1. True & Better Christ in Hebrews

2. True & Better Christ the Permanent Priest Hebrews 7

3. True & Better Who Speaks to God? Questions Behind the Text Did following Christ mean giving up the priesthood? Did following Christ mean giving up the priesthood? Was it blasphemy to even talk about anyone being better than the Levitical priests?! Was it blasphemy to even talk about anyone being better than the Levitical priests?! Answer from the Text: Jesus is the True & Better Priest, Because He Is Permanent. Answer from the Text: Jesus is the True & Better Priest, Because He Is Permanent.

4. True & Better But First, Melchizedek Hebrews 7:1-10 Melchizedek was the king of Salem who Abraham encountered after his war (v. 1). Melchizedek was the king of Salem who Abraham encountered after his war (v. 1). Abraham offered him a tithe of the spoils, as you would a priest (v. 2). Abraham offered him a tithe of the spoils, as you would a priest (v. 2). Unlike the Levite priests, Melchizedek had no genealogy to support his priesthood. He disappeared as suddenly as he arrived (v. 3). Unlike the Levite priests, Melchizedek had no genealogy to support his priesthood. He disappeared as suddenly as he arrived (v. 3).

5. True & Better But First, Melchizedek Hebrews 7:1-10 v. 4, “See how great this man was!” v. 4, “See how great this man was!” The Levites are the descendants of Abraham, but Melchizedek was his priest (v. 5-6). The Levites are the descendants of Abraham, but Melchizedek was his priest (v. 5-6). Melchizedek was “greater” than Abraham, who himself was greater than all the priestly descendants of Levi his great grandson (v. 7-10). Melchizedek was “greater” than Abraham, who himself was greater than all the priestly descendants of Levi his great grandson (v. 7-10). The Point: Even the Law could talk about a priest who was greater than the Levites. The Point: Even the Law could talk about a priest who was greater than the Levites.

6. True & Better But First, Melchizedek Hebrews 7:11-19 If Levite priests were so great, why do we have this story of Melchizedek (v. 11)? If Levite priests were so great, why do we have this story of Melchizedek (v. 11)? If Levites priests were so great, why wasn’t the Messiah a Levite (v. 12-14)? If Levites priests were so great, why wasn’t the Messiah a Levite (v. 12-14)? The priesthood of Christ looks more like Melchizedek than Levi, and that’s great (v. 15-19)! The priesthood of Christ looks more like Melchizedek than Levi, and that’s great (v. 15-19)!

7. True & Better An Oath Hebrews 7:20-22 Priests took an oath to serve God and man. Priests took an oath to serve God and man. Jesus is a greater priest because God swore his oath, not any man. Jesus is a greater priest because God swore his oath, not any man. “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” God’s oath lasts forever. God’s oath lasts forever.

8. True & Better The Priests That Die Hebrews 7:23-25 No matter how great a Levite priest was, he would ultimately die. No matter how great a Levite priest was, he would ultimately die. Jewish people of this time were not being served by the noble priests of the past, but the political appointees of the present. Jewish people of this time were not being served by the noble priests of the past, but the political appointees of the present. Jesus is a priest who can save “to the uttermost,” meaning at all times. Jesus is a priest who can save “to the uttermost,” meaning at all times.

9. True & Better The Priests That Lives Hebrews 7:26-28 Chapter 5 told us that Jesus is a better priest because he was obedient. Chapter 5 told us that Jesus is a better priest because he was obedient. Chapter 7 tells us that we will have this priest forever. Chapter 7 tells us that we will have this priest forever. The flawed priests served until they died. The flawed priests served until they died. The Son serves as priest in his death and forever more. The Son serves as priest in his death and forever more.