Hebrews 7:1-18

Christ -- High Priest Forever According to the Order of

Melchizedek.

1. God's plan of salvation is eternal.

   1. He ordained an eternal priest to carry out that plan.

      1. Heb 5:8-10; Heb 6:19-20

   2. He ordained a plan leading to eternal life for His people, both Jew and Gentile

      1. Ephesians 3:5-12; 1John 5:20

   3. He ordained His people's salvation beyond this world, into eternity.

      1. Eternal salvation, Heb 5:9

      2. Eternal redemption, Heb 9:12

      3. Accomplished through the eternal Spirit, Heb 9:14

      4. Eternal inheritance, Heb 9:15

      5. Through the eternal covenant, Heb 13:20

      6. Preached through the eternal gospel, Rev 14:6, God's eternal will revealed.

   4. God's plan of redemption is eternal in both senses of the term:

      1. Ephesians 1:9, it originated in His holy will

      2. John 10:27-28, it has no end

2. God carries out His plan of redemption in history.

   1. Melchizedek appeared in history to indicate God's design.

      1. Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110; Hebrews 7

   2. Abraham and Israel appeared in history to advance God's plan.

      1. Abraham, father of the faithful, received the promise (Heb 6:13), the foundation is laid.

      2. Levitical priests, temple, animal sacrifices, ceremonial laws of Israel.

      3. Priesthood and law are linked together: Heb 7:11

      4. Purpose of priesthood and law: to perfect the people of God: Heb 11:40, Heb 7:18-19.

   3. God completes His plan of salvation through the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.

      1. Christ is the priest from the line of Judah, Heb 7:14

      2. according to the power of an endless life." Heb 7:15.

      3. we have "a better hope through which we draw near to God." Heb 7:19.

3. God's plan is to bless His people forever.

   1. The Hebrews then and now:

      1. The danger of not hearing God's voice (Heb 3 & 4)

      2. The danger of being drawn back to the glories of the shadows

      3. Their need to understand the Hebrew Scriptures in light of the New Testament Scriptures (Heb 11:40; 1Peter 1:10-11)

      4. Christ has entered the Presence behind the veil, forever.

   2. Christians then and now:

      1. We run the risk of not hearing God's voice.

      2. We live "in these last days", Hebrews 1:2

         1. Acts 2:17/Joel 2:28, 2Tim 3:1, 2Peter 3:3, Heb 9:28

      3. We live in the world, but we fix our hope on Christ and the age to come.

         1. Titus 2:13-14
         2. Col 3:2-4

      4. The glory of the Old Covenant priesthood and ceremonies was a shadow of the greater glory that was to come. Christ is the substance (Col 2:17).

      5. Every generation of Christians must show diligence , not become sluggish, imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

   3. His plan is from eternity and is eternal. Melchizedek, Christ, the Son of God, the King of kings.

      1. Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:30-33