A Priest Forever, According to the Order of Melchizedek

In one paragraph

Pastor Blake preached through Hebrews 7:11-28, continuing the church's study of the letter's argument about Jesus as high priest in the order of Melchizedek. The sermon asked why that priesthood matters and how it compares to the old Levitical system. The answer lands on the resurrection: because Jesus holds an indestructible life, everything about his priesthood is different in kind, not just in...

Read together

1. Colossians 3:1-4 read aloud to encourage the congregation to set their hearts and minds on things above
2. Psalm 139:23-24 offered as a congregational prayer: 'Search me O God and know my heart'
3. Hebrews 7:11-28 the main passage preached, covering the priesthood of Melchizedek and the superiority of Jesus as high priest
4. Psalm 110:4 quoted multiple times as the Old Testament testimony that Jesus is 'a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek'
5. Romans 3:19-20 cited to show that the law makes all the world accountable to God and that no flesh is justified by works of the law
6. Romans 7 referenced for Paul's struggle: what he wants to do he does not do, and what he does not want to do he ends up doing
7. Romans 8:1 referenced for the declaration that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ
8. John 14:6 quoted as Jesus saying 'I am the way, I am the truth, I am the life and no one comes to the Father except through me'
9. Isaiah 6:1-5 referenced to illustrate that even the great high priest Isaiah confessed his sin and unholiness before God
10. James 2:10 referenced to show that breaking one part of the law means the whole thing is broken

Talk about it

1. The preacher said the law 'made nothing perfect' and used the example of texting while driving to make the point. Where have you seen the law name something as wrong without giving you the power to stop doing it?
2. The pastor described how the Levitical priests were simply born into their role, and how that system kept needing replacements because each one died. What is the difference between trusting in a system or a person who will eventually fail you, and trusting in someone whose life is indestructible?
3. The sermon drew on Romans 3 to say that the law closes every mouth and makes the whole world accountable to God. Why do you think it is hard, as the pastor put it, 'to get people lost before you can get them found' in our day?
4. The pastor compared going back to the Levitical system to putting all your trust in a pastor who will eventually disappoint you. Have you experienced what it feels like to rest your hope in someone who could not carry it? What did that teach you?
5. The closing benediction from verse 25 says Jesus 'lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.' What does it mean to you practically, day to day, that Jesus is right now making intercession for you rather than that intercession ending at the cross?