The Chief Point

“THE CHIEF POINT”

Heb. 8:1-6

Introduction:   Review chapter 7:

(1)     Christ a priest after the order of Melchizedek, not after the order of Aaron or Levi:

(2)     Christ’s priesthood is far superior to the priesthood of the

Levites, for:

(a)      Christ was made a priest by an oath (vv. 20, 21).

(b)      Christ is an unchanging priest (vv. 23, 24)

(c)      Christ provides a complete, permanent salvation (v. 25).

(d)      Christ’s character surpassed that of the priests of the order of Aaron (v. 26).

(e)      Christ is sinless, thus he did not offer a sacrifice for his own sins (v. 27).

(f)       Christ offered just one sacrifice, which was sufficient (v.27).

Chapter 8 continues the presentation of Jesus as our great high priest. Almost as if he wanted to draw an arrow to point to what he is about to write, or underline it for emphasis, he says, in effect: “We have said all of that to say this:”

I.          “We Have Such A High Priest”

A.     “Such” as had never appeared before)

1.     The points of chapter 7 make clear that the Levites did not “measure up” to Christ.

2.     Even Melchizedek, who is exalted above the Levites, served only as a type, or shadow,

        of Christ.

B.     “Such” as will never again be.

1.     There will be no need of another high priest like him, for he has completed the work which a high priest must accomplish.

2.     His is an “unchangeable” priesthood (7:24).

C.     “Such” as God knew we needed!

II.        His Is a Greater Ministry!

A.     “He is set (or set down) on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.

1.     Suggests completion of work of sacrificing.

2.     Suggests comfort in the presence of the Father.

a.     Contrast the “awful” ceremony on the Day of Atonement (Lev.16).

b.     High Priest entered, offered sacrifice for his own sins; returned and sprinkled blood for sins of people.

B.     His ministry (service) is in heaven itself (9:24).

1.     The priests of the order of Aaron offered sacrifices in the tabernacle, later in the Temple of Solomon and still later in the Temple of Zerubbabel (and Herod).

2.     Christ entered into heaven itself!

3.     The priests of O.T. offered sacrifices in the shadow of the true things (v. 5).

4.     Christ presented himself to the “heavenly things,” the “true tabernacle,” “which the Lord pitched, and not man.”

a.     Heb. 11:10 - “a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

b.     Heb. 12:22 - “heavenly Jerusalem;” 12:28 - “a kingdom which cannot be moved.”

5.     That tabernacle which was built under the supervision of Moses (Exodus 35-40) was built after a pattern (v.5).

a.     The pattern had to be followed minutely.

b.     This shows the importance of the typology (representation by foreshadowing) of the tabernacle in relation to the church.

C.    His ministry is better because of the better covenant which authorizes his priesthood.

Conclusion:       “Such” a high priest! There could be none greater!