CONSIDER THE GREATNESS OF THE MAN--HEBREWS 7:1-4, 14-21

CONSIDER THE GREATNESS OF THE MAN

HEBREWS 7:1-4, 14-21

Key verse: v. 4, “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.”

Introduction:

The apostle Paul had introduced the name of Melchisedek, and said that Christ was made an high priest after the SAME ORDER as he was, Hebrews 5:10, “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”

John Gill in his exposition of Hebrews says that Paul “proceeds in this [chapter] to give some account of him, and of the EXCELLENCY of his priesthood, and to show that Christ is a priest of his order, and is SUPERIOR TO Aaron and his sons.”

I. CONSIDER THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST OF OUR PROFESSION

A. HIS RANK: The Apostle of our profession, Hebrews 3:1, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”

1. An apostle is one sent forth, 1 John 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

B. His POSITION: King-Priest.

1. King of kings, 1 Timothy 6:15, “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;”

a. Potentate, one who has GREAT POWER, Revelation 11:17, “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.”

b. LORD of lords, Revelation 19:16, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

2. Priest after the order of Melchisedek, Hebrews 7:15, 17, “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

C. His AUTHORITY: Chosen of God.

1. He is one chosen of God in the Old Testament, Isaiah 42:1, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.”

2. He is one chosen of God in the New Testament, 1 Peter 2:4, “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,”

a. Disallowed of men, 1 Peter 2:7, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be DISOBEDIENT, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,”

b. Chosen and precious of the Lord, Matthew 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

II. CONSIDER THE EXCELLENCE OF HIS PRIESTHOOD

A. The High Priest of our profession, Psalms 110:4, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

1. To make reconciliation for the sins of the people, Hebrews 2:17, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

2. To ATONE [TO SATISFY GOD] for our sins, Romans 5:11, “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have NOW received the atonement.”

B. Our Forerunner into the Presence of God, Hebrews 6:20, “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

1. The Lord goes before to prepare a place for us, John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

2. He has made us ACCEPTABLE to enter into God presence, 1 Peter 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

C. The Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Hebrews 3:1, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”

III. CONSIDER THE SUPERIORITY OF HIS PRIESTHOOD

A. The Levitical priesthood was repetitive, Hebrews 10:1,3,4 “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. 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.”

B. The Priesthood of Jesus offers a better covenant, 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.”

1. For He is the AUTHOR AND FINISHER of our faith, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. Jesus came to do God’s will, Hebrews 10:9, “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.”

a. God was not interested in burnt offerings, Hebrews 10:6, “In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.”

b. Jesus offered Himself once for all for our sins, Hebrews 10:11-12, “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12- But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”

c. There is no more offering for sin, Hebrews 10:18, “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”

CONCLUSION

Christ is a great superior High Priest who has presented His Blood on the mercyseat in heaven.