Two reasons our hope in Jesus is better:
I. Jesus is better than
(& the Law).
A. The Levitical priesthood (and by it the Law) can
Hebrews 7:11-12 (NIV84) 11 If perfection have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.
1 . The
is only useful to show us how bad we are. Galatians 3:24 (KJV) Therefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Romans 3:20 (NLT) For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
2 . Only
people go to heaven. Hebrews 7:18-19 18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 10:14 (NIV84) For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Additional Notes:
B. The Levitical priesthood (& by it the Law)
Hebrews 7:13-14 (NIV84) 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
Romans 10:4 (ESV) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Additional Notes:
II. Jesus is better than
.
A. Better because He lives
Hebrews 7:15-17 (NIV84) 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Additional Notes:
B. Better because of His divine
Hebrews 7:20-22 (NIV84) 20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Additional Notes:
C. Better because of His
Hebrews 7:23-24 (NIV84) 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
Hebrews 7:25 (NIV84) Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them.
Additional Notes:
D. Better because of His
Hebrews 7:26-28 (NIV84) 26 Such a high priest meets our need–one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Additional Notes:
IIII. Conclusion: Jesus is
.
- He is ALIVE – and rose from the dead.
- He PROMISES – a better covenant.
- He is PERMANENT – lives forever & never dies.
- He PERFECTLY – sacrificed His life for us.
How will you
to Jesus?
Discussion Questions:
1. Describe something “temporary” in your life that became WAY better when it became “permanent”. Explain.
2. What did you learn about Melchizedek in this study?
3. Discuss how difficult it would have been for first century Jews to learn that the Aaronic priesthood and the law were “weak and useless”. How would you have responded?
4. Why is Jesus a better high priest than Aaron and Melchizedek? Be specific.
5. What difference does Jesus make in your life in light of these messages?