Untitled Sermon

Intro / Recap

Last Week We covered

Spiritual Immaturity Vs Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual babes, like physical babies, exhibit characteristics such as divisiveness, star-struck behavior, spiritual sleepiness, and fussiness. These traits reveal a lack of skill in the word of righteousness, expected of new Christians but not of those who have been Christians for a time.

Spiritual maturity is measured by discernment, akin to a baby’s developing senses. Spiritual maturity involves developing spiritual senses of taste, hearing, sight, smell, and touch.

He is the Better Assurance

· It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).

· It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats can take away sin (Hebrews 10:4).

· It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6).

“This word impossible stands immovable.” (Alford)

And He is our Hope

. This hope we have as an anchor: The anchor was a common figure for hope in the ancient world. Here the idea is that we are anchored to something firm but unseen (which enters the Presence behind the veil).

i. You don’t need an anchor for calm seas. The rougher the weather, the more important your anchor is.

· We need the anchor to hold the ship and keep it from being wrecked.

· We need the anchor to stabilize the ship and keep it more comfortable for those on board.

· We need the anchor to allow the ship to maintain the progress it has made.

Chapter 7

V1-3

Hebrews 7:1–3 (NKJV)

The King of Righteousness

7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

Genesis 14:18–20 (NKJV)

Abram and Melchizedek

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said:

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,

Possessor of heaven and earth;

20 And blessed be God Most High,

Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

And he gave him a tithe of all.

Psalm 110 (NKJV)

Announcement of the Messiah’s Reign

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

2 The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.

Rule in the midst of Your enemies!

3 Your people shall be volunteers

In the day of Your power;

In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,

You have the dew of Your youth.

4 The Lord has sworn

And will not relent,

“You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek.”

5 The Lord is at Your right hand;

He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.

6 He shall judge among the nations,

He shall fill the places with dead bodies,

He shall execute the heads of many countries.

7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside;

Therefore He shall lift up the head.

Matthew 22:41–46 (NKJV)

The Son of David

Mark 12:35–37; Luke 20:41–44

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”

They said to Him, “The Son of David.”

43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying:

44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’?

45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.

Melchizedek

The name is composed of two Hebrew elements:

• melek(h) (מלך) meaning “king”

• ṣedeq (צדק) meaning “righteousness” or “justice”

Salem

The New King James Version Psalm 76

2 In Salem also is His tabernacle,

And His dwelling place in Zion.

Most High God

This title, “Most High God,” is used to denote the supreme, true God, distinct from any pagan deities, and is the same title used in the Old Testament for “El Elyon” (God Most High)

Abraham gave Melchizedek an offering (a tithe)

Spiritual and Theological Significance

• Recognition of Divine Authority: By giving a tithe to Melchizedek, Abraham publicly recognized Melchizedek’s priesthood and, by extension, the sovereignty of God Most High over his victory. The act was voluntary and not required by any law at that time, highlighting Abraham’s gratitude and submission to God.

• Typology and Christology: The New Testament, especially Hebrews 7, interprets Melchizedek as a type of Christ—both are described as priests without genealogy and as kings of righteousness and peace. Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek is used to illustrate the superiority of Melchizedek’s (and thus Christ’s) priesthood over the later Levitical priesthood.

• Precedent for Future Tithing: Abraham’s tithe sets a precedent for the later practice of tithing in Israel, where giving a tenth to the priests became part of the Mosaic Law (Numbers 18; Leviticus 27:30-33). His act is seen as an example of honoring God with material possessions and acknowledging God as the source of all blessings.

Melchizedek brought wine and bread

A picture of Communion even in the Old Testament

2000 BCE

Moses and aaron (levitical priesthood) 1574 BCE

400 to 500 year difference

The last supper happened 33AD totaling 2032

Melchizedek as a Type or Picture of Christ

• The prevailing view among most biblical scholars and Christian traditions is that Melchizedek is a type or foreshadowing of Christ, not Christ himself. This means Melchizedek, as “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High,” prefigures the union of kingship and priesthood that is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

• Hebrews 7:3 describes Melchizedek as “without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” Most interpreters understand this as a rhetorical device, emphasizing the lack of genealogy in the Genesis account to illustrate the eternal nature of Christ’s priesthood, rather than suggesting Melchizedek is literally Christ.

• Early Church Fathers, such as Clement of Alexandria and Cyprian of Carthage, generally saw Melchizedek as a prefiguration of Christ and his priesthood, not as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ himself.

