Jesus: Our Eternal High Priest and King
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the profound truths found in Hebrews chapter 7, focusing on the unique and eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. We began by acknowledging the blessings of our recent camp experience and the testimonies that will be shared tonight. We then delved into the scripture, exploring the figure of Melchizedek and his significance as a precursor to Jesus Christ. Melchizedek, mentioned only twice in the Old Testament, serves as a type of Christ, embodying both kingly and priestly roles. This dual role is crucial because it prefigures Jesus, who is both our King and High Priest.
Melchizedek's priesthood is unique because it is eternal and not based on lineage or the law, unlike the Levitical priesthood. This eternal aspect is mirrored in Jesus, who is our High Priest forever, offering a better hope and a perfect sacrifice. Jesus' priesthood is superior to that of Aaron's because it is based on the power of an endless life and confirmed by God's oath. Unlike the priests of old who had to offer sacrifices daily, Jesus offered Himself once for all, providing a complete and final atonement for our sins.
We emphasized that Jesus' priesthood ensures our continuous access to God. He intercedes for us, maintaining our relationship with God and offering us peace and righteousness that the law could never provide. This eternal priesthood means that Jesus is always available to us, ready to intercede and provide the help we need to live godly lives.
In conclusion, we were reminded of the importance of coming to Jesus daily, not just for salvation but for ongoing support and guidance. Jesus is the priest we all need, offering us a relationship with God that is secure and eternal. We were encouraged to take God at His word and rest in the finished work of Jesus, knowing that He is always there for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Eternal Priesthood of Jesus: Jesus' priesthood is eternal, unlike the Levitical priesthood, which was temporary and based on lineage. This eternal aspect assures us that we always have access to God through Jesus, who intercedes for us continually. His priesthood is based on the power of an endless life, offering us a better hope and a perfect sacrifice. [46:58]
2. Jesus as King and Priest: Melchizedek's dual role as king and priest prefigures Jesus, who is both our King and High Priest. This dual role is significant because it means Jesus upholds God's righteousness as King and maintains our peace with God as Priest. He combines these roles perfectly, offering us a complete and holistic relationship with God. [52:18]
3. The Superiority of Jesus' Sacrifice: Unlike the sacrifices of the Levitical priests, which had to be repeated daily, Jesus' sacrifice was once for all. His perfect and final sacrifice provides complete atonement for our sins, removing the barrier of sin and allowing us to enjoy a close relationship with God. [01:08:49]
4. Continuous Access to God: Jesus' priesthood ensures that we have continuous access to God. He is always available to intercede for us, offering us forgiveness, strength, and grace. This means we can go directly to God with our needs, knowing that Jesus is our advocate. [01:02:18]
5. Living a Godly Life: To live a godly life, we must come to Jesus daily, seeking His guidance and support. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and through Him, we can live a life that is pleasing to God. This requires us to take God at His word and rest in the finished work of Jesus, trusting Him to help us in our daily struggles. [01:27:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:07] - Testimony Service Announcement
[14:52] - Opening Prayer
[15:50] - Choir Performance
[42:05] - Living a Godly Life
[42:53] - Camp Testimonies and Baptism
[43:22] - Reading Hebrews Chapter 7
[44:00] - Introduction to Melchizedek
[46:12] - Jesus' Superior Priesthood
[46:58] - Jesus' Eternal Priesthood
[50:17] - Jesus as King and Priest
[52:18] - Jesus' Dual Role
[55:08] - Preeminence of Melchizedek's Priesthood
[58:57] - Inferiority of Aaron's Priesthood
[59:44] - Jesus' Perfect Sacrifice
[01:02:18] - Continuous Access to God
[01:08:49] - Superiority of Jesus' Sacrifice
[01:16:14] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Resurrection
[01:27:34] - Living a Godly Life
[01:30:13] - Invitation to Trust Jesus
[01:36:47] - Closing Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 7:1-28
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the key differences between the priesthood of Melchizedek and the Levitical priesthood? ([44:00])
2. How does the author of Hebrews describe Jesus' priesthood in comparison to the Levitical priests? ([46:58])
3. What role does Jesus play in maintaining our relationship with God according to the sermon? ([50:47])
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' sacrifice being "once for all"? ([01:08:49])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Melchizedek is described as "without father, without mother, without descent"? How does this relate to Jesus' eternal priesthood? ([53:10])
2. In what ways does Jesus' role as both King and High Priest provide a "better hope" for believers? ([52:18])
3. How does the concept of Jesus interceding for us continually impact our understanding of our relationship with God? ([46:58])
4. What does it mean for believers to "rest in the finished work of Jesus"? How does this affect daily Christian living? ([01:23:00])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the idea that Jesus' priesthood ensures continuous access to God. How can you make use of this access in your daily life? ([01:02:18])
