Preparations The hearts of those attending The workers The weather and facilities

Hebrews The Superiority of Christ Access Granted Hebrews 7:11-28

Psalm 27:4 (ESV) 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV) 1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 65:1 (ESV) 4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

11 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? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. Hebrews 7:11-28 (ESV)

13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, Hebrews 7:11-28 (ESV)

16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness Hebrews 7:11-28 (ESV)

19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 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." Hebrews 7:11-28 (ESV)

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 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. Hebrews 7:11-28 (ESV)

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 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. Hebrews 7:11-28 (ESV)

28 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. Hebrews 7:11-28 (ESV)

2 aspects of the New Priesthood

1) The Necessity of a New Priesthood vs The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language Eugene H. Peterson ESV – English Standard Version

A) The FAILURE of the Levitical priesthood “English Standard Version” 11 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?

A) The FAILURE of the Levitical priesthood “The Message” If the priesthood of Levi and Aaron, which provided the framework for the giving of the law, could really make people perfect, there wouldn't have been need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek.

A) The FAILURE of the Levitical priesthood → Through man victory can NEVER be achieved over sin

A) The FAILURE of the Levitical priesthood 1) The Necessity of a New Priesthood vs B) The CHANGE of priesthood

B) The CHANGE of priesthood (vs ) “The Message” But since it didn't get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought with it a radical new kind of law. There is no way of understanding this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood, which is why there is nothing in Jesus' family tree connecting him with that priestly line.

B) The CHANGE of priesthood (vs ) → Christ brought about a change for the BETTER

2) The Superiority of the New Priesthood (vs ) A) Superior because of God's OATH (vs )

“The Message” But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek, not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of resurrection life—he lives!—"priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek." The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside; the law brought nothing to maturity.

Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place. The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God.

But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise: God gave his word; he won't take it back: "You're the permanent priest." This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God—one that really works! A new covenant.

A) Superior because of God's OATH (vs ) → Christ's priesthood allows us to draw NEAR to God...that brings us right into the presence of God......through which we draw near to God...

B) Superior because of its PERMANENCE (vs ) “The Message” Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.

B) Superior because of its PERMANENCE (vs ) “The Message” Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.

B) Superior because of its PERMANENCE (vs ) “English Standard Version” 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.

B) Superior because of its PERMANENCE (vs ) → Christ's priesthood allows us to have eternal HOPE

C) Superior because of Christ's CHARACTER (vs ) “The Message” So now we have a high priest who perfectly fits our needs: completely holy, uncompromised by sin, with authority extending as high as God's presence in heaven itself. Unlike the other high priests, he doesn't have to offer sacrifices for his own sins every day before he can get around to us and our sins.

C) Superior because of Christ's CHARACTER (vs ) “The Message” He's done it, once and for all: offered up himself as the sacrifice. The law appoints as high priests men who are never able to get the job done right. But this intervening command of God, which came later, appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect.

C) Superior because of Christ's CHARACTER (vs ) → Christ's priesthood allows us to have eternal CONFIDENCE and COMFORT...He's done it, once and for all:...appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect. (ESV) since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.