Our HighPriest
Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 13 viewsNotes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
AG: THE FOURTH GIFT OF THE MAGI
David Dewitt states, "Though there are still many questions about the Magi that may be left unanswered, we can determine that they brought a fourth gift that is often forgotten by many. After they laid their treasures down before Mary and Joseph, they worshipped Jesus. (This is the 4th Gift – the Worship of the King of Kings) These wise men from afar came not just to court favor but to proclaim that they believed Him to be the King of kings. The greatest gift that we can offer to Jesus this Christmas is our praise and worship."
TS: We have come to cpt 7. This chapter is the focal point of the epistle to the Hebrews because of its detailed comparison of the priesthood of Christ and the Levitical High-Priesthood.
We studied Melchizedek while discussing the priesthood of Jesus earlier, so we won’t go over all of the same ground in detail.
Review:
No genealogy given, no account of his history or what happened after this.
He serves as a type of Christ.
type- a picture, as the ESV says, resembling the Son of God.
The author makes several arguments for the superiority of Melchizedek's priesthood and thus Jesus’ since V. 20 of chapter 6 declares Jesus is a preist of the order of Melchizadek.
where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Heb 6
RS:
RS:
RS:
Received Tithes
Received Tithes
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
Review:
No genealogy given, no account of his history or what happened after this.
He serves as a type of Christ.
type- a picture, as the ESV says, resembling the Son of God.
Abraham gave a 10th
tithe = tenth.
Remember, this is before the Law of Moses
this wasn’t a command and law that Abraham followed.
Ancient custom was for people to give a 10th to their god or his representative.
Perhaps God Himself had told Adam and Eve to do this pre-law.
Perhaps it was a custom.
Regardless it was acceptable practice.
The lesser tithes to the greater
Abraham revealed that he and his descendants were less than Melchizedek.
The Levites collected tithes because the Law codified it to be so.
Tithes were never to honor the one receiving, but to honor the God whom they represented.
AP: We also worship through giviving to honor God.
There is much debate these days over tithing (10%).
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
:
Many point out that Paul didn’t specifically say 10th here.
Many point out that Paul didn’t specifically say 10th here.
He addressed the attitude (cheerful) and devotion (as he has decided— not under compulsion).
This passage is about a special offering being received for relief of the saints in Jerusalem who were enduring famine.
Jesus on the tithe:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
He endorsed it and acknowledged the good that it was when Pharisees did it.
HE also said there were weightier matters which shouldn’t have been let undone
justice, mercy, and faithfulness
I am personally convicted that this should be a matter of conscience for us.
Look at the 10th (tithe) as a starting place.
Let God lead you
Be a cheerful giver rather than do it out of legalism
However,
Pastor Rick Warren once saw a bumper sticker with this message, “Love Jesus, tithe. Any fool can honk.”
Gave Blessings
Gave Blessings
,
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.
He gave blessings to Abraham
again, the greater blesses the lesser
Like a Father blessing his children
Abraham (and descendants) had the promise:
covenant- land, nation, bless all through His line
Melchizedek, in giving blessings in many ways blessed the whole lineage of Abraham.
AP: God blesses us
God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!
He meets our needs
He works to bring us to maturity in the faith
Jesus, as High Priest is still bringing blessings
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Follow His word
Follow His path
This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
Heb 7:
Replaced Leviticus Priesthood
Replaced Leviticus Priesthood
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Heb 7:
V 11-28
Now we are to the heart of the matter.
Our author extends the argument that Christ’s priesthood, of the Melchizedekan order, is superior to the Levitical.
Twice now we have seen hints at this.
Abraham tithed to and received blessings from Melchizedek.
a. Levitical system was inadequate:
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
Perfection- complete reconciliation with God
The OT Law couldn’t bring it
It was the background and foreshadowing of what to come.
Christ’s High-Priesthood isn’t levitical
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi.
Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi.
He was unqualified to be a priest und Old Covenant
Thus a change in Law was required.
The Levitical priesthood was mortal and flawed.
,
For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
Jesus’ eternal nature, not physical birth, qualifies Him to be priest.
Jesus’ priesthood is better
This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
He guarantees a better covenant
Grace not law
WE are not saved by following the Law
We are saved by God’s grace through faith.
Perpetuity of the Priesthood
Perpetuity of the Priesthood
, , , ,
He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.
who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,
but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ”
This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
Jesus lives forever so His priesthood is forever
There is no need for a succession as priest, He is still priest.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Jesus is the only priest we need.
He is of the order of Melchizedek which is superior to the Levitical priesthood and lasts forever.