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lesson 9 PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK
I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1...Genesis
14:18-21 - Melchizedek blessed Abraham, and received a tenth of all 2. Psalms 110:4 - Messiah’s priesthood to be
of the order of Melchizedek 3. Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:10, 20 - Jesus is our
High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek 4. Zechariah 9:9 - The king of Israel would
come sitting on a donkey’s colt. 5. Matthew 21:5; Luke 23:3; John 12:12-15 -
Jesus is the promised king of Israel II. MAIN THEME: Heb 7:1-28
- Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, is a figure
of the priesthood of Jesus Christ.
Melchizedek’s priesthood in not based on the Law of Moses, but based
on his personal relationship with God.
He is both king and priest.
His priesthood is greater than that of Aaron, and he shows how the
priesthood of Jesus Christ is greater than the priesthood under the Law of
Moses. 1. Melchizedek was king of righteousness,
king of peace, and priest of the Most High God - verses 1-2 a. Melchizedek means king of righteousness -
verse 2 b...Salem
(shalom) means peace. Salem later
became Jerusalem - verse 2; Psalms 76:2 c. Melchizedek was priest of God - verse 1;
Genesis 14:18-21 d. Melchizedek’s priesthood was based on his
personal relationship to God, not on genealogy - verse
4; Genesis 4:4; 8:20-21 2. Melchizedek's priesthood was superior to that of Aaron - verses 3-10 a. Abraham gave a tenth of all to Melchizedek - verses 2 and 4; Genesis 14:18-21 b. The Levitical priesthood descended from Abraham, and paid a tenth to Melchizedek through Abraham - verses 7-10 c. Melchizedek was greater than Abraham - verses 6-7 d. Therefore the priesthood of Melchizedek is greater than the Levitical priesthood - verse 11 3. Jesus being both king and high priest does
not fit the Law of Moses - verses 12-17 a. Only Levites were allowed to serve as
priests under the Law - verse 11-17:
Exodus 28:1 b. Jesus, as a descendent of Judah, would not
be allowed to serve as priest under the Law - verse 14 c. The priesthood of Jesus is based on the
power of an everlasting life - verse 4, 16; 2 Tim 2:10 d. The order of Melchizedek is that of both
king and priest, based on his relationship to God. 4. A new priesthood required a new covenant - verses 18-24, Hebrews 7:12 a. The Levitical priesthood made nothing perfect, because it was based on being righteous by keeping the law - verses 18-19; Romans 7:5-13; Gal 3:10-14 b. Jesus brought in a better covenant and better hope, based on having righteousness through our relationship in God - verse 19, 25; 2 Cor 3:6-18; Phil 3:8-9; Eph 2:4-10; 2 Thes 2:13-17; Jer 31:31-34 5. The priesthood of Jesus is perfect - verses 26-28 a. Not like the priests of the Law who had to offer sacrifices first for their own sins - verse 27 b. God by his oath appointed a perfect high priest - verse 21, 26; Psalms 110:4 c. According to the power of an everlasting life - verse 16; Heb 13:8 d. Because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood is unchanging - verse 24, 28; Hebrews 10:12-14
III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. Do not wonder about Melchizedek, the message is about the eternal reign and power of Jesus Christ. Melchizedek is just a type of Jesus Christ, and is only mentioned in four verses of Genesis - Gen 14:18-21. 2. Understand that the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ is based on our relationship as children of God, not our ability to keep law - Romans 3:21-31; Phil 3:8-9; Eph 2:1-10; Jer 31:31-34 3. Understand that we must obey the gospel and continue faithful in our relationship in Jesus to have hope of eternal life - Heb 5:9; Rom 6:17; 2 Thes 1:8; Col 2:11-17; Heb 10:19-31; Rev 2:10 IV. MEMORY VERSES: HEBREWS
7:24-25 |