Our Great High Priest Hebrews 7:18-28 Message by Michael J. Barnard April 2, 2017 Teaching Aim: To examine the High Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ and see how it is better than that of the Levitical High Priests. To contrast the conditions of the Old and New Covenants realizing, in Christ, we have access to God in the heavenly Holy of Holies anytime day or night. To see the New Covenant as the last will and testament of Jesus Christ; it was ratified by His blood and guaranteed by His resurrection. To realize Jesus has risen to be the Executor of His own will! DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: The law made nothing perfect, it pointed to our need for a better hope (Heb. 7:18-21) What is the meaning of the word annulled (vs. 18)? (See Dictionary) According to verse 18, what commandment was annulled? (See Commentaries) In light of Rom. 3:19-20, was the Mosaic law ever intended to save anyone (vv. 18-19a)? What is the purpose behind the Mosaic Law? (See Gal. 3:24-25) Should the message of a Christian ever be negative? Why or why not? Why is it a concern when the DJ on a popular Christian radio station says, You won t ever hear anything negative here? Is the gospel message offensive in any way? How can we understand the good news of the gospel unless we first understand the bad news? (See Rom. 6:23) What better hope does the Christian have today than the Jew living under the Mosaic law (vs. 19)? (See 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Pet. 3:18; Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:8-9) What are some ways that we as Christians can draw near to God today? (See 1 John 1:9; Jam. 4:7-10) 4. Why is Melchizedek one of the most important people in the entire Bible (vv. 20-22)? What is the meaning of the word sanctification? (See Dictionary) Why should personal sanctification be a high priority for every Christian? (See Phil. 2:12-13) How is your sanctification today related to the High Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ in the order of Melchizedek? (See 1 John 1:9; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; 2 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 4:14-16) 1
5. Have you ever had anyone fail to keep their word to you? How did it feel? Will God ever fail to keep His promises to you? (See Heb. 6:16-20) What difference is identified between the Levitical priesthood and the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ in verses 20 & 21? Part II: The resurrected Jesus is the guarantor (or surety) of a better covenant (Heb. 7:22-25) What is meant by the writer of Hebrews when he said, Jesus has become a surety for a better covenant (vs. 22)? What are some ways that we see guarantors and/or surety at work today? How would you define the word covenant? (See Dictionary) What is the major difference between the Old and New Covenants? It is interesting to note the Greek word used for covenant in the Book of Hebrews is diatheke, this is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word berit (vs. 22). This word is used seventeen times in the Book of Hebrews. Theres a major difference between a diatheke (a one-way covenant with the greater party issuing the terms) and a syntheke (a two-way agreement between equal parties.) During New Testament era, diatheke was the exclusive word used when referring to a last will or testament (a one-sided promise involving the death of the testator). How does the Greek word diatheke (or covenant) relate to the New Covenant? (See Jer. 31:33) How does the New Covenant tie together with the cross of Jesus Christ? Have you ever gone through the death of a loved one only to have the family tear apart when it came to the will? Why do you think this happens so often? What is the role of the executor? In light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who will be the Executor of His last will and testament? What does that mean to the beneficiaries? Who are the beneficiaries? 4. What truth can we learn from verse 23 about the Levitical priesthood? According to the Jewish Historian Josephus, how many Jewish High Priests were there between Aaron and the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70? (See Commentaries) 2
5. Who is the He in verse 24? What can we find out about His priesthood from verse 24? The word therefore always leads into a conclusion. In light of verse 24, what conclusion does the writer of Hebrews come to in verse 25? What is meant by saving to the uttermost? 6. What are the three major aspects of our salvation and how does each aspect relate to a different stage in our spiritual life? Part III: Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest forever (Heb. 7:26-28) What can we learn in verse 26 about the character and High Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ? What happened to Christ as a result of His absolute holiness? Was there any importance in Jesus immediately being led into the desert to be tested by the devil following His baptism? If so, what was it? (See Matt. 4; Luke 4) How did Jesus handle the temptations that came His way? (See Matt. 4:4,7,10) What can we learn from this? Is it a sin to be tempted? Why or why not? When does a temptation become a sin? According to verse 27, what made the High Priestly ministry of Jesus different from the ministry of all other priests? Why should Heb. 4:15 be an encouragement to every bornagain believer in Christ? 4. What is the definition of a biblical type? In what way were the Old Testament sacrifices a type of Christ? (See John 1:29b; 1 Cor. 5:4-7) What can we learn about Jesus from these verses? What are some lessons the Jews should have learned through the Old Testament sacrificial system? Why do you think many of the Hebrew Christians wanted to return to Judaism? 3
5. What can we learn about the Levitical High Priesthood from verse 28? What are some ways that this weakness was displayed? (See 1 Sam. 2:22-36) What can we learn about the ministry of Jesus Christ from verse 28? 6. List several ways that the Levitical priesthood did not measure up. 4. 5. 7. List several ways that the High Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ was better than that of the Levitical priests? 4. 5. 6. 8. Why is the High Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ in the order of Melchizedek important to each of us today? MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! The Mosaic law saves no one, the law is a tutor to show us our need for Christ! The Old Testament sacrificial system pointed towards the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross! Jesus died once for all bringing the sacrificial system to an end! The resurrected Christ has become the guarantor (or surety) of a better covenant! The Lord is there for us in all three aspects of our salvation: 1) Our justification is the moment we are regenerated through faith in Christ; 2) Our sanctification is the lifelong process of being set apart and conformed to the image of Christ; and 3) Our glorification will occur when we die (or are raptured) and come into the glorious presence of Christ; at that moment we will be glorified and delivered from the presence of sin forever! Jesus is always just a prayer away, His High Priestly ministry on our behalf will last forever! 4
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