Near to the Heart of God A Study of the Book of Hebrews Lesson 17 Hebrews 7:11 – 25 From Good to Great: A Better Priest and a Better Covenant

I. Introduction A.This does not bode well” B.Context: Christ as high priest in Hebrews 1. Preparatory references in Hebrews (1:3; 2:17-18; 3:1) 2. A sustained argument (chapters 4-8) a.Sympathetic (4:14-16) b.Perfected through suffering (5:1-10) c.Digression due to dullness (5:11-6:20) d.The superiority of Melchizedek to Abraham and Aaron (7:1-10) e.The superiority of Christ, our Great High Priest to the Aaronic priesthood (7:11-28)

II. The reason for replacement: “If it wasn’t broken, you wouldn’t need to fix it” (7:11-19) A.Main statement – verse 11: 11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood - for on that basis the people received the law - what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 1. “If” assumes it is not so. 2. Perfection = reaching the goal of drawing men near to God 3. Levitical priesthood is foundational to law 4. Replacement – not Aaron, but Melchizedek

B.A new priesthood requires a new law (7:12-17) 1. New priest, new law (7:12) 2. New tribe (Judah), new law (7:13-14) 3. New priest, new basis – not based on the law, but on an indestructible life (7:15-17) C.Summation & transition (7:18-19) 1. On the one hand, the law is set aside due to weakness; it is broken (7:18-19a). 2. On the other hand, the new brings something better, by which we draw near to God (7:19b).

III. A better covenant and a better priesthood replaces the old (7:20-25) A.The new priesthood is based on God’s oath, which is certain and changeless (7:20-22). B.It is permanent: the Aaronic priests died, but our Great High Priest lives forever (7:23-25) IV. Summation (7:26-28) A.Our High Priest is “right for us” (fitting, v. 26). B.We have in Jesus a perfect, flawless, holy High Priest, free from sin (7:26-27). C.He made an offering for sins once for all (7:27). D.He was appointed by God’s oath, and not merely by Law (7:28). E.He is a Son made perfect, forever (7:28).

V. Conclusion A.Reviewing the main points 1. The Aaronic priesthood and the law were not able to perfect men. 2. The priests and the law established boundaries between men and God. 3. A new order of High Priest based upon a new law (New Covenant) is what we needed, and what we have in Christ. B.Application to the original recipients 1. John 12:31-36, To “turn back” is to turn from all that we need to that which leaves us in need. 3. You cannot “draw near” through the old, but only through Christ.

C.Application to Christians today 1. Recognize how privileged we are in comparison with Old Testament saints. 2. The absolute sufficiency of Christ – He is all we need. 3. The “old” is not better. Drifting back to Judaism is not advancing, but falling away. 4. Do we have “priests” today, on whom we rely, rather than Christ? a.Discipleship and mentoring b.Accountability c.Counseling and shepherding

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 17 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study of the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for November 2, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.