Hebrews 7:11-28.

Jesus Christ, our great high priest, gives us a better hope because he saves sinners, something the other priests and the law could never do.

Hebrews 7:1-10.

This chapter is one of the meatiest chapters of the NT and quite honestly it’s a chapter most of us don’t understand—and it all has to do with the obscure reference to the man Melchizedek. The time has come to explain why it’s such good news that Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Understanding this is not a matter of insignificance but rather has everything to do with giving us confidence to cling to Jesus firm to the end. In coming to Jesus we have not settled for second best for He is our great high priest whose priesthood is superior.

Hebrews 6:9-20.

Admittedly, the Author has been speaking some very robust words! He has given a strong rebuke concerning spiritual immaturity and a terrifying warning concerning apostasy. But lest his people think that he is against them for speaking in this way, the Author is quick to remind them that his blunt words are not born from a heart of hate, but are the overflow of a heart burning with love. There are times when love makes strong words of warning necessary, but it’s also the same with strong encouragement–and in the text before us the Author delivers encouragement in spades. Main Idea: Rest assured, because of the certainty of God’s promise, believers have a stable anchor for their souls in Christ.

Hebrews 6:4-8.

There’s a reason the problem of spiritual immaturity is such a problem. The spiritually immature lack spiritual growth and this lack of growth could be due to laziness, after all lazy people don’t grow. But it’s also true that dead people don’t grow, and lack of spiritual growth could be a sign that something else greater and more dangerous is being revealed—the absence of what the Bible calls the new birth, or being born again despite what the person may profess with their mouth. Therefore, the Author addresses the topic of apostasy. An apostate is someone who once seemed to be a Believer, but despite their profession of faith, over time made a series of choices leading them to finally and fully ditch Jesus and His gospel revealing they were never truly a Christian. Main Idea––There is eternal danger for those who fall away from Christ, therefore heed the warning.

Hebrews 5:11-6:3.

Having just mentioned Jesus being a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, this truth has admittedly taken us out into the deeper currents of our Christian faith. So before moving forward into the depths the Author pauses to shepherd his people. They have grown cold toward hearing these truths revealing a spiritual immaturity. Therefore, the Author calls them to lay aside spiritual immaturity and press on to spiritual maturity.

Hebrews 5:1-10.

The author of Hebrews continues his description of Christ's High Priesthood by recalling some qualities of hte High Priest and explaining how Christ fulfills them. In reading the text we can't help but see that Chris is superior to these former High Priests and that he is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. As a result of Jesus' superior high priesthood, we should trust him.

Hebrews 4:14-16.

Jesus is our "great high priest", but in saying this many of us feel a tension. On one hand, we know we should probably be really excited about this fact but struggle to be so, or on the other hand, we are excited but aren't really sure what Jesus' priesthood means for our day-to-day life. So why should we care about Jesus being our great high priest? Answer: you should care about this, says the Author, if you have ever found yourself desperate for "help in time of need." Main idea-- Jesus is our sympathizing great high priest who yearns to help in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:1-13.

Landing the knockout blow to his current argument, the Author now turns his attention to the theme of "rest"that he first introduced in the last chapter. The Exodus Generation was promised rest in the land of promise, but because of rebellious unbelieving hearts they were denied that rest. But the Author wants to show that the promise of entering God's eternal rest still stands, for the promise of God's eternal rest awaits those who strive to rest in the finished work of Jesus.

Hebrews 3:7-4:1.

Having established the superior faithfulness of Jesus, the Author turns to illustrate the need to hold our faith in Jesus firm to the end. He does this by calling to mind Psalm 95. Drawing a lesson from the faithless and unbelieving exodus generation during the time of Moses, we are to pay attention, beware, and guard against "falling away from the living God." The big idea = those who share in Christ are those who persevere to the end.

Hebrews 3:1-6.

Showing that Jesus is the better prophet and also better than the angels, the Author now confirms that Jesus is better than Moses. True, while Moses was faithful, Jesus is superior in His faithfulness. When trials/suffering/hardship come ultimately faithful Moses (and anyone else other than Jesus for that matter) cannot help us. Therefore, consider the superior faithfulness of Jesus Christ.