The Privilege
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The Upgrade
The Upgrade
Aren’t we always looking for the upgrade? When was the last time you got an upgrade?
Now, can you imagine if the upgrade cost you nothing and was extremely better than what was before? Who in their right mind would turn that down? No one!
I recently upgraded my phone because my other phone was giving me trouble after nearly 4 years…but it’s not perfect…there are some things that I like better about my old phone. There are some things about this phone that I like better but they’re also new nuisances that aren’t in other phones that I can compare to.
My laptop has been giving me trouble and I’ve thought about upgrading…it’s about 5 years old and the model itself is almost 7 years old…but then I look at the tradeoffs and there’s no perfect replacement…there’s no solution or upgrade that would be perfect and so I wonder if it’s worth it.
Upgrade is not an Upsell…Upsells are annoying…
Sometimes people don’t take the upgrade even though it’s infinitely better because they’re comfortable with what they have…it’s not perfect but it’s mine…it’s what I know.
Sometimes comparison can be a sin that leads us to upgrade…even unnecessarily…Sometimes it gives us buyer’s remorse and has people going back to their old thing…or wishing for something else.
Sometimes people have an upgrade and don’t use it…new features that go untouched because they don’t realize what they have!
Well, today we’re going to talk about various upgrades that we have received in Jesus…that sometimes we don’t appreciate, make use of, or even complain about as if we didn’t have them…the early church struggled with some of that and the author of Hebrews made sure to clarify just how much greater things really were for them now with Jesus!
Stand & Read
Hebrews 7:11-8:2
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’ ”
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
1 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
Upgraded Priesthood
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
+ In Our Pursuit of Perfection, we define it as flawless..this thing that matches our picture perfect ideas and ideals and often leads to idolatry...
+ In Hebrews, and the NT, we see words from the root word telos used to talk about Perfection…that same word can mean Whole, Fulfillment, Complete, or Mature…not lacking anything.
+ As we looked at last week, Jesus belongs to a priesthood that is greater than the Levites.
+ There was not biological merit but spiritual and supernatural merit.
+ Connected to Psalm 110, a promise of a future royal priest of a different line…that pre-dated the Law of Moses…connected to Melchizedek who was a priest of God Most High and a symbol of the Royal Priest King of Righteousness and Peace who would come.
Upgraded Access
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Different types of law: Civil, Ceremonial, Moral
- ceasing of ceremonial law because it's purpose was fulfilled in Jesus... levitical priesthood would cease too…specific to the Laws related to the Priesthood…we’ll get more into this later on in Hebrews.
- Jesus came to fulfill not abolish the Law…the Law in and of itself does not have the power to make us perfect. In fact it tends to show us where we’re NOT.
Upgraded Covenant
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
- A New Covenant was needed…that we’ll talk about more later: But Jesus is the one who guarantees it!
Upgraded Salvation
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
+ Save Completely (pantelos)- idea of salvation - soteria - was holistic and complete…
Ephesians 4 until we all reach maturity
+ Mature - teleios
Used in Hebrews 7 for perfection, and perfect referring to Jesus and how the law does NOT make things perfect
Upgraded Priest
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
+ Perfect Priest of the Perfect Priesthood
+ Bible Project Video: Jesus the High Priest
Jesus Presents God to Us & Presents Our Needs Before God the Father as Our Representative
+ That’s a huge upgrade compared to me representing myself!
+ Now we are invited to join Him
Royal Representatives
+ Represent God Before the People
+ Represent The People Before God
Upgraded Priesthood in the Line of Jesus:
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Upgraded Priesthood in the Line of Jesus:
The New International Version (Chapter 4)
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Video 2...
Called to Take the Upgrade…receive what HE did for you...
Walk in your calling as His Representative before God and before People!