Jesus Christ, Our Victory Of Faith

Jesus Christ, Our Victory Of Faith

Text: Hebrews Chapter Eleven

Our salvation comes from "Faith" in Jesus Christ!

But "faith" is not new to the New Testament.

It was Adam's lack of faith that brought sin into this world!

Our Faith is the only way we can approach our God!

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Jas 1:6 [But let him ask in faith], nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

We will not get any response from God if we do not have faith!

Saving "faith" involves three main things:

1.) Saving faith involves Knowledge: There are certain basic truths that must be believed for salvation.

We must believe that Jesus is who He says He is.

Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

We must believe that all men are sinners!

We must believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sin!

We must believe in His bodily resurrection!

2.) Saving faith involves Conviction: There must be an inner conviction that the Gospel is the truth and it is the truth that makes us free.

Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit who will convince each of us that the world is full of sin, and righteousness and judgment will come from the Godhead in Heaven.

3.) Saving faith involves Trust: As a result of the knowledge of Christ Jesus and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we must make a decision to to place our lives in the hands of of God.

And, This must come from the heart of each of us.

Our "faith" is the greatest power we have in this world!

The "Bible Faith" is to have total confidence in "all" the Word of God!

We must believe regardless of circumstances or consequences!

We should have only one operation of our "faith".

God speaks and we hear and obey!

Because unbelief is the greatest sin against God and it is the only sin that cannot be forgiven, we need a testimony of "faith"!

This is the theme of today's lesson.

It is so easy to try to make our Christian life a series of rules.

We all think we need some kind of guideline to live by BUT it is our "faith" that gets us close to Our Father in Heaven and that only through His Son, we know as Jesus.

*****Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

First of all, Faith is not some blind opinion that everything happens for the best!

Faith is not That everything in nature is the order of the universe!

Our faith is not that everything in this universe will produce good!

God said man will wax worse as time goes by, so things can never get better!

our Faith is not based on believing in spite of the evidence to the contrary!

Our faith has to be based on the Word of God!

Our Faith must have substance!

Faith is a real thing!

The object of that real thing must be Lord Jesus Christ!

Faith is to a Christian as a foundation is to a house!

If foundation is not solid then the house will settle and fall.

Our "faith" is the substance of our "Hope"!

Our "Hope" must be in the promises that are recorded in the Word of God!

The evidence of our "faith" is the fact that we can believe on invisible things because we can see the visible evidence of those invisible things.

Evidence is something you can take to court to prove your innocence.

Our Faith cannot be just a leap into the dark!

Our Faith cannot be an "I hope so" statement!

"Faith" is real!

"Faith" is measurable!

And we can have evidence for our "faith"!

*****Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Who were these elders?

These were the fathers of the nation of Israel.

This chapter we are studying gives us a list of most of those elders.

That good report did not come because they were perfect people nor even because they were great leaders.

That good report came because they believed the Word of God!

God wants us to be saved by "faith" but we must not come up short because God also wants us all to "walk by faith"!

We have already seen that our prayers cannot be answered unless we have faith!

In fact God will not even hear us unless we have enough faith to believe He can accomplish what we ask Him to do!

Jesus says to pick up our cross daily and follow Him but there is no need to pick up that cross unless we are "motivated by faith" in the Word of God.

We must walk by "faith" and not by sight!

*****Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

We must totally accept Creation just as it is written down for us in the Book of Genesis, The Book of the beginnings!

Evolution had no part in God's Creation!

God spoke and things happened just as it is written!

There are many people in this world that place their faith in evolution. In fact it takes a greater faith to believe in evolution than it does in the facts of Creation written down for us.

BUT, Evolution is not a science it is simply another false religion!

Our "faith" in the Word of God allows us to see the future as present and the invisible, as things we can see.

Can you get a picture of your mansion in Heaven, well it's there and it's real and it is in God's House in Heaven!

If God did not make mankind, then man had to make God.

I find that to be impossible in my mind but all false religion is based on man-made gods or on objects that our true God created.

God started with nothing and we can see what He has created!

That word "framed" means that God made everything He created to fit perfectly together.

Isa 40:12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

*****Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

When we read this verse we see that we can approach God only in our faith!

Let's review:

Gen 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Gen 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

Gen 4:7 [If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door]. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

The Bible tells us:

Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: [for whatsoever is not of faith is sin].

Cain clearly understood that if he had no faith then it was sin!

AND, Cain's lack of faith led to the first murder in the Bible!

God had made it very clear with the sin of Adam, when He had shed the blood of an innocent animal to make those first clothes.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Cain clearly understood these things yet He still rebelled against the Word of God.

God has made it very clear to us all:

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

To ignore the Word of God will bring eternal damnation!

God had revealed to Adam and his descendant the true way to worship. Abel obeyed God by "faith".

But, Cain showed his lack of "faith".

1Jn 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

Cain was full of religion but he was not righteous!

Who was the first Martyr of faith? Then it had to be Abel the son of Adam.

Because of his "faith" Abel is still speaking to all who would read and study the Word of God!

Because of his death and his blood was shed by the wicked Cain, Abel is still speaking to the Father who will bring vengeance on this world.

And God says:

Heb 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.]

*****Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

The Book of Genesis gives us this information:

Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

The Bible says clearly that Enoch did not die like other men!

Enoch was translated!

God took Enoch. The word "took" in Hebrew means God fetched him away, God carried him away!

In fact the word "took" can mean these things: to take, to get, to fetch, to lay hold of, to seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away

In the New Testament we find these words:

1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be [caught up together with them] in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

This what we believe to be the "Rapture" of the church before the tribulation period.

Those words "caught up" have a similar meaning: to seize, carry off by force, to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly, to snatch out or away.

What happened to Enoch was was so unusual that no one else in the Old Testament had this experience before the flood and only Elijah had a similar experience after the flood.

2Ki 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah [went up by a whirlwind into heaven].

We can see that Elijah was taken up, or brought up, or taken away.

These things happened to people that please God and God gives us the the exact same way to please Him!

*****Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We come into our classroom every Sunday morning and flop down in these seats with "faith" enough in them that they will keep us from falling to the ground yet, we cannot have enough "faith" in the Word of God that brings rewards greater than anything that we can imagine!

What is our problem?

We just do not believe what God says!

Why is the nation of Israel suffering today?

Psa 78:21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

Psa 78:22 [Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:]

What does God say to us all in the New Covenant?

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

We have God's Book of Facts!

We have God's remedy for a rewarding life!

We have God's answer to all our problems!

It's called "Faith"!

It is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without "FAITH"!

So, What are some examples of what "faith" can do?

*****Noah had never even heard of rain or thunder storms but he had "faith" in the Word of God. The world was destroyed but Noah and his family was saved.

God gives this example and this warning:

2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

*****Abraham left his home seeking a city built of God. He knew it was not on this Earth because he lived in a tent!

Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

This our place of true fellowship!

*****Sara had enough "faith" to believe God would allow her to have a child, though she had not ever had one for 90 years, and to not only have this child but to raise this child.

She also had enough "faith" to believe that her husband, who was Abraham, though 100 years old could be a father and help her raise this child.

