• Jesus being the perfect sacrifice and making a way to God was the previous 18 verses… Therefore…

EXHORTATIONS TO GODLINESS
HEBREWS 10
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters (Jewish believers), since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus--20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)--

• Think about the history of the Jew & Old Covenant.
• We have a hard time letting go of the Old Covenant today.
• They memorized and lived it out every day.
• Now it is all changed!
• Where only one man could go… now they all can.
• Jesus’ body is the veil torn open so we could have access to God.
• Jesus’ body was the barrier between God & man.
• Jesus’ blood forgave our sin.
• Jesus’ death allowed our own death (Gal 2:20 & Romans 6:6-7 - For we know that our old self, was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, 7 since a person who has died is freed from sin.[1]
• Our old self, sinful nature, Adamic nature has been eradicated.
• Now they (and we) are capable of speaking to God whenever we like. 24/7

21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God,

• Emphasis on “great”

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.

• Moses was required to do two things for his sons to act as high priests.
• 1) sprinkle them with the blood of an animal (Lev 8:30)
• Their sins and their bodies had to be purified.
• The difference for the NC believer vs Aaron & Co. was the freeing of the conscious of sins.
• Aaron’s sins were not forgiven… just covered.
• Our sins are completely forgiven and eradicated.
• 2) and wash them in water (Lev 8:6).
• Aaron’s cleansing was on the outward body.
• Our cleansing was on the inside.
• New heart, new spirit, new creation, new man.
• Only mention of “pure” water in the Bible.
• Some interpret that “our bodies washed in pure water” means water baptism is necessary for salvation.
• Nothing pure about the water in the Jordan River… trust me.

23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.

• Hold fast to their salvation. It is secure.
• He is responsible for keeping us saved.

24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works,

• Love is mentioned before good works.
• Know the Father intimately first.
• Good works for others will follow.

25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

• They had been gathering but were now afraid to due to persecution.
• The day of destruction that was coming in 70 AD.
• Jesus spoke about this day in Matthew 24:2 & Luke 21:6, 20-24.

 
WARNING AGAINST DELIBERATE SIN
26 For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth,

• They willfully continued to make animal sacrifices knowing that Christ’s offering was all that was needed.
• This is different than sins committed in ignorance.

there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

• Old Covenant sacrifices of animals was no longer necessary.
• Jesus’ sacrificed voided all remaining sacrifices.

27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries.

• If this one verse meant we would lose our salvation then it would contradict everything we have studied so far.
• This is not about eternal judgment.
• If they remained in Jerusalem and sacrificing animals at the Temple, they would lose their life as it was destroyed in 70 AD.
• They all fled before the Romans arrived.

28 Anyone who disregarded the law of Moses died without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

• In Heb 3:1-6, the author compared Moses to Jesus with Jesus being greater. Why wouldn’t the punishment be even greater?

29 How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, who has regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

• 1) “Trampled on the Son of God” – dishonor
• 2) “Regarded as profane the blood of the covenant” – Christ’s blood was no different than any other man… possibly unholy blood?
• 3) “Insulted the Spirit of grace.” – identifying himself (not making) with the generation of Jews who blasphemed the Spirit in Jesus and would perish in 70 AD.
• Under the Old Covenant, God responded to disobedience by bringing on physical death.
• These Hebrew Christians would experience the same if they refused to abandon the idea of returning to temple sacrifices.
• Is there removal from their flesh a sign of grace from God?
• Corinthians man… Ananias & Sapphira?

30 For we know the one who has said,
Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, and again,
The Lord will judge his people.
31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

• The consequences of our sin can be terrifying.
• We are talking about earthly natural consequences not eternal judgment or it would wipe out the results of the cross.
• Remember… Losing our salvation is impossible.

32 Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions (in the public theater), and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way. (because you chose to hang out with other believers) 34 For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, because you know that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession.

• These verses confirm this letter was written to believers in Jesus.
• He is reaffirming them in all the things they have already endured.
• Our inheritance is reserved in heaven.
• Greater things are to come.

35 So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.

• Sometimes we just cruise along in our faith and we become independent.
• No need for God.
• It is when we go through crisis that we seek out God.
• In crisis… we either give up on God or cling to Him.
• “Throw away our confidence” does not mean “throw away our salvation”. This is impossible.
• The quality of the believer’s works in the journey will be rewarded… not the quantity.
• What works are rewarded? Those done in faith… in His strength.
• Why would one want to toss away this confidence?
• They can lose their physical lives.
• They can lose their rewards.
• They can’t lose their salvation.
• We need to accept God’s grace into every moment of our lives.
• We can receive what has already been promised and provided.

37 For yet in a very little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 But my righteous one will live by faith;
and if he draws back,
I have no pleasure in him.

• Habakkuk 2:3-4
• The same promise He made to Habakkuk He is also making to these Hebrew Christians.
• He wants us to have pleasure that comes from obedience in Jesus.

