Though Jesus is not of the line of Levi, He is entitled to the office of high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Abraham's payment of a tithe shows that Melchizedek was greater than he. Like Abraham, we are obligated to tithe to our priest-king Jesus. People often crave the accreditation of men idolatrously. All institutions are to be established under the authority of God. So in every area of activity, we are to seek the approval of God, and not men.
Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-6
Sermon Notes:
- Melchizedek appears only twice before the book Hebrews in Psalm 110 and Genesis 14, and yet from his story we learn some of the deepest truths of the gospel, about the nature of Christ’s priesthood and our office as Christians.
- Though Jesus is not of the line of Levi, He is entitled to the office of high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Psalm 110). God’s accreditation matters more than man’s.
- Melchizedek’s name means king of righteousness and king of peace. He was king of a city-state called Salem, and priest to God Most High.
- Abraham’s payment of a tithe shows that Melchizedek was greater than he. Like Abraham, we are obligated to tithe to our priest-king Jesus.
- Jesus is superior to everyone mentioned in the early chapters of Hebrews; the apostle takes Melchizedek and shows the superiority of Christ’s priesthood over the Levitical priesthood.
- People often crave the accreditation of men idolatrously. All institutions are to be established under the authority of God. So in every area of activity, we are to seek the approval of God, and not men.
- According to 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 1:6, we, like Israel of old (Ex. 19:6), are to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. .
- The kings, priests and laws of Israel were not copied from other nations; rather, there was a recent common religious consciousness passed through Noah which goes back to Adam, who was made to be a king, priest, and ruler.
- Israel itself was to pattern its prayer, sacrifice, and service as an example for the nations around.
- Abraham submitted to Melchizedek, recognizing his prior priestly authority. Melchizedek’s priesthood was higher than that of the Levites to come, who were ‘in Abraham.’
- Going on to maturity involves learning and applying harder concepts (Isaiah 61:6).
- Jesus says of Isaiah 61 that ‘today it is fulfilled in your hearing.’ The new people of God will be called priests of the Lord. There is now no more temple, no more priesthood, no more Levitical order.
- The priesthood of Aaron has been changed (Heb. 10:19-22), and in Christ it reaches forward to the new creation.
- All of scripture is to be applied to all of our lives as we live out our calling to be a kingly priesthood; Christ’s authority extends to family, business, finance, courts, charity, etc.
- The church is to have growing influence as the wisdom of God guides the nation under God’s rule.
- Our money, time, hearts and lives are to be devoted to the dominion of Christ and His great commission.
Application Questions:
- What are the purposes of the biblical offices of king and priest?
- In what ways is the priesthood of Jesus superior to the Levitical priesthood?
- Whose accreditation do we desire most? God’s or man’s?
- Do we seek the approval of God in every area of our lives?
- What does it mean for us to serve in Christ’s royal priesthood?
- What does Christ’s priestly work have to do with the new creation?
- What areas are yet to be redeemed and renewed under Christ the priest-king?