Series: Jesus Is Better- The Better Priest [#7]
AN INDESTRUCTIBLE LIFE
Hebrews 7:11-22
Introduction:
Seeing Kevin here today reminds me of one of our projects many years ago. Our Fellowship Hall used to be divided into 4 rooms and a very small Fellowship Hall area. The Church decided to open the area up to what we have now. While my construction skills are much improved, I have always been good at demolishing things. Kevin and I were going to start tearing down one of the walls and Kevin came up with a great idea- Run through the wall. As I ran and hit the wall, I realized that it wasn’t a very sturdy wall. I hit the wall and went right through.
Many of our lives are like that wall, it doesn’t take much to tear it down. Last week, we begin to learn about Melchizedek and how he was a copy of Jesus Christ. Throughout the Book of Hebrews, the writer constantly reminds his readers that the purpose of religion and the Jewish system of worship was to bring men to God. It wasn’t working.
I don’t know about you; but I want a life that is indestructible. I’m tired of making it easy for the enemy. How do we have a life that is indestructible?
Hebrews 7:11-16 (NIV)
“If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come--one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 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.”
You can have an indestructible life…
1. Only through Jesus.
Had the Law done what it was intended to do, there would be no need for another priest. The sacrificial system was intended to bring men to God and unite them together. Had the priesthood achieved its purpose, there would be no reason for another system. Failure of the priesthood demanded that another order be instituted in its place. Under the old order, no one been able to live up to the Law. No man has been able to measure up to the standard that the Law gives. How frustrating the situation is when man can’t attain God’s standard for him.
There is not one thing ever perfected by the Law. A person comes into the right relationship to God, not by works of the Law; but by faith. Faith secures salvation, not the Law. The Law is a mirror to show man what he misses, what he lacks, and what he needs. As far as bringing men to God, the Law has failed.
The Law of priesthood dealt only with physical aspects, not the spiritual. Priest had to have certain lineage. If he was not born to a particular tribe, he couldn’t be a priest. He had to be born into the right family. In addition, according to Jewish law and tradition, there were 142 physical reasons why a man who had the right lineage might be refused the priesthood. It was all physical. It had nothing to do with his character, his inward nature, his dedication, or his spirituality. Every bit of the law of priesthood was physical. It was concerned with how he looked, how he dressed, how he cut his hair, how he wore certain garments, and how he went through ceremonial rituals. All of these rituals were physical and outward. Not one of them had to do with his character. That is why the Law failed. We only have victory in our lives when we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 7:17-19 (NIV)
“For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.”
You can have an indestructible life…
2. By drawing near to God.
This is simple- You can only draw near to God the Father through God the Son. Unlike the other priests, Jesus is our High Priest forever. We are told in James to resist the devil and to draw near to God.
Hebrews 7:20-22 (NIV)
“And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: `You are a priest forever.'" Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”
You can have an indestructible life…
3. Guaranteed.
Everything in this life goes away; but life in Jesus Christ is guaranteed by God. Hopefully, we all know what this means. Under the New Covenant, we can have eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
Jesus has taken care of our sacrifice for sin. If you want a life that is stable and strong, then you need to draw near to God. Don’t worry about what is going to happen to you here on Earth; because through Jesus, you have eternal victory.