*****Abraham had "faith" enough in the promises of God to believe that even if he killed his only son that God could still raise him up from the dead and the nation of Israel would still be formed.

*****Isaac believed the Word of God and taught it to his sons!

*****Joseph knew that Egypt was not the place of the promises and requested that Israel take his bones to the promise land. He knew that it was not Canaan land because he knew it was not in this world.

*****Jochebed knew that God had plans that she could not totally understand and she was not about to let some King take her child Moses. Moses was given into the hands of God.

*****Moses knew though the world hated the children of God, yet he chose to be one of them.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

*****Moses knew that he served the living God and no king of this earth could change that fact:

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

*****Moses understood the absolute "Grace" of God when he was making the symbol of the cross on the threshold those homes.

1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

*****Moses understood the mercy of God and that no body of water could hinder the progress of God's people.

Psa 136:13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psa 136:14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psa 136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

*****Joshua knew it would have to be God's plan and not his own that would bring down the walls of Jericho.

2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

*****Rahab had faith as did Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, Jephthah, and David and Samuel and all those true prophets of God.

1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

It is by "faith" our weakness are made strong, our bodies are healed, that we escape the evil of this world, and that we are strong enough to fight back.

*****Heb 11:36 [And others] had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

These others are the unnamed army of God!

These are the true heroes of "faith"!

These are the ones who would not renounce their "faith" for any reason!

These things still happen to Christians right now in our day.

Christian persecution happens in all Muslim nations, in all Hindu nations, and in all Atheist nations which are mostly communist and it is on the rise in America.

It has even been said "why do not the Christians leave America if we do not like the changes".

I can say only one thing to that. This nation of America was founded by people seeking a place to worship the God of the Bible freely.

As a soldier I fought for the freedoms this nation offers to those that are oppressed!

I pray my faith is strong enough to join the ranks of the people mentioned in these verses.

The Apostle Peter wrote:

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Peter also wrote:

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, [yet believing], ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

It is in our "faith" that we can find joy!

The prophet Isaiah also wrote:

Isa 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

Isa 57:2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

The world does not care when one of God 's children is killed or maimed but it is for sure that they have been taken away from the evil that is still to come in the future.

Rest assured not one of God's children will suffer in Heaven!

When we realize we are going to a better place then the trials of this Earth should be meaningless!

Life is precious and we should never rush to death but we should not be afraid of death!

2Co 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Just as a child of God is not worthy of the "Grace" of God, the World is not worthy of those that love the Lord enough to lay down their lives for Him!

*****Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

It is by "Faith" these others and these that are named were able to accomplish the things of God!

We are weak Christians when we try to blend into this world unnoticed!

This may be the biggest problem our young people face today because peer pressure is so great!

But we must all realize that we are not alone!

God's people and including Jesus Christ Our Savior, are going to be persecuted for what we believe in!

We have to turn that persecution into a motivational tool that keeps us going.

We still must realize the closer we get to God the Father and His Son the greater our protection!

And it should be our goal to get closer to the Lord Our God!

But, that does not mean that God will not let others see us suffer persecution or even death!

It's God's plan, we just need to get involved in His plan and we will all soon be going home!

These Old Testament saints look forward to the promises.

Job said:

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

The New Testament child of God looks forward to the fulfillment of those promises!

The Apostle Paul said:

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

We should all ask ourselves "where is our Faith"?

Questions?

Let's pray!


 

Jesus Christ Our Perfect Sacrfice

Jesus Christ, Our Perfect Sacrifice

Book of Hebrews Chapter 10

It is Our God that instituted the sacrifice!

The very first sacrifice was to make clothes for Adam and Eve. This sacrifice of an animal proved that animal sacrifices could only cover sin and not remove sin!

Let's learn what we can about the only perfect sacrifice that could remove all sin.

The sacrifice of Christ Jesus was at the will of God!

Christ Jesus freely volunteered to be that sacrifice!

Gal 1:4 [Who gave himself for our sins], that he might deliver us from this present evil world, [according to the will of God and our Father]:

There could be only "one" sacrifice that was acceptable to God!

When Our Lord Jesus had finished what God had sent Him to do, He proudly prayed to His Father in Heaven.

Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: [I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do].

Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

The work that Jesus had to do was to be that perfect sacrifice!

Above all else, our sin would remain if not for the perfect sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Sin is mankind's greatest problem!

It does not matter what religion a man has, if it cannot deal with the sin of man, it has no value!

We are not sinners because we sin! We sin because we are sinners!

There was only one way to take sin out from between man and God!

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 3:17 [For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.]

It is the love of God that brings salvation to all that believe!

It is the God sent Son of God, Jesus Christ Our Lord, that is the instrument of that love!

*****Heb 10:1 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.

We have read over and over again that Moral Laws cannot make men perfect!

We have read that the ordinances of the Jewish worship system could not cause the perfect sacrifice!

That word "Shadow" is used in this verse to teach us the difference between the Jewish worship system and Christianity.

The Jewish worship system was just a "Shadow" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the True Image!

1.) A "shadow" does not have any substance.

A "shadow" is the result of what happens when another image has caught all the light!

Jesus said:

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, [I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life].

Jesus tells us we cannot walk in the "shadow" of Jewish traditions and Moral Laws but we are to only walk in "His Light".

2.) A "shadow" has only the appearance of what is real.!

All those Laws of Moses were merely a pale or dimmed reflection of what we know is the the truth of Jesus Christ!

The opposite of this "shadow" is "God's Grace".

3.) A "shadow" can be a likeness or a resemblance, BUT a shadow can never be the true image!

All those animals that were sacrificed throughout the time of the Tabernacle and the Temple, could never make a sinner free.

Those sacrifices were also only a "shadow" of our True Sacrifice, which was Jesus Christ, God in the flesh!

What is "Atonement"?

Atonement is being reconciled to God.

Atonement is not the cause of God's love but it is the consequence of God's love!

What is "Redemption"?

The purchase back of something that had been lost!

Redemption is the paying of a "Ransom"!

To be redeemed is to be rescued from the bondage to those old laws.

We can see there is a difference between being redeemed and being atoned.

We cannot be atoned until we have been redeemed!

We can see that those sacrifices that were made year after year could never bring redemption!

There is no amount of repetition that can transform a "shadow" into the real thing!

Until Jesus Christ paid the price of the "ransom" on that cross, no one in this world could be "redeemed"!

*****Heb 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

When we take a bath, we get that squeaky clean feeling for awhile and then we feel dirty again.

When those old laws were followed and an animal sacrifice was made for sin. that person felt cleansed for a period of time.

We can be sure by the time that 10th or 11th month came around again, that person would be searching their flocks for that perfect animal that could be sacrificed to bring atonement again for a another year.

To be honest many would begin the next day looking for a sacrifice for the next year.

This same mentality exist today!

If they had been truly cleansed that one year of time would have made no difference and they would have had no more conscience of their sin!

But when the Perfect Sacrifice was offered on the cross:

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, [that he might redeem us from all iniquity], and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

What does being a peculiar people mean?

Isa 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and [will not remember thy sins].

Again

Psa 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, [so far hath he removed our transgressions from us].

And one more:

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, [and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin].

