JESUS, OUR HIGH PRIEST FOREVER
Hebrews 7:1-3, 19-28
A STANDARD FOR GIVING
V:1-2 \” For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. \”
A. The name Melchizedek is a Hebrew name which means \”king of righteousness\”.
1. The name Salem is a Hebrew name which means peace from which the name
Jerusalem is derived.
2. Notice Melchizedek was King and High Priest.
3. Jesus is our King, High Priest and Prophet.
4. Jesus is author of our peace and the author of all righteousness.
B. Abraham, a servant of God honored God\’s High Priest with an offering.
1. God set the example of an acceptable offering.
2. An acceptable offering is ten percent of our gain.
3. Notice, God does not require us to give what He has not provided.
4. Let me say it in another way; God requires us to give back to Him
a tenth of what He has provided to us.
a. In other words; don\’t spend what belongs to God.
b. In other words; budget your spending ten percent less than your income.
C. Abraham was blessed with an income because he trusted God and was
obedient to His commands.
1. If you trust God to \”get\”, you ought to trust God \”with\”.
2. If you trust God to get you job, you ought to trust God with the income
from your job.
JESUS, THE ALPHA AND OMEGA
V:3. \” Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. \”
A. We can interpret this verse in a number of ways without contradicting God\’s
finished creation.
1. God does not record the birth of Melchizedek and there is no record of his
mother or father.
2. God does not record Melchizedek\’s death.
3. We could say like Elijah, he was translated into heaven upon completion
of his mission on earth.
4. On the other hand, we could say Melchizedek was an angel sent down from
heaven to be high priest during the time of Abraham.
a. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament angels always appeared
to men in male form with a mission from God.
B. The text says Melchizedek was \”made like\” the Son of God.
1. Melchizedek was not the Son of God, but held a position like the Son of God.
2. He was the High Priest to Abraham.
3. He was a King of Salem.
4. The Bible does not record Melchizedek performing any priestly duties.
5. The Bible does not record Melchizedek performing any duties of a King
of Salem.
6. The Bible does not record an end to Melchizedek reign as king.
7. He was a type that pointed to the position of Christ.
a. Like Christ, Melchizedek was a king and high priest.
b. Christ has no beginning or ending and He is King forever and High Priest
forever.
Hebrews 7:19-28
JESUS, HIGH PRIEST FOREVER
V:19-21. \” (For the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, \”THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, \’YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER\’\”). \”
A. The Law was given as a tutor until Jesus Christ. Gal 3:24
1. The Law condemned but could not save. Rom 3:20
2. From the Law we learn the righteousness of God.
3. The Law required animal sacrifices for the atonement of sins.
a. The problem was that sin remained in man.
b. Under the Law, man remained imperfect.
B. Jesus issued a new covenant in His blood.
1. His blood make us cleans from our sins before the Lord.
2. Perfection is not in us but in Jesus Christ.
C. Unlike the Levite priests who served for a season, Christ is High Priest
forever.
1. Christ was ordained as High Priest by the Father with an oath.
2. Christ, our High Priest is seated at the right hand of the Father with all power
over heaven and earth.
3. No Levite priest was given any power, nor is seated at the right hand of the Father.
4. Jesus instituted a better covenant than the Law, one that saves.
THE NEW COVENANT IN JESUS BLOOD Luke 22:20
V:22-24. \” So much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.\”
A. Jesus death on the cross completed His mission on earth.
1. His resurrection from the dead signified the acceptance of the Father
of His completed work.
2. He became the giver of new life on earth and eternal life in heaven.
3. Jesus now draws all His elect to himself.
a. He said if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.
b. He is the author and the finisher of our faith.
B. The New Covenant in Jesus blood is better than the Law because it produces
eternal life.
1. The Law leads to death. It was not designed to save.
2. All the requirements of the Law were fulfilled in the death of Jesus on the cross.
Matt 5:17
3. The Levite Priest lived and died, but Jesus is High Priest forever.
4. The Levite Priest offered sacrifice of animals for the one time atonement
of sin.
a. Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for all times and for all sins,
past, present and future.
ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED
V:25-26. \” Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;\”
A. Once we have accepted Christ Jesus as our personal Savior, we are saved forever.
1. There is no turning back, because we have become new creations in Christ.
2. In addition, we are sealed to the day of redemption by the Holy Spirit. Eph 4:30
B. Even though we are saved, sealed and sanctified by blood of Jesus we are dirty
rags subject to sin.
1. Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father, knowing our sinful state,
makes continuous intercessions for us.
2. The washing of His blood keeps us clean before the Father. 1 Cor 6:11
BECAUSE JESUS LIVES, I LIVE
V: 27-28. \” Who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.\”
A. Jesus, being one with Father, was always perfect. John 10:30
1. There was never any sin in Him or any desire to sin.
2. He is the Father of righteousness and He is our righteousness.
B. Having never sinned, He is the perfect, one time sacrifice all the sins of
all mankind for all times. Rom 6:9-10
1. The Levite Priests had to offer sacrifices for their sins before they could offer
sacrifices for the sins of their people.
2. The Levite Priests were temporary priests who themselves died in their sins.
3. Jesus, our permanent High Priest never sinned but died one time for our sins.
4. Unlike the Levite priests who are still dead, Jesus died and was resurrected
and lives at the right hand of the Father.
5. Because Jesus Lives we live.
GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS
I CAN TALK DIRECTLY TO JESUS
HIS LINE IS NEVER BUSY
Rev. M. Mitchell
Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church
5510 West Sam Houston Parkway
Houston, Texas 77010
For more lessons, visit my blogs and follow me on facebook
\”www.revmmitchell.com\” \”and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com\”
