The Better Covenant part 18
The Better Covenant 18
God’s Perfection Through Christ
Hebrews 7:20-28
20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath
21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn And will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’”),
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25
Therefore
He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
(1) Jesus’ Perfect Covenant 20-22
- The oath was sworn by God
- God cannot go back on His own Word
- Jesus makes the perfect guarantee
(2) Jesus’ Perfect Priesthood 23-24
- Earthly priests were subject to their own carnality
- Earthly priests were subject to death
- Earthly priests were, because of the carnal nature of mankind, undependable
(3) Jesus’ Perfect Attributes 25-26
- Jesus is:
Holy
Harmless
Undefiled
Separate from sinners
Higher than the heavens
- Jesus is able to save to the uttermost
(4) Jesus’ Perfect Appointment 27-28
- Hand chosen by the Father
- Followed after the Law to complete it
- Has already been made perfect
The New Covenant part 17
The Better Covenant 17
God’s Nearness Through Christ
Hebrews 7:11-21
Hebrews 7:11-19
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.
13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest
16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.
17 For He testifies: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,
19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Change in the Law
You have no hope – Your hope is in Jesus
You have no access to God – Through Jesus you have access anytime
There was a veil of separation – The veil has been torn in two
You could touch God only through a priest – Now you call Him Abba Father
Relationship only through imperfect Law – Relationship through perfect Love
“Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.”
~ Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), American president. Presidential message (December 25, 1927)
“The Search”
I looked for Christmas everywhere,
Through snow-filled skies and winter’s air.
I hunted in the likely places —
The festive shops, the children’s faces.
I searched for Christmas day and night,
In sprigs of holly, candlelight;
In gifts gay-wrapped and friendly greeting,
Yet found it not, and time was fleeting.
And then — with a sudden start —
I thought to search within my heart.
And there — not lost, but warm and waking —
Was Christmas, mine just for the taking!
- “The Search” by Emily Templeton
The Better Covenant part 15
The Better Covenant
God’s Righteousness Through Christ
Hebrews 7:1-10
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”
3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.
5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;
6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.
8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.
9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,
10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
(1) The Model
- Melchizedek:
- king of Salem – Canaanite
- priest of the Most High God,
- king of righteousness
- king of peace
- without father
- without mother
- without genealogy
- having neither beginning of days nor end of life
- made like the Son of God
- remains a priest continually
(2) The Nature of the Lesser
- Self-serving
- Self-dealing
- Sinful
- Base
- Downright ornery
(3) The Nature of the Better
- Loving
- Kind
- Compassionate
- Giving
- Desiring to Bless
A Better Covenant part 14
The Better Covenant
The Danger of Falling Away
Hebrews 6:1-12
Hebrews 6:1-3
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do if God permits.
Foundation truths.
It is important to see these truths for what they are – truly foundational. Remember that a foundation is a solid and secure base on which one can build. Once the foundation has been laid, we can trust ourselves to it and get on with the business of construction. What the writer identified for these panicky Jewish believers who look back to the Old Testament faith and lifestyle are foundational truths that should provide security. Grasping them, feeling secure, these believers should have gone on to maturity.
What are the foundational truths on which we can depend?
(1) Repentance from dead works.
Coming to Christ we realize that our works had nothing to do with salvation or the life Jesus offers. We turn away from a “works righteousness” in the Christian life as well.
(2) Faith in God.
Trust in God is the key to salvation. That transaction of saving faith is complete.
(3) Instruction about baptisms.
In the early church, careful instruction preceded baptism. It is likely this refers to the basic doctrines taught and accepted before baptism took place.
(4) Laying on of hands.
This may refer to church discipline (leaders were appointed with the laying on of hands) or perhaps to teaching about the Holy Spirit (whose entry into the believer was so symbolized).
(5) Resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
These doctrines summarize the believer’s hope.
Is the death of Jesus not enough for you?
Hebrews 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
Are you being fruitful?
Hebrews 6:7-8
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;
8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
Can you be encouraged?
Hebrews 6:9-12
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
The writer, then, is asking us to believe so fully that when Christ came into our lives all these things were settled that we no longer worry about our relationship with the Lord. We know that He loves us. We know that we are saved.
- God wants us to know that Jesus’ death is enough. There is no more need for sacrifices for sin.
- By His one sacrifice Jesus made “perfect forever those who are being made holy” (10:14).
- You and I, like the Hebrews, are free to get on with the business of living for Jesus because He has resolved forever the question of our relationship with God.
A Better Covenant part 13
A Better Covenant
Spiritual Immaturity
Hebrews 5:9-14
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”
11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
The Four “D’s” of Spiritual Danger:
(1) Dull of Hearing
- This is not:
- The inability to hear
- The refusal to listen
- An attention disorder
- This is:
- A lack of care
- A lack of ambition
- A lack of devotion
(2) Dietary Neophytes
- Neophyte = (Encarta Dictionary)
1. Beginner – a beginner or novice at something
2. Recent Convert – a recent convert to a religion
3. Religious Novice – a new resident to a religious community who has not yet taken vows
- Should have:
- Already matured
- Already been well taught
- Already moved past the basics
(3) Diapered Sword Handlers
- Babies are:
- Unaware of many of their surroundings
- Unaware of dangers around them
- Unable to defend themselves
- Unskillful in:
(1) Finding,
(2) Quoting,
(3) Defending,
(4) Applying,
- They do not use the Word:
(1) Harmoniously,
(2) Impartially,
(3) Practically.
