Gospel Wednesday: Hebrews Chapter 7

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them,  of whom it is witnessed that he lives.Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. - Hebrews 7:1-10 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews7:1-10&version=NKJV
A. In Genesis 14, Abraham rescues Lot
B. He also paid Melchizedek a tenth of his possessions and Melchizedek blessed him
C. This was a great high priest, but Jesus is greater still

Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priestwho has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.For He testifies: “You  are  a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. - Hebrews 7:11-19 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews7:11-19&version=NKJV
A. Levitical priesthood weak
B. Jesus from tribe of Judah
C. Jesus brings hope

And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The  Lord  has sworn And will not relent, ‘You  are  a priest  forever According to the order of Melchizedek’ ” ),by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. - Hebrews 7:20-28 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews7:20-28&version=NKJV
A. Jesus the perfect priest
B. He is holy, harmless, sinless
C. He sacrficed Himself

Lesson: come to Jesus. Obey the Gospel today.

And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their headsand saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. - Matthew 27:39-40,46,50 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew27:39-40,46,50&version=NKJV

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” ), - Galatians 3:13 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians3:13&version=NKJV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. - Ephesians 2:13 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians2:13&version=NKJV

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. - Colossians 1:20 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians1:20&version=NKJV

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. - Galatians 6:14 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians6:14&version=NKJV

1. Hear

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. - Romans 10:17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans10:17&version=NKJV

2. Believe

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” - John 8:24 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John8:24&version=NKJV

3. Repent

I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. - Luke 13:3 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke13:3&version=NKJV

4. Confess

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 10:32-33 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew10:32-33&version=NKJV

5. Be baptized

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. - Mark 16:16 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark16:16&version=NKJV

6. Remain faithful

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Revelation 2:10 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation2:10&version=NKJV

For more information on obeying the Gospel contact your local church of Christ