Hebrews 8:1-13 NLT October 2, 2016 Pastor Kyle Holt God Has Spoken The Superiority of Christ s Ministry Last Message: We learned that Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, is ALL we need. We were reminded that the sufficiency and excellency of Christ s priesthood is an offer that brings humanity healing, hope, assurance, and security. Judaism and the Levitical priesthood was not a viable way to the Father! A. Could not cleanse fully (repeated sacrifices) B. Could not intercede faithfully (enter once for a short time) C. Could not provide access to God finally Hebrews teaches us that the human priesthood is inadequate we need the Great High Priestly ministry of Jesus. Today: The superior ministry of Jesus Christ makes available for us better promises QUESTION: Why is Christ s ministry superior to that of the human priesthood? To address this, we must first view the larger context. Larger context of Hebrews 8-10 A. Three Movements (8:1-13; 9:1-22; 9:23-10:18) B. Three Themes (Sanctuary, Sacrifice, Covenant) C. Movement #1: Scriptural Foundation (Today s Focus) D. Movement #2: Inadequacy of the Old Testament sanctuary and covenant leading to adequacy of Christ s sacrifice E. Movement #3: Full sufficiency of Christ s ministry NOTE: Hebrews 8 is laying the foundation for a deeper discussion found in Hebrews 9 and 10 regarding the three themes of sanctuary, sacrifice, and covenant. NOTE: Today we will explore the foundational elements of Christ s superior ministry. 1
I. Christ is the MINISTER in the heavenly tabernacle. Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. Hebrews 8:1-2 NKJV A. Expansion and continuation of the High Priestly ministry of Jesus 1. Began in Hebrews 4:14-16 2. Interruption in 5:11 3. Continued in 6:20 B. Hebrews 8 is seen as a transition 1. The things being said (has written; yet to write) 2. High Priest who sat down at the right hand (conclusion of previous section) C. Main Point What is it? 1. Our High Priest is the exalted Son of God. 2. Our High Priest offers the forgiveness of sins. 3. Our High Priest never sleeps and lives to intercede on our behalf. 4. Our High Priest understands our weaknesses and temptations and lived life without sin. 5. Our High Priest provides access to the Father and extends mercy, grace, and help. 6. Our High Priest extends an offer of salvation that is still available regardless of our past, our failures, or even our current lifestyle. IMPORTANT: This High Priestly ministry is presently available for perseverance! Since WE HAVE a great High Priest (4:14) WE HAVE a High Priest (8:1) Since WE HAVE a great High Priest (10:21) NOTE: Through the self-offering of Jesus, the author emphasizes the main point: this High Priest is available to us! D. Arrival at the Son s present position 1. Invitation from God to the Son to sit at right hand (Psalm 110:1) 2. Son sat at right hand of the Majesty in the Highest (Hebrews 1:3) 3. Expanded: Son sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens NOTE: Use of throne magnifies the divine sovereignty and authority of the Son s position; throne of grace. 2
NOTE: Author is drawing his readers to the realization that he is the ONLY priest capable of meeting their needs. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. Hebrews 7:26-27 NKJV The Jewish sacrificial and priestly system you are considering returning to is incapable of satisfying your eternal longing for a savior. APPLICATION Wealth, power, position, relationship, and even good works will not meet or satisfy our inner-longings Always disappoint and leave us empty E. Minister of the true sanctuary and true tent 1. Minister a. Enhances the dignity and authority of this High Priest b. Term used of priest who serve in God s house But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Isaiah 61:6 NKJV c. LXX and Jewish Literature use term for priests or priestly service d. Hellenistic world ministers were public servants or benefactors NOTE: The priestly service of THIS High Priest provides untold benefit bringing them into the very sanctuary He serves far superior to angelic ministry people have access 2. Sanctuary and True Tent a. Synonymous terms b. The Sanctuary primary expression used to describe the place Christ has entered as High Priest on our behalf c. Heaven itself For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24NKJV d. Most Holy Place of God s presence behind the veil 3
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. Hebrews 6:19 NKJV NOTE: Tent Christ entered consists of ONLY a Most Holy Place which is Heaven NOTE: An earthly holy place in the Mosaic temple did not provide access to God in the Old Testament 3. Pitched by no human being, but by the Lord a. Emphasizes the superiority over Mosaic tent b. True Tent This Tent described in Hebrews is true because it is the place where the salvation accomplished by Christ brings eternal fellowship with God (New International Commentary on the New Testament: Hebrews) c. Mosaic tent did not affect God s promised salvation earthly way fell short (inadequate) NOTE: Our High Priest superior to the Levitical priesthood is ministering on our behalf not in a place made by human hands but instead in the true place of worship Heaven itself. *Jesus ministry is far superior than the human priesthood and is exactly what we need! For such a High Priest was fitting for us. Hebrews 7:26a NKJV II. Christ is the MEANS of approaching God. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." Hebrews 8:3-5 NKJV How would Old Testament priests approach God? High Priest could only enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil one time a year (Day of Atonement) In order to enter into the Most Holy Place, several sacrifices and gifts (offering) were necessary (bulls, rams, goats sin and burnt offerings) Priest had to cleanse himself, atone for his own sins, the sins of Israel, and even cleanse the tabernacle, the altar, and the people (see Leviticus 16) 4