(4) Discerners of Good & Evil
- Christian development realities:
(1.) There have always been children, the young, and the mature.
(2.) Everyone needs continual nourishment
(3.) The word of God is that food and nourishment to spiritual life
(4.) Each one has to eat at their own level
(5.) The spiritual senses develop over time and are dulled by sin
- There are spiritual senses as well as natural.
- There is a spiritual eye, a spiritual appetite, a spiritual taste; the soul has its sensations as well as the body; these are much depraved and lost by sin, but they are recovered by grace.
(6.) It is by use and exercise that these senses are improved
- They are made more quick and strong to taste the sweetness of what is good and true, and the bitterness of what is false and evil.
- Not only reason and faith, but spiritual sense, will teach men to distinguish between what is pleasing and what is provoking to God, between what is helpful and what is hurtful to our own souls.
CHALLENGE:
(1) Evaluate where you are.
(2) Grow from there.
The Better Covenant part 12
The Better Covenant
The Priesthood
Hebrews 5:1-10a
1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.
3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.
4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.”
6 As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”;
7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,
8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
10 called by God as High Priest. . .
(1) Qualifications of Priest
- Anointed by God
- Offer Sacrifices for sins
- Offer offerings for people
- Called by God
(2) Jesus as our High Priest
- Was anointed by the Father for the “job”
- High priest was over all other priests
- Was ultimately responsible for the sacrifices
- Personally tended to the major sacrifices
- Hand selected for the position
(3) Modern Day Priests
- Answer to the High Priest
- Be anointed – full of His Spirit
- Tend to the spiritual needs of your family
- Tend to the free-will offerings of your family
- Understand your responsibility before God
The Better Covenant part 11 – The Word
The Better Covenant
The Word
Hebrews 4:11-16
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(1) The Word is
- Alive
- Powerful
- Sharp
(2) The Word Penetrates
- To the Soul
- To the Spirit
- To the Joints
- To the Marrow
(3) The Word Discerns
- Your Thoughts
- Your Intents
(4) The Word Provides
- The Great High Priest
- Who has come to mankind
- Who is at the Father’s right hand
- Who can sympathize with your weaknesses
- Who has been tempted like you
- Who withstood sin for you
(5) The Word Paves the way
- To the Throne of God
- To the Throne of Omnipotent Power
- To the Throne of Grace
- To the Throne of Mercy
- To the Throne where there is help for you in your time of need
The Better Covenant part 10 – If You Hear His Voice
The Better Covenant
If You Hear His Voice
Hebrews 4:1-10
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”;
5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,
7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
(1) We have a real promise – eternal rest
- Undisturbed peace
- The joy of the Divine nature
- Nearness to God
(2) The promise is for the people of God alone
- To enter into this rest a person must:
- Confess your sins
- Believe in God
- Trust God with all your heart
- Die to self – live for God
- Live a life of Obedience
- The promised rest is only for those in covenant relationship with God
(3) The possibility of coming short of God’s promise
- Many of the Jews came short
- Many have rejected the Gospel
- Many refuse to believe
- Many refuse to take action on their beliefs
(4) How to guard against coming short
- Hear / listen to His voice
- Guard against unbelief.
- Guard against hardness.
- Cling to hope in God
The Better Covenant part 9 – The Promise
The Better Covenant
The Promise
Hebrews 4:1
Hebrews 4:1
“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.”
(1) The Promise of Salvation
Romans 3:21-24
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 10: 12-13
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Is there any reason why you would want to spend eternity in Hell?
- All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
- The wages of sin is death
- The gift of God is eternal life
- Jesus brings freedom from the penalty of sins
(2) The Promise of Freedom
Romans 6:20-23
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 8:36
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
- Freedom from sin
- Freedom from bondage
- Freedom from
(3) The Promise of Authority
- Authority over sickness & Disease
- Authority over demonic attack
- Authority over Sin
Matthew 10:1
“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.”
Matthew 10:7-8
7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Mark 16:15-18
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Luke 10:9
“And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
Mark 11:22-24
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Challenge:
(1) Repent of your Sins
And you will – Receive eternal life
(3) Ask to be Set Free
And you will – Be Loosed from your Bondage
(4) Dare to Believe
And you will – Given Authority
The Better Covenant part 8 – The Danger of Unbelief
The Better Covenant
The Danger of Unbelief
Hebrews 3:7-19
Hebrews 3:7-19
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice,
8
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”
12
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Evaluation Questions:
(1) Will you / Do you hear the voice of God?
(2) Has your heart been hardened?
(3) Have you stopped believing in what God has said?
(4) Have you allowed deceptive sin a place in your life?
Here is what you are to do:
(1) Listen closely for God’s voice, and then obey Him.
(2) Return to the place where you left trusting Him.
(3) Give no place for rebellion in your heart.
(4) Chose to believe.
