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Hebrews 07:20-28 The Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood – audio
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Text: Hebrews 7:20-28
Introduction
1. In the first seven chapters of the epistle to the Hebrews, the main thought is the superiority of Christ
a. To the prophets – Hebrews 1:1-3
b. To angels – Hebrews 1:4-2:18
c. To Moses – Hebrews 3:1-5
d. To Aaron and his Levitical priesthood – Hebrews 5:1-10; 7:1-28
2. In showing the superiority of Jesus’ priesthood, the author has done so step-by-step
a. Jesus is qualified to be a priest by virtue of His calling by God and His suffering – Hebrews 5:1-8
b. He has been called to be a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek – Hebrews 5:9-10
c. The priestly order of Melchizedek is shown to be superior by comparing Abraham and Melchizedek – Hebrews 7:1-10
d. That Christ has become such a priest has several implications – Hebrews 7:11-19
1) The Levitical priesthood could not make one perfect before God
2) The Law upon which the Levitical priesthood was based has been annulled
3) Christ now provides a better hope, through which we draw near to God
3. This brings us to Hebrews 7:20-28, in which we come to the conclusion
a. Where Jesus is contrasted with those who served in the Levitical priesthood
b. Where the superiority of Christ’s priesthood is clearly demonstrated
Body
I. HIS DIVINE APPOINTMENT (Hebrews 7:20-22)
A. LEVITICAL PRIESTS WERE APPOINTED BY A COMMAND
1. Beginning with Aaron, he and his descendants served in the Levitical priesthood
2. It was a divine command that so appointed them – Exodus 28:1-4
3. While divinely commanded, it was not with an oath
B. JESUS WAS MADE A PRIEST WITH AN OATH
1. In Psalm 110:4, God swore an oath concerning the coming Messiah and His priesthood
2. We saw earlier that a promise joined with an oath really confirms the immutability (unchangeableness) of God’s counsel – Hebrews 6:17
3. Appointed by an oath and not just a command, Jesus has become a surety of a better Covenant – Hebrews 7:22
a. surety means guarantor (NEB)
b. Appointed by such an oath from God, Jesus guarantees the new covenant, that it is better (there is that key word again!)
II. HIS ETERNAL INTERCESSION (Hebrews 7:23-25)
A. LEVITICAL PRIESTS WERE LIMITED IN SERVICE BY DEATH
1. When one died, another took his place
2. Of necessity there had to be many priests
B. JESUS EVER LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR US
1. That is because He continues forever
2. As seen earlier, Jesus came according to the power of an endless life – Hebrews 7:16
3. He therefore has an unchangeable priesthood
a. He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him
1) He can do what the law could not do: make one perfect – Hebrews 7:19
2) That is, make one holy, and blameless – Colossians 1:21-22
b. And He ever lives to make intercession for them
1) I have always been impressed by this phrase
2) For it suggests what Jesus is doing for us now, and is most willing to do!
