For The Best of Baptists-I—Hebrews 7:1-10
My great-grandfather Jesse Sherman/Shack behind them—Children in background-no one holding hands—No smiles—Wearing homemade shoes—Beside wife—Long white beard to center of his chest—Holding rifle—Dog at side/Learn a lot from the picture if know what to look for—Loved wife & family—Proud of his home—Trusted his rifle & his dogs.
Regardless of the seeming poverty, there is much of which they could be thankful & proud. There must be more than meets the eye. Internal standards.
Need:
Even Baptists can make good Christians.....when they resign themselves to be Christians first above Baptists.
The writer to the Hebrews described what was available in Christ Jesus to the religiously comfortable.
A higher plane is available to the religiously comfortable.
What heights are available to the religiously comfortable or the Best of Baptists?
7 Higher planes available to the Best of Baptists.
1—For the Best of Baptists, there is...
A Higher KING(:1a, 2)
Explanation:(:1a, 2)
:1—“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings & blessed him,”
Jesus is pictured in Melchizedek. In his name, his titles, & his responsibility.
This Melchizedek had been the subject of the author’s intent regarding the priesthood of Jesus & how it was typified in the priest, Melchizedek. This king “met Abraham” following Abram’s victory over the kings. Melchizedek approached Abram in order to “bless” him(:3).
Gen. 14:8-20—“8 And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, & the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out & joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, & Arioch king of Ellasar--four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; & the kings of Sodom & Gomorrah fled; some fell there, & the remainder fled to the mountains. 11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom & Gomorrah, & all their provisions, & went their way. 12 They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, & his goods, & departed. 13 Then one who had escaped came & told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol & brother of Aner; & they were allies with Abram. 14 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred & eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, & went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, & he & his servants attacked them & pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 So he brought back all the goods, & also brought back his brother Lot & his goods, as well as the women & the people. 17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer & the kings who were with him. 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread & wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him & said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven & earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.”
:2—“to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated, “king of righteousness,” & then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace.”
The ultimate/supreme Sovereign of righteousness & thus justice.
We see here that our King Jesus is worthy of such honor as to command our finances.
We see here the significance of Melchizedek’s Name & Title.
Melchizedek—qdu-yklm— “My king is Sedek.” From —Klm meh’-lek—meaning “king”—&—qdu tseh’-dek—meaning Justice, rightness, righteousness. ‘My King is righteous(ness).’
“King”—basileuv—Sovereign leader of the people.
“Salem”—Salhm From—Mlv shaw-lame’(Salem)—Peace; complete, safe, peaceful, perfect, whole, full, at peace.
“Gave/Apportioned”—merizw—To divide or distribute.
“Tenth part”—dekath—A tenth part of anything.
“Translation”—ermhneuw—To explain in words, expound; To interpret.
“Righteousness”—dikaiosunh—The state of him who is as he ought to be. The condition acceptable to God.
“Peace”—eirhnh—A state of national tranquility, security, safety, prosperity.
Argumentation:
Rev. 17:14—“These[10 kings serving antichrist] will wage war against the Lamb, & the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords & King of kings, & those who are with Him are the called & chosen & faithful.””
Jesus is sovereign over all who are considered sovereigns!
Illustration:
Video or reading of S. M. Lockridge’s ‘That’s My King’(below)
Application:
?Your King the HIGHER KING?
?You one of the Best of Baptists?—Are you Christian?
The Bible says
He’s the King of the Jews
He’s the King of Israel
He’s the King of Righteousness
He’s the King of the Ages
He’s the King of Heaven
He’s the King of Glory
He’s the King of Kings
& He is the Lord of Lords
Now that’s my King!
David says
The Heavens declare the glory of God
And the firmament showeth His handiwork
No means of measure can define His limitless love
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing
He’s enduringly strong
He’s entirely sincere
He’s eternally steadfast
He’s immortally graceful
He’s imperially powerful
He’s impartially merciful.
That’s my King!