2. The sermon emphasizes coming to Jesus daily for support and guidance. What practical steps can you take to make this a regular part of your routine? ([01:27:34])
3. Jesus' sacrifice was once for all, providing complete atonement for our sins. How does this truth affect your view of forgiveness and grace in your own life? ([01:08:49])
4. Considering Jesus' dual role as King and Priest, how can you balance upholding God's righteousness and maintaining peace in your relationships? ([52:18])
5. The sermon encourages believers to take God at His word. What specific promises of God do you need to trust more fully in your current circumstances? ([01:21:47])
6. How can you cultivate a habit of going directly to God with your needs, knowing that Jesus is your advocate? ([01:02:18])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can the understanding of Jesus' continuous intercession help you draw closer to Him again? ([46:58])
Devotional
Day 1: The Eternal Priesthood of Jesus
Jesus' priesthood is eternal, unlike the Levitical priesthood, which was temporary and based on lineage. This eternal aspect assures us that we always have access to God through Jesus, who intercedes for us continually. His priesthood is based on the power of an endless life, offering us a better hope and a perfect sacrifice. Jesus' priesthood is superior to that of Aaron's because it is confirmed by God's oath and is not limited by death. This means that Jesus is always available to intercede for us, providing a continuous and unbroken relationship with God.
This eternal priesthood is a source of immense comfort and assurance. Knowing that Jesus is our High Priest forever means that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that our access to Him is secure and unchanging. Jesus' intercession for us is a constant reminder of His love and commitment to us, ensuring that we are never alone in our spiritual journey. [46:58]
Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV): "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 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."
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus' priesthood is eternal change the way you approach God in prayer today?
Day 2: Jesus as King and Priest
Melchizedek's dual role as king and priest prefigures Jesus, who is both our King and High Priest. This dual role is significant because it means Jesus upholds God's righteousness as King and maintains our peace with God as Priest. He combines these roles perfectly, offering us a complete and holistic relationship with God. As King, Jesus rules with justice and authority, guiding us in righteousness. As Priest, He intercedes on our behalf, ensuring our peace and reconciliation with God.
This dual role of Jesus is essential for our spiritual well-being. It means that we have a sovereign ruler who is also our compassionate mediator. Jesus' kingship assures us of His power and authority, while His priesthood assures us of His mercy and grace. Together, these roles provide us with a balanced and comprehensive relationship with God, where we can experience both His justice and His love. [52:18]
Zechariah 6:13 (ESV): "It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge Jesus as both your King and Priest in your daily life?
Day 3: The Superiority of Jesus' Sacrifice
Unlike the sacrifices of the Levitical priests, which had to be repeated daily, Jesus' sacrifice was once for all. His perfect and final sacrifice provides complete atonement for our sins, removing the barrier of sin and allowing us to enjoy a close relationship with God. Jesus' sacrifice is superior because it is perfect and complete, needing no repetition. This means that our sins are fully forgiven, and we can live in the freedom and assurance of God's grace.
The superiority of Jesus' sacrifice is a cornerstone of our faith. It means that we do not need to rely on our efforts or repeated rituals to be right with God. Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice is sufficient to cover all our sins, past, present, and future. This gives us the confidence to approach God without fear, knowing that we are fully accepted and loved because of what Jesus has done for us. [01:08:49]
Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV): "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
Reflection: How does the knowledge of Jesus' perfect and final sacrifice impact your sense of forgiveness and acceptance by God today?
Day 4: Continuous Access to God
Jesus' priesthood ensures that we have continuous access to God. He is always available to intercede for us, offering us forgiveness, strength, and grace. This means we can go directly to God with our needs, knowing that Jesus is our advocate. The continuous access to God provided by Jesus' priesthood is a profound privilege. It means that we are never cut off from God's presence and can always seek His help and guidance.
This continuous access is a source of great comfort and encouragement. It means that no matter what we are going through, we can always turn to God and find the support we need. Jesus' intercession on our behalf ensures that we are always heard and that our relationship with God is never broken. This access is not based on our merit but on Jesus' eternal priesthood, giving us confidence to approach God with all our concerns. [01:02:18]
Ephesians 2:18 (ESV): "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father."
Reflection: What specific need or concern can you bring to God today, knowing that Jesus is interceding for you?