We are still sinners even after being washed in the blood of Jesus BUT not one of those sins can ever make us filthy in the eyes of God ever again!

Act 11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, [What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common].

We should still seek repentance for any sin we commit but we can never be "unredeemed".

The Blood of Christ Jesus has enough cleansing to keep us clean forever!

*****Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

Instead of cleansing, the continual slaying of innocent animals could only be a reminder of sin year after year!

Animal sacrifices cannot deal with human guilt!

The day of atonement for the Jew became a day of "reminding them of their sin" and not of their "remission of sin"!

There is a great difference in the two!

When Jesus says these things are finished, He meant that they are finished!

*****Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

What possible connection can there be between human guilt and the senseless death of some innocent animal!

The conscience cannot be cleansed, nor sin removed by the slaughter of animals!

For sin to be truly atoned the sacrifice must be able to consent to being that sacrifice and must volunteer to substitute himself for the sinner.

We have our substitute, who volunteered to be the sacrifice for "all" our sin!

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

and:

1Jn 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; [and in him is no sin]

God got no pleasure in the sacrifice of innocent animals for the sin of man.

Only Christ Jesus could do the impossible!

*****Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Heb 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Heb 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.

There should be no doubt that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices because the entire Old Testament was written about His coming!

The word "Sacrifice" refers to animal sacrifices.

The word "Offering" refers to the meal offerings and the drink offerings.

We have already learned from our studies of Leviticus that these offerings were in fact "Types" of the work of Christ Jesus on the cross.

God poured Himself in a body of flesh.

In other words God gave His Son a prepared body that the Son might fulfill His will on this Earth!

What was that will of God?

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

"Opened ears" then means a body ready for service!

Our ears have to be opened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ before we can ever be a true servant!

God had no delight in the sacrifice of innocent animals!

God was looking into the hearts of all those that brought those sacrifices!

No amount of sacrifice can substitute for obedience!

Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

It is God's will that that Old Covenant be replace with a New Covenant and this was prophesied in the Old Testament!

Jesus Christ was on this Earth to fulfill this will of God!

God told Adam and Eve these words:

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

And Jesus' answer to that was:

Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

Jesus Christ is the end of the Law to all those that believe!

Jesus Christ is also the end of all sacrifices because He sacrificed Himself in the fulfillment of the "Will Of God"!

*****Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ [once for all].

Sanctification means, we can approach God to worship Him!

Jesus had to come to this Earth because His offering is the final will of God on sacrifice.

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, at the perfect time and was the perfect fulfillment of "God's Will"!

God delights in His Son.

God delights in those that have faith in His Son:

Psa 16:1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

Psa 16:2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

Psa 16:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

*****Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Why did Our Lord sit down?

There was no furniture in the Tabernacle for the priests to sit upon.

In the time of Samuel, Eli carried his own seat into the Tabernacle, because I believe he was also a judge and the only judge to also be High Priest in the Bible.

In fact Eli judged Hannah before he used his office of priest.

God did not want his priest to be a judge. Their purpose was to offer the sacrifice. God wanted his priest to be a witness of His commandments.

Every priest was to stand daily at his service.

This standing meant that the priests was always ready for the work which was daily and repeatable!

In contrast Our Lord sat down because His Work of sacrifice was finished!

Why is Our Lord waiting?

The Apostle Peter put it this way:

2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God is waiting for all His human family to come to Him!

This scripture also shows us that Jesus has been exalted to a place of unrivaled honor.

He is now in His position as Head of the Church:

Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.



God's plan of salvation is working at full force during this time of the Church Age, The time of "Grace"!

When Christ returns He will overcome every enemy and establish righteousness in His Kingdom.

How could these things happen?

"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified"

*****Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

How do we know we have a personal relationship with Our God?

Because the Holy Spirit comes to live within us!

It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the love of God and for one another.

These are the fruit of the Spirit!

It is the Holy Spirit that makes us aware of sin and temptation in our conscience.

Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

*****Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

When we rest assured that our sins are forgiven and we are washed in the "blood" of Jesus, we will not try to offer any other sacrifice, nor try to work our way to Heaven.

If we try to bring additional sacrifice for our sin, "it is an insult to a Holy God!"

Where the "Blood of Jesus" has been applied there can be no greater offering for sin!

*****Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

We know that in the Jewish system there was always a dividing wall which amounted to a barrier between man and God.

But Jesus made a way for the believer!

To be "bold" is not to be "arrogant"!

This boldness is our freedom to speak to God on a personal level!

Our prayers are the greatest weapon the Christian has in this world but sometimes God just wants us to talk to Him. He already knows what we need.

We can talk to Him just like Adam did. Maybe not face to face but Adam did not have the Holy Spirit living inside of him either.

The Holy Spirit is always face to face with God the Father and His Son!

We cannot make demands of God!

This verse plainly states that the brethren, [all those that know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior] can only enter into the throne room of God because of the "Blood of Jesus"!

We must to go to God the Father in the name of His Son!

*****Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

We have an open invitation to come to the God the Father at any time.

There is no bad time to pray, there is only bad times when we do not pray!

Through the death of Jesus Christ we have the absolute privilege to worship God in prayer.

We can know our prayers will reach Heaven because we are redeemed by the 'blood of Jesus" and our sin forgiven!

When we have not reached this point in our lives, we are unable to pray for that mom or dad in need or that family matter or that nation in need for God will not hear us.

Psa 66:18 [If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:]

But when He hears us:

Psa 66:19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

Psa 66:20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

It is because of the blood that we are now priest with the ability to go beyond the veil.

Not once a year but at any hour of any day!

Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

That ability comes because we have the Holy Spirit that abides in every believer.

*****Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

When Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross, He was acting like a priest.

When Christ Jesus intercedes for every believer, He is the High Priest.

What is the House of God?

We learned this in an earlier lesson:

Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; [whose house are we], if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

But this also means the "Body of Christ":

Col 1:18 And he is the [head of the body, the church]: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.

In fact it means the world-wide Body of Christ:

1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, [and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body]: so also is Christ.

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

*****Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

"Let us" not only means those early Jewish believers but the "brethren", the entire world-wide Body of Christ.

We must prepare ourselves spiritually to fellowship with God! The Old Testament priest had to go through various washings and the applying of the blood of animals on the "Day of Atonement".

BUT the New Testament Christian must come to God with a pure heart and a clean conscience!

Fellowship with God demands purity and that purity comes through the purity of Christ Jesus.

We must have full assurance of our faith!

Christianity is not a religion!

Christianity is just the TRUTH!

Only true believers can live in that state of "Grace" offered by the Lord Jesus Christ through Our Father in Heaven!

*****Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Not only are we to draw near to God but we are to hold fast to Him!

We should also notice that these believers were not told to hold on to their salvation.

We simply cannot loose our salvation! Our salvation is in the hands of Our Great High Priest!

Our faith should be based on the truth of God and His Word.

2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath [from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth]:

Faith is the theme of chapter 11 and we can get deeper in that then but we cannot be saved without "faith"!

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

God is faithful and will deliver what He has promised!

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

*****Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Fellowship with God must never become selfish!

We must always fellowship with other Christians in the local assembly!