He’s God’s Son
He’s the sinners’ Savior
He’s the centerpiece of civilization
He stands alone in Himself
He’s august
He’s unique
He’s unparalleled
He’s unprecedented
He’s supreme
He’s pre-eminent
He’s the loftiest idea in literature
He’s the highest personality in philosophy
He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism He’s the fundamental doctrine in true theology
He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion.
That’s my King!
He’s the miracle of the age
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him
He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously
He supplies strength for the weak
He’s available for the tempted & the tried
He sympathises & He saves
He guards & He guides
He heals the sick
He cleansed the lepers
He forgives sinners
He discharges debtors
He delivers the captives
He defends the feeble
He blesses the young
He serves the unfortunate
He regards the aged
He rewards the diligent
And He beautifies the meek.
Do you know Him?
My King is the key of knowledge
He’s the wellspring of wisdom
He’s the doorway of deliverance
He’s the pathway of peace
He’s the roadway of righteousness
He’s the highway of holiness
He’s the gateway of glory
He’s the master of the mighty
He’s the captain of the conquerors
He’s the head of the heroes
He’s the leader of the legislators
He’s the overseer of the overcomers
He’s the governor of governors
He’s the prince of princes
He’s the King of Kings
And He’s the Lord of Lords
That’s my King
That’s my King!
My King
His office is manifold
His promise is sure
His life is matchless
His goodness is limitless
His mercy is everlasting
His love never changes
His word is enough
His grace is sufficient
His reign is righteous
His yoke is easy
& His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you...
He’s indescribable
He’s indescribable
He’s incomprehensible
He’s invincible
He’s irresistible
I’m trying to tell you
The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him
Let alone a man explain Him
You can’t get Him out of your mind
You can’t get Him off of your hands
You can’t outlive Him
And you can’t live without Him
The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him
but they found out they couldn’t stop Him
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree
And Herod couldn’t kill Him
Death couldn’t handle Him
And the grave couldn’t hold Him
That’s my King!
He always has been
And He always will be
I’m talking about
He had no predecessor
& He’ll have no successor
There was nobody before Him
& there’ll be nobody after Him
You can’t impeach Him
& He’s not going to resign
That’s my King!
Praise the Lord
That’s my King
Thine is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory
The glory is all His
Thine is the Kingdom
And the power
And the glory
For ever
And ever
And ever
And when you get through with all of the forevers
Then
Amen
2—For the Best of Baptists, there is...
A Higher MEDIATOR/Priest(:1a)
Explanation:(:1a) Priest
:1—“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings & blessed him,”
Jesus is pictured in Melchizidek. Thereby, Jesus is our Priest(Mediator)...of the Most High God. He is THE High Priest thru whom we receive atonement/satisfaction/propitiation/forgiveness for our sin((s) sinfulness).
Heb. 8:6— “Mediator of a better covenant.”
Heb. 9:15; 12:24—“Mediator of the new covenant.”
If your god is not the Most High God, then your god must answer to the Most High God!
Catholics view their leaders as priests & mediators between themselves & God. They confess their sins to the priest.
Cult members all look to their leaders as go-betweens for their understanding of God—A blasphemous sham!
However, God in Christ has granted all Christians free access to the throne-room of God Himself.
“Priest”—iereuv—Priest. One whose life is dedicated to some aspect of the mediatorial role between God & man & vice versa.
“Most High”—uyistov—Highest, Most high. Superlative form of ‘height’ or measure.
Argumentation:
1Tim. 2:4-6—“who desires all men to be saved & to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, & one mediator also between God & men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time.”
Job 9:32-33—““For He is not a man, as I am, That I may answer Him, And that we should go to court together. Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both.”
Job complained that there there was no one to represent his plight before God.
2Cor. 5:20-21—“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Jn. 14:6-13—“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; & from now on you know Him & have seen Him. Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, & it is sufficient for us. Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, & yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, & the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father & the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; & greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Christians are Ambassadors/mediators to/of Christ.
