Hebrews Sermon Notes _________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Hebrews Study Guide

Hebrews 9:1-15 Jesus is better! Jesus is a better priest! 1. Jesus was not a priest from the line of Aaron, but one “after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:6). This mysterious Old Testament figure was a type of Christ, a shadow of the coming Messiah. In Genesis 14:18 we read that Melchizedek played the same two roles as Jesus. What were they? What did this priest and king bring to his meeting with Abraham? How did these two elements foreshadow what Jesus would institute in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 regarding relationship and blessing? What did Jesus say the “cup” represented? 2. What is the bread in the tabernacle called in 1 Samuel 21:6 and Hebrews 9:2? What does Jesus call himself in John 6:35?

3. How often did the High Priest enter the holy of holies and why? How often did Jesus offer his own blood for the sins of the people? Read Hebrews 9:6 and Hebrews 9:11-12 for your answers.

4. Read Hebrews 9:13-14. What did the sacrifices of the Aaronic priests purify? What better sacrifice did Jesus offer and what did it purify? How did this better sacrifice free us from ritual to relationship with the living God?

5. When Moses met with God to receive the Law (Old Covenant), he prepared the Israelites to stand and observe at the foot of the mountain. They were warned to remain at a safe distance lest the holiness of God consume them (Exodus 19:12). The Old Covenant warned ‘stand back’ but the New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus, has a new message. What is this new message according to Hebrews 4:16, 7:19, and 10:22? Hebrews 11:6 gives more light regarding those who would ‘draw near’ to God. What do you learn from reading this verse?

6. James 4:7-8 gives an invitation, a warning, and a promise. What are they?

7. In his weekend message, Pastor Ryan demonstrated several ways in which Jesus is a better priest. What three words did he say were significant because they were repeated four times in Hebrews? Look at Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 9:26, and 10:10 for your answer.

Jesus’ priestly work is eternal, complete, finished, “once for all.” He sits at the right hand of the Father’s throne.

The idea of sitting at the right hand may have reminded some Jews of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council of seventy elders. This group had both civil and religious authority and acted administratively as well as judicially. Even under Roman rule, the Sanhedrin was allowed considerable power, as evidenced by its role in Jesus’ final arrest and crucifixion. It was a kind of supreme court, and more. When the members sat in judgment, a scribe, or secretary, sat on either side of the presiding judge. The scribe on the left side was responsible for writing condemnations, while the one on the right was responsible for writing acquittals. Jesus said that He came into the world not to condemn but to save (John 3:17). As High Priest, He now sits in the place not only of honor and power but of mercy. He sits there making intercession (Heb. 7:25)—writing acquittals, as it were—for His own. MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1983). Hebrews (p. 207). Chicago: Moody Press.

8. The Old Covenant was conditional. A relationship with God depended upon daily sacrifices to cover sin, and promised blessings depended upon a life of obedience. Nehemiah 9 captures the cycle of unbelief, judgment, repentance, and restoration repeated by the Jews. The Old Testament records this cycle occurring over and over again. Read the entire chapter noting the highlights below. Nehemiah 9:7-8 - God kept his covenant promises. Nehemiah 9:16 -17 How did the Jews do? Nehemiah 9:17 - God’s name and character ( Exodus 34:6-7, “God Has a Name”). Jesus has broken the tyranny of the cycle of sin for those who will live by faith in his finished work. Believers can return to the Garden relationship by grace, and remain in it by the power of God. How grateful we should be to live in God’s glorious presence! Throughout this week, meditate on the two verses below, using the first one as a personal commitment and the second as a preparation to attend VAST on Sunday and celebrate God’s presence with the family of God. “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” Psalm 105:4, ESV “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” Psalm 95:2, ESV