III. HIS PERFECT CHARACTER (Hebrews 7:26-27)
A. LEVITICAL PRIESTS WERE SINNERS
1. Some more so than others
2. Even the best of them had to offer up sacrifices
a. On a daily basis
b. For his own sins before offering sacrifices others
B. JESUS IS SEPARATE FROM SINNERS
1. We see our High Priest described in regards to:
a. His holy character: holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners
b. His preeminent position: higher than the heavens
c. Thus He does not need to offer sins for Himself
2. This makes Him a High Priest fitting (becoming, seemly) for us
IV. HIS PERMANENT SACRIFICE (Hebrews 7:27)
A. THE LEVITICAL PRIESTS SACRIFICED DAILY
1. Every day they offered sacrifices for their own sins and for those of the people
2. That they had to be continually offered implies a fundamental weakness in the efficacy of the sacrifices themselves
3. Later we learn that the problem was the inability of animal sacrifices to make one perfect and to cleanse the conscience of sins – Hebrews 10:1-4; cf. 9:9
B. JESUS OFFERED HIMSELF ONCE FOR ALL
1. This implies the efficacy of His sacrifice
2. The superiority of Jesus’ sacrifice will be explained further, later on – Hebrews Chapters 9 – 10
Conclusion
1. In Hebrews 7:28, we find a summary statement that contrasts the two priesthoods
a. The law, upon which the Levitical priesthood derives its authority, appoints men who have weaknesses; for example:
1) They are sinners themselves, and death terminates their service
2) Their sacrifices cannot truly remove sin, so had to be repeated daily and yearly
b. The oath, given after the law and the basis for Christ’s priesthood, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever; for example:
1) His humanity and the obedience learned through suffering makes Him most fitting to be our High Priest – Hebrews 2:17-18; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 5:8-9
2) His sinlessness makes the sacrifice of Himself the perfect and all-sufficient sacrifice, given once for all! – Hebrews 10:12-14
2. In chapters 9 and 10, the focus of this epistle will center on the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice; but for now, our attention has been on those things that illustrate our great High Priest:
a. His appointment by an oath from God, not just a command
b. His eternal intercession, not limited by death
c. His perfect character, untainted by sin
d. His permanent sacrifice, offered once for all when He offered Himself
3. Don’t you desire to have such a High Priest interceding in your behalf?
a. Then as Christians:
1) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16
2) Let us never forget that He ever lives to make intercession for those who come to God through Him!
b. If you have never been immersed for the forgiveness of your sins:
1) Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Be Baptized
2) Live a faithful life
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Hebrews 07:11-19 The Significance of Christ’s Priesthood – audio
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Text: Hebrews 7:11-19
Introduction
1. A major theme in the epistle to the Hebrews is the priesthood of Jesus Christ
a. His humanity prepared Him to be a merciful and faithful High Priest – Hebrews 2:17
b. He is the High Priest of our confession – Hebrews 3:1
c. He is a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens – Hebrews 4:14
d. He is a sympathetic High Priest, for He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin – Hebrews 4:15
e. His calling as High Priest came from God Himself – Hebrews 5:5-6
2. His is a unique priesthood, however:
a. It is NOT according to the Levitical priesthood
1) He is a not priest in the order of Aaron
2) A priesthood that began with the giving of the Law through Moses at Matthew Sinai
b. His priesthood is according to the order of Melchizedek – Hebrews 5:9-10
1) Melchizedek was a priest of God Most High who met Abram – Genesis 14:14-20
2) And God swore that the Messiah would be a priest like Melchizedek – Psalm 110:4
3. In our previous study, we saw Melchizedek was superior in that:
a. He received tithes from Abraham – Hebrews 7:4-6a
b. He blessed Abraham – Hebrews 7:6b-7
c. Even Levi, in the loins of his ancestor Abraham, paid tithes to Melchizedek – Hebrews 7:9-10
d. All of this proving that the priesthood of Christ, which is after the order of Melchizedek, is superior to the Levitical priesthood
4. That Jesus would come to serve as a priest after the order the Melchizedek is not without significance and major implications:
a. Regarding the efficacy of the Levitical priesthood
b. Regarding the law of Moses itself!