It takes the full "Body Of Christ" to gather, "faithfully attending", encourages others to do the same.

We cannot show love for one another in separation!

We are to "provoke" or to "fervently" urge one another to get involved in the House of God and in the activities in which Christian love can be shown to one another.

*****Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Assembling means to gather together!

We need to study the Word of God together.

We need to fellowship together.

God gives things to groups that He will not give on an individual basis.

Jesus said He would bring His flock together to hear His voice.

Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: [them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice]; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

All believers belong together. We will all be together when we reach Heaven and we need to fellowship together as much as possible while we are still on this Earth!

The Apostle Paul wrote:

Php 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Every believer is a member of the Body of Christ and [we need to act like one body] BUT it must be of Jesus Christ!

1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Not too long after the Book of Hebrews was presented to these of the early church, the Temple was destroyed. There was no place to offer up animal sacrifices.

BUT The Body of Christ continued to grow and it does today.

We should not not try to hold onto any old way of our past.

When we are saved old things pass away.

We must become that new creature in Christ Jesus and embrace the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.

We show that love when we love one another!

The remainder of this chapter deals with becoming lazy Christians and despising the Word of God and are not part of this lesson but I will try to high light some of it.

It should be noted that any despising of the Word of God is "willful sin".

It should be noted that, ant believer that drifts away from the Word of God, will soon doubt the Word of God!

We must not be arrogant to the Word of God because God will view this as trodding on the work of His Son!

The "Blood of Jesus" is very precious to His Father in Heaven!

A backslider, who remains that way, is a disgrace to the name of Jesus Christ and to the Church!

God will deal with every rebellious believer in a severe way!

1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

We must not forget, the greater theme of this Book of Hebrews is the fact that God has spoken to this world through His Son Jesus.

Our answer is, "How will we respond to what He says"?

The secret of victory is our "faith"!

Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

The believer that lives by "faith" will go on to perfection!

The believer that lives by "sight" will draw back unto perdition!

In other words, if we do not live by "faith" we will sink back into our old life and this time of "grace" will be wasted!

The saving of the soul is the opposite of a wasted life!

The saving of the soul is to live our lives for Jesus sake!

Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

This is the purpose of the Bema Seat of Christ!

What did we do with Jesus once we knew Him as our Savior!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer

Jesus Christ---Our Redeemer

"But By His Own Blood"

Book of Hebrews Chapter 9

The word "Redemption" comes from several Greek terms that mean "to set free by the payment of a price".

One of those Greek words is "agorazo" and it means "to purchase in the market place". It was associated with slaves in the market place in Bible times.

Redemption in the Bible means that through His death, Jesus Christ has set every believer "whosoever they are", free from their enslavement to sin!

Every believer has been purchased out of the slave market of sin and set free from sin's bondage!

1Co 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Every believer should now be a slave to do God's Will!

There is another Greek word that relates to our redemption. It is "exagorazo". This word means that every believer has been redeemed from the curse and bondage of the law that can only condemn and not save!

Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

AND,There is another Greek word that explains redemption. That word is "lutroo". This word means "to obtain release by the payment of a price. In other words a "ransom".

Every believer has been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus:

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Every believer is then a special possession for God!

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, [that he might redeem us from all iniquity], and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

That great "Redeemer" is Jesus Christ, The "Only Begotten" Son of God.

*****Our Text

Heb 9:11 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;

Our lesson begins with verse 11 because the theme of our lesson is the "Redeemer". In the first ten verses of this chapter in Hebrews proves that Our Redeemer ministers in a superior sanctuary.

1.) In contrast the Levite priest ministered in an earthly sanctuary, in other words it was made by man's hands. It was always in need of repair and it could only be in one place at a time.

2.) This earthly tabernacle contained things that were only "patterns of the things in Heaven". It can be said that many spiritual truths were wrapped up in these instruments of the first Tabernacle. They certainly were designed as "types" of the ministry of Jesus Christ.

3.) We know of the Holy of Holies, and this place had no access to people. Only the High Priest could enter and He only once each year.

4.) We know this earthly Tabernacle was only temporary. It was a tent with a veil covering the entrance.

Even when the Temple was built there was this veil that covered the opening into the Holy of Holies but our Redeemer purchased us access to the true Holy of Holies.

Mat 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Mat 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

5.) We know that in this earthly tabernacle, sacrifices that were made were only ceremonial. They were "carnal" ordinances that were for the outer man but they could never change what was in man's heart. They could not change the inner man. No one was "reborn" or what Jesus said, to be "Born Again" because of what they did in this Tabernacle.

We will now see how much more superior the Heavenly things are!

It is a fact that no one in the Old Testament was saved by keeping those old laws!

It is also a fact that no one in the Old Testament was saved by animal sacrifices!

The Bible is specific:

Gal 3:24 Wherefore [the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ], that we might be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, [we are no longer under a schoolmaster].

All things good have come to pass by Our Lord Jesus Christ!

We need to pay special attention to the Heavenly ministry of Jesus in these last days.

There is a real Heaven!

We have a real High Priest in Heaven!

AND, We can have true Spiritual Worship in every house called by His name [but only because] Our Redeemer paid the price for our "redemption"!

The New Covenant sanctuary was not made by the hands of man.

You know, we call our places of worship the House of God but we know He does not live there.

But we sure do hope He comes to visit us as we worship Him and He does!

"Not of this building" means not of this earthly creation!

We can spend God's money to try to make our places of worship beautiful and more pleasant to the eye but this only speaks to our flesh and it only ministers to the physical side of us.

We should maintain the buildings we have and grow as the need requires, and take care of our Pastor and others that are needed, but we need to concentrate God's money on furthering the Gospel to as many as we can!

*****Heb 9:12 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.

We are called a bloody religion because we are a bloody religion.

It is by the blood of our "Redeemer" that we are saved!

So, What is at the heart of the Gospel story?

What command does God give every Pastor, Preacher, and Evangelist and every soul that is saved?

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, [to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood].

This the message to every "house of God"!

Without this message there can be no church!

Where does our "redemption" come from?

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption [through his blood], (the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;)

How were we redeemed?

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 [But with the precious blood of Christ], as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

How are we cleansed from sin? How has He made us kings and priest?

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, [and washed us from our sins in his own blood,]

Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Who can be saved by the blood of Jesus?

Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, [and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation];

In the Old Testament sin was only atoned! Sin was only appeased!

And that only a year at a time.

In took the red, sinless, pure blood of Jesus to redeem those that are lost!

There is a great big difference between atonement and redemption!

Atonement was yearly in the Old Testament.

Redemption is Eternal, through the "Blood of Jesus"!

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now [no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus], who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath [made me free] from the law of sin and death.

*****Heb 9:13 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:

Heb 9:14 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?

Not one of these Old Testament rituals could change what is in a person's heart.

They knew they could come back each year to have their sin atoned for.

This does not mean they could not trust God. His Word was just as true then as it is now!

Every one that obeyed the Word of God was truly declared clean!

These rituals offered purification for the flesh but there was no cleaning of the conscience!

To be "Born Again" in Christ Jesus, is to have a conscience that is purged from dead works!