39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved.[2]

• This confirms once again their salvation is not in question.
• “destroyed” – perdition means more than the loss of a physical life. It is utter destruction… complete ruin.
• “Faith” comes from God… we just have to claim it.
• “Help me with my unbelief”.
• It is something we already have… open the gift… use it.
• You have enough faith to finish the race.
• It is through our daily faith and grace that we can obtain an incredible life of adventure here on earth… today!

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 6:6–7). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 10:19–39). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

• Hebrews 7 – Melchizedek – eternal priesthood

A HEAVENLY PRIESTHOOD
HEBREWS 8
1 Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

• If there is any one thing that I will keep repeating because it is so important is the high priesthood of Jesus in heaven.
• Right hand/side – regarded highly
• 200+ OT – 100+ NT = References
• If we are “in Christ”… where are we now?
• Earthly priests never sat down… too busy.
• Jesus sat down because the work was finished.
• In His redemptive work He is done and seated.
• In His encouragement work He stands.
• Acts 7:55 - 55 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”[1]

2 a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man.

• Earthly priests worked in the tabernacle that was pitched by man.
• The tabernacle in heaven was pitched by the Lord.
• Which is greater?
• Exodus 25-31 and 35-40.
• 150’ long & 75’ wide.

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; therefore, it was necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.

• gifts = a portion of their blessings. (commitment)
• sacrifices = an offering for their sin.
• Jesus offered His blood which is greater than the bulls and goats blood. It actually forgave sin.

4 Now if he were on earth, he wouldn’t be a priest, since there are those offering the gifts prescribed by the law.

• Jesus’ priesthood occurs in heaven.
• He was from the tribe of Judah… not Levi.

5 These serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For God said, Be careful that you make everything according to the pattern (tee-pos = type) that was shown to you on the mountain.

• Moses’ earthly tabernacle was just a shadow of the actual tabernacle in heaven.
• A model.
• A shadow confirms that the real thing exists.

6 But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been established on better promises.

• Old Covenant – based on conditional promises.
• OC was dependent on those who received the covenant to fulfill certain requirements in order for the results to be fulfilled.
• OC – If you obey the Law, will bless you. If you disobey the Law, you will be cursed.
• New Covenant – based on unconditional promises.
• NC – Even though the promise is guaranteed, we can still experience blessings and curses based upon logical consequences.
• God’s unconditional covenant with Abraham that he would have many descendants has occurred but we are dealing with the curse of his behavior still today as the descendants of Ishmael battle with the descendants of Isaac.
• OC only convicted people of sin.
• NC empowers people to overcome sin.
• Moses was the mediator of the OC.
• Jesus is the mediator of the NC.
• Who is greater?

 
A SUPERIOR COVENANT
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one.

• The OC could not make a person righteous.
• The NC not only makes a person righteous but also empowers them to overcome sin on a daily basis.
• Living this life out today is not much different.
• You either have a church that is trying to attain righteousness or a church that is living in their righteousness.

8 But finding fault with his people, he says:
(Jeremiah 31:31-34)

• David, Jeremiah and other OT prophets knew there was another (better) covenant that was coming.
• The writer is saying, “Even Jeremiah knew…”
• “finding fault with them” – the Jews

See, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah--

• The divided kingdom had occurred after the death of Solomon.
• The house of Israel was the 10 tribes living in the northern part of Israel.
• The house of Judah was the 2 tribes (Judah & Benjamin) living in the southern part of Israel which included Jerusalem.
• Who made the covenant? God did.
• Who is responsible for carrying out the NC?
• Who is the beneficiary of the NC?

9 not like the covenant
that I made with their ancestors
on the day I took them by the hand
to lead them out of the land of Egypt.
I showed no concern for them, says the Lord,
because they did not continue in my covenant.
10 For this is the covenant
that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds
and write them on their hearts.
Deuteronomy 11:18–23 - “Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the heavens are above the earth, your days and those of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your fathers. 22 For if you carefully observe every one of these commands I am giving you to follow—to love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, and remain faithful to Him— 23 the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will drive out nations greater and stronger than you are.[2]

• phylacteries – Wore the Word on their head & hearts.

I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11 And each person will not teach his fellow citizen,
and each his brother or sister, saying, “Know the Lord,”
because they will all know me,
from the least to the greatest of them.
12 For I will forgive their wrongdoing,
and I will never again remember their sins.

• This is a much greater promise than the Old Covenant.
• The sin issue is done.
• Jesus’ blood is the perfect offering.

13 By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.[3]
    - The Old Covenant only atoned (covered) sin.
    - The New Covenant forgives sin.
    - “about to disappear” – The writer knew the Temple
       was about to be destroyed and it was just a few
       years later.
    - The sacrificial system of sacrifices in the Old
       Covenant ended in 70 AD when Titus annihilated
       the Temple.

Lord’s Supper – Jesus’ blood is the perfect sacrifice.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 7:55–56). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Dt 11:18–23). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 8:1–13). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

• Hebrews 5 – He told them they were not spiritually mature enough to process the thoughts on Melchizedek.
• He dealt with milk and meat in Hebrews 6.