Php. 2:5-10—“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, & coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself & became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him & given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, & of those on earth, & of those under the earth,”
Mat. 28:18-20—“And Jesus came & spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven & on earth. Go therefore & make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; & lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
“All authority” is held by Jesus, therefore we must relate to God thru Him.
Jn. 14:6—“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Spoken only as the Mediator can. If you are unsure, you must test the spirits to see if they are from God(1Jn. 4:1—“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”).
Illustration:
Justin Bieber/Hottest thing going in pop music now/Did not gain his fame thru obtaining a recording contract with a big record label an underwriter—but thru You Tube exposure/Higher MEDIATOR/Priest
FDIC insured bank deposit or withdrawal/All done thru electronic deposit/Bank teller to FDIC—Designated as a mediator between FDIC & customer & vice versa/Higher MEDIATOR/Priest
?Your Priest the HIGHER MEDIATOR/Priest?
?You the Best of Baptists?—Are you Christian?
3—For the Best of Baptists, there is...
A Higher BLESSING(:1b)
Explanation:(:1b)
:1—“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings & blessed him,”
Abram’s God(YaHoVeH) chooses Abram as approved & the object of His special favor. Why was Abram chosen for the blessing?...He has a specific purpose in God’s design & thereby in God’s desire & favor.
How did Melchizedek “bless” Abram?
—By prospering him so that he became a threat to those who would control him & his family(Gen. 26:16 of Isaac).
—By using Him as the conduit of relationship with God, salvation by God & purposeful/meaningful life for himself & others....All humanity can now experience God’s power.
“Blessed”—eulogew—1) To praise, celebrate with praises; 2) To invoke blessings; 3) To consecrate a thing with solemn prayers. Strong—To speak well of, i.e. (religiously) To bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper):-- Bless, praise.
*“Bless”—Stamp of approval &/or bestowal of purpose, protection, direction, guidance, etc.
Gen. 14:18-20—Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread & wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him & said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven & earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.”
From Abram—‘Exalted father’
To Abraham— ‘Father of many nations’ Argumentation:
Num. 6:22-27—“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron & to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The LORD bless you, & keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’ “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, & I then will bless them.”
How do we “invoke” the name of God?....By heeding the Son whom He sent!
Heb. 6:7-8—“For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it & brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns & thistles, it is worthless & close to being cursed, & it ends up being burned.”
Heb 2:9-10—“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory & honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things & by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
Did Jesus receive the blessing of God His Father?...Of course! He became the author of salvation for all humanity!
We Christians voluntarily limit ourselves in this world to the path God chooses for us thru Christ in His Spirit.
Illustration:
Bruce & Terri’s blessings in hardship/My former secretary & her husband/Stroke leaving one crippled/Stroke leaving the other blind in one eye/Phone call—Could speak of nothing but the way God had blessed them—Fund-raisers by church & work/Gradual bu sustained recoveries/Higher BLESSING
Ellinor’s picture from church classroom/Stamped green frog, Purple & green Butterfly, & Blue & green flowers/“I must work the works of Him that sent Me.”—Jn. 9:4/Teacher worked hard to provide materials to share Jesus in that way/No other students in class but Ellinor/Higher BLESSING causes us not to give up or be discouraged!
Some would say, ‘There aren’t many people here today, so i think I’ll just give up.’
Don’t give up on the BLESSING of God!...It comes to us in the midst of some of the hardest most difficult labor, pain, sufferings, & discouragement, etc. There is blessing in knowing that you have impacted the life of another person, particularly as it may effect the focus & outcome of someone’s entire life!
Application:
?Your Blessing the HIGHER BLESSING?
?You the Best of Baptists?—Are you Christian?
CONCLUSION:
Action:
Jesse Sherman family picture. Higher but inward standards
For the Best of Baptists, there is A Higher...
KING(:1a, 2)
MEDIATOR/Priest(:1a)
BLESSING(:1b)
Presented 02/13/2011am to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
Presented 07/18/04am to:
Providence Baptist Church
975 Providence Road
Whigham, GA 39897
