Melchizedek: The Eternal Priesthood and Our Giving

Hebrews chapter 7 introduces us to the enigmatic figure of Melchizedek, a character who appears briefly in the Old Testament yet holds profound significance. Melchizedek, whose name means "king of righteousness," was both the king of Salem, which translates to "peace," and a priest of the Most High God. His encounter with Abraham, where he blessed him and received a tithe, is a pivotal moment that the writer of Hebrews uses to illustrate the superiority of Melchizedek's priesthood over the Aaronic priesthood. This passage challenges us to consider the nature of Jesus' eternal priesthood, which Melchizedek's life foreshadows.

Melchizedek's sudden appearance in Genesis, without genealogy or recorded lineage, symbolizes an eternal priesthood, akin to that of Jesus. This lack of origin and end in the biblical narrative suggests a divine mystery, prompting us to reflect on how God can work outside our expectations and established norms. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Melchizedek's priesthood is superior because even Abraham, the patriarch, paid tithes to him, acknowledging his greatness.

The sermon also delves into the practice of tithing, drawing parallels between Abraham's tithe to Melchizedek and our giving today. It encourages believers to give proportionally and from the top of their resources, as an act of worship and recognition of God's provision. This act of giving is not just for the benefit of the church but is a spiritual discipline that guards against materialism and aligns us with God's generous nature.

Ultimately, the message invites us to let Jesus be our high priest, as Melchizedek was to Abraham. This involves engaging in sacred fellowship through communion, honoring Jesus with our resources, and receiving His blessing. By doing so, we acknowledge Jesus as our King of Righteousness and King of Peace, allowing His righteousness to lead us into His peace.

Key Takeaways

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  2. The Superiority of Melchizedek's Priesthood: The writer of Hebrews highlights Melchizedek's priesthood as superior to the Aaronic priesthood, as even Abraham, the great patriarch, paid tithes to him. This underscores the greatness of Melchizedek and, by extension, the greatness of Jesus' eternal priesthood.
  
  3. The Principle of Tithing: Tithing is presented as a spiritual discipline that reflects our acknowledgment of God's provision. By giving proportionally and from the top of our resources, we align ourselves with God's generous nature and protect our hearts from materialism.
  
  4. Jesus as Our High Priest: Just as Melchizedek was a priest to Abraham, Jesus is our high priest. We are invited to engage in sacred fellowship through communion, honor Him with our resources, and receive His blessing, acknowledging Him as our King of Righteousness and Peace.
  
  5. Righteousness Before Peace: The order of Melchizedek's titles—King of Righteousness before King of Peace—teaches us that true peace comes through righteousness. By embracing Jesus' righteousness, demonstrated at the cross, we can experience His peace in our lives.
  
  ** [14:58]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Introduction to Hebrews 7
• [00:28] - Reading the Text
• [01:02] - Melchizedek's Introduction
• [02:26] - Melchizedek's Brief Appearance
• [03:39] - Jesus as High Priest
• [04:44] - Genesis Background
• [06:25] - Melchizedek's Titles
• [08:17] - Melchizedek's Relationship with God
• [09:21] - Melchizedek's Priestly Functions
• [11:33] - Abraham's Tithe to Melchizedek
• [14:28] - Melchizedek's Eternal Nature
• [19:25] - The Superiority of Melchizedek's Priesthood
• [22:01] - The Principle of Tithing
• [36:13] - Jesus as Our High Priest

1. What are the titles given to Melchizedek in Hebrews 7, and what do they signify? [00:46]
2. How does the writer of Hebrews describe Melchizedek's genealogy and its significance? [01:02]
3. What actions did Abraham take when he encountered Melchizedek, and what do these actions represent? [05:58]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Melchizedek and Jesus? [17:32]

1. Why does the writer of Hebrews emphasize Melchizedek's lack of genealogy, and how does this relate to the concept of an eternal priesthood? [14:58]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Melchizedek's priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood? [19:25]
3. How does the practice of tithing, as demonstrated by Abraham, serve as a spiritual discipline according to the sermon? [24:55]
4. What is the significance of the order of Melchizedek's titles—King of Righteousness before King of Peace—and how does this apply to our understanding of Jesus? [34:07]

1. Reflect on the idea that God can work outside our expectations and established norms, as seen in Melchizedek's story. Can you think of a time when God worked in an unexpected way in your life? How did you respond? [13:54]
2. The sermon encourages giving from the top of our resources. How do you currently approach giving, and what changes might you consider to align more closely with this principle? [25:45]
3. How can you engage in sacred fellowship through communion in a way that acknowledges Jesus as your high priest? What steps can you take to make this a meaningful practice? [36:36]
4. Consider the relationship between righteousness and peace in your life. Are there areas where you seek peace without first addressing righteousness? How can you prioritize righteousness to experience true peace? [34:07]
5. The sermon suggests that tithing protects against materialism. In what ways do you see materialism affecting your life, and how can you use giving as a tool to combat it? [29:55]
6. How can you let Jesus be your high priest in your daily life, similar to how Melchizedek was to Abraham? What practical steps can you take to honor Him with your resources and receive His blessing? [36:13]
7. Reflect on the idea that you cannot outgive God. How does this perspective challenge or encourage you in your current approach to generosity? [30:34]