Hebrews #17: An exposition of Hebrews 7:11-19. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 10, 2014.
Intro:
It was perfect. That is the only word to describe it. The beauty of the place was beyond description. The Creator and His creature walked together in the cool of the day. They lived in perfect harmony. There was glorious unity. There were no cemeteries. No junk yards. It was perfect. Then it happened. The beauty was destroyed. Unity was broken. That perfect world was shattered. The creature had become the rebel. Now chaos and confusion reigned. Love and fellowship were replaced by fear and separation. Distrust took the place of trust. All because sin had entered the world.
Man was now less than human. We say, “To err is human.” Well not really. To be human is what we were intended to be. Man and woman were created in the image and likeness of God. Both were without sin. Both walked in fellowship with God. But when Adam rebelled against God’s command he became less than what he was. Ever since then we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Every man, woman, boy and girl is marred by sin. We are “radically” sinful. Meaning we are sinful to the core. Sin has affected everything. Our mind, our will, our emotions and our spirit. So that our righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God. While we are radically sinful God is radically holy. Holiness is at the core of His being. He is transcendent, other, distinct and different. Because God is holy and we are sinful the only way we relate to one another is as Righteous Judge and condemned sinner. Because I am radically sinful I can never “clean up” my act. I can never overcome my sin by self-effort. I need a deliverer. I need someone from outside to rescue me.
Religion is an attempt to bridge that gap. It is a means by which sinners can have access to God. A means of fellowship or relationship. The Gospel is the good news that God has bridged that gap. That God has made it possible for sinners to enter the presence of God. Our text this morning is found in the 7th chapter of Hebrews.
Text: Hebrews 7:11-19
This book was originally written to encourage struggling believers.
1st century Jewish Christians who were tempted to abandon the faith.
Due to rejection and persecution many walked away from the faith.
The writer urges them to continue in faith – there is no other way to God’s presence.
Christ is better than the best that Judaism has to offer.
Christ is God’s final/ultimate word.
He is the effulgence, the shinning forth of God’s glory, the exact representation of His nature.
Christ is better than the angels.
He is a superior high priest.
This again is the subject of our text this morning. Look at verse 11 and then verse 19:
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
“Perfected” in the context means presentable to God. Given access to God’s presence. Made fit for the presence of God.
From this text we discover that…
Thesis: Christ does for us what the law could never do, usher us into the presence of the Living God holy, accepted and dearly loved.
Verse 11 speaks of what the old system, the law, could not do – make perfect.
Verse 19 speaks of our better hope through which we draw near to God.
“Draw near” implies love, acceptance and intimacy.
I want to point out 2 things in our text.
- The inadequacy of the old system demonstrated by its limited access to the presence of God. (7:11-14)
- The superiority of the our High Priest in guaranteeing our acceptance before God. (7:15-19)
Conclusion:
The old order was incapable of making perfect (7:11).
What about the Lord Jesus?
He entered behind the veil – into heaven itself.
Do you remember from the cross he cried, “It is finished!”
In the temple – the curtain or veil that separated the holy of holies was torn in two – top to bottom. Laid open. Now all may come into God’s presence through the Lord Jesus who made the once and for all sacrifice. Because of Christ we are accepted and beloved.
Through Christ a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
- Fellowship restored.
- The curse is broken.
- Sin has been removed.
That’s the gospel and it is glorious!