Sermon #30 Hebrews Notes

Title: Christ A Priest

After The Order of Melchizedek

Text: Hebrews 7:1-28

Readings: Bob Poncer and Bobbie Estes

Subject: Melchizedek as a Type of Christ

Date: Tuesday Evening – October 24,2000

Tape # W-7a

Introduction:

In the last verse of chapter six, the Holy Spirit declares that our Lord Jesus Christ has been “made an high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Then, in chapter seven, he proceeds to show us the beauty and greatness of Christ as our Great High Priest, as he was typified in this man, Melchizedek.

We first meet with this great man, Melchizedek, in Genesis 14:18-20. When Abraham returned from the slaughter ofd the kings of the plain, after delivering Lot from his captors, Melchizedek met him and blessed him with bread and wine, received tithes from the patriarch, and blessed him.

{Genesis 14:18-20} "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (19) And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (20) And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."

After he left Abraham, we have no mention of his name again, until we get to Psalm 110. There, David gave a prophetic psalm of praise to the Lord Jesus Christ as the exalted Mediator and King, Savior and Great High Priest of God’s elect. In verse 4, he tells us that our Lord Jesus, in his exaltation glory, is “a priest after the order of Melchizedek.”

{Psalms 110:1-4} "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. {2} The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. {3} Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. {4} The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

No other mention is made of this man, Melchizedek, until we get to the Book of Hebrews. But he is mentioned frequently in this Book. In fact, Psalm 110:4 is quoted twice in chapter 5 (vv. 6 and 10), and again in chapter 6 (v. 20). Then, the entire seventh chapter of Hebrews is taken up with this man, Melchizedek. Here, the Holy Spirit calls for us to pause and “consider how great this man was.” So, tonight, I want us to read these twenty-eight verses together. Then, I will try to show you something both of the greatness of Melchizedek and of the infinitely superior greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ, as he was “made an high priest after the order of Melchizedek.”

I am going to do little more tonight than read the chapter before us. The Lord willing, next Tuesday, I will have a little more to say about Christ and Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:1 "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;"

We are not told who Melchizedek was. Some think he was one of Shem’s sons. Others suppose that he was a descendent of Ham, a Canaanite Priest and King. There are some who think that he was an angel who appeared in the form of a man. And many teach that he was Christ himself, appearing to Abraham in a preincarnate human body.

In verse 15, we are told that our Savior is a Priest after the similitude of Melchizedek. It is evident, then, that he was a man, a priest, and a king; but one whose place, ancestry, life, and death have been purposefully hidden from us, so that he might be a great type and picture of Christ.

Hebrews 7:2 "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;"

Unlike any other man, this man pictured our Savior in that he was both a king and a priest, a priest upon a throne (Zech. 6:13).

{Zechariah 6:13} "Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."

Hebrews 7:3 "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."

Here is a beautiful picture of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Melchizedek, he was…

· Without father as a man.

· Without mother as God.

· Without beginning of days.

· Without end of life.

· A continual, abiding Priest.

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

Hebrews 7:5 "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law (Num. 18:21, 26), that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:"

Numbers 18:21 "And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation."

Numbers 18:26 "Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe."

If Abraham honored Melchizedek with tithes, how much more we ought to honor God our Savior with our substance, consecrating all to him who loved us and gave himself for us.

Hebrews 7:6 "But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.” (Rom. 4:13; Gal. 3:16)

Romans 4:13 "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."

Galatians 3:16 "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."

As Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek, so we are blessed by Christ.

Hebrews 7:7 "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better."

As Melchizedek was greater than Abraham, greater than Levi, greater than all the great ones who came from the loins of Abraham, so the Lord Jesus Christ is infinitely greater than all.

· In His Deity

· In His Humanity

· In His Offices

· In His Work

· In His Accomplishments

· In His Intercession

Hebrews 7:8 "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth (Heb. 5:6; 6:20)."

