A Better Promise - Hebrews 8:1-7

INTRODUCTION: Subsequent child, story

Jesus offers a better relationship, so draw close to Him.

Hebrews 8:1 ESV

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Now the point in what we are saying - He is saying the main point. Only took him 8 chapters. Joke about man that left during sermon to get a haircut. Punchline: He didn’t need a haircut before it started.

He is seated at the right hand. - position of authority. He is seated meaning his job is done.

majesty - greatness

Hebrews 8:2 ESV

2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

a minister in the holy places - A special position. Priest’s job was to take care of the temple.

Holy places - Normal priests would go to the temple. Jesus is going into something higher/better.

in the true tent -Meaning that heaven is the true one. Earth and everything in it was just .

Isaiah 6 and Revelation 5

VISUAL ILLUSTRATION - use small building in lobby and act like that it was real church. That would be silly.

Jesus offers a better

Sanctuary: We have a place to meet God. (8:1-2)

We have to ask, what makes a temple a temple? God’s presence. Where is God’s presence now?

1 Corinthians 6:19 “19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,”

Hebrews 8:3 ESV

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.

every high priest

appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices - its what they did. Like a chief who doesn’t cook, or a lawyer who doesn’t lie....its what they do!

Hebrews 8:4 ESV

4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.

Since their are priests - places this book before AD 70.

There was a temple on earth with priests doing there thing. He wasn’t qualified to be a priestly tribe. And they were already doing exactly what he was going to do.

overqualifed illustration - dessert auction judge?????

Catholic priest discussion. - We have a high priest. We are priests. No one else is needed. 1 Peter 2:9 “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Jesus offers a better

Sacrifice: one that could actually pay for all our sins. (8:3-4)

We went through some of the laws while in Exodus, there was a way to get rid of accidental sins, but it says nothing about intentional sins.

Illustration: like when your a child and are asked, what do you have to say for yourself? nothing.

Numbers 15:30–31 ESV

30 But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him.”

Hebrews 8:5 ESV

5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

They serve a copy and shadow of heavenly things - In the similar way, the church is a taste of heaven. Not perfectly, in the same way there was something better. There is still something better.

illustration - Beth with boys. Wrote out instructions.

Hebrews 8:6 ESV

6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

has obtained a ministry - goes back to verse 2. He is the minister in the better Holy place.

Exodus 19:5–6 ESV

5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Hebrews 8:7 ESV

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

What we will find out next week is that the covenant wasn’t bad, but we were. It caused us to sin, like when you see 60 mph and you automatically go 65. If the sign wasn’t there you probably would have gone 50.

Security: the new covenant will never fail. (8:5-7)

Some of us, every relationship we ever had has failed, and guess what. You also failed. But Jesus won’t.

Jesus offers a better relationship, so draw close to Him.

CONCLUSION: Conditional, vs unconditional covenants.

Dating vs marriage.

Isaiah, Revelation???

getting in a new relationship....vs being single. Dating vs marriage....

Cities of refuge