A. The Old Testament Priesthood Required Sacrifices and Gifts For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. Hebrews 5:1 NKJV For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Hebrews 8:3a NKJV Why? Allowed priests to 1. Represent others to God 2. Represent God to the people 3. Representation only possible through gifts and sacrifices 4. Biblical role of priests in the Old Covenant according to the Law 5. Gifts and Sacrifices anticipate the ineffective and repetitive nature of Aaronic Priesthood (see 9:28-10:4) B. The offering of the Great High Priest It was necessary for this one to have something to offer (Hebrews 8:3) 1. Anticipated the once-for-all character of Christ s sacrifice with singular noun (something) and aorist verb (he might offer). 2. Something outlined in movement #2 and #3 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14 NKJV By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:10 NKJV NOTE: This once-for-all atoning sacrifice of Christ has become our avenue to commune at ALL times with the Father access Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh. Hebrews 10:19-20 NKJV 3. Offered up in the heavenly not earthly sanctuary Superior sacrifice Different sacrifice Not equivalent with sacrifices offered according to the law (discussed later) 5
C. The Old Mosaic Tent 1. Pattern and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary 2. Prefigures the location of God s presence that Christ entered and ministry embarked upon 3. Reveals the inadequacy of the old covenant as a means of approaching God (see 9:1-10) What does this reveal? Our only access to the Father is through Jesus, our great High Priest Our only means of salvation is through the superior priestly ministry of Jesus NOTE: Nothing else grants access to the Father or makes available saving grace. III. Chris is the MEDIATOR of a better covenant. But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." 13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:6-13 NKJV How? A. Our High Priest has been given a far superior ministry 1. Accomplished through His self-offering sacrifice 2. Accomplished through His obedience to death 6
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV B. Our High Priest mediates a far better covenant 1. Mediator Role a. Moses mediator of old covenant I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain. Deuteronomy 5:5 NKJV What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Galatians 3:19 NKJV b. Jesus mediator of the new covenant better covenant For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV Mediates One who acts as a guarantee so as to secure something which otherwise would not be obtained Christ is the surety (guarantor) of the new covenant, guaranteeing terms for the people. 2. Jesus provides (makes available) benefits described in the better promises of Jeremiah 31:31-34 a. Emphasizes the establishment of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:8) b. Emphasizes the inadequacy of the first covenant Not without fault (Hebrews 8:7) Unable to cleanse fully Unable to obtain right standing with God 7
I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." Galatians 2:21 NKJV It is obsolete and ineffective for salvation In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:13 NKJV c. Emphasizes the benefits of the new covenant But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:33-34 NKJV For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." Hebrews 8:10-12 NKJV KEY: New covenant provides the resources needed to enable the people to remain faithful and persevere NOTE: Wilderness generation did not remain faithful and there were consequences Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. Hebrews 8:9 NKJV For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:16-19 NKJV NOTE: New covenant promises are based on the High Priestly ministry of Jesus Benefits are 1. Willing obedience springing from God s Laws written on the hearts of His people 8
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Psalms 119:11 NKJV I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalms 119:11 NKJV Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. 37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. 38 Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You. 39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. 40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness. Psalms 119:33-40 NKJV Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end. Psalms 119:111-112 NKJV 2. Intimate fellowship with God I will be their God and they will be my people Present and future reality And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:3-4 NKJV That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Philippians 3:10 NKJV 3. Removal of sin Old covenant unable to fully cleans guilt Makes possible for God s Law to be written upon the heart Forgiveness of sins is available NOTE: It is the superior ministry of Jesus Christ our Great High Priest that makes these benefits of the New Covenant available to us now! 9
Conclusion: Great High Priest Jesus Christ is the One who mediates or makes available the benefits of the New Covenant We must stop looking other places for fellowship with God only available through Jesus Christ Through His mediating role His ministry in heavenly tabernacle and self-offering He has given us eternal access to the Father Luke 5 Called first disciples Jesus mediates benefits of the new covenant WE must choose whether we are going to embrace those benefits 10