Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.1UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.06UNLIKELY
Fear
0.06UNLIKELY
Joy
0.55LIKELY
Sadness
0.48UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.72LIKELY
Confident
0.11UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.95LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.53LIKELY
Extraversion
0.19UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.27UNLIKELY
Emotional Range
0.72LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
This part of the chapter is the pinnacle point of the discussion of Jesus Christ as a superior High Priest.
He provided an introduction to the concept in chapter 5.
Then, he outlined how the priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Levitical priests.
Now, he is going to slam home the idea that Jesus is superior because he is our Melchizedekian priest.
Basically, he makes three different cases.
First, with Jesus as our high priest, the regulations for worship have changed.
A better way of worship has come.
Second, the priesthood of Christ was confirmed with an oath from God. Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant.
Third, Jesus is eternal and hold the office forever.
He perpetually offers help to those who trust in him.
1.
The way of worship has changed.
()
A. The priesthood of the Levites was flawed which necessitates a priesthood of another type.
()
The author uses a rhetorical question which assumes the flaws of the old order of priesthood.
If the old way was perfect, if it could reach the desired outcome, then why was there a need for a new type of priesthood.
If the old covenant could establish a relationship between God and his people, then why would there be further need as indicated by the prophets of old.
The Levitical priesthood was never intended to be the end game.
It was a transitory office to point out the need for something (someone) better.
B. A change in the type of priest means a change in the way of worship.
()
A change to a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek means a change to the way people approach the throne of grace.
C. The old way was ineffective and so a new way was provided.
()
Weak and unprofitable indicate ineffectiveness.
The old covenant and the old priesthood could not and did not bring about God’s ultimate goal of a reconciliation with his people.
We needed something that was effective.
Now, this begs the question that I don’t necessarily have an answer.
God knows everything.
He knew the old covenant could not and would not bring about the ultimate goal of reconciliation with his people.
So, why provide that way?
2. The divine oath ()
A. The new priesthood after the order of Melchizedek was affirmed by an oath.
()
<answer questions about Melchizedek>
The Levitical priesthood became priests without taking an oath of office.
The were priests because they were born into the Levitical line.
You job was set because of your genealogical line.
Jesus became priest by the oath of God and this makes his priesthood secure and unchangeable.
Jesus will always and forever be our priest.
There will be no additional change.
Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant.
This better covenant will bring God into relationship with his people.
B. Our hope, in Christ Jesus, is in the most securest of terms.
()
There is literally no risk.
There is literally no risk.
3. The priesthood of Jesus is permanent.
()
A. The Levitical priesthood was temporary.
()
The Levites were mortals.
Their tenure was limited by death.
This is one of the inferiorities of the old covenant.
This weakness does not apply to the eternal Christ.
The Levites were mortals.
Their tenure was limited by death.
This is one of the inferiorities of the old covenant.
This weakness does not apply to the eternal Christ.
B. Jesus holds his priesthood forever.
()
The author uses a word here that is only used here in the New Testament.
The author uses a word here that is only used here in the New Testament.
ἀπαράβατος (aparabatos) - permanent, inviolable, can never be changed or altered
The word was used to talk about the sun’s course through the sky.
Jesus’ priesthood is unchangeable.
He hold office forever.
ἀπαράβατος (aparabatos)
C. Due to the nature of his priesthood, he is able to completely save all who come to God through him.
()
There are no limitations on the service that Jesus provides to those who trust in him.
He offers complete salvation, not temporary deliverance from sin.
He makes constant intercession for those who trust in him.
4. Summation ()
A. The superiority of Jesus’ character and status ()
All of this emphasizes the differences between the sinfulness of earthly priests and Jesus.
They had to continually offer sacrifices, but Jesus offered a sacrifice once for all.
All of this emphasizes the differences between the sinfulness of earthly priests and Jesus.
B. Jesus was appointed by an oath of God in contrast to the law appointing the priests.
()
This would have provided the context for a major paradigm shift in Jewish though.
Today, we are not really tempted to look back at the Levitical system of priesthood with fondness and nostalgia; however, it is quite possible that the Jewish believers were tempted in this way.
One of the reminders from this passage is to guard against resisting new ways in favor of continuing old ineffective ways.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9