The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection

HEB7.1

Hebrews 7:11–28 ESV

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” 22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

The Super Bowl is an iconic event American culture. It’s so popular that often people watch the game for the sake of seeing the new commercials. For the 2018 game a 30s commercial cost an advertiser $5 million. A few years ago a CEO was asked,

One recent news article asked the question,

“Is the gamble worth it for companies?”

His response was,

“It's not a bet, if you know the outcome.”

Companies pay all of that money because they know that if they come up with the right slogan or ad that sticks in the minds of consumers, the cost of the add will be like pennies in the long run.

My sermon title this morning is a slogan that was first heard almost 30 years ago. “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection,” is the slogan used to launch Lexus. The advertising company that Toyota hired to prepare for the launch of Lexus decided that was the right slogan to use for branding this new line of vehicles.

Our sermon title today is a slogan. Anyone know what company it’s from? Obviously the slogan worked. You hear the words, “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection,” and you think Lexus. The advertising company that Toyota hired to prepare for the launch of Lexus decided that was the right slogan to use for branding this new line of vehicles.

But they didn’t just pluck it out of thin air. When they visited Lexus designers in Japan, they noticed the designer’s obsessive attention to detail. They were obsessed with pursuing perfection in every detail of this vehicle. Of course, their slogan had to be the relentless pursuit of perfection because they knew that perfection couldn’t actually be attained, but they’d never stop pursuing it.

In our text today there is a whole lot we could draw out. But perfection is the concept that both brackets the text and is found right in the middle. I simply refer to the writer of Hebrews as The Pastor. You might say that the Pastor is obsessed by perfection here. But he’s not focusing on perfection because he believes that perfection is impossible to attain. He’s focused on it because he wants the Hebrews to be absolutely clear that perfection is required, but it is only attainable through the ministry of the perfect high priest, Jesus Christ. He’s been digging into the importance of Jesus’ ministry as a high priest. And at this stop on the tour is the message about perfection.

perfection is required, but it is only attainable through the ministry of the perfect high priest, Jesus Christ. He’s beginning to dig into the importance of Jesus’ ministry as a high priest. And the first stop on the tour is the message about perfection.

So, as we follow him, we’re going to talk about three things on this topic of The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection; The Imperfect Condition, The Perfect Hope, and The Perfect One.

In the first ten verses of the Pastor point out that this mysterious man Melchizedek was a priest of the Most High God. But even though he was a priest of the true and living God, his priesthood was of a different order than the priesthood descended from Abraham, Levi and Aaron. The Pastor makes the case there that Melchizedek’s priesthood was superior to the Levitical priesthood, and this Melchizedek resembled the Son of God. His point was to direct our eyes to the greatness of Jesus Christ, and particularly his ministry as a great high priest. And this is important for the practical of reasons when it comes to living life as Christians. The priesthood has been on the Pastor’s mind since the end of ch. 4 where he said,

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The need was for them to persevere in the faith, holding tightly to their confession. This was a congregation of mainly Jewish folks who had become Christians and were facing persecution for their faith. So they were dealing with the temptation to go back under the old system of worship. Their entire life of worship centered around the Levitical priesthood. When they became Christians it was a radical change from what they knew as a way of life and worship. We can relate to the temptation to drift back towards what’s comfortable.

Remember that this was a congregation of mainly Jewish folks who had become Christians and were facing persecution for their faith. So they were dealing with the temptation to go back under the old system of worship. Their entire life of worship centered around the Levitical priesthood. When they became Christians it was a radical change from what they knew as a way of life and worship. We can relate to the temptation to drift back towards what’s comfortable.

And the goal in our passage is still to show how great Jesus is. Now he does it by pointing out the imperfect condition that existed under the Levitical priesthood. So he continues making his case by saying something that would’ve been unbelievable to anyone who was Jewish. He says God’s goal of perfection was unattainable through the Levitical priesthood. Look at what he says in v. 11

Therefore, if indeed perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for the people received law on the basis of it), what need would there still be to speak of another priest to be raised up according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron?