Melchizedek as a Pre-Incarnate Christ (Christophany)

• Some have argued that Melchizedek is a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ—based on the mysterious description in Hebrews and the lack of genealogy in Genesis.

• Proponents point to Hebrews 7:3 and the unique priesthood of Melchizedek as evidence that he might be more than a mere human, possibly Christ himself appearing before his incarnation.

• However, this view is less common in mainstream Christian scholarship and is not the dominant position in most denominations.

Summary

• The majority view is that Melchizedek is a historical figure whose life and role serve as a powerful picture or type of Christ, pointing to Jesus’ eternal priesthood and kingship.

• The idea that Melchizedek is Christ himself (a Christophany) is held by some, but is not widely supported by mainstream Christian tradition or scholarship.

• The debate persists because of the mysterious nature of Melchizedek’s biblical portrayal, but most interpretations emphasize typology rather than literal identity.

“Although the biblical evidence provides intriguing parallels between Melchizedek and Christ, it does not conclusively support the idea that Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate Jesus. Rather, it presents Melchizedek as a powerful type of Christ, pointing us towards the ultimate High Priest who was to come.”

Mormons expand upon the biblical references through additional scripture and modern revelation:

• The Doctrine and Covenants (D&C), a book of modern revelations, teaches that the “greater priesthood” was originally called “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God,” but was renamed the Melchizedek Priesthood “because Melchizedek was such a great high priest” (D&C 107:2–4).

• D&C 84:14–15 explains that Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through a lineage tracing back to Adam.

• The LDS Church teaches that this priesthood was lost from the earth after the deaths of Christ’s apostles (the Great Apostasy) and was restored in 1829 when the apostles Peter, James, and John conferred it upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

V 4-10

Hebrews 7:4–10 (NKJV)

4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

A tenth of the spoils: Spoils is literally the top of the heap, referring to the choicest spoils of war. When Abraham tithed to Melchizedek he literally “took it off the top.”

Melchizedek Blesses Abraham

Traditional View: In many religious traditions, blessings are seen as flowing from a source of greater spiritual authority or power to one of lesser authority. For example, God blesses humans, parents bless children, and priests bless congregants.

V11

The New King James Version Chapter 7

11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

Need for a Different Priesthood: The Levitical priesthood, as described in the Old Testament, was insufficient for achieving perfection, necessitating a different order of priesthood.

Melchizedek Priesthood: God’s description of a priest according to the order of Melchizedek in Psalm 110:4 highlights the inadequacy of the Aaronic priesthood and the need for a new one.

Levitical Priesthood: The Levitical priesthood, named after the Book of Leviticus, refers to the Jewish priesthood of the Old Testament, associated with the Law of Moses.

V12

Hebrews 7:12 (NKJV)

12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

Reason for Priesthood Change: God would not introduce a new priesthood unless necessary, and the mention of Melchizedek’s order indicates a desire for change.

Necessity of Change: The Aaronic priesthood was tied to the Mosaic Law, so a change in priesthood suggests a change in the Law’s status.

Basis for Argument: The argument is logically developed from Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 7:11.

V 13-14

Hebrews 7:13–14 (NKJV)

13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

Priesthood Eligibility: Only the family of Aaron, from the tribe of Levi, could serve at the altar in sacrifice according to the Law of Moses.

Jesus’ Lineage: Jesus belonged to the tribe of Judah, not the tribe of Levi.

Implication for Jesus’ Priesthood: Jesus’ priesthood must be based on a different principle than the Aaronic priesthood under the Law of Moses.

V 15-17

Hebrews 7:15–17 (NKJV)

15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:

“You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek.”

 Not according to the law of a fleshly commandment: Jesus’ priesthood is not based upon law or heredity (a fleshly commandment), but upon the power of God’s endless life.

You are a priest forever: This could be said of the Messiah, who was a priest according to the order of Melchizedek. It could never be said of a priest according to the order of Aaron, none of whom had the power of an endless life and each of whom served a limited term as priests – limited to their own life span.

According to the power of an endless life: Matthew 27:1 says, When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. Among those who conspired to put Jesus to death, there were priests of the order of Aaron. But by the power of an endless life Jesus showed that His priesthood was superior when He triumphed over death.

V 18-19

Hebrews 7:18–19 (NKJV)

18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

 Because of its weakness and unprofitableness: In its weakness and unprofitableness, the law made nothing perfect. The law does a great job of setting God’s perfect standard but it does not give the power to keep that standard.

The law made nothing perfect: Therefore, the law is valuable as it shows us God’s perfect standard, but it was not ultimately intended to be the basis of a man’s walk with God. This is because the law is weak and unprofitable when it comes to saving my soul or giving me power over sin.