We should serve God knowing that we have full assurance that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

We are saved and justified by the work of Our Savior upon Calvary's Mountain.

Redeemed by His Blood!

We have not arrived to our Christian life until we recognize that Our Redeemer has absolutely and eternally, forgiven and cleansed us of sin!

If your conscience is cleansed of guilt you will realize that you could not have been cleansed by "dead works"

Anything that we could do to try to earn our salvation would be a dead work!

Good works are not as cause of salvation[but a result of salvation]!

*****Heb 9:15 [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.

Many ask, Why did the Lord Jesus have to die?

We have our answer in this verse!

Jesus Christ had to die in order to begin a New Covenant!

The Old Covenant could not provide "eternal redemption" and God had to make some arrangement for sin!

This arrangement had to include [all sin past and future] to include those under the Old Covenant!

This verse makes it perfectly clear that there was no final or complete redemption in the Old Testament.

It was the sacrifice of Jesus, on that cross that brought spiritual cleansing:

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Because Christ Jesus has provided such an eternal redemption, we can now share in an eternal inheritance!

*****Verses 16-21 are not part of our lesson today.

BUT, We know we are redeemed by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

This is a Blood Covenant! Since the word inheritance was used in verse 15, the Holy Ghost points out that this New Covenant is also somewhat like the "last will" of a dying man.

An inheritance in most cases cannot be received without a "Will". In the case of a "Will" a death must occur! The death of the one who makes that "Will"!

It "was not" the death of Christ Jesus, that made Him out Mediator!

It "was" the death of Christ Jesus that gives us our inheritance and our "salvation".

Jesus Christ had to die before Our Inheritance could be received!

It is not the "Will" that is ratified by His Blood!

It is the "New Covenant" that was ratified by His Blood!

The death of Jesus made God's New Covenant to be valid!

There could be no atonement without His death!

After His death, then Blood then became the token that made this New Covenant valid!

Had Jesus not died on Mount Calvary there would be no hope of eternal life!

There would have been no hope for forgiveness!

But because He died, {"whosoever" will accept Him} can be saved!

These things take us up to our next verse.

*****Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

It seems the world will never understand that there is no way to go to Heaven except by and because the Lord Jesus faithfully died on Golgotha.

Had He not died there could be "No Hope" of "Redemption"!

Mankind could have never been reconciled to God if Christ Jesus had not died!

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, [we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son], much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Rom 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.

To be "Reconciled" means God can provide peace in place of being an enemy.

To be "Reconciled" means we can have fellowship with our "Creator"!

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, [who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ] and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

*****Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

First we must not ever believe that Jesus died and shed His blood to purify anything in God's Heaven!

Heaven can never be defiled!

BUT, Before we can enjoy the beauty of Heaven, there are certain requirements that have to be met.

The Old Covenant was established by blood and so was the New Covenant!

BUT, The New Covenant was established by a better sacrifice, and applied in a better place!

The Blood of Jesus is much more costly than any animal in God's creation!

*****Heb 9:24 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:

We would be foolish to trust our salvation and our spiritual life to anything on this Earth that is made by the hands of man!

This verse plainly states that it is Heaven itself that is the "True Sanctuary"!

This is where Our Lord Jesus Christ is located as our Mediator.

He is face to face with our Father who is in Heaven!

Rom 8:34 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.

*****Heb 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

Heb 9:26 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.

To compare the Old Covenant to the New Covenant:

1.) The Old Covenant had repeated sacrifices.

The New Covenant only had one sacrifice, Our Lord.

2.) The Old Covenant used the blood of others(animals)

The New Covenant, Our Lord used His Own Blood.

3.) The Old Covenant, sin was just covered for one year.

The New Covenant, Sin has been put away forever.

4.) The Old Covenant was for Israel only.

The New Covenant is for "whosoever will believe".

5.) The Old Covenant had the Holy of Holies.

The New Covenant, Christ entered Heaven itself and remains there at this time.

6.) The Old Covenant, the priest had to come out to bless the people.

The New Covenant, Our Great High Priest "will come" to take His people to Heaven.

The work of Jesus Christ for our salvation is completed, it is final and it is eternal!

AND, Jesus Christ now is ministering in Heaven on our behalf!

*****Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Heb 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.

This verse plainly says that every man, woman and child has an appointment with death.

The Greek word "apokeimai" means death is reserved for each of us!

This same Greek word is translated as "laid up" in other places in the New Testament.

But, the meaning is not just to die but to die "once" as Jesus Christ died "once"!

We must not forget this book was written to believers.

It is a fact that every unbeliever will die twice!

After this death comes the judgment.

There is the judgment seat of Christ for the believer:

2Co 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

To the unbeliever the Great White throne judgment:

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

We have to make our choice before we die the first death, to believe or to not believe.

To the believer when we next see Christ we will be like Him"

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

To the unbeliever when they next see Christ they will be cast into the burning lake of fire.

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The believer has:

1.) A sanctuary in Heaven.

2.) Our Father is in Heaven.

3.) Our Savior is in Heaven.

4.) Our citizenship is in Heaven.

5.) Our Treasures are in Heaven.

6.) Our HOPE is in Heaven.

7.) Heaven is our HOME!

The most important book for the unbeliever is the Lamb's Book of Life.

The most important book to the believer is God's Written Word, The Bible!

I built power lines for over 42 years. This is my field of expertise.

Brother Buddy is a builder of many things. This is his field of expertise.

Brother Robert is a mechanic. This is his field of expertise.

Our God is an expert in giving new life to all those who trust Him.

Salvation is His field of expertise!

How could we ever forsake Him?

Questions?

Lets Pray!

Jesus Christ----Our Mediator

Jesus Christ---Our Mediator

"God's New Covenant"

Our Text: Book of Hebrews Chapter 8

What is a mediator?

This is a person who intervenes between two other persons.

Why do we need a mediator?

Human leaders such as Abraham and Moses mediated God's will to the people of Israel and whoever would join them.

It is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who "Mediates God's Will" [of our salvation] between God and all the human race but individually!

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Sin interferes with our relationship with the Lord Our God. If not for the Lord Jesus Christ, [who is our mediator between us and Father God], then we could not know the truth of salvation.

We could have no relationship with Our God!

We could not know the truth!

If we did not know the truth then we could not be free!

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall [make] you free.

Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall [make] you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Notice that word "Make".

We are not "set" free!

To be set free would mean we could be captured again.

God set the Sun in it's place!

God "set" the Moon and all the stars in their place!

God does not "set" a lost sinner in place!

God "makes" every child of His to be free.

God "makes" a new creature, therefore Born Again".

Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

I sure am glad that Our Lord does not just throw the clay away!

Jesus Christ is God's Superior High Priests and He "Mediates" a ministry based on a New Covenant which is much better than the Old Covenant of the Law!

*****Our Text:

Heb 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;

Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

The first thing we should remember about the work of Christ's ministry is what we have already read:

Heb 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.

Our great High Priests lives to make intercession for all that call on His name!

We know that the right hand of God is a reference to God's Almighty Power!

Now we see the main point and the most important point of the first seven chapters in this Book of Hebrews!

Jesus Christ is the Minister of a better Sanctuary!