The people received the law from God on the basis of this Levitical priesthood, which was established by God. But it was never God’s plan that perfection would be secured through it. Notice this with me. He is unashamedly making the case that God’s goal for us is perfection. That’s the end. That’s the standard. There’s a need for another priesthood because perfection could not be attained through the Levitical priesthood.

never God’s plan that perfection would be secured through it. Notice this with me. He is unashamedly making the case that God’s goal for us is perfection. That’s the end. That’s the standard. There’s a need for another priesthood because perfection could not be attained through the Levitical priesthood.

Make no mistake about it, the concern here is about people being perfect. This is not about God being perfect, or Jesus being perfect. The concern here is about regular people, you and me, being perfect. The fact is that we’re not perfect, but it doesn’t change God’s goal or standard. To this point in the letter the concept of perfection has only been applied to Christ. This is some of what we heard about Jesus’ perfection already in this letter,

Hebrews 2:10 ESV

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Hebrews 5:9 ESV

9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

The very last verse of our text today says…

“For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” ( ESV)

Hebrews 7:28 ESV

28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

“And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,” ( ESV)

But he starts out here saying this perfection deal isn’t just about Jesus. It’s about you and me being perfect. The problem is we don’t fix our eyes high enough. The words, “I’m not perfect,” are quick to roll off of our lips whenever we want to make an excuse for why we’ve messed up. But just because you’re not perfect that doesn’t change God’s requirement, his goal, or his pursuit of perfection. It’s me who’s quick to be satisfied with my imperfection and willing to excuse it away. God is not satisfied with it.

The very last verse of our text today says… But he starts out here saying this perfection deal isn’t just about Jesus. It’s about you and me being perfect. The problem is we don’t fix our eyes high enough. The words, “I’m not perfect,” are quick to roll off of our lips whenever we want to make an excuse for why we’ve messed up. But just because you’re not perfect that doesn’t change God’s requirement, his goal, or his pursuit of perfection. It’s me who’s quick to be satisfied with my imperfection and willing to excuse it away. God is not satisfied with it.

I’ll read through the Law, I’ll read through Leviticus and Numbers and find myself offended by some of the regulations and the penalties God imposes for breaking the Law. If you can read the Bible and not be offended by anything that you read, then you’re not being honest. Some of what I read in the Law just rocks me to the core. But here’s the thing. Why am I offended? I’m offended, not because there’s a problem with God or his Law. I’m offended because I really don’t fully grasp all the implications of what it means to be holy. You know what we do? We equate niceness with godliness. But the equation the Bible makes is that holiness=godliness. I think I’m doing well as long as I’m being nice.

offended? I’m offended, not because there’s a problem with God or his Law. I’m offended because I really don’t fully grasp all the implications of what it means to be holy. You know what we do? We equate niceness with godliness. But the equation the Bible makes is that holiness=godliness. I think I’m doing well as long as I’m being nice.

Jesus didn’t die on the cross just to make a whole bunch of nice people. He died on the cross because there was no other way for people to be made perfect in holiness. The Pastor says it wouldn’t have been necessary for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek if perfection was possible through the one named after the order of Aaron. But that one was temporary.

There’s been a change in priesthood because of the need for perfection. He says in v. 12, when there’s a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. In other words, Jesus is a different kind of priest. That old priesthood is null and void. The evidence of it is what he says in vv. 13-14…

For the one about whom these things are spoken, has belonged to another tribe from which no one has officiated at the alter. For it is very evident that our Lord has descended from Judah, about that tribe Moses said nothing concerning priests.

For it is very evident that our Lord has descended from Judah, about that tribe Moses said nothing concerning priests.

They would’ve been asking the question, How could Jesus be priest? He didn’t meet the requirement. He wasn’t from the tribe of Levi, he was from the tribe of Judah. If you’d told me that he was king, I might be with you. But you’re stretching it a bit Pastor to tell me that he’s a priest. The Pastor anticipates their problem, and he points out that the very fact that God requires perfection makes it necessary for there to be a priest who was not associated with the tribe of Levi. God has resolved the imperfect condition with the perfect hope.