THE GREATNESS OF MELCHIZEDEK
HEBREWS 7
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High,

• Melchizedek was both king and priest, as was Jesus.
• This never occurred in Aaron’s Priesthood.
• Salem – is Jerusalem according to:

Psalm 76:2 God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel. 2 His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion. [1]

• Melchizedek was priest to the Most High God.
• God over all nations.
• Melchizedek was priest to God and all Nations.
• Aaron was just priest to the nation of Israel.
• If Melchizedek’s priesthood is a shadow of Jesus’ priesthood, then Jesus can minister to all nations.

met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.

• Story of Abraham is found in Genesis 14.
• Abraham defeats the kings and rescues Lot then gives Melchizedek a tenth of his spoils.
• Melchizedek blessed Abraham.
• Melchizedek is greater than Abraham.

First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace.

• Melchizedek was king over Jerusalem.

3 Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

• Scripture does not record his genealogy.
• He still had a father and mother, we just can’t trace his lineage.
• There is no record of birth of death so his priesthood is perpetual. No breaks.
• No record of death insinuates that it is eternal.
• Jesus’s priesthood is eternal.
• Melchizedek resembles Christ… he is not Christ.
• Where is this high priest now?
• In you… you resemble Christ now.

4 Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him. 5 The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers and sisters—though they have also descended from Abraham. 6 But one without this lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior.

• Aaron received tithes from the sons of Abraham.
• Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek.
• Who is greater?

8 In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives. 9 And in a sense Levi himself, who receives a tenth, has paid a tenth through Abraham, 10 for he was still within his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

• Men who will die – mortal man
• Scripture never records Melchizedek’s death.
• Levi, of the Levitical Priesthood, was just a “gene” in Abraham when Abraham met Melchizedek.
• Who is greater?

 
A SUPERIOR PRIESTHOOD
11 Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron?

• The Levitical Priesthood was established under the Mosaic Law.
• There would have been no need for another priesthood if the Levitcal Priesthood made one perfect.
• The Law made no one perfect… in fact, it showed our imperfection.
• Jesus came along as one who had perfected the Law and was from the order of Melchizedek.

12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well.

• With the establishment of the new priesthood came a new system for living.
• God established the Mosaic Law in which He knew no one could perfect.
• He then had to establish a system, the Levitical Law, to atone/cover our imperfections.
• These laws and system did not remove imperfections… they only made us more aware of our imperfections and a need for a Savior.
• The Law became obsolete.
• The order of Melchizedek was established before the Mosaic & Levital Laws.
• The priesthood of Melchizedek can function without the Law.

13 For the one these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. 14 Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.

• Jesus came from the lineage of Judah and King David.
• Aaron came from the tribe of Levi.
• High priests were only Levites.
• Levites who were not priests served as ministers.

15 And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it has been testified:
You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.

• Psalm 110:4 – This is a quote… proving that David was not only a King but also prophet.
• Another priest – Jesus
• Not an additional priest.
• The old priesthood was established by fulfilling a legal command “law”.
• This represents death.
• The sacrifices in the old priesthood just died.
• The new priesthood was established by an indestructible life.
• Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead.
• This represents life.
• Never dying… for eternity… forever!

18 So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable

• The Law has been set aside for the believer.
• 10 commandments in the court house… not in the Church.
• We are no longer under the Law but under grace
• Romans 6:14 - For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace.[2]

19 (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

• Under the old system, only the High Priest could approach the presence of God once a year (for atonement).
• Under the new covenant, the throne is always accessible to all believers.
• We now have the ability to have a relationship with God, through Jesus our High Priest, and become intimate with Him.
• Knowing this truth makes it hard for me to celebrate what He has done for me just a couple days out of the year.

20 None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him:
The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever.”,
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.

• God made an oath that He will not break with Jesus.
• Aaron’s Priesthood was never guaranteed.
• Aaron’s Priesthood could end at any time… and it did at the cross.
• The veil was torn so that we could have access to God.

23 Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. 24 But because he remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently.

• Jesus will not be succeeded by another priest.

25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.

• always = completely
• Our salvation is not partially done… it is complete.
• Jesus is the one who saves and is responsible for keeping us saved.
• It is not by our works but by His gift and grace.
• For us to lose our salvation, Jesus would have to cease to exist.
• We are secure in Jesus.
• Jesus is always interceding for us.

26 For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

• Jesus differed than the Levitical Priests.
• Jesus was perfect in behavior.
• Levite Priests were sinners.
• Jesus is even separated from sinners by being in heaven.

27 He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself.

• Jesus never had to made a sacrifice for His own sin.
• He took care of the WHOLE sin issue on the cross.

28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever.[3]

• Levitical priests were because they died as well as sinned.
• Jesus was resurrected after the Law came and has perfected it forever.

It is Jesus, our High Priest, who makes us perfect.

[1] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. 2009 (Ps 76:1–2). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. 2009 (Ro 6:14). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 7:1–28). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.