What do you know about Melchizedek? We hear a lot about him in today’s reading. Christ has secured our way into heaven. Far above any earthly priest. We trust one day the Jews will see this for themselves.
Hebrews 7: The Priestly Order of Melchizedek
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!
5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham.
6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.
8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.
9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham,
10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
Jesus Compared to Melchizedek
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is witnessed of him, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,
21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.'"
22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
Things to think about…
1. Hebrews 7:1-10 speaks more about this character of Melchizedek. He has no genealogy and the general sense is that this man was a pre-incarnate form of Christ over the city of Jerusalem. We know that Christ will rule and reign literally over this same city and that those who have received the promises of the covenant that came to Abraham will bring Him glory in that place. This portion of scripture is not definitive to prove the teaching of tithing, but there is certainly a principal that the one (Abraham) who received from God, also gave back to Him as part of his worship to the One who had delivered him from his enemies. Melchizedek being both a king of righteousness and a king of peace (Salem – Jerusalem) is certainly a type of Christ. Abraham the father of faith honours him with a tithe of everything.
2. Hebrews 7:11-28 speaks of Christ being the highest order priest, like Melchizedek, but unlike the Levitical priesthood, all of whom died, they could not achieve perpetual intercession before the Lord. If Christ is not seated at the right hand of the Father now, I.E if He did not rise from the dead, then as the Apostle Paul says, we are still dead in our sins and there is no forgiveness of sins because our interceding priest has no power. This is why the resurrection is crucial and central to Christianity. No resurrection, no salvation. Have you pondered your own resurrection? Look at 1Cor 15 and Rev 20 to see how and when it takes place.
3. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, Heb 7:25? Why? Because He is , holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens, vs 26. Never doubt your salvation when it is Christ who has secured it. “The word of the the oath… appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.”, vs 28. As such our salvation is never in doubt. Neither should we be!
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
For Cell Groups.
Reading was from Isaiah 64 Title “Rend the heavens and revive us”
1. Isaiah had seen the Lord’s miraculous hand on a number of occasions before praying Isa 64. Do you remember some of the things he had experienced and the circumstances that surrounded those experiences?
2. You experienced the supernatural hand of the Lord. If so, how?
3. Jay mentioned the revival in the Isle of Leis in 1949. Do you remember the circumstances of what led to the revival and why the 2 older ladies Peggy and Christine Smith prayed for it to occur?
4. Generally the church by and large today is remiss of holiness and a deep hunger for the Lord. Would you agree? Revival and awakening need to occur where even people who have not gone to church desire to be there. Pray that we would be awakened.
Prayer Points
1. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
2. New families as they settle into church.
3. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
4. Getting drawings into council.
5. Sunday’s message – Andrew Otte.
Praise Points.
1. Friday night bon Fire. Plenty of new contacts. Some saying they will come to church.
2. Praise the Lord for Caleb – Recharge, keep praying the Lord reveals His will.
3. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison.
4. More new folk on Sunday – Praise God.
5. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Men’s movie night. 13th March, “The battle of Long Tan”. Tim Freeman’s dad, has a personal testimony of the men and events. Be aware, MA rating – swearing and violence. It is a war film after all. Will be at church. $10 to cover costs.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
Q. 5. Why did God give these sacraments? A. To show that his disciples belong to him, and to remind them of what he has done for them.
Bible References – Matt.28:19; 1Cor.11:24-26.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
Pastor Jay
Hebrews 5:
1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
4 And no one takes this honour for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you";
6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Warning Against Apostasy
11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 6:
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do if God permits.
4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.
7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.
8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things---things that belong to salvation.
10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
The Certainty of God's Promise
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,
14 saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you."
15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.
16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,
18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Things to think about…
Jesus Christ as God’s appointed High Priest in the ‘order of Melchizedek’, Heb 5:6 who was without father or mother and being the Son of God, not a son of God and as such is God and therefore the only One who can forgive sin. God alone forgives sin. This is why the deity of Christ is so central for the Christian. We have met people who believe Jesus was ‘a god’ who worship at a Jehovah’s Witness temple. When we meet them suggest that they go to a church that believes the same as the writer to the Hebrews. God the Son alone forgives sin.
