Hebrews 7:11-28

A Better Covenant a Better Hope.

1. The superiority of the priesthood of Christ:

   1. 2:17 merciful and faithful, because he suffered and was tempted

   2. 3:1 the Apostle and HP of our confession, worthy of more glory than Moses

   3. 4:14 he has passed through the heavens: he reigns and sees and will judge

   4. 4:15 sympathizes with our weaknesses

   5. 5:5 He is the Son of God

   6. 5:6 a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

   7. 6:20 he has entered heaven for us

   8. 7:26 he is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, higher than the heavens

   9. To peek ahead, 8:1 seated at the right hand of God (his power, authority, skill)

2. Christ's priesthood brings perfection.

   1. Levitical priesthood could not, v. 11

   2. Because the law made nothing perfect (complete)

   3. They were mere men, and so had a limited ministry: they had to offer sacrifices for their own sins first.

   1. Change in call

      1. Christ's priesthood is confirmed by God's oath, v. 21.

      2. Order: Melchizedek

      3. Ordination: by God's oath

      4. Therefore Jesus has become surety, a guarantor, of a better covenant .

   2. No more change in priests

      1. There were many priests because death ended their priesthood

      2. Jesus continues forever, he has an unchangeable priesthood, v. 24

      3. He lives to make intercession forever, v. 25

      4. He ministers according to the power of an endless life, v.16

   3. Change in law:

      1. The former commandment is annulled, v. 18

      2. A better hope is brought in, v. 19, a better covenant, v. 22

• Purpose: by which we draw near to God.

  1. Not a covenant administered through the law, which could not bring perfection; but one of the Spirit

• Romans 7:6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
• 2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

  1. Not a covenant that had to be renewed with every generation; an eternal covenant

• Hebrews 9:15
• Matthew 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

  1. Not a covenant that was limited to one nation, in one place; a universal covenant

• Genesis 17:4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.
• Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

  1. A covenant administered by Christ, who is in heaven, through His Word and His Spirit. A covenant which He himself has fulfilled and kept for us.

• Your hope and assurance for salvation must be placed wholly on Jesus Christ.

  1. His perfect holiness assures us that His intercession is acceptable to God.

     1. He is innocent and pure. He can intercede for the guilty.

     2. He did not deserve to die, neither on the cross, nor of old age. He willingly took on flesh in order to save His people.

     3. His sacrifice was perfect: a perfect offering, perfectly on behalf of others, perfectly given to God out of love and full-hearted obedience. Keeping the eternal covenant.

     4. He offered up Himself once for all. Not repetition needed.

  2. His perfect sacrifice assures us that His provision of salvation is sufficient.

     1. We know God accepted his sacrifice because He was raised from the dead.

     2. We know God accepted his sacrifice because He ascended into heaven.

     3. We know God accepted his sacrifice because He seated Him at His right hand.

     4. He reigns!

  3. Today we celebrate His supper in remembrance of Him.

• Hebrews 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.