Better Things
description
Transcript of Better Things
BETTER THINGS
Summer 2013
HEBREWS 6:13-20 – STANDING ON GOD’S PROMISES
Two unchangeable (immutable) things God’s word God’s irrevocable oath
Provides “strong encouragement” For those who have fled to Christ for refuge To “hold fast” to the hope set before us A “sure and steadfast anchor” A hope that enters into the inner place
behind the curtain” Where Jesus has gone
HEBREWS 6:13-20 – STANDING ON GOD’S PROMISES Pressed them for further spiritual progress Set before them the fatal consequences if
they do not progress Encouraged them to keep on the path of
salvation Their need to hold to their hope, anchored
in Christ They would have no hope if not for the
priestly work of Jesus in the Holy of Holies Christ’s priesthood was like Melchizedek’s
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK Jesus is a true high priest (2:17)
Faithful to God Merciful to man
Melchizedekian order excels the Aaronic order Covenant Sanctuary Sacrifice
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
Priestly service and holy places were well-known in the ancient world
Symbols and types/anti-types link the Old and New Testaments
Chapters 7-10 focus on Christ and what He has done for us: Christ, as high priest, has offered Himself—one great, final offering for our sins
5:10—“a high priest after the order of Melchizedek”
6:20—“a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek”
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
In Hebrews 7, Melchizedek’s name appears 5 times, but the emphasis is on Christ
The foreverness of Christ’s priesthood “forever” (3, 17, 21, 24) “permanently” (24) “for all time” (25) “always lives” (25) “perfect forever” (28)
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
Melchizedek and Abraham (7:1-10) Melchizedek … met Abraham (1) Melchizedek met him [Abraham] (10)
Melchizedek mentioned only twice in O.T. Psalm 110 Genesis 14:18-20
Melchizedek is a priest who continues forever
Christ is a priest forever
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
Melchizedek King of Salem Name means “king of righteousness” Without father or mother or genealogy Without beginning of days or end of life Resembles the “Son of God” Remains a “priest forever”
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
Melchizedek Was a priest, so is Christ Was a king, so is Christ Is righteousness and peace, so is Christ
Psalm 72:7; Isaiah 9:6-7; Romans 5:1 A priest without genealogy, so is Christ
A priest, but not on the basis of family history His priesthood is timeless, so is Christ’s
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
Melchizedek is superior (better) than Abraham Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek Melchizedek blessed Abraham Melchizedek is immortal Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
The inadequacy of the Old Priesthood (11-19) “perfect”, “perfection” Christ (2:10, 5:9) The Law could not “perfect” God’s people
No real sacrifice for sins (9:9; 10:4) If the priesthood had to change, the
Law had to change (12) The law concerning priesthood Jesus was from the tribe of Judah
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
The former commandment is set aside Weak Useless “set aside”
Cancel, disannul, out-of-date, over, finished, wiped away
The eternal priesthood of Christ A better hope By which we can draw near to God
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
The supremacy of the New Priesthood (20-28) Christ has become high priest with an oath Jesus is a “guarantor of a better covenant”
First time “covenant” is mentioned Jesus personally guarantees the terms of the covenant
Levitical priests were “many in number” 83 high priests from Aaron to A.D. 70, according to
Josephus Christ holds the priesthood permanently Christ saves for all times (to the uttermost)
Those who draw near to God He always lives to make intercession for them
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
Jesus lived a sinless life, now He lives a glorious life “separated from sinners”
He is the perfect priest AND the perfect sacrifice He offered the one perfect sacrifice “once
for all” Contrast:
The law and the word of the oath Men and a Son The Aaronic high priests in their
“weakness” and the Son as an eternally perfected high priest
HEBREWS 7:1-28 – JESUS, LIKE MELCHIZEDEK
Melchizedek The oldest recorded priesthood Suited for kings, not based on flesh and
blood The Levitical priests
Many, sacrifices had to be offered over and over
Their sacrifices kept the people at a distance
Jesus Can guarantee the new covenant because
of his indestructible life He is not weak, but holy, blameless,
unstained
BETTER THINGS
Summer 2013