powers or human schemes, but in You alone – the God of Jacob, whose faithfulness endures forever.

Lord, we marvel at Your works: You who made heaven and earth, the seas and all that fills them. You who keeps faith forever. We thank You that You are the God who brings justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. You, O Lord, set the prisoners free and open the eyes of the blind. You lift up those who are bowed down and love the righteous.

We are humbled by Your special care for the vulnerable – the strangers among us, the widows, and the orphans. As Your people, help us to mirror Your compassion in our community. Where there is injustice, make us agents of Your righteousness. Where there is hunger, use us to provide. Where there is loneliness, help us to offer friendship.

Reign in us and through us, O God, for You shall reign forever, for all generations. Let Zion's hope be in You alone, our God, today and always.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

---

Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

[Note: All Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.]

Sermon Outline: "The Preeminence of Christ's Priesthood” (Hebrews 9:11-14)

Introduction

• Context: The author of Hebrews is contrasting the old covenant's sacrificial system with Christ's superior priesthood

• Key Verse: "But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come..." (v.11)

I. The POSITION of Christ's Priesthood (v.11)

II. The PERFECTION of Christ's Sacrifice (v.12)

III. The POWER of Christ's Blood (vv.13-14)

IV. The PURPOSE of Christ's Work (v.14b)

Conclusion

• Trust in the finality of Christ's work

• Experience freedom from guilt

• Engage in living service to God

• Appreciate the superiority of the new covenant

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers