Discussion Questions

1) How do your inadequacies highlight the imperfection and weakness of a set of rules like the Old Testament Law as the standard for salvation?

2) In what ways have you struggled to not fall back into living according to a set of rules as the basis for your acceptance from God?

3) What has Jesus done as our high priest which no other representative before or after him could do?

4) What can you do this week to show that Jesus really is greater than everything else in your life?

Sermon OUtline

Hebrews 7:11-28

The Law was Imperfect
Because the Priests were Imperfect (v11-14)

“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it 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?” (v11)

1) The ministry of the priests was temporary

“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office.” (v23)

Jesus’ ministry is permanent

“(Jesus) holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.” (v24)

2) The sacrifices of the priests were temporary

“(the) high priests, to offer sacrifices daily” (v27)

Jesus’ sacrifice is enduring

“he has no need to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself” (v27)

3) The priests, themselves were sinful

“Those high priests, offered sacrifices daily first for his own sins and then for those of the people” (v27)

Jesus is sinless

“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens.” (v26)

The Law was Weak
Because the Priests were Powerless to save (v15-22)

“For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness.” (v18)

1) The priests were weak

“For the law appoints men in their weaknesses as high priests” (v28)

Jesus is powerful

“he became a priest not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily decent, but by the power of an indestructible life.” (v16)

2) The priests were not based on an oath of God

“For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath.” (v20)

Jesus was the promised messiah

“And it was not without an oath. But this one was made a priest with an oath by one who said to him, The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, You are a priest forever. This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” (v20-22)

3) The law could make nothing perfect

“for the law made nothing perfect”. (v19)

Jesus has been made perfect forever

“but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.” (v19)