Jesus Christ is the Minister of a better Covenant!

Jesus Christ "was" the better Sacrifice!

Jesus Christ "has" the better promises!

Jesus Christ "is" the Minister of the True Tabernacle!

If we think back to the Books of Moses, we know that the Earthly Tabernacle was made by the pattern of the tabernacle in Heaven.

Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Exo 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, [after the pattern of the tabernacle], and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

As Our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ presents to His Father the gifts of the spiritual sacrifices of the believer, including the sinners prayer.

He then can present the benefits of His sacrifice on behalf of every believer in anytime of need to the believer!

There will be a Second Coming of Our Lord!

In the clouds to Rapture, His Church!

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Then sometime afterward, at least seven years, He will come to this Earth to rule by sitting on the throne of David!

Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

It was impossible for Christ Jesus to fulfill His Priestly function in a Tabernacle that was on this Earth!

By God's own Word this was the function of the Aaron and his descendants.

Jesus Christ was not a priest in the order of Aaron!

Jesus Christ is a priests in the order of Melchizedek!

The "ministry" of Christ Jesus is built on the basis of His resurrected life!

His throne in Heaven is a fulfillment of prophesy!

Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Melchizedek was both priest and king.

Aaron was a priest who could never be king.

Jesus Christ ministers in the House built by God Himself!

Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Jesus could only sit down because He had finished the work for our redemption!

*****Heb 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

Heb 8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

The title "high priest" was not an honorary title!

A high priest was ordained to serve others!

They were ordained to offer the gifts and the sacrifices that were brought to them by the sinful people.

These sacrifices could not be offered just anywhere!

Only in God's appointed place could these things be done!

Jesus Christ then by logic had to have a sanctuary!

Jesus could not be high priest while on this earth because it would violate the truth of the Bible, the Laws of Moses.

The sanctuary of Our Lord then has to be in Heaven and not on Earth.

These are the only two places mentioned in creation. All the heavens were part of Earth's creation.

Every high priest that came before Our True High Priest were all about ritual and ceremony. They were only a shadow and a pattern of the things that that Jesus brought.

When Jesus offered Himself on that cross there was nothing ritual nor ceremonial about it!

Jesus is not a symbol!

There was no ritual for Him to observe!

Jesus Christ was and is the fulfillment of all these things!

Jesus is the fulfillment of "all" Old Testament prophesy!

The Apostle John said:

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

*****Heb 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

We use the word "type" a lot. A "type" is an Old Testament picture of a New Testament truth!

In this verse we the word "pattern". This is the Greek word "tupos" and this is where we get our English word "type".

We can get that same understanding of "type" from the Hebrew word "tabnith" from the Old Testament.

When we studied the Book of Exodus we learned that every piece of material, every color, and every construction technique use in the design of the tabernacle was actually a "type' Of Christ!

The Candlestick in "type"--Jesus the Light Of The World.

The table where the Shewbread was placed was in "type"--Jesus the Bread Of Life.

The golden alter was in "type"---Jesus Our Great Intercessor.

The Laws of Moses them selves were in "type"---Jesus is the only One to have ever kept the Law, so He is the fulfillment of the Law.

The Manna was in "type"--the Bread of Life Today.

Aaron's Rod was in "type"---The Resurrection.

We could go on an on but the Tabernacle and all things of the Tabernacle were in fact "A Pattern" of the things of Heaven and "types" of Our Lord Jesus Christ!

The entire Jewish worship system, as given by Moses is in fact only a "type" or a pattern, a shadow of the Heavenly things and the true Tabernacle, not built by hands but built by God Himself!

We need the reality of Jesus in our lives daily!

Christianity is not another religion, Christianity is just the TRUTH!

*****Heb 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 all those that think they can lose their salvation, God placed this verse in the Bible.

The New Testament we have written down for us by the Holy Spirit, is our copy of the New Covenant that God makes with each of us individually.

It is more excellent and it is Better, Better, Better than anything of the Old Testament, the Old Covenant!

We have a better High Priest.

We have a better Sacrifice.

We have a better Tabernacle.

The Mosaic Covenant brought obedience through the fear of God!

The New Covenant brings a Covenant of Grace and Mercy to those that come with a willing heart and a willing mind!

Jesus Christ is not only the Mediator of the New Covenant, "He Is Also The One Who Guarantees The Truth Of It"!

We are not only saved but we have an intercessor, a mediator, and a guarantor, to keep us that way!

Jesus truly stands in the middle between God and man!

There would not be a new covenant if the old one could do these things.

These Jewish believers knew that such a covenant was to come:

*****Heb 8:7 [For if that first covenant had been faultless], then should no place have been sought for the second.

Heb 8:8 [For finding fault with them], he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

We should not think that there was a problem with any covenant of God. Verse 8 plainly states that the problem was with them, the people, and not the covenant itself!

There has never been anything wrong with God's Law!

The problem is always you and I!

No one has ever been able to keep the Law!

We simply cannot measure up to the requirements of the Law!

The announcement of this New Covenant is based on the prophesy of Jeremiah:

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

This promise to Israel has not been fulfilled at this time but will happen during the seven year tribulation period.

So we are not confused Jesus Christ announced the New Covenant on the night of the Lord's Supper!

Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

Luk 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, [This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you].

This New Covenant became effective with the crucifixion of Our Lord and is now our guide for Christianity and the Church!

These Hebrew believers needed to turn to this New Covenant through the Blood of Jesus.

The New Covenant spoken by Jeremiah was for the "house of Israel" and "the house of Judah".

Israel will be restored which is the prophesy of the Millennial Kingdom!

Everyone saved in this time of "Grace" are to worship and serve God under "the covenant of Blood".

*****Heb 8:9 [Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers] in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; [because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord].

We can immediately see that this New Covenant is not a continuation of the Old Covenant, which was the Law!

The New Covenant REPLACES the Old Covenant!

God's New Covenant does not depend on Man's faithfulness!

God's New Covenant depends only on God's faithfulness to His Promises!

The phrase "I regarded them not" simply means God ceased to care for them. This same Greek word is used six times in the New Testament and it means to neglect, to take lightly, to be made light of, negligent, and regarded them not in our verse.

When God removes His caring hands from any nation as He did to Israel, they became wicked. In fact they became so wicked that they crucified Our Lord who was innocent of any wrong.

I believe we can see that God has the same feelings for America because the proof is what we see.

America is becoming more and more wicked and Americans are becoming more and more tolerant of this wickedness, even turning a blind eye to what is happening to the land we love.

*****Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

The Law of Moses provided God's standard for a righteous life but it did not provide the power of obedience.

Sinful people need a new heart!

Sinful people need to be "Born Again"

Every sinner, and we are all sinners, that trust the Lord will receive a new divine nature:

2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: [that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature], having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What does the old nature look like?

Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Those old laws were written on stone!

God's new covenant is written in the hearts and the minds of every believer!

God's "grace" makes it possible for an internal transformation so we can be more like Jesus!

In the new covenant it is not the obedience to the old laws of Moses which we put so much effort into but it is by yielding to the Holy Spirit, who abides in every believer, that will make us righteous in the eyes of God!

