WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.060 But this week, we're going to be continuing our study of the book of Hebrews by bringing our attention to somebody that we've kind of hinted around about for a little while now. 00:00:11.060 --> 00:00:23.000 This Melchizedek. Now, up to this point, Melchizedek has been mentioned, and it seems like the author was getting ready to say something about him, but then he paused himself. 00:00:23.579 --> 00:00:28.420 He paused himself and says, look, we've got to just kind of do a reset here. 00:00:28.740 --> 00:00:34.740 Some of you, you're not able to hear what I'm about to tell you about Melchizedek because you've become dull of hearing. 00:00:34.740 --> 00:00:44.159 And so he begins to kind of introduce this Melchizedek in several places, but primarily he begins this process back in chapter 5. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:53.179 And so back in chapter 5, we see this Melchizedek being introduced in verse, let's just start reading in verse 5 of chapter 5. 00:00:53.239 --> 00:01:03.259 It says, so also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said, you are my son, today I have begotten you. 00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:09.920 As he also says in another place, you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:20.099 And then he goes on to say a few more things about this, and then in verse 10 there he says, being designated by God a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:28.379 And so you hear this name over and over again, and it's kind of interesting that he keeps introducing him and trying to get this started. 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:36.339 But then he says, look, at this point the author takes a break from it, and he actually kind of gets on to the readers a little bit. 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:47.259 He scolds them a little bit, and he tells them that about this there's a lot that I have to say, but I can't say right now because you have become dull of hearing. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:54.259 Or probably my favorite translation of that verse is he tells them that they have become too lazy to understand. 00:01:54.260 --> 00:02:00.060 Now, however, the author is ready to dig deeper into this now. 00:02:00.380 --> 00:02:08.719 He's ready to say, you know what, we've been introducing Melchizedek, now let's just jump right into the deep end and talk about who this Melchizedek was. 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:19.840 Now I believe that as we look at chapter 7 as a whole, that I believe the main idea of this text is that Jesus is our high priest and king, 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:23.620 and because of this he is able to save. 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:30.280 Jesus is our high priest, he's our king, and because of this he is able to save. 00:02:30.599 --> 00:02:36.319 And the point that I want us to clearly see today as we work our way through this text 00:02:36.319 --> 00:02:41.199 is that Jesus is the only one with the authority to save. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:50.619 And our only hope in this life and the life to come is by placing our faith and our trust in him. 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:55.179 This is the hope that we are going to be diving into today. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:03:02.079 And so before we can truly understand the point the author is trying to make about who Jesus is 00:03:02.079 --> 00:03:08.019 and what this means for us, we must first get some background information about this Melchizedek. 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:12.219 So to begin with, I want us to quickly answer a question. 00:03:12.740 --> 00:03:19.340 And the question that I want us to answer as we begin this is very simply, who is Melchizedek? 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:21.520 Who is this Melchizedek? 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:24.939 And so we're going to look at the first 10 verses to begin with. 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:31.460 And so if you will follow along as I read Hebrews chapter 7, verses 1 through 10, it says this. 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:36.520 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:41.020 met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:45.460 And to him, Abraham apportioned a 10th part of everything. 00:03:46.100 --> 00:03:50.180 He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness. 00:03:51.260 --> 00:03:54.920 And he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 00:03:54.919 --> 00:04:00.739 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, 00:04:00.899 --> 00:04:05.259 but resembling the Son of God, he continues a priest forever. 00:04:05.979 --> 00:04:11.819 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a 10th of the spoils. 00:04:12.419 --> 00:04:17.479 And those descendants of Levi who received the priestly office have a commandment in the law 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:21.600 to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, 00:04:21.960 --> 00:04:24.640 though these also are descended from Abraham. 00:04:25.220 --> 00:04:30.120 But this man, who does not have his descent from them, received tithes from Abraham 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:33.900 and blessed him who had the promises. 00:04:34.700 --> 00:04:38.780 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 00:04:39.460 --> 00:04:42.200 In the one case, tithes are received by mortal men, 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:47.459 but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 00:04:47.899 --> 00:04:53.620 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 00:04:54.259 --> 00:04:59.019 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:05.039 And so as we look at this, we're beginning to see a little bit more of who Melchizedek is. 00:05:05.099 --> 00:05:09.240 Now this passage right here is really key for us understanding this, 00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:14.600 because outside of this, there are very few passages that shed light on Melchizedek, 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:16.160 especially outside of Hebrews. 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:20.699 Outside of Hebrews, there are just a couple of places that we'll find in Scripture 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:24.319 where Melchizedek is mentioned or at least talked about. 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:29.579 You have Genesis 14, which is pretty much giving you much of the same information 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:32.720 that you see right here in Hebrews chapter 7. 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:39.840 And then you also have Psalm 110 that says what Hebrews continues to say over and over again, 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:43.780 that this Melchizedek is a high priest forever. 00:05:44.380 --> 00:05:48.720 Now in this passage, there are a few things that we really need to understand 00:05:49.440 --> 00:05:53.800 to better make this connection between Jesus and Melchizedek. 00:05:54.060 --> 00:05:59.020 Just in the first three verses here, there's a few things that we're able to see 00:05:59.020 --> 00:06:01.080 about who Melchizedek was. 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:04.139 First of all, it says that he was a king. 00:06:04.459 --> 00:06:08.039 It says for this Melchizedek, king of Salem. 00:06:08.539 --> 00:06:12.060 Now Salem is a Hebrew word here that means peace. 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:17.860 It tells us that again in verse 2 right there that he is a king of peace. 00:06:18.259 --> 00:06:20.939 And so we see that this king is king of Salem. 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:22.979 He's king of peace. 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:27.019 But it also tells us what his name Melchizedek means. 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:28.779 It means this righteousness. 00:06:28.919 --> 00:06:30.319 He's a king of righteousness. 