Day 5: Living a Godly Life
To live a godly life, we must come to Jesus daily, seeking His guidance and support. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and through Him, we can live a life that is pleasing to God. This requires us to take God at His word and rest in the finished work of Jesus, trusting Him to help us in our daily struggles. Living a godly life is not about striving in our own strength but about relying on Jesus and His grace.
Coming to Jesus daily means developing a habit of seeking His presence and guidance in all aspects of our lives. It means trusting Him to provide the wisdom and strength we need to navigate life's challenges. By resting in His finished work, we can experience the peace and assurance that comes from knowing that our relationship with God is secure. This daily dependence on Jesus is the key to living a life that honors God and reflects His love to others. [01:27:34]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to ensure that you are coming to Jesus daily for guidance and support?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I'm telling you, if you don't know that, if you can't say that with all seriousness from your heart, you need to get to a place where you can. Absolutely. There's nothing better than being saved by the grace of God and knowing that you are saved by the grace of God. I'm thankful that I have a home reserved in heaven. Not because of any good thing that I've done, but because of everything that He has done." [42:05] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus is more than just a sacrifice for our sins who was able to reconcile us to God. I'm thankful he did that. Somebody say amen. I'm thankful he did that. But he is also our great high priest. He is our heavenly, our representative. He's the one that maintains our relationship with God. He is up there, if I can just say it this way, he's up there taking up for us all the time to God. I'm very, very thankful for that." [50:17] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I'm thankful that in April 1984, I put my faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ washed my sin completely away. So, well, that means you have, you have a home in heaven one of these days. I do, it's reserved. Jesus said he went to prepare that place. I look forward to seeing it one of these days. And I will get to see it one of these days." [01:01:48] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I'm very thankful that I'm saved. I'm very thankful that I have a home in heaven. But I am just as thankful, or maybe even more, that 40 years ago when he saved my soul, he not only prepared a place for me in heaven, but he changed my life. He changed my life. I have a closeness to God. I can go directly to God. I can talk to him as much as I want to, 24-7, never get a busy signal. He is always there for me or for you if you're saved by the grace of God." [01:02:53] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The only condition we must meet is that we must go to Him for the help we need. So as a Savior, Jesus comes seeking to save us from our sin. You know, the book of Matthew chapter 1 says He came to save His people from their sin. Came to save us from our sin. As our High Priest, He's waiting for us. Listen, He's waiting for us to come to Him." [01:26:28] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The purpose of this scripture really is twofold. First, it assures us that God has not left us without a priesthood, without access to him. We have that through the high priestly ministry of Jesus. Then it's also to help us to understand why the priestly ministry of Jesus is superiorly, superior to the priestly ministry of Aaron that was established by the law. Aaron's priesthood was biblical. There's no doubt about that. It was biblical, but it had its human limitations. Jesus Christ's priesthood has no human limitations, and I'm thankful for that." [51:16] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The priestly ministry of Jesus offers everything that Aaron's ministry couldn't offer, couldn't provide. Because through Jesus, we do have forgiveness of sin. And through Jesus, we may enjoy unending fellowship with God. I mean, as much time as we decide we want to spend with God, I'm telling you we can have that unending fellowship with God. He provides a better peace. He provides a superior righteousness because in him, in Jesus, we have a perfection that the law of Moses could never provide. Ever." [01:04:04] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus will never need a successor because Jesus is never going to die. It's not going to happen because there will never be a lapse in his ministry for us because his ministry is for us. Our standing with God will never be at risk. It will never be at risk. No, no, no. Jesus is not going to die. We know that he is not going to retire. He's not going to say, man, I am tired of this. See if we can find somebody else to take his place. Oh, no, no, no, no." [01:07:47] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The sacrifice of Jesus provides a way for men, women, boys, and girls to be made right with God. No, no, when we're saved, we're made right with God. The royal priesthood of Jesus ensures us that our relationship to God remains secure. I don't have to hold on to Him. He's holding on to me. Truly. And to live with that assurance, well, it requires two decisions from us. Number one, to take God at His word. We'll have to take Him at His word." [01:21:03] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There's nothing we need to sustain our lives of faith that we do not have in Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. He's there for us. He's able to save to the uttermost. Hallelujah. The only condition we must meet is that we must go to Him for the help we need. So as a Savior, Jesus comes seeking to save us from our sin. You know, the book of Matthew chapter 1 says He came to save His people from their sin. Came to save us from our sin. As our High Priest, He's waiting for us. Listen, He's waiting for us to come to Him." [01:25:48] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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