Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing

Now the main point of what we are saying is this… Hebrews 8:1a (NIV)

MAIN POINT #1:  WE HAVE A BETTER HIGH PRIEST IN JESUS.

But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is…superior to theirs… Hebrews 8:6a (NIV)

• …Because Of The NATURE Of Jesus’ APPOINTMENT.

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:18-20 (NIV)

The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4 (NIV)

…(The first meaning of Melchizedek’s name is “King of Righteousness”; and because he was king of Salem, his name also means “King of Peace.”) 3 There is no record of Melchizedek’s father or mother or of any of his ancestors; no record of his birth or of his death. He is like the Son of God; he remains a priest forever. Hebrews 7:2b-3 (GNT)

If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:11-19 (NIV)

PHYSICAL death could not defeat him. (King of RIGHTEOUSNESS)

SPIRITUAL death could not defeat him. (King of PEACE)

For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NCV)

• …Because Of The POSTURE & PLACE Where Jesus Serves.

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being. Hebrews 8:1-2 (NLT)

They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:5 (NIV)

• …Because Of The SACRIFICE That Jesus OFFERED.

Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. Hebrews 8:3 (NIV)

Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins. 12 Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever, and then he sat down at the right side of God.  Hebrews 10:11-12 (GNT)

MAIN POINT #2: JESUS MEDIATES A BETTER COVENANT.

…the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one… Hebrews 8:6b (NIV)

That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. Hebrews 9:15 (NLT)

• …Because The New COVENANT Is Based On Better PROMISES.

But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. Hebrews 8:6 (NIV)

The promise of GRACE that TRANSFORMS.

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)

That grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world, Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)

NOTE: God CUTS the covenant & we don’t NEGOTIATE terms.

But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord… 11 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest… 13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.  Hebrews 8:8-9, 11, 13 (NIV)

…Eternal salvation comes from him. He saves all those who obey him. 10 God appointed him to be the high priest, just like Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:9b-10 (NIRV)

In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:11-12 (NIV)

The promise of GRACE that COMPELS.

But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts… Hebrews 8:10a (NLT)

The promise of GRACE that FORGIVES.

“And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:12 (NLT)