The Sanctuary of Hope

THE SANCTUARY OF HOPEHebrews 7:1-26

LAST TIME: WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE?

Life without God is life “without Hope.”In those days you were living apart

from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Ephesians 2:12

LAST TIME: WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE?

Life without God is life “without Hope.”

But God has revealed a “great hope!”

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast…Hebrews 6:19

LAST TIME: WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE?

Life without God is life “without Hope.”

But God has revealed a “great hope!”

Tangible, NOW!

Hebrews 6:4-5

• “enlightened”• “tasted of the heavenly gift”• “partakers of the Holy Spirit”• “tasted the good word of God”• “and the powers of the age to come”

Still true!

LAST TIME: WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE?Hope In Heb 6:18 Means:

Courage• “A great confidence… trustworthy anchor”

THE HOPE IN GOD’S “INNER SANCTUARY”

“God’s Rest” – means God’s relief.1. From my exhausting labor.For all who have entered

into God’s rest have rested from their labors… Hebrews 4:10

THE HOPE IN GOD’S “INNER SANCTUARY”

“God’s Rest” – means God’s relief.1. From my exhausting labor.2. Receive God’s love and

support.There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16

THE HOPE IN GOD’S “INNER SANCTUARY”

“God’s Rest” – means God’s relief.1. From my exhausting labor.2. Receive God’s love and

support.3. His power heals our screw-ups.

deal gently with ignorant and ‘confused’…Hebrews 5:2

THE HOPE IN GOD’S “INNER SANCTUARY”

“God’s Rest” – means God’s relief.

The “Throne Room” of Almighty God.Therefore let us draw near with

confidence to the throne of grace... Hebrews 4:16

THE HOPE IN GOD’S “INNER SANCTUARY”

“God’s Rest” – means God’s relief.

The “Throne Room” of Almighty God.

Known as “The Holy of Holies.”

It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Heb. 6:19

THE “HOLY OF HOLIES”

Beautiful!

“Shekinah Glory”

At the Center

THE “HOLY OF HOLIES”

“Where I will dwell among them.” Ex.29:46

• “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.” (Is. 59:2)

“The curtain” problem (Heb.6:19)

ONLY 1 “ritually-clean” Levite may enter (1 / yr)

THE “HOLY OF HOLIES”

A VERY Scary Place!

• “We’ll stay out here”

LET THE ‘LEVITES’ GO!

Only the Levites may serve at the Tabernacle, Numbers 18:23

THE ARGUMENT IN HEBREWS

“The entrance is WIDE OPEN you DOLTS! Go there!”

• “Let us draw near with confidence…” 4:16• “Hope…leads us through the curtain” 6:19

“Nope! Ain’t gonna happen!”

• “You guys…You’re still like babies!” (5:14)

THE “HOLY OF HOLIES”

“NOT Scary!”

• “Come on in!”

THE “HOLY OF HOLIES”

Why Stay Alienated?

Not safe in there!

“Please D.N.D.”

“NOT Scary!”

• “Come on in!”

THE ARGUMENT IN HEBREWS“But Jesus paved the way!”

• “He is our eternal High Priest – in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:20

“Jesus ain’t no LEVITE!”

“Oh, but you’re quite mistaken!”

THE “ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK” (SEE GENESIS 14)

When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who…pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan.

THE “ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK” (SEE GENESIS 14)

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer …Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High

THE “ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK” (SEE GENESIS 14)

and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth…”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. Heb. 7:1

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” Hebrews 7:2

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God. Hebrews 7:3

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

Consider then how great this Melchizedek was.

Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth... 7:4

How Great Was He?

Abraham gave 10% to him.

Was Abraham’s ‘Priest’

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed. Hebrews 7:7

How Great Was He?

Abraham gave 10% to him.

Blessed Abraham

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests… Hebrews 7:13-14

A Change of Approach to God

NOT Through Levites

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

A Change of Approach to God

NOT Through Levites

Through a KING

What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe. Hebrews 7:14

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

Judah: Kings

Levi: Priests

A Change of Approach to God

NOT Through Levites

Through a KING

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

A Change of Approach to God

NOT Through Levites

Through a KING

God has DECLARED!

This new system was established with a solemn oath…

For God said to him, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’” 7:20-21

THE AMAZING SIGNIFICANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK

A Change of Approach to God

NOT Through Levites

Through a KING

God has DECLARED!

PERMANENT!

There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office.

But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 7:23-24

THE AMAZING LYNCH-PIN OF MELCHIZEDEK

Mel Meets Abe (2000 BC)

King David writes Ps.110 (1000 BC)

“…the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed. Hebrews 7:7

…he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 7:17

Levites = Inferi

or

Levites

replaced

THE AMAZING LYNCH-PIN OF MELCHIZEDEK

The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Psalms 110:1

‘Adonai’‘Yahweh’

WHO IS KING DAVID’S “LORD”?

THE MESSIAH!

THE AMAZING LYNCH-PIN OF MELCHIZEDEK

King PriestJ.C.

The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Psalms 110:4

SO WHAT?

Jesus Is No Fake!

• His credentials span MILLENIA!

How do you explain this…?

Mel Meets Abe (2000 BC)

King David writes Ps.110 (1000 BC)

“The Messiah will replace priests, like Melchezedek.”

SO WHAT?Jesus Is King of Righteousness

• He makes you “Right With God”• “Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through

him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”7:25

He is the only way to get “Right with God”

• “Your sins have made a separation…” (Is. 14)• You must accept his SACRIFICE for your Sins.

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5

SO WHAT?

A different way of life!

• For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. (7:12)

SO WHAT?

NOT BY OUR GREAT SELF-EFFORTS!

• For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect) (7:17)

SO WHAT?

A Hope-Based Life! “DRAWING NEAR”

• and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God (7:18)

SO WHAT?

Jesus is your “King of Peace”

• “Peace” means Emotional Health

Seize your hope!

• “Let us enter through the curtain” (6:19)

SEIZE YOUR HOPE!

God says ‘this is

why you needhope!’

“God’s Rest” – means God’s relief.

From my exhausting labor.

Receive God’s love and support.

His power heals our screw-ups.

SEIZE YOUR HOPE! Why Stay Alienated?

Not safe in there!

“Please D.N.D.”

SEIZE YOUR HOPE!

God says ‘this iswhy you need

hope!’I would rather “take care of myself…”

YOUR HOPE: THE SANCTUARY OF GOD

“My will” is not “king” there…

What will happen?

Answer: same as happened to Jesus.

YOUR HOPE: THE SANCTUARY OF GOD

He is not ashamed to call us “brethren.” Hebrews 2:11 The “throne

Room” is “sanctuary”for Royalty!

YOUR HOPE: THE SANCTUARY OF GOD

Hope Means:

Courage

Motivation

Direction