Look at what he says in vv. 15-19…

Hebrews 7:15–19 ESV

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

It was necessary and better for another priest to arise in the likeness of Melchizedek because those who became priests on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent could never be the solution to the problem. And we needed a better hope. If perfection could’ve been attained through them, why were there so many of them? Look at what he says in v. 23…

Hebrews 7:23 ESV

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,

It was necessary and better for another priest to arise in the likeness of Melchizedek because those who became priests on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent could never be the solution to the problem. And we needed a better hope. If perfection could’ve been attained through them, why were there so many of them? Look at what he says in v. 23… There was priest after priest after priest because these dudes died. They couldn’t continue in office because they died. Can you see how much better it is to have a priest who, as v. 24 says, holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. He continues forever because he has become a priest by the power of an indestructible life!

There was priest after priest after priest because these dudes died. They couldn’t continue in office because they died. Can you see how much better it is to have a priest who, as v. 24 says, holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. He continues forever because he has become a priest by the power of an indestructible life!

HEThere was priest after priest after priest because these dudes died. They couldn’t continue in office because they died. Can you see how much better it is to have a priest who, as v. 24 says, holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. He continues forever because he has become a priest by the power of an indestructible life!

There was priest after priest after priest because these dudes died. They couldn’t continue in office because they died. Can you see how much better it is to have a priest who, as v. 24 says, holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. He continues forever because he has become a priest by the power of an indestructible life!

Jesus is a better hope, Jesus is the perfect hope because he’s not dead! The cross was not the end. He lives now continually, permanently, forever, at the right hand of the Majesty on high. And he’s not sitting there twiddling his thumbs bored trying to find something to do. He is there mediating, he is there interceding, he is ministering continually as the great high priest for all of his people. The apostle Paul says in , “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Do you see why Jesus’ high priesthood is the perfect hope? Can you get your mind around the fact that Jesus, who is both God and man in one person, lives right now. And if you belong to him he is ministering before the Father on your behalf?

That’s why the Pastor could say so confidently in 2:18, that since Jesus suffered when tempted he is able to help those who are being tempted. That’s why he could say in 4:15,

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has in every respect been tempted as we have yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The goal is perfection. But the goal is perfection because there’s another goal. The goal is perfection because the goal is to draw near to God. He said it in ch. 4, “because we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” He says it twice in our text. In v. 19, because Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, a better hope is introduced through which we draw near to God. Then in v. 25, because Jesus holds his priesthood permanently, continuing forever, he is able to save to the uttermost, that is, he is able to save completely, those who draw near to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them.

That’s why the goal of life isn’t niceness. The goal of life is not to have people say at your funeral, “she was a nice person. She cared about others.” No. The goal of life is to live a life of worship in the presence of God. If I am conscious of this better hope, if I possess this better hope, then I find joy, peace and comfort in the reality that my life is lived before the face of God. I told you he’s been riding this great high priest train since ch. 4; 6:19-20…

Hebrews 6:19–20 ESV

19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Entering into the inner place, behind the curtain, into the very presence of God is the Christian’s daily reality. Jesus’ ministry of perfecting his people involves qualifying them to draw near to God. This is the better hope. This is the perfect hope. Can I tell you something? You’ve got to get this. You’ve got to grab hold of this hope. We talked a few weeks ago about God’s desire for his people to have strong encouragement to seize the hope he has set before them (6:18). When you get to ch. 12 he’s going to say... Well, how are we respond to this exhortation to lay down every impediment, and the sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before us, if we’re not holding on to this perfect hope through which we draw near to God?

Entering into the inner place, behind the curtain, into the very presence of God is the Christian’s daily reality. Jesus’ ministry of perfecting his people involves qualifying them to draw near to God. This is the better hope. This is the perfect hope. Can I tell you something? You’ve got to get this. You’ve got to grab hold of this hope. We talked a few weeks ago about God’s desire for his people to have strong encouragement to seize the hope he has set before them (6:18). Most weeks for our words of assurance and encouragement after the sermon I’ve been reading from 12:1-3. Well, how are we respond to this exhortation to lay down every impediment, and the sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before us, if we’re not holding on to this perfect hope through which we draw near to God?

You’ve got to get it because the Pastor is not going to get off of this train of connecting perfection in Christ with the goal of drawing near to God.

