Sermon Tone Analysis

The Perfected Son Who Perfects Us

Hebrews 7:11 “11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?”

Hebrews 7:19 “19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”

Hebrews 7:25 “25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Hebrews 7:28 “28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”

This Passage

Perfection = Completion

High Priest = Mediate between God and man

Complete/Perfect One (High Priest) vs. Imperfect Ones

Illustration: “Perfect practice makes perfect” will not work here.

Only a Perfect One can perfect the imperfect ones.

What is the goal of this sermon?

The goal of this sermon is to exhort people to actively draw near to the perfected One who alone can complete them.

Why is this goal needed?

This goal is needed because in our fallen condition we sense our nakedness and restlessness, out we try to fill these imperfections by turning to insufficient substitutes.

Big Idea:

We must trust in the perfected Christ who is perfecting those who are drawing near to God through Him.

Preview:

What does it mean that we’re not perfect?

How did Jesus become the perfected Son?

Who gets to participate in this perfecting process and how?

(1) What does it mean that we’re not perfect?

Hebrews 6:20 introduction to Melchizedek

Genesis 14 background - Abraham 318 servants

The blessing of Melchizedek upon Abraham

Melchizedek is: King of Salem, Priest of the most High God.

Abraham tithes of the spoils

Hebrews = or > 1900 years later reflecting

Hebrews 7:1-3 “1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”

Melchizedek = King of righteousness and King of peace

Summarizes what was lost in the Garden of Eden w/Adam & Eve (explanation)

Nakedness & Restlessness

Definition and application of Imperfect:

It is the loss of security and the loss of peace that makes mankind to be imperfect.

To be imperfect is to be incomplete is to be missing some kind of trait or attribute or to have some kind of imbalance that makes us whole.

Illustration: How are describe perfection today.

Life today, in pursuit of these two things.

Imperfection requires a Mediator (priest)

Worst part of imperfection (before God)

Ill: Isaiah said, "I am ruined..."

App:

Do you see and know this about yourself - That before God you are ruined?

That the reason you seek security and peace in other people and things is because you have a need for covering up and for peace?

Melchizedek

Abraham worships him through tithe

See Hebrews 7:4 “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.”

The tithe of all Abraham had won as the spoils of war,

App:

The extreme thoughts about the tithe

The Legal Extreme: There are a few extremes when we begin to talk about the tithe.

There is the extreme that sees this as a legal obligation.

This person fears that God, as a police officer will stop and punish you if you don't pay.

The Liberty Extreme: Then, there is the liberty extreme.

This person sees that the law has no bearing upon them.

Both are wrong in some way: The good news is that both of them are wrong in some way.

The legal extreme misses love as the primary motivation and gives out of fear of punishment.

The liberty extreme misses that Abraham lived pre-law and was giving in recognition of the worth of the PERSON.

Where should we land on tithe?

All should be giving

All should be giving of what they've gained.

(Consider Abraham)

All giving should be in light of the value of who we are giving to.

All giving should be in light of the grace received.

(Meaning that under guard 10% should be a starting point) - Hebrews 7:6-7.

The blessing came first.

We who have a greater High priest in Jesus, One who has covered the imperfection of our nakedness with his righteousness and the imperfection of our restlessness with peace with God should see Him as worthy of faithful, regular contribution to the body of Christ.

Transition:

Answer: To be imperfect is to be naked and restless before God.

It is to be missing both righteousness and peace.

Now, I've already told you that Jesus meets the need of these imperfections, but how?

He had to become the perfected Son.

(2) How did Jesus become the perfected Son? (v.

28)

First, we need to understand what it means that Jesus was consecrated or perfected.

If to be imperfect is mankind lacking righteousness and peace, then there are three major things that the Son of God must do in order to be made perfect.

The Son of God must become a man

The Son of God must fulfill righteousness in his human state

The Son of God must be at perfect peace with God in his human state

*He was righteous and peace in his divine person, but he had to become this as fully human.

How does Jesus do all of this?

Answer: Jesus becomes the Perfected Son by obtaining righteousness and peace through His priesthood.

He fulfilled the priesthood that was expected historically and legally

Let's outline the argument of the author,

Melchisedec is greater than Abraham -v.7- 4-6

Melchisedec is greater than Levi -v.7- 10

Melchizedek's priesthood order was greater than Levi v.11-21

Jesus is the greater priest based on better covenant - one not dependent upon dying men- V.22-24 (according to oath)

Jesus is not a connection biologically but supernaturally.

How did Jesus fulfill this righteousness and obtain this peace?

Two things seen in verses 25-28.

Answer:

He lived sinlessly and

died sacrificially.

In his life he fulfills righteousness and in his death he secures peace.

This makes him to be the perfect High priest who can cover our nakedness and calm our restlessness before God.

App:

Any misconceptions we have about finding Security and rest should be uprooted by this truth

Our security should not rest in knowing our selves first but in knowing Christ and ourselves through Christ.

Self-righteousness has a shelf limit.

The peace the world offers is different than what Jesus offers.

So, if Jesus has secured this righteousness and peace who gets perfected and how?