TITLE: A Picture of Things to Come TEXT: Hebrews 7:1-10 THEME The believer should be blessed by Christ as the great mediator:

History is filled with such men.

All of us have to appeal to some authority that becomes the basis for how we discern truth and gives meaning to who we are and what we do

Why is the priesthood of Jesus is superior to all others?

I. Melchizedek was recognized as a priest by Abraham. (1-3)

Hebrews 7:1-10 7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”

Hebrews 7:1-10 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

I. Melchizedek was recognized as a priest by Abraham. (1-3) He is a priest of God Most High.

Melchizedek He is called the King of Salem (Peace).

Melchizedek He is called the King of Salem (Peace). His name is a compound word meaning “King of Righteousness.”

Melchizedek He is called the King of Salem (Peace). His name is a compound word meaning “King of Righteousness.” He is called “the priest of God Most High.”

Melchizedek was recognized as a priest by Abraham. (1-3) He is a priest of God Most High He blessed Abraham and accepted His tithes (Genesis 14).

Genesis 14 17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

Genesis 14 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

Genesis 14 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

I. Melchizedek was recognized as a priest by Abraham. (1-3) He is a priest of God Most High He blessed Abraham and accepted His tithes (Genesis 14). He held an eternal priesthood.

Psalm 110 The Messiah being declared “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”

Scientific Method If I want to prove that Ivory Soap floats I can test it creating a series of experiments to make my case. The problem with this approach is that it can only prove repeatable, empirical things.

Why is the priesthood of Jesus is superior to all others?

II. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10)

Hebrews 7:4-10 4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.

Hebrews 7:4-10 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.

Hebrews 7:4-10 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham.

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. 1. Abraham gave him a tenth of his plunder.

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. 1. Abraham gave him a tenth of his plunder. 2. He was collecting tithe even before law was established.

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. 1. Abraham gave him a tenth of his plunder. 2. He was collecting tithe even before law was established. 3. He was collecting tithe even before the Levite priesthood was established.

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. 1. Abraham gave him a tenth of his plunder. 2. He was collecting tithe even before law was established. 3. He was collecting tithe even before the Levite priesthood was established. 4. He blessed Abraham as a priest would do- the lesser is blessed by the greater .

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. B. He is greater than Levi. .

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. B. He is greater than Levi. 1. He did not base his priesthood on being Levi’s descendant.

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. B. He is greater than Levi. 1. He did not base his priesthood on being Levi’s descendant. 2. Levi had not yet been born when he acted as priest.

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. B. He is greater than Levi. 1. He did not base his priesthood on being Levi’s descendant. 2. Levi had not yet been born when he acted as priest. 3. Levi’s priesthood was administered by men who die.

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. B. He is greater than Levi. 1. He did not base his priesthood on being Levi’s descendant. 2. Levi had not yet been born when he acted as priest. 3. Levi’s priesthood was administered by men who die. 4. Levi indirectly paid a tithe through Abraham- he was still in the womb.

I. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and Levi. (4-10) A. He is greater than Abraham. B. He is greater than Levi. 1. He did not base his priesthood on being Levi’s descendant. 2. Levi had not yet been born when he acted as priest. 3. Levi’s priesthood was administered by men who die. 4. Levi indirectly paid a tithe through Abraham- he was still in the womb. 5. The Levites existence is dependent upon Abraham.

President Abraham Lincoln “If you don't want to use the army, I should like to borrow it for a while. Yours respectfully, A. Lincoln."

Why is the priesthood of Jesus is superior to all others?

III. Jesus is greater than Melchizedek

APPLICATION 1. Who is your authority that defines the direction of your life? If it is not Jesus you are basing it on something inferior.

APPLICATION 2. Once someone’s mind is made up it is very difficult sometimes to change it.

APPLICATION 3. The author’s argument that Jesus is the superior priesthood and authority is still valid- even in today’s modern world in which hundreds of men, philosophies and world views compete for your devotion.

"Accepting Jesus" is not just adding Jesus "Accepting Jesus" is not just adding Jesus. It is also subtracting the idols.