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3 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:

Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

*****Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, [and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more].

The Laws of Moses, including the Ten Commandments, cannot bring forgiveness!

They are simply our standard to live by!

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

It is only through the sacrificial blood of Jesus that forgiveness can come!

Not Mohammed's blood.

Not Buddha's blood.

Not any man's blood but Christ Jesus, The Son of God!

And surely not the blood of any animal!

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, [which he hath purchased with his own blood].

Only the blood of God Himself!

What does it mean that God "remembers our sin no more"?

This does not mean that Our Powerful God can forget, because that is simply not true!

If God forgot anything then He would not be God!

God recalls everything we have done, in fact He writes down everything we have done!

Psa 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: [are they not in thy book?]

These things are written down but God will blot them out. This does not mean they erased but He will not see them anymore.

Isa 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Why?

For God's sake, it is necessary for redemption!

Isa 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Once our sin is forgiven, it will never brought up before us again!

If only we could forgive like our Lord God forgives!

God sees only "Grace" and "Mercy" where our sins used to be!

This matter of sin is settled eternally!

*****Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

God has replaced the old with the new!

Shortly after this Book was written the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed.

The Jews had no Temple to worship in. They had no Temple for their sacrifices.

They had no priests to perform the rituals of forgiveness.

Their system of worship had grown old and had vanished away. God had shown Israel in "type" the things He had taught them in this Book of Hebrews.

This again is prophesy fulfilled:

Hos 3:4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:

It is only after these things that Israel can be restored:

Hos 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

This can only happen in the New Covenant!

This New Covenant is of such a high quality that it can never be replaced!

There can never be salvation by the Laws of Moses!

Legalism in our places of worship are hindering the growth of the Church!

We cannot remain "Babes in Christ" and do the work that Jesus has commanded us to do!

Missions are already suffering because we do not as hunger for the Word of God and remain as "babes"!

We cannot control what happens anywhere else but we are obligated to The Lord Jesus Christ to do what is right in this House where He has placed us!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Jesus Christ---Our Eternal High Priest

Jesus Christ-----Our High Priest

Text: Book of Hebrews Chapter 7

As we study this Book of Hebrews we should not forget the Lord has a purpose for every word of His Bible.

These Hebrew believers, when converted to Christianity were suffering much persecution not only from the world but from their own old friends and family.

That's the reason Jesus says He will be our friend and we can be in His family!

They had lost all their property and suffered public ridicule because of their faith!

That's the reason Jesus says to earn the things of Heaven that can never be lost!

It is a fact that many of them were discouraged!

We must all realize that Our Lord Jesus Christ is alive today.

Jesus died BUT He arose from the dead and He is now in His greatest ministry!

Jesus Christ has been shown to be superior to all the doctrine of the Old Testament because He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

He is superior to the prophets.

He is superior to the angels.

He is superior to Moses.

He is superior to Aaron.

Jesus Christ is at the heart of the doctrine of this Book of Hebrews.

The entire Bible was given to us to show the superiority of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the Bible that separates Christianity from all religions.

Christianity is not a religion, IT IS SIMPLY THE TRUTH!

Jesus was sinless and therefore able to pay our sin debt!

Jesus is now in the presence of Our Father to intercede on our behalf!

Jesus will endure forever, so we can endure forever!

Jesus is Holy, Jesus is Innocent, Jesus is undefiled, Jesus is separate from all sin, Jesus is exalted to Heaven, and Jesus is our High Priest!

As our permanent High Priest, who also was made the propitiation of our sin, Jesus has shown us that He will always be a part of each believer!

Our Savior is alive, no religion can makes this claim!

There is no other sacrifice that Jesus will make for our sin!

There is only judgment that will come from being disobedient to His Words!

Jesus Christ provides a complete salvation!

This group of Hebrew believers had to decide how this Book of Hebrews was going to affect their lives and we should also.

Our Text:

Heb 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;

The word "for" reminds us of Hebrews 6:20:

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

We have seen many "types" in our study of the Bible and Melchisedec is another "type" of Christ for us to learn from.

It was way back in the Book of Genesis where we met this Melchisedec:

Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek [king of Salem] brought forth bread and wine: and [he was the priest of the most high God].

In the Old Testament, in the time of kings, the Throne of the King of Israel and the Levitical Priesthood were separated.

In fact no Israelite ever held the position of King-Priest!

No one but a descendant of Levi in particularly Aaron, could hold the office of the Levitical order of High Priest!

Abraham had been called of God to leave his home in what is now Iraq. It was full of pagan worship then and it is still full of false religion in our day.

Abraham was sent to look for a city that was built by The Lord!

Abraham was not sent to look for a city built by Allah!

Abraham would never have met Melchisedec had he not obeyed the Lord!

Not one of us will ever come to know the King of Kings, and the Prince of Peace, The Lord Jesus Christ, until we are willing to leave all pagan vain religions and all the bondage of our sinful past.

We should also note that this meeting with Melchisedec occurred as Abraham was returning from the defence of his family

God expects us to defend our families from those of this evil world that would cause us harm!

AND, We see that Melchisedec was not some counterfeit priest!

Melchisedec was truly a priest of the Most High God and he fulfilled his duties as a priest in the city of Salem at that time!

*****Heb 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;

We can see that "tithing" was in place for at least 500 years before the Law of Moses!

Tithing then is not a law BUT it is a principle of God!

God provides 100% our needs and only requires ten percent in return to Him!

The word "tithe" means a tenth!

The Bible states that Melchisedec was a King of Peace!

Melchisedec was a King of Righteousness!

Melchisedec was truly a Priests of the Most High God!

SO, What is the meaning of the name Melchisedec!

1.) The Hebrew word "Melek", which means "king"

2.) The Hebrew word "tsedek" which means "righteousness"

So the name Melchisedek means King of Righteousness.

The Prophet Jeremiah wrote these words to Israel:

Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The prophet Isaiah wrote these words:

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

All these things will be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Our Lord!

For He is the true King of Righteousness!

For He is the true King of Peace!

For He is truly our Great High Priest of the Most High God!

In the Book of Genesis it says that when Melchisedec came to Abraham, he also brought bread and wine.

The Bible says of Jesus in the Book of Mark:

Mar 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

Mar 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

Mar 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

We can see again that there so many things we can learn from the Old Testament.

BUT, There are only three verses about Melchisedec in the Old Testament.

SO, Every Word of God is important!

*****Heb 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.

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

Melchisedec was just a man but we have no record of a father or mother but he had to have a father and a mother!

There is no record of his genealogy!

There is no record of his birth nor his death!

We know that almost all great men of the Bible have a written record of their birth and their death!

AND, It was especially important for a priest to prove his ancestry.

It is not that Melchisedec did not have these things, it is that we have no written record of these things!

Melchisedec was not an angel!

He was real man, who was a real king, and who was a real priest of the Most High God!

This is the picture or a "type" of what we should see in our Great High Priest!

Jesus Christ did die BUT That cross was not His ending because He arose from that death and lives eternally!

When these things are applied to this message to these Hebrew believers, neither Aaron nor his descendants could claim to have an endless ministry!

They could also never claim to be King and Priest!

