6 20-7 25
Hebrews Series- Fellowship Baptist Church
Passage: Hebrews 6:20-7:23
Theme: The Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood
Proposition: An eternal priesthood guarantees eternal salvation
Introduction:
Today we will be investigating a relatively large portion of scripture in Hebrews. In this passage we will be introduced to an Old Testament character by the name of Melchizedek and learn of his relationship to the Jews, their earthly father, their system of laws, their priesthood, and their Messiah.
Over the last several months, we have been studying material that the writer inserted as an interruption to a topic he started in chapter 5. The topic that was begun related to Christ’s ongoing ministry as our High Priest which results in the believer’s hope of eternal, unending salvation. Read chapter 5:1-10.
This interruption was not without purpose, as it was intended to remedy an identified problem—the fact that some would not be able to understand the truth presented because they were dull of hearing, spiritually unable to hear truth. The remedy presented in chapter 6 was that of abandoning one’s trust in the old sacrificial system that pointed to the Messiah and embrace Jesus Christ as one’s personal savior as He was the fulfillment of that system. He also warns his readers that religious sincerity and participation with other believers does not equal salvation.
Today, we will pick up this discussion in verse 20 of chapter six where the author, for the third time, tells us that Jesus Christ is a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, for the second time that His priesthood is forever, and works toward the clear conclusion that because of Christ’s eternal priesthood, we have an eternal salvation.
Read Hebrews 6:20-7:10
1. The Superiority of the Priesthood of Melchizedek
His Biography
Priest of the Most High God
King of Jerusalem
No Family Record
No Record of his Birth or his Death
His Character
Mel lived in a time of wickedness and pagan worship. To the east was the city of Sodom, the center of immorality and homosexuality, and all around him were the Canaanite lands, later condemned by God because of their lifestyles and their idolatry. Yet he stands out among these as a faithful follower of God described by two names:
King of Righteousness
King of Peace
His Place in God’s Plan
Why is he so important?
He is a __________ of __________ - 7:3
No record of his __________ means that by the law, he should not be a __________, yet he was by God’s __________ (7:14, 20)
No record of his _______ or ________ means that technically his __________ has not __________ (7:24)
His ________ and _______ is without _______
He is __________ to the Aaronic __________
He received __________ from Abraham as a __________ of God (7:4, 9-10)
He __________ Abraham (7:7)
Demonstrates that Abraham is __________ to him
Why is it important that the fact of Melchizedek’s place be established?
If there are any others like him, then they as well are also _________ to the __________ from the tribe of _______.
This is exactly what the author has done. In our next part, we will see that another like Melchizedek has come. In fact, not only has He come, He is superior to Melchizedek. Finally, we will see that because He is superior to any other priesthood, His sacrifice is also superior and brings to us great benefit.
2. The Superiority of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ
His priesthood is the fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy
Psalm 110 – A Messianic prophecy by David
Acts 2:22-36 – Peter states that Jesus is the fulfillment of that prophecy
Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:17, 20 – author applies it directly to Jesus
His priesthood is greater than any other previous priesthood
Because He is after the order of Melchizedek, He is superior to the Levitical priesthood.
Because He was sinless, He is superior to any other human priesthood (7:26-28)
He had no need to offer a sacrifice for Himself because He was without sin.
Since He is superior to any human priest, He is superior to Melchizedek.
His priesthood provides a greater redemption
Because it is superior to the Levitical priesthood, it puts an end to the Levitical code (the law) and its system of sacrifices. (7:11-12, 22)
Because His priesthood will never end (7:17, 20, 24, 28), our redemption will never end.
Therefore:
There will never be a need for any other sacrifice for sin. Later we will see that this means that all of my sin has been atoned for by the one sacrifice. (7:11-12)
There is always the opportunity to enjoy the close relationship I have with God. (7:18-19)
There will never be a chance that our eternal salvation (which believers currently possess) can ever end – one cannot lose God’s salvation. (7:25)
These are wonderful realities, aren’t they? But it should be remembered that they are only wonderful for those who know Christ as Savior. What does that mean?
To realize that you are sinner and therefore stand condemned by God to be punished forever in hell.
To accept Jesus’ sacrifice as the payment for their sin and to ask God to forgive you by the Jesus’ blood which covers your sin, appeases the wrath of God and makes you righteous before Him.
It means to trust only in that sacrifice and abandon your efforts to earn salvation.
It means to repent of your sin and commit to obediently follow Jesus.
There is no other way and there never will be.
Believer, today rejoice in the permanency of the atonement and the salvation of God. Today, seek to know God more and communicate to Him again all that He means to you.
Worship Him, Adore Him, Serve Him.