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Sermon Notes

Who were the priests? (5:1-6)
Prophets were messengers; bringing God to the people.
Priests were mediators; bringing the people to God

Who was Melchizedek? (7:1-28)
- Mentioned twice in the Old Testament: Genesis 14:17-20; Psalm 110:4
- His name means “King of Righteousness” (7: 1-2)
- Priesthood doesn’t depend on his lineage (7:3-7)

Since Jesus is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek…
His priesthood is all people (7:11)
His priesthood is for all time (7:12-16)

He is a mediator forever for all people, for all time (v. 17, 23-24)
He can save anybody – anywhere, anytime (v. 25)

What does this have to do with my life?

Your priest is what establishes your worthiness


Conclusion: (6:19-20; also see John 11:17-37)

Human beings need two things: we need to hear from God and we need to go to God. We need a word from God and we need a way to God.
—John Piper

Next to man’s need for revelation is his need for restoration. Once we know who God is and what he expects of us, we will need to “walk” according to his will and ways. To do this, we must first be freed from our slavery to sin and death. We need God to restore us into a position where we are free to choose to follow him.

Only God can make a way for us to be restored back to Him. That way is Jesus. In John 14:6 Jesus replied to Thomas “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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Why is Jesus the way?
1. Jesus is better than Moses! (Heb. 3:3-6)
2. Jesus is better than Joshua! (Heb. 4:8-10)

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How should we respond?
1. Don’t be deceived. You have been freed! (Heb. 3:7-13)
• Be watchful and believe.
2. Don’t be deprived. You have been qualified! (Heb. 4:1-16)
• Be diligent and obey.

Jesus is the ultimate deliverer-king. He alone can deliver us from the ultimate bondage – the bondage of sin and death. He alone can empower us to walk with the Almighty in holiness and in perfect eternal rest.

Sermon Notes

Two Repeated Themes in Hebrews:

I. WORD: Jesus is better. Hebrews presents the greatness of Jesus as no other book does.
II. WARNING: Look to Jesus. Hebrews demands a response from the reader.

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1. Jesus is greater than the prophets (v.1-4)

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2. Jesus is greater than the angels (v.5-15)
Angels:
• Communicate God’s message
• Minister to God’s people
• Agents in God’s judgment

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3. What will be your response? (2:1-4)
We only have two choices: Draw close to Jesus or Drift away slowly

Dangerous Tides:
• Comfort
• Busyness
• Weariness

What are you waiting for?

Does your reaction match the reality of who Jesus is?

How is it even possible to celebrate Easter in this difficult season?

Easter is a celebration of something that is (1) absolutely true (2) profoundly good.

———
1. Absolutely True (objective reality)

The resurrection was a supernatural — and historical — event.

Jesus was telling the truth about everything. Himself. God. The World. The Future.

———
2. Profoundly Good (subjective enjoyment)

Jesus is making us new every day from the moment we believe.

Jesus already met death (and destroyed its power). Even when we eventually encounter it, it can only be the start of something more glorious.

Do you want this kind of indestructible joy and confidence today? Because it’s available to you.

Sermon notes

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Who was Matthew?
1. Writer of the gospel bearing his name
2. Tax collector
3. Gospel is silent as to what Matthew said and did except for chapters 9-10

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This gospel is the story of Jesus through the perspective of Matthew

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Jesus saves us from not only our SIN, but also from our RELIGION

“TORAH”: from a root word used in archery, Yareh (ירה)

But over time, the rules began to rule.

1. You follow a set of laws teaching you how to follow God.
2. You patrol the boundaries to see whose in and whose out.
3. Your ability to follow rules became your

———
When Jesus came, everything changed.

The new wine is here, but where are the new wineskins that are going to carry it and expand with it?

Good enough?

• How do we know what the right standard is?
• How do you know if you’re achieving that standard?
• Can you actually achieve the standard?
• Do you have time or energy the achieve the standard of goodness?

———
Jesus is about to inaugurate a new way of relating to God.

What are the structures of our lives that cannot coexist with the new wine of Jesus?

Is the fabric of your life built on the grace and mercy of God?

Sermon Notes

4 Ways to Engage Politics as a Christian:

1. Trust in His sovereignty (v. 10a)

2. Be humble (v. 10b)
Examples of Engaging Humbly:
a. Remember the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)
b. Pray for those with whom you disagree (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
c. Don’t sin because someone else does (Matthew 7:3)

3. Remember your allegiance (v. 11-16)
• No one political party fully aligns with God’s will.
• No single platform will ever fully represent the teachings of Jesus.
• No political leader can fully bring out those values and make a Christian utopian society.

4. Stay hopeful (v. 17)
a. We can be at peace.
b. We can be agents of peace.

Sermon Notes

A tender heart is made tenderly by him that made it. For no creature can soften and turn the heart. Only God can alter and change it.
—Richard Sibbles

When things fall apart:

1. Shatters assumptive world

2. Grief and loss

3. Facing the 4 Fs of Kryptonite
- Fear
- Failure
- Fatigue
- Futility

4. Reveals the ATSO Problem
- Attachment to Specific Outcomes
- Matter of the heart

When we get to the end of oursevles, God can begin his work in us

1. Greatest lessons in faith are often learned in darkness
- Our Loss Orientation vs. God Restoration Orientation

How God Restores:

1. Reveals
- Who we are
- Who God is
- Whose we are

2. Regenerates
- Sight
- Worldview
- Our identity and role

3.Renews
- Hope

Sermon Notes

As we brace for a physical winter, we need to prepare for a spiritual one

3 Ways to Prepare for Spiritual Winters


1. Embrace the winter (Ecc. 3:1-8)

2. Receive the gifts of the winter (Ecc. 3:9-13)

3. Look forward to the blossoming fruit when spring comes (Ecc. 3:14)

Practical Considerations during Spiritual Winters:

• Take care of your soul and body
• Take care of each other
• Take in the blessings of God

Reflection Question:
As we enter into this winter season, how might God be teaching you to wait on His timing?