Body
I. THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD WAS LACKING (Hebrews 7:11)
A. IT DID NOT BRING PERFECTION
1. Otherwise there would not have been another priest to arise like Melchizedek
2. That one was foretold (Psalms 110:4) and has come proves the order of Aaron was lacking
B. THE MEANING OF PERFECTION
1. Perfection means completeness and in this context it speaks of making men acceptable to God
2. The Old Law with its priesthood could never fully reconcile man back to God
a. Animal sacrifices could not make one perfect – Hebrews 10:1
b. They could not cleanse the sinner’s conscience – Hebrews 10:2-3; 9:9
c. They could not take away sin – Hebrews 10:4; 10:11
II. THE LAW HAS BEEN ANNULLED (Hebrews 7:12-18)
A. A CHANGE IN THE PRIESTHOOD SIGNIFIES A CHANGE IN THE LAW
1. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi – Hebrews 7:13-14; Matthew 1:1-2
2. Moses had not authorized anyone from Judah to serve as priest; indeed, God specifically forbid anyone other than a descendant of Aaron – Numbers 16:40
3. For Christ to serve as priest, then, a change must have occurred – Hebrews 7:14
4. Especially for one who serves according to the power of an endless life – Hebrews 7:15-17
a. The Levitical priests were mortal men, whose service ended at death
b. But Jesus is a priest forever, His priesthood is therefore unchangeable – Hebrews 7:24
B. WITH THE CHANGE IN PRIESTHOOD, THE LAW IS NOW ANNULLED
1. Annulled means to declare as void, to invalidate
2. The former commandment has therefore been set aside – Hebrews 7:18-19a
a. Because it was weak and unprofitable
b. In the sense of making us perfect – Hebrews 10:1
3. That the Law has been done away should not surprise us
a. God foretold this would happen – Jere 31:31
b. Jesus implied that the Law would be done away once it was fulfilled – Matthew 5:17-18
1) One jot or tittle would not pass from the law until it was fulfilled
2) If the priesthood has changed, then it must have been fulfilled and done away!
c. Paul described how Jesus abolished it in His death on the cross
1) To the Ephesians – Ephesians 2:14-16
2) To the Colossians – Colossians 2:14-16
C. THIS SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD HAS POWERFUL IMPLICATIONS
a. With the Law annulled, it is folly to seek justification by the Law – Galatians 5:4
b. It also explains why we should not go to the Old Law to find our authority for the work, worship, and organization of the church!
III. THERE IS NOW A BETTER HOPE (Hebrews 7:19)
A. THROUGH WHICH WE CAN DRAW NEAR TO GOD
1. As seen earlier, the Levitical priesthood did not offer perfection
a. Its sacrifices could not make one perfect regarding:
1) Consciousness of sins, for sacrifices were year by year – Hebrews 10:1-3
2) Actual forgiveness of sins, for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins – Hebrews 10:4
b. Thus the Law, because of its weakness and unprofitableness, made nothing perfect – Hebrews 7:18-19
2. But now we have in Christ a better hope
a. Here we find the keyword of this epistle: better
1) First used in comparing Jesus to angels – Hebrews 1:4
2) Used later in contrasting the new covenant and its promises with the old covenant – Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 8:6
b. Our hope in drawing near to God is now better than before!
B. CHRIST’S SUPERIOR PRIESTHOOD IS THE BASIS OF THAT HOPE
1. Because Jesus is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek, our hope for drawing near to God is much better:
a. As we’ve seen, Melchizedek is superior to Abraham and Levi
b. Therefore his priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood
c. Making Jesus’ own priesthood superior
2. More evidence of superiority will be considered shortly (Hebrews 7:20-28), but for now note again how the greatness of Jesus’ priesthood should strengthen our hope in drawing near to God:
a. Our High Priest has passed through the heavens – Hebrews 4:14
b. Our High Priest can sympathize with our weaknesses – Hebrews 4:15
c. Our High Priest makes it possible to come boldly to the throne of grace and obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need – Hebrews 4:16
3. Can we see how His service as our High Priest provides a better hope, through which we draw near to God?
Conclusion
1. More is yet to come regarding Christ’s Priesthood, but perhaps we can appreciate how
a. The Levitical priesthood does not provide what man really needs (access to God)
b. There has been a change in the Law; indeed, it has been replaced with a new covenant
c. In Jesus, our hope in drawing near to God is much better than ever before!
2. In view of such things
a. Why would the Hebrew Christians ever want to leave Jesus and return to the Law?
b. Why would people today seek to use the Law to justify religious practices, as many do when they turn to the Old Testament to establish authority for such things as a separate priesthood (clergy), burning of incense, or even instrumental music?
3. Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6). Are you willing to come to the Father through Him? Let us be sure to serve God through Him only!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Hebrews 07:01-10 The Greatness of Melchizedek
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Text: Hebrews 7:1-10
Introduction
1. Thus far in our study, we have seen the writer mention Melchizedek
a. That Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek – Hebrews 5:9-10; 6:20
b. It has only been a brief mention, for the dullness of the readers required a necessary digression – Hebrews 5:11-6:20
2. But now the writer returns to his theme concerning Melchizedek, in which he:
a. Establishes the greatness of Melchizedek – Hebrews 7:1-10
b. Shows the significance of Melchizedek’s priesthood – Hebrews 7:11-19
c. Thereby illustrating the greatness of Christ’s priesthood – Hebrews 7:20-28
3. Since this subject is meat compared to the milk of the Word:
a. We want to approach it slowly and carefully
b. Allowing ourselves to slowly digest what is said in this seventh chapter of Hebrews
Body
I. THE HISTORY OF MELCHIZEDEK (Hebrews 7:1-3)
A. THE HISTORICAL RECORD AS FOUND IN GENESIS 14
1. We first read of The Battle Of The Kings – Genesis 14:1-11
2. In which Lot is captured, and then rescued by Abram (Abraham) – Genesis 14:12-17
3. Upon his return, Abram is met by Melchizedek – Genesis 14:18
a. Who is king of Salem
b. Who is also the priest of God Most High
4. In this meeting, two things happen:
a. Melchizedek blesses Abram (Abraham) – Genesis 14:19
b. Abram pays tithes to Melchizedek – Genesis 14:20b
B. IN REFERRING TO MELCHIZEDEK, THE AUTHOR OF HEBREWS
1. Summarizes the events in Hebrews 7:1-2
a. How Melchizedek met Abraham and blessed him
b. How Abraham gave a tenth part of all to Melchizedek
2. Explains the meaning of his name and title – Hebrews 7:2
a. The name Melchizedek means king of righteousness
b. The title king of Salem means king of peace
3. Makes some intriguing statements about Melchizedek
a. without father, without mother, without genealogy
b. having neither beginning of days nor end of life
c. made like the Son of God
d. remains a priest continually
C. WHO IS THIS MELCHIZEDEK?
1. He was simply a man, but because he appears suddenly in Scripture as a priest:
a. With no mention of parentage or genealogy
b. With no mention of his birth or death
c. With only a mention of him as a priest of God Most High
d. That he is a type of Christ, and what His priesthood would be like
II. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK (Hebrews 7:4-10)
A. MELCHIZEDEK RECEIVED TITHES FROM ABRAHAM (Hebrews 7:4-6a)
1. Abraham paid a tenth to Melchizedek
2. Just as the nation of Israel would later pay a tenth to the sons of Levi
3. Thus Abraham, great as he was, showed his deference to Melchizedek
B. MELCHIZEDEK BLESSED ABRAHAM (6b-7)
1. Melchizedek blessed him who had the promises (Abraham)
2. There is no dispute that the lesser is blessed by the better
3. Thus Melchizedek is clearly better than Abraham
C. MELCHIZEDEK’S SERVICE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY DEATH (Hebrews 7:8)
1. In the priesthood under the Jewish system tithes were received by mortal men (whose service ended at death)
2. But it has been witnessed that Melchizedek lives (remains a priest continually Hebrews 7:3)
3. How he lives and remains a priest continually, the Bible does not say
4. But in this way Melchizedek is greater than the Levitical priests
D. EVEN LEVI PAID TITHES TO MELCHIZEDEK (Hebrews 7:9-10)
1. Levi was in the loins of his father Abraham when Melchizedek met him
2. Thus Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak
3. Again illustrating the greatness of Melchizedek, as one greater than Levi!
Conclusion
1. There is a lot more I wish I knew about Melchizedek
a. I would love to know where he came from, and how he came to be priest of God Most High
b. And how does he remain a priest continually?
2. But what I do know is this
a. Jesus is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek, as God swore He would be in Psalm 110:4
b. And that Melchizedek is clearly presented to be greater than Abraham and Levi!
3. Understanding the greatness of Melchizedek helps prepare us to appreciate the superiority of Christ’s priesthood over the Levitical priesthood, which we will consider later
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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