There is only one who could fulfill all these things and His name is Jesus, a name above all other names.

The Only Begotten Son of God!

In the words of Jesus:

Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

*****Heb 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, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

The Jewish people believe strongly in "racial solidarity".

They were taught this by the Word of God.

Aaron and his descendants had not yet been born but would truly be formed in the loins of Abraham.

So, if Abraham acknowledged Melchisedec then they should have too.

If Abraham paid tithes then they should not object to paying tithes to the Priests of God.

Our Lord Jesus existed before the time of Abraham so this did not involve Him except to note that in His flesh He was of the line of Abraham:

Jesus said:

Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, [I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am].

*****Heb 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, [and blessed him that had the promises].

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

Melchisedec was not from the line of Abraham and could not have come from the tribe Levi!

Melchisedec was truly a Gentile who was a king and priest of the Most High God!

We also see here that it was Melchisedek that blesses Abraham!

BUT, We need to realize that this Book of Hebrews is not comparing Melchisedec with the person of Christ Jesus!

IT IS, comparing Melchisedec in his role as priest only!

The point to be made here is that Melchisedec in his role as king-priest was in fact superior to the Levitical Priesthood of Aaron and his descendants.

The Priesthood of Our Lord Jesus is much greater than the priesthood of Aaron and his descendants AND, it is also eternal!

Abraham brought tithes to this man and received a blessing but he also received things to meet his needs, the wine and the bread!

These things also have a deeper spiritual meaning that we will have to take up at some other time!

We should also see that blessings do come to those that obey the Lord in tithing to the church!

*****Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Heb 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

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

Levitical tithing was based on a legal obligation under the law BUT here we see that Abraham's act of tithing was voluntary and spontaneous.

The Levitical priesthood was supported by God's people by law.

The Church is to be supported by God's people!

This Melchisedec had no rights under the law to receive tithes. So Abraham's actions puts Melchisedek's type of priesthood on another level from the priesthood of Aaron.

The Levitical priesthood did not bring blessings.

The Levitical priesthood never brought perfection.

The Levitical priesthood never gave redemption or acceptance of God to the people.

God blessed Israel because of the promises He made to Abraham!

AND, Because there was a New Covenant there also had to be a New Priesthood!

Melchisedec was a "type" of that new priesthood.

AND, Here again as a "type" of Christ, as we receive blessings because of the promises of God and those blessings are from His eternal High Priest!

*****Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

It should be understood that God would not begin a new priesthood without terminating the old priesthood.

God will not ever continue in a system that does not bring perfection!

For the old Levitical priesthood to be abolished, the foundation which was the law had to be replaced!

The covenant made with Moses at Sinai was a conditional covenant!

The teaching, that salvation depends on our ability to keep a set of rules are called by the Bible, moral commands, that can never bring us spiritual maturity!

We know that The Lord Jesus came from the tribe of Judah not the priestly tribe of Levi so the priesthood had to be changed!

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

Since Jesus came from the family of David, the tribe of Judah, it would have been impossible for him to assume the office of a Levitical priest!

If Jesus Christ is to be a priest it would have to be a different order and this is why He was appointed by His Father as a priest in order of Melchisedec and not in order of Aaron!

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

Heb 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Jesus Christ became a priest by His resurrection from the dead and His ascension back to Heaven.

Jesus Christ has an endless life!

The order which Christ was appointed will never be terminated!

If it cannot be terminated then it must be superior to what was before it!

The Scripture points out that this is also a fulfillment of prophecy!

Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Scriptures point out that today we should not attempt to draw near to God by the old and temporary and unprofitable ways of the Law but through the "new order" instituted by Christ's appointment as High Priest!

That New Order is by "Grace"!

The law could make nothing perfect!

BUT, Jesus is the perfect priest!

God has taken us out of Adam and put us in Christ:

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

We are no longer joined to the sin of Adam but are joined to a sinless living Christ!

*****Heb 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

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

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

Got not only fulfilled prophecy but he made an oath!

No priest in order of Aaron was ever ordained and established on the basis of God's personal oath!

Jesus Christ's heavenly priesthood was established by his work on the cross!

The word surety in verse 22, means that the terms of this agreement will be carried out!

Jesus Christ is God's surety!

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

In verse 22 we also see the word "testament". This word is usually translated "covenant" but here it is used as the equivalent to a last will and testament.

God changed the priesthood because:

1.) The priesthood and the law were not perfect.

2.) This priesthood could not continue forever.

3.) God had sworn by an "oath" that there would be a new priesthood!

4.) AND, God always does what He says He will do!

The Levitical priesthood was always interrupted by the death of the High Priest.

The Church has only One High Priest and He will live forever!

The Bible says, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever!

*****Heb 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).

The Lord Jesus Christ is not dead, but He Is Alive!

He is not Jesus that was on this Earth!

He is Our Great High Priests that sits at the right hand of God!

That sin-free body of flesh has passed away in payment for our sins!

It is the "Lord of Glory" that is now alive and interceding for those that know Him as God!

He died down here on Earth to save us BUT He Lives In Heaven To Keep Us Saved!

It is because He is alive that He can keep on saving us!

Intercession means Intervention!

Jesus Christ, Our High Priest, intervenes on our behalf while He is face to face with God!

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, [much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life]

1Jn 2:1 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]:

God knows we are still in this flesh and are still sinners but everything Jesus does is right and we are saved by His Life AND NOT BY OUR OWN LIFE!

Jesus sits at God's right hand and He says:

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

When we are "saved to the uttermost", how can we ever believe we could loose such a salvation that we have no control over!

Jesus Christ can save any sinner, from any condition AND He saves completely, and forever, whosoever will put their trust in Him!

1.) We do not need an intercessor because God is still angry with us!

2.) The Father and The Son are in complete agreement with the plan of salvation!

3.) Jesus is not continuously offering up prayers because of our weakness!

4.) Jesus is not continuously offering a blood sacrifice, that work was completed on the cross!

5.) Our Lord Jesus Christ is our representative at the throne of God to receive our spiritual sacrifices that are offered up to Him!

1Pe 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].

This is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!

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

Heb 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].

Jesus [became us] because He knew this was what we needed to be saved!

We must also be "holy" to be in a relationship with God!

We must also be "harmless" to be free from all sin!

We must also be "free from immorality"!

We must also be "separate from all sinners"!

We could not do any of these things, so Jesus became us, and He does these things for us!

Christ Jesus took our place so that we can live!

Christ Jesus did not need to offer up anything for His own sin because He had no sin!

If Jesus had left anything off that had to be done, He would return to do that thing but He needed to sacrifice Himself only one time!

Jesus met all our needs then and He still meets all our needs!

We had to have a Priest like Jesus!

We still sin every day!

We need spiritual help every day!

Jesus gives us the "Grace" and "Mercy" we need because we are still sinners!

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

*****Heb 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.

How could we ever turn away from such a great High Priests!

Our High Priests can be reached at any moment to meet our needs!

He is always there to help us!

He always understands what we are going through!

He has all the answers to our questions because He is the answer to all our problems!

Thank you Jesus for doing what I could not do!

Questions?

Let's Pray!