Hebrews 5:6 "As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

Hebrews 6:20 "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

All other priests died. Their priesthood ceased. Christ lives forever. His priesthood will never cease.

Hebrews 7:9 "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham."

Hebrews 7:10 "For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him."

Hebrews 7:11 "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?" (Gal. 2:21; Heb. 7:18-19; 8:7)

The reason why the priests, sacrifices, ceremonies, and ordinances of the law have all ceased is simple. They could not save. Christ can! Christ does! Christ has! Therefore, he continue forever!

Galatians 2:21 "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

Hebrews 7:18-19 "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. {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 8:7 "For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second."

Hebrews 7:12 "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."

Hebrews 7:13 "For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar."

Hebrews 7:14 "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood." (Isa. 11:1; Matt. 1:3; Luke 3:33; Rom. 1:3; Rev. 5:5)

We cannot come to God without an altar, a priest, and a sacrifice. But those Old Testament priests, altars, and sacrifices could never bring anyone to God. Therefore, a change had to come. The picture had to be replaced with the Person. The shadow had to give way to the Substance. The law had to give way to grace. The Levitical priesthood had to die, to make room for a Priest after the order of Melchizedek, from the tribe of Judah.

Isaiah 11:1 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"

Matthew 1:3 "And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;"

Luke 3:33 "Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,"

Romans 1:3 "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;"

Revelation 5:5 "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."

Hebrews 7:15 "And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,"

Hebrews 7:16 "Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life."

The Lord Jesus achieved his priestly robes by virtue of his resurrection glory.

Hebrews 7:17 "For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5:6, 10; 6:20)

Hebrews 7:18 "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof." (Rom. 8:3-4; Heb. 10:1-4)

Romans 8:3-4 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {4} That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Hebrews 10:1-4 "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. {2} For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. {3} But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. {4} For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."

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

· “For the law made nothing perfect” – (Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 3:20, 21, 28; 8:1-4; Gal 2:16; Heb. 9:9).

Acts 13:38-39 "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: {39} And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."

Romans 3:20-21 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. {21} But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;"

Romans 3:28 "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

Romans 8:1-4 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. {2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {4} That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

Hebrews 9:9 The tabernacle “was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience."

· "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did.” – (Heb. 6:18; 8:6)

We have a good hope through grace, hope founded upon righteousness established, justice satisfied, and grace bestowed.

Hebrews 6:18 "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us."

Hebrews 8:6 "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises."

· "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." – (Rom. 5:1-2; Eph. 2:18; 3:12; Heb. 4:16; 10:19)

Christ has given us such absolute perfection before God that we can now draw near to God himself with confidence, peace, and assurance.

Ephesians 3:12 "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him."

Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 10:19 "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus."

Hebrews 7:20 "And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:"

Hebrews 7:21 "(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)" (Ps. 110:4)

Hebrews 7:22 "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament." (Heb. 8:6; 9:11-15; 12:24; 13:20-21)

Our Great High Priest is our covenant Surety, the Surety God himself has accepted in our room and stead.

Hebrews 8:6 "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises."

Hebrews 9:11-15 "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; {12} Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. {13} For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: {14} How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? {15} And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

Hebrews 12:24 "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."

Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, {21} Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Hebrews 7:23 "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:"

Hebrews 7:24 "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."

Our Savior is an unchangeable, immutable, irrevocable, eternal, effectual Priest! The virtue of his sacrifice is everlasting and unalterable!

Hebrews 7:25 "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." (Rom. 8:33-34; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 9:24-26; 1 John 2:1-2)

Romans 8:33-34 "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. {34} Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Hebrews 9:24-26 "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: {25} Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; {26} For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

1 John 2:1-2 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: {2} And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Hebrews 7:26 "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;"

Hebrews 7:27 "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself." (Heb. 9:28)

Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Hebrews 7:28 "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."

Hebrews 8:1 "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."

AMEN