In short, sin is the dare of God’s justice, the rape of his mercy, the jeer of his patience, the slight of his power, the contempt of his love, as one writer prettily expresses this ugly thing. We may go on and say, it is the upbraiding of his providence (Psalm 50), the scoff of his promise (2 Peter 3:3-4), the reproach of his wisdom (Isaiah 29:16). And as is said of the Man of Sin (i.e. who is made up of sin) it opposes and exalts itself above all that is called God (and above all that God is called), so that it as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing itself as if it were God (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
 
~Excerpts from The Sinfulness of Sin
By Ralph Venning (1621-1674)
 

Theme: Jesus is the Great High Priest
I. Draw near with confidence to your Great High Priest (4:14-16).

• Your High Priest ascended into Heaven (4:14).
• Your High Priest understands your weakness (4:15).
• Your High Priest gives grace and mercy (4:16).

 
​II. Jesus is the Perfect High Priest (5:1-10).

• The Perfect High Priest is appointed by God (5:1, 4-6).
• The Perfect High Priest is truly human (5:2, 7).
• The Perfect High Priest is sinless (5:3, 8-10).

 
III. Be careful listeners of God’s Word (5:11-6:20).

• Be careful listeners so you can teach others (5:11-12).
• Be careful listeners so you can discern good and evil (5:13-14).
• Be careful listeners so you can press on to maturity (6:1-3).
• Be careful listeners so you can avoid destruction (6:4-8).
  1. Those who were once enlightened were destroyed (Ex. 13:21).
  2. Those who tasted the heavenly gift were destroyed (Ex. 16:4).
  3. Those who partook of the Holy Spirit were destroyed (Num. 11:25).
  4. Those who tasted the Word were destroyed (Ex. 20:18).
• Convincing proofs of the careful listener (6:9-12).
  1. Serving other believers (6:9-10).
  2. Diligent listening of God’s Word (6:11-12).
• Reasons for being a careful listener (6:13-20).
  1. God promised by His own name (6:13-15).
  2. God’s purposes never change (6:16-18).
  3. God’s promise is certain (6:19-20).

 
IV. Jesus is the Forever High Priest (7:1-28).

• Because of the order of Melchizedek (7:1-10)
  1. Melchizedek is the king of righteousness and peace (7:1-2).
  2. Melchizedek’s lineage is not traced (7:3-7).
  3. Melchizedek received a tithe from Levi (7:8-10).
• Because of the oath of God (7:11-22).
  1. The Levitical Priesthood was temporary (7:11-12).
  2. The Melchizedek Priesthood was permanent (7:13-28). 
• Because He lives on (7:23-25).
• Because His character is flawless (7:26-28).

“A godly man is very exact and careful about the worship of God.

The Greek word for ‘godly’ signifies a true worshipper of God. A godly man reverences divine institutions, and is more for the purity of worship than the pomp. Mixture in sacred things is like a dash in the wine, which though it gives it colour, yet only adulterates it. The Lord wanted Moses to make the tabernacle ‘according to the pattern shewed thee in the mount’ (Exod. 25:40). If Moses had left out anything in the pattern, or added anything to it, it would have been very provocative. The Lord has always given testimonies of his displeasure against such as have corrupted his worship. Nadab and Abihu offered ‘strange fire’ (other than God had sanctified on the altar), ‘and fire went out from the Lord, and devoured them’ (Lev.10:1,2)….

​A godly man dare not vary from the pattern which God has shown him in the scripture. This is probably not the least reason why David was called ‘a man after God’s own heart’, because he kept the springs of God’s worship pure, and in matters sacred did not superinduce anything of his own devising.”

~Excerpts from The Godly Man’s Picture
By Thomas Watson (1620-1686)