Hebrews 9:14 ESV

14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Hebrews 10:1 ESV

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

Hebrews 10:20–22 ESV

20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22 ESV

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

works to serve the living God.” ( ESV)

Hebrews 10:19–22 ESV

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

The Pastor can talk so confidently about drawing near to God because the basis of that hope is the unshakable oath between God the Father and God the Son. The Son, Jesus Christ, is the One who has been made perfect forever. And just like the Pastor does at the beginning of letter, when he lets us know that the words of are spoken by the Father to the Son. He lets us know here that the words of are spoken by the Father to the Son…

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” ( ESV)

“and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” ( ESV)

“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’”

The Pastor can talk so confidently about drawing near to God because the basis of that hope is the unshakable oath between God the Father and God the Son. The Son, Jesus Christ, is the One who has been made perfect forever. And just like the Pastor does at the beginning of letter, when he lets us know that the words of are spoken by the Father to the Son. He lets us know here that the words of are spoken by the Father to the Son…

This oath, the Pastor says in v. 22 makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. If you keep reading into ch. 8 you’ll hear him expound on that, but after stating the unshakable ground of the oath between the Father and the Son, he turns his attention to the Son’s perfection.

It almost seems anticlimactic to talk about Jesus as the perfect one. We’ve already said that the way to the perfection that God requires is through Jesus Christ. We’ve already said that he’s a priest of another order who can accomplish what the Levitical priesthood could not accomplish. Why not take Jesus’ perfection as the necessary conclusion to what he’s already said? Why tell them, in v. 28, that the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever? Not only that, but how could he be made perfect? If he’s God, then he’s already perfect. In his humanity, v. 26 describes him as holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners. If that doesn’t describe perfect, I don’t know what does. How is it that he was made perfect?

Here’s the deal. If you are going to endure, if you’re not going to throw in the towel, you need to know why Jesus’ ministry is so effective. Why is he a fitting high priest, and why is his work so effective? The Pastor is repeating himself again here at the end of ch. 7. This repetition is God’s grace to us. For the third time in the letter, he’s reminding us of Jesus’ street cred.

If you’re going to follow somebody, it’s best to know that they’ve got some credibility. If you’re going to follow somebody, it’s best to know that they earned their spot. If you’re going to get financial and investment advice, it’s better to go to somebody like Warren Buffet than it is to talk to the dude who just won the Mega Millions. Both of them have a lot of money, but only one has credibility. Only one has earned his spot…

This is the third time the Pastor has said that Jesus was made perfect.

Hebrews 2:10 ESV

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Hebrews 5:8–9 ESV

8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

This repetition is God’s grace because he is reinforcing our sense of confidence that we’re following the right one. Jesus is qualified to lead his people to the throne of God because he was perfected in the school of hard knocks. His credentials came through his suffering. He’s not a high priest who is separated from our suffering. He’s separated from our sin, but he knows our suffering intimately. Every time the Pastor talks about Jesus’ perfection he connects it with Jesus’ suffering. In 2:10, he was made perfect through suffering. In 5:8, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And here in v. 27, he has no need to offer up daily sacrifices for his own sins then for those of the people, since he offered up himself as the one time, all sufficient sacrifice for the people.

“For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” ( ESV)

“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” ( ESV)

This repetition is God’s grace because he is reinforcing our sense of confidence that we’re following the right one. Jesus is qualified to lead his people to the throne of God because he was perfected in the school of hard knocks. His credentials came through his suffering. He’s not a high priest who is separated from our suffering. He’s separated from our sin, but he knows our suffering intimately. Every time the Pastor talks about Jesus’ perfection he connects it with Jesus’ suffering. In 2:10, he was made perfect through suffering. In 5:8, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And here in v. 27, he has no need to offer up daily sacrifices for his own sins then for those of the people, since he offered up himself as the one time, all sufficient sacrifice for the people.

He’s the perfect one, not in a disconnected way from us. He’s the perfect one for us to follow on our way to perfection.

Everyone who follows Jesus is engaged in the relentless pursuit of perfection. God’s relentless pursuit of perfecting us into the image of his Son becomes our relentless pursuit to lay aside every weight and sin which so easily besets us and run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

The Pastor won’t allow us to ignore God’s goal of perfection. And he won’t allow us to ignore it because he knows that the cost of growing in holiness is high. Salvation is free but it’s not cheap. It costs us everything. But seeing the perfect Savior who brings us to live life before the face of God as he works to make us perfect makes us willing to give all of ourselves to him.

The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection

Introduction

The Imperfect Condition

The Perfect Hope

The Perfect One