On the other hand: Since now, in Jesus, we have a better hope, through which we draw near to God, we are wrong to go back to building our Christian walk on the law. Therefore the law is “annulled” or set aside in the sense that it no longer is the dominating principle of our life, especially of our relationship with God.

The law does not give you a better hope. The law does not draw you near to God the way God’s grace given in Jesus does. Yet many Christians live a legal relationship with God instead of a grace relationship with Him.

The writer came to the same conclusion about the law as Paul did in Galatians 3:19-25, but he got there in a totally different way. In Galatians, Paul showed the law as a tutor that brings us to Jesus. In Hebrews the law is associated with a priesthood that has been made obsolete by a superior priesthood.

Because we have a better priesthood and a better High Priest, we also have a better hope and draw near to God. Our hope is in Jesus, not in the Law of Moses or our ability to keep it.

V 20-21

Hebrews 7:20–21 (NKJV)

Greatness of the New Priest

20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn

And will not relent,

‘You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek’ ”),

Priesthood of Jesus: Established with an oath, as prophesied in Psalm 110:4.

Aaronic Priesthood: Appointed by heredity, not by personal character or an oath of God.

Melchizedekian Priesthood: Jesus’ priesthood, unlike the Aaronic priesthood, was established by an oath of God.

V 22

Hebrews 7:22 (NKJV)

22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

Jesus has become a surety (egguos)

The ancient Greek word translated surety (egguos) described someone who gave security, who cosigned a loan to guarantee payment, or put up bail for a prisoner.

Jesus Himself is the guarantee of a better covenant.

The Old Covenant had a mediator (Moses), but no one to guarantee the people’s side of the covenant.

Therefore they continually failed under it.

But the New Covenant – a better covenant – has a cosigner to guarantee it on our behalf.

Therefore, the New Covenant depends on what Jesus did, not on what we do.

He is the surety and we are not.

The word used for covenant (the ancient Greek word diatheke) is not the usual term for “covenant” (syntheke).

The literal meaning of diatheke is closer to the idea of a “testament” in the sense of a “last will and testament.”

Perhaps the writer is trying to stress that while a covenant might be thought of as an agreement that two equal parties arrive at, the testator dictates a testament.

The “agreement” under which we meet with God through Jesus is not something we have negotiated with Him.

He has dictated the terms to us, and we will accept or reject the terms.

By so much more: This much more – the overwhelming superiority of Jesus Christ – proves He is worthy and able to be our guarantee, our cosigner of a better covenant.

V 23-25

Hebrews 7:23–25 (NKJV)

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Jesus’ Priesthood: Unchanging and permanent, unlike the changing priesthood under the Law of Moses.

Nature of Salvation: Unchanging, permanent, and secure, saving believers to the uttermost.

Intercession of Jesus: Jesus ever lives to make intercession for those who come to God through Him.

Romans 8:33–34 “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”

Importance of Jesus’ Intercession: Apostle Paul emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ intercessory work.

Jesus’ Role as Defender: Jesus defends believers against accusations and condemnation through intercession.

Jesus’ intercession on our behalf is not about appeasing an enraged Father who desires to destroy us. It is not about incessantly praying on behalf of His people. Instead, it means that He continually stands in our stead before the Father, enabling us to approach Him. Furthermore, He safeguards us against Satan’s accusations and attacks.

Luke 22:31-32 gives an example of Jesus’ intercession for His people: Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. Jesus prays to strengthen us in trials and seasons of attack, and against Satan’s accusations.

V 26-28

Hebrews 7:26–28 (NKJV)

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

For such a High Priest was fitting for us. The priests under the Law of Moses lacked the personal character of the Son of God. Jesus is holy, harmless, without guile or deception, undefiled, and separate from sinners (in the sense of not sharing in their sin). He is far superior in His personal character than any earthly priest.

 Has become higher than the heavens: Two facts prove the perfect character of Jesus. First, His exaltation in heaven. Second, that He did not need to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins – which the other priests needed to do daily.

When He offered up Himself: This is totally unique. A priest may bring a sacrifice and offer it on the altar. But Jesus was both the priest and the sacrifice. This is the best sacrifice brought to God the Father by the best priest.

For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses: Under the Law of Moses the priests were always men with weaknesses. But Jesus is a Son who has been perfected forever. Because He is a perfect High Priest, He was able to offer up Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sin. Jesus is perfectly qualified to be our perfect High Priest – perfected forever.