Explore the Bible Lesson Preview October 19, 2014 Only Jesus Saves Background: Hebrews 6:13-7:28 Lesson: Hebrews 7:23-28 Motivation: Hal Lindsey once said, One can live 40 days without food, about three days without water, up to eight minutes without air but not one second without hope. What is the basis for a Christian s hope? We ll examine part of the truth in this study. (2 Cor. 5:14) Examination: I. Promises of God (6:13-20) A. An Example of Hope: Abraham For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself: I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you. And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. (13-15) 1. Security He swore by Himself (13) In times before notaries, surety bonds, or an extensive legal system, oath taking was an accepted means of guaranteeing a pledge. Unfortunately, by the first century, an elaborate system of binding and non-binding oaths had developed which devalued integrity (Matt. 5:34-37). The reference to God s oath (Gen. 22:16) was a clear picture to the readers of its surety. 2. Stipulation (14) God s repeated renewal of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob became the foundation of His relationship with the Jews. 1 / 9
3. Success And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise (15) Isaac was born twenty-five years after Abraham received God s promise; the extent of the blessing was not realized in Abraham s lifetime (11:13). B. The Guarantee of Hope: God s Character For men swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us (16-18) 1. God s Promise One immutable (unchanging) aspect of God involves His promises. We have hundreds of examples of promises including those involving Prayer (Jer. 33:3), Worship (Heb. 11:6), Evangelism (Matt. 4:19), Discipleship (Luke 9:23), Service (Eph. 2:10), and Stewardship (Malachi 3:10). 2. God s Oath The second immutable aspect of the promise is that it was given with an oath. Since God cannot lie, an oath seems unnecessary. Yet, it stresses the importance of the promise as well as its enduring nature. C. The Importance of Hope: Our Anchor We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure, it enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. (19) In the catacombs of Rome, inscribed on first century tombs, several Christian symbols are repeatedly seen; the Cross, alpha/omega, Good Shepherd, dove and the anchor. In a world that could appear normal one day and see a Christian torn apart by wild animals in an arena the next day, the security of an anchor of the soul would be a powerful symbol. Hope is used five times in Hebrews and each reference is a noun depicting something the believer can appropriate and hold onto (3:6; 6:11, 18; 7:19; 10:23). The Christian doesn t just hope everything will turn out OK; in fact, each Christian has a hope based on the promises of God which provides security in a troubled world. (Rom 15:5) 2 / 9
D. The Forerunner of Hope: Jesus Christ Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. (20) Explore the Bible Commentary (Fall, 2000) p. 73 lists four reasons to anchor our hope in Jesus: First, Jesus has entered there. He completed His work of redemption and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3b). We don t have to wonder whether He did enough or whether God accepted His death as sufficient for our salvation. That God received Him into heaven gives us certain hope. Second, He is there on our behalf. He is pleading for believers before His Father and always lives to intercede for them (7:25b). The last verses of this week s study show the writer s further development of this truth. Third, He is our forerunner. The Greek word occurs only here in the New Testament. Like a trailblazer, Jesus secured the path so that others may follow. We have the certain hope of heaven and of sharing the glory of God because of Christ s victory. Fourth, He is our high priest forever. Believers will be in God s presence forever because of Christ. This fact gives us great assurance. In the last part of chapter 7, the writer pointed out even more implications of forever. (Rom. 8:26, Jude 24-25) II. Priesthood of Melchizedek (7:1-10) HCSB, p. 2120: 7:1-19 The Levitical priesthood of the Jews was grounded in the order of Aaron, but the priesthood of Jesus Christ is grounded in the order of Melchizedek. The mysterious Melchizedek appeared in Gn. 14:18-20 and was not mentioned again until the messianic promise was made in Psalm 110. The author of Hebrews drew from the OT witness to show that the order of Melchizedek was eternal in origin and scope. Melchizedek participated in the divine attributes of eternity, righteousness, peace, and sovereignty. His eternality is evident in that he was a priest forever without beginning or end. His righteousness is evident in His name since Melchizedek is Hebrew for king of righteousness. His peace is evident in the fact that he was also declared to be the King of Salem, which means king of peace. 3 / 9
Finally, Melchizedek s sovereignty was recognized by Abraham, who paid this priest-king a tithe of all he had when he returned victorious from war. If Abraham recognized Melchizedek s superiority by paying him and tithe, then Israel must, too. The author argued that the Levitical priesthood was inferior to that of Melchizedek because the inferior is blessed by the superior. The sovereignty of Melchizedek is reflected in the sovereignty of the Son of God, because while the Levitical priesthood was authorized by a legal command, the priesthood of Christ was authorized by the power of an indestructible life. A. King & Priest For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings. (1) The uniting of these two offices is critical to our full understanding of the role of Jesus. He is the King of Kings who will one day rule over all. At the same time, Jesus is our great High Priest who was, in fact, the sacrifice as well. (Heb. 10:10, 12, 14; Rom 3:26) B. Superior to Abraham And Abraham gave him a tenth of everything; first, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace; without father, mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days not end of life, but resembling the Son of God - remains a priest forever. (2-3) 1. Blessing (cf. 6-7) 2. Tithing (cf. 4-10) That Abraham tithed to Melchizedek is a major point of rank. That the author devotes seven verses to tithing and only three words to Divinity ( Son of God - 36), helps us understand that tithing is a big deal to God. C. Righteous King of Righteousness D. Peace King of Peace (Isa. 9:6) 4 / 9
