1. Title: Responding to False Teaching: Jesus is our Mediator Text: Hebrews 7: …but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. By: Pastor Micah Adamson August 27, 2017
Hebrews 7:24 (NIV84)
Title

2. How this sermon on the false teaching of Mormonism fits between sermon series
2 Peter = Warning about false teachers
Ascension = Jesus’ continuing role as our Priest and King
Galatians = Tempted to try to earn salvation by observing the OT Law.
Martin Luther = Tempted to trust in our works for salvation.
Formal Principle = The form we will use to resolve the disagreement (the Bible).
Material Principle = The matter we disagree about (the Gospel).

3. The Formal Principle: What do Mormons believe about the Bible?
PGP - Articles of Faith 8: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.”
“Joseph Smith Translation” (JST)
The only problem is that there is no historical evidence that the Bible has been changed.
Bottom Line: The only reason to be nervous about the Bible being intentionally changed is if you know someone who makes corrections to their own copy of the Bible and calls them inspired.

4. The Material Principle: What do Mormons believe about the Gospel?
The Mormon “The Restored Gospel” is a claim that the true gospel cannot be found in the New Testament.
Priesthood authority has been restored to the LDS church so that they can save you.
The Lower Aaronic/Levitical Priesthood = is required to administer baptism and the sacrament/communion to forgive your sin.
The Higher Melchizedek Priesthood = is required in order for you to have the chance of “exaltation” into the best part of heaven and to become like God/become a god.
Bottom Line: Hebrews 7 shows, in contrast to Mormonism, that Jesus is the unique Melchizedek priest who replaces all other priests and is able to save us completely from sin.

5. The big question: Are Mormonism and Christianity the same?
According to Mormonism:
There were errors in the Bible, but Joseph Smith fixed them.
Both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood are passed on to children
The Aaronic/Levitical Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood both continue today.
You have to become a Melchizedek priest, worthy like Jesus, in order to be exalted into heaven!
According to the Bible:
The Aaronic/Levitical Priesthood was based on a genealogy and passed on.
The Melchizedek Priesthood not passed on by genealogy.
The Aaronic/Levitical Priesthood was completely replaced by the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Jesus is the only Melchizedek priest there will ever be since He will live forever!

6. How can you start a conversation about Jesus from the Bible focused on how Jesus saves?
Tell them that you have heard that Mormonism is different from Christianity and that would like to ask them a question about the title “elder” on their nametag to see if they really are different.
Ask them if it’s true that the title “elder” on their nametag means that they are part of either the Aaronic/Levitical Priesthood or the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Ask them if they would be willing to read the three places in the Bible with you that talk about Melchizedek to see if you can show them why you think Mormonism is different than Christianity.
Genesis 14, Psalm 110, Hebrews 5-7

7. 1. The story of Melchizedek: Genesis 14
Remember in Genesis 13 that Abraham let Lot decide where he wanted to live?
Lot chose the best land near Sodom as the best place for his financial future.
Things didn’t turn out that way.

8. Genesis 14:11-16 (NIV84)
11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom. 13 One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

9. Genesis 14:17-20a (NIV84)
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). 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. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

10. Genesis 14:20b-24 (NIV84)
Then Abram gave him [Melchizedek] a tenth of everything. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

11. 2. The prophesy of a priest in the order of Melchizedek: Psalm 110
Psalm 110:1= the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament
Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:42 = Jesus
Matthew 26:63-64, Mark 14:61-62, Luke 22:67-70 = Jesus
Acts 2:34, 5:30-31, 7:55-56 = Peter and Stephen
1 Peter 3:21-22 = Peter
Romans 8:34, 1 Corinthians 15:24-25, Ephesians 1:20,22,2:6, Colossians 3:1 = Paul
Hebrews 1:3,13,8:1,10:12-13,12:2 = Hebrews
Revelation 3:21,5:13,7:9-10,22:1,3 = John

12. Psalm 110:1-4
1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” 2 The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. 3 Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth. 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

13. 3. The fulfillment of the prophesy of a priest in the order of Melchizedek: Hebrews 7
Hebrews is an argument to early Christians who were being tempted to leave Jesus as their high priest to go back to Judaism where the Levitical/Aaronic priests were still sacrificing for sin.
Hebrews argues that if you look for salvation anywhere else than Jesus as your high priest, your sins can’t be forgiven.
Hebrews shows that the Old Testament, especially Psalm 110, points forward to Jesus as the final permanent and perfect priest who meets all our needs to save us.
Verses from each chapter of Hebrews shows that Jesus’ unique role as our high priest is the thread that holds Hebrews together.

14. ***Note: None of these verses from Hebrews were changed by Joseph Smith in the JST!
Hebrews 1:3 (NIV84) 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 2:9 (NIV84) 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 3:1 (NIV84) 1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. Hebrews 4:14 (NIV84) 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

15. ***Note: None of these verses from Hebrews were changed by Joseph Smith in the JST!
Hebrews 5:4-10 (NIV84) 4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” [Psalm 2:7] 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” [Psalm 110:4] 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

16. ***Note: None of these verses from Hebrews were changed by Joseph Smith in the JST!
Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV84) 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

17. ***Note: None of these verses from Hebrews were changed by Joseph Smith in the JST!
Hebrews 8:6 (NIV84) 6 But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. Hebrews 9:11-12 (NIV84) 11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 10:12-14 (NIV84) 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

18. ***Note: None of these verses from Hebrews were changed by Joseph Smith in the JST!
Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV84) 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV84) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 13:15-16 (NIV84) 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

19. Hebrews 7:1-3 (NIV84)
1 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, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.
Hebrews 7 reflects on both Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 to tell us things about Jesus as our priest.

20. Hebrews 7:4-10 (NIV84)
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, their brothers—even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. 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 person is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 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.

21. Hebrews 7:11-17 (NIV84)
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” [Psalm 110:4]

22. Hebrews 7:18-22 (NIV84)
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” [Psalm 110:4] 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

23. Hebrews 7:23-28 (NIV84)
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

24. Why the Biblical version of the Gospel is good news
If the Mormon version of the gospel is true… The good news is that Jesus became a perfect high priest in the order of Melchizedek, and if you try hard enough you can be one too!
If the New Testament version of the Gospel s true… The good news is that Jesus is our perfect high priest in the order of Melchizedek who is able to save us completely by faith in Him!