Christ as our example learned obedience through suffering, Heb 5:8. If this was true for Jesus, how much more so for us?
The writer of Hebrews has no time for weak theology, Heb 5:1-14. A greater knowledge of God’s word allows us to “distinguish good from evil”, vs 14. I must confess that while I find the doctrines of grace a wonderful framework to have, they are what I would call the “basic principles of the oracles of God”, vs 12. Let’s make sure we move on from the basic principles and grow in our understanding of God’s Word and a sensitivity to His Spirit. This requires a loving accountability. Let’s make sure our theology translates into a greater love for God and each other.
Some of the elementary teaching includes understanding that salvation is by grace and not dead works, faith being necessary, modes of baptism (washing), the resurrection and eternal judgement, Heb 6:1,2. How is it that the church still wrestles with these elementary things today? Denominations have been established on how these things are understood, yet the writer to the Hebrews says they are part of ‘elementary doctrine’ within Christianity. Let’s promote a depth of fellowship, love and commitment to study the deeper things of the Lord in 2019. “And this we will do if God permits”, Heb 6:3.
The urgency and context within the understanding that the church moves away from elementary things is that there is a real possibility of ‘falling away’, Heb 6:6 if one doesn’t do so. The doctrine of the resurrection and eternal judgement must therefore always be taught because of their importance and centrality within Christianity, but this should not be the only teaching. Note that it is possible to share ‘in the Holy Spirit’ to fall away, Heb 6:4-6. Balaam and Saul shared ‘in the Holy Spirit’ and yet scripture clearly portrays them as enemies of the Lord. How can we tell the difference between the two? Ans:- Fruit! Consider Heb 6:7,8. Those who have a true faith in Christ promote truth, unity, love and grace.
The writer is confident that those he is writing to are those who have the things that ‘belong to salvation’, Heb 6:9 and the fruit of godly works and love, vs 10. The point is to have ‘full assurance of hope until the end’, vs 11. This is why godly accountability with an intentional focus to achieve spiritual growth should be a key attribute within any church that names the name of Christ. Prov 18:1 says “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.”
Abraham is given as an example of assurance for those who have been given a promise from the Lord. As heirs to this same promise we have a guarantee, Heb 6:17 and a hope, vs 18, an anchor for the soul, vs 19 and an example – Jesus, vs 20. This is why we can be bold and confident and also have this same assurance, knowing that it is impossible for God to lie, vs 18 with these two unchangeable things – 1. God’s oath to Himself and 2. His covenant with Abraham. But our guarantee is even more sure. Why? Because Jesus is the One who has a better covenant – a new covenant as the High Priest of ‘the order of Melchizedek’, vs 20. Our eternal salvation is secure and impossible to destroy! Hallelujah!
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
For Cell Groups.
Reading was from Isaiah 64 Title “Rend the heavens and revive us”
5. Isaiah had seen the Lord’s miraculous hand on a number of occasions before praying Isa 64. Do you remember some of the things he had experienced and the circumstances that surrounded those experiences?
6. You experienced the supernatural hand of the Lord. If so, how?
7. Jay mentioned the revival in the Isle of Leis in 1949. Do you remember the circumstances of what led to the revival and why the 2 older ladies Peggy and Christine Smith prayed for it to occur?
8. Generally the church by and large today is remiss of holiness and a deep hunger for the Lord. Would you agree? Revival and awakening need to occur where even people who have not gone to church desire to be there. Pray that we would be awakened.
Prayer Points
1. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
2. New families as they settle into church.
4. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
5. Getting drawings into council.
6. Sunday’s message – Andrew Otte.
Praise Points.
1. Friday night bon Fire. Plenty of new contacts. Some saying they will come to church
2. Praise the Lord for Caleb – Recharge, keep praying the Lord reveals His will.
3. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison.
4. More new folk on Sunday – Praise God.
5. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Men’s movie night. 13th March, “The battle of Long Tan”, 6pm. Tim Freeman’s dad, has a personal testimony of the men and events. Be aware, MA rating – swearing and violence. It is a war film after all. Will be at church. $10 to cover costs.
2. Recharge games night – Friday 6:30pm. All high schoolers welcome.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
