Sermon Date: March 19th, 2023
Reflections on Sunday’s Sermon
Below is a reference to the section of the New City Catechism that we went over on Sunday:
The New City Catechism
Lord’s Day 12
What Does God Require in the Ninth and Tenth Commandments?
Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us. (James 2:8)
Scripture
Hebrews 7:1-10 - (English Standard Version)
- 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
Understanding and Applying
- Priest-King: List all the ways in which Melchizedek is a type (foreshadowing) for our divine Priest-King, Jesus (vv. 1-4; Zechariah 6:12-13)?
- Melchizedek vs. the Levites: How does the author press his readers to see that Jesus’ priesthood is better than the Levitical priesthood (vv. 5-10; Genesis 14:18-20)?
• We may not be tempted to look to the Levitical priesthood, but what are some lesser things that you look to for peace, righteousness, assurance, and the like?
- Blessed: As saints, how have we been blessed by our great High Priest (v.2; Galatians 3:13-14; 1 Peter 1:1-5)?
“Having offered the sacrifice of his blood, shed on the cross for atonement of our sins, and having won God’s help by his intercessory prayers, he also possesses royal power to subdue our hearts, govern his flock and kingdom, and defend his own people against every enemy.” —Richard Phillips
• How does a better understanding of Melchizedek give us all the more reason to cling to Jesus?