E. Eternal without father or mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life (3) (John 17:5, 24; 8:56, 58) F. Son of God resembling the Son of God (3) III. Priesthood of Jesus (7:11-22) A. Imperfection of the Levitical Priesthood (11-14) If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? 1. Intended - Ultimate perfection was never intended to come through the Levitical priesthood. The appearance of Melchizedek prior to the establishment of the Levitical priesthood conveyed that the tribe of Levi was not the final word in God s plan. 2. Indefinite For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. (12) A change in the priesthood (from Aaron to Christ) underscores the temporary nature of the Levitical priests in God s plan. 3. Indistinguished For the One these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests. (13-14) Expectations of a Messiah were focused on the tribe of Judah, not the tribe of Levi. (Gen. 49.10) B. Superiority of the New Priesthood (15-28) 1. Superior in Power (15-19) 5 / 9
a. Eternal not based on a legal command concerning physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life (16) Christ s resurrection power is His demonstration of superiority to all earthly systems. He is a priest forever (17) (John 17:5). b. Benefits 1. The old priesthood was weak and unprofitable (18) it perfected nothing (19). 2. The New High Priest (Jesus) brings a better hope. (19) He allows believers to draw near to God (19). 2. Superior in Authority None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but He became a priest with an oath made by the One who said to Him: The Lord has sworn, and He will not change His mind, You are a priest forever. So Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. (20-22) The order of Melchizedek has the authority of God s sworn word. It is established by His oath. III. A Permanent Priest Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. (23-25) HCSB, p. 2121-22; 7:20-8:13 The author addressed next the authorizing sources of the two priesthoods. Typically, authority was granted to an agreement or a covenant through the confirmation of an oath. Citing Jr. 31:31-34, the author noted the old covenant between God and Israel was dependent on the oath of man; unfortunately, they did not continue in the covenant. But the new covenant promised through Jeremiah was different, because the oath here was made entirely by God. Because God swore to the new covenant, it was eternally 6 / 9
guaranteed. He said He would be merciful to them and place His laws in their minds and hearts. Because of the divine oath, the new covenant is a better covenant. The first covenant is old and aging and about to disappear. The priesthood based on the old covenant was filled with priests who could not remain in office because they died, but the new covenant priest always lives to intercede. The old covenant priesthood was filled with priests who were weak (7:28), but the new covenant priest was perfect ed forever through Jesus obedient suffering. The old covenant priest had to offer sacrifices every day, but the new covenant priest offered a sacrifice once for all. The old covenant priest sacrificed for both himself and his people, but the new covenant priest, being sinless, offered Himself on behalf of the people. IV. Because of His Character For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever. (26-28) A. Righteous holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners (26) Jesus is the Lamb of God without spot or blemish. He is the High Priest but is also the perfect sacrifice. B. Sufficient He did this once for all when He offered Himself (27) Christ s sufficiency 7 / 9
impacts last week s study in 6:6, the impossibility of recrucifying Jesus. The writer stakes His eternal future upon the sufficiency of Jesus atoning work; in other words, if His crucifixion is not enough to fully save you for eternity, then there is no other remedy. C. Perfect perfected forever Jesus offers the complete and ultimate pardon for sin. Application: 1. Christ is our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior. (Titus 2:13) 2. Christ is our source of hope. (Rom. 15:4, 13) 3. Christ is superior to any earthly system or person. (Phil. 2:9-10; 1 Cor. 13:13; Ps. 146:5; Jer. 17:7) Teaching Packet Item 9: Chart: Jesus Descriptors ; Item 13: Poster: Christ Supreme Biblical Illustrator: (No Article this Week) **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format and notes at: www.hfbcbiblestudy. org Dates: 10/19 Lord s Supper; 10/19 Parent Commitment; 10/24 Big Night Out @ FSC; 1 0/25 Summit Hoedown/ Men: Serve; 10/26 FBA Day; 8 / 9
10/31 First Fest/Light the Night; 11/2 Deacon s Mtg/Church Conference; 11/2 Daylight Saving Time; 11/4 Election Day; 11/9 Mission Trip Reveal Lunch; 11/10 Women s Event; 11/14 Truth @ Work Conference; 11/16 Make it Your Church Orientation; 11/18 Staff Appreciation Lunch; 11/19 Last Midlink; 11/23 Christmas Store Collection; 11/23 Preschool DTW Appreciation Lunch/AMP/Wired; 11/27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday, church offices closed; 11/30 No LBS; 12/5 ReCreate Date Night; 12/5 ReCreate: Date Night; 12/6 Christmas Store; 12/7 Natalie Grant 3 Services @ Loop; 12/13 Deacon Christmas Party; 12/14 HUB Christmas Event-Palooza; 12/24-25 Christmas Holiday, church offices closed; 12/28 No LBS; 12/31 Summit New Year s Eve Party. 9 / 9