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:35.980 And so right out of the gates, we're able to see that this Melchizedek is king of Salem. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:40.399 And many people believe that Salem would go on to become Jerusalem. 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:48.100 And so this king of Jerusalem, this king of peace and this king of righteousness is who Melchizedek was. 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:53.300 But we're also told right here something that's a little unique to him. 00:06:53.460 --> 00:06:57.540 That he's not only a king, but he's also a priest. 00:06:57.879 --> 00:07:01.660 Now essentially in the Old Testament, you had two priesthoods. 00:07:01.700 --> 00:07:07.740 You had the Levitical priesthood that we generally think of when we think of the priest in the Old Testament. 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:13.100 The Levitical priesthood that was there when they conquered the promised land. 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:17.220 The Levites were not given a portion of the land like the other tribes. 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:24.160 Instead, their job was to work in the temple, handling all the details and the logistics of temple life. 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:30.980 And a subset of the Levites, those who were descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses, could become priest. 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:33.460 And so you have this Levitical priesthood. 00:07:33.840 --> 00:07:41.760 But our passage introduces another priesthood that's not nearly as well defined throughout the Old Testament. 00:07:42.200 --> 00:07:45.520 And it is a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:52.339 The author's making the case that this order is greater than the Levitical order. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:56.839 This priesthood is greater than the Levitical priesthood. 00:07:57.159 --> 00:07:59.620 And so why would he even bother to do that? 00:08:00.139 --> 00:08:08.620 Because he's about to introduce to us this idea that Jesus is a better high priest. 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:14.539 Because Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek. 00:08:14.540 --> 00:08:16.420 And so we begin to see this. 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:20.900 But also, I want us to quickly see right here that he was appointed. 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:24.939 He's a priestly king who was appointed. 00:08:25.740 --> 00:08:29.520 Verse 3 tells us he was without father or mother or genealogy. 00:08:29.640 --> 00:08:32.519 Having neither beginning of days nor end of life. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:36.620 But resembling the Son of God, he continues a priest forever. 00:08:37.180 --> 00:08:38.460 So what does this mean? 00:08:38.920 --> 00:08:40.100 Does this mean that he's eternal? 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:41.779 Is this a Christophomy? 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:45.939 Is this an appearance of Christ in the Old Testament here? 00:08:46.419 --> 00:08:48.500 This doesn't seem to be the case. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:52.699 It seems that he was a real human and that he had a real father and mother. 00:08:52.819 --> 00:08:58.659 But the way that he's presented in Jesus makes it seem like he just pops in and he pops right back out. 00:08:58.819 --> 00:09:00.299 He's there and he's gone. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:03.100 He appears for a moment and then he is gone. 00:09:03.179 --> 00:09:06.339 He shows up out of nowhere and then disappears. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:08.360 It seems a little mysterious here. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:14.159 We're not told about his parents so it seems like he's eternal. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:22.060 And so what the author is trying to communicate is the great king and priest, the king of righteousness and priest, 00:09:22.440 --> 00:09:29.539 the priest who is a priest forever, is greater than Abraham and thus he is greater than the Levitical priesthood. 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:33.159 But he's not just doing this for the fun of it. 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:38.079 He's not just trying to build this idea of who Melchizedek is just for the fun of it. 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:41.419 He's doing it to point to Christ. 00:09:42.099 --> 00:09:49.240 And so the next truth that I want us to see in this passage is that Jesus is our priestly king. 00:09:50.079 --> 00:09:52.759 Jesus is our priestly king. 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:57.700 I want you to look at verses 11 through 19 with me here in Hebrews chapter 7. 00:09:58.419 --> 00:09:58.700 It says, 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:28.680 It says, 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:58.680 It says, 00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:26.759 Now this is one of those moments when I realized that we could spend a lot of time in this passage just looking at this. 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:31.600 But in this section we clearly see that Jesus is perfect. 00:11:32.179 --> 00:11:34.240 We clearly see that he is sufficient. 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:42.059 We clearly see he's a priestly king who has made the perfect sacrifice and the final atonement for his people. 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:44.779 We see that his priesthood is perfect. 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:46.679 We see that his priesthood is royal. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:50.439 And we see that his priesthood is eternal. 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:55.360 Something that we continue to come back to over and over again in this. 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:59.039 And so I want us to think about that last truth for just a moment. 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:02.720 That his priesthood is eternal. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:05.580 Look at verses 15 and 16 again right there. 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:07.060 Let's look at it a little more closely. 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:11.899 Do you know what? 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:24.379 Do you know what? 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:26.299 Do you know what indestructible means? 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.860 Isn't it a trick question? 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:32.960 I mean, it just means that something can't be destroyed, right? 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:38.259 It just simply means that it's something that can't be destroyed. 00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:45.540 Now, I don't know if you were like me, but I can remember when Nalgene bottles really first started making an appearance. 00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:47.639 I got those. 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:49.379 I mean, everybody had a Nalgene bottle. 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:52.940 And what everybody was saying about these bottles was you can't break them. 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:55.960 They were making all kinds of crazy claims about it. 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:57.840 And they're saying you could run over them with a car. 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:58.840 You can slam them down. 00:12:58.900 --> 00:13:00.000 You can do all of these things. 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:00.960 And they're indestructible. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:01.680 And they're indestructible. 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:05.580 Well, when I hear that, I kind of want to put it to the test. 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:08.780 I kind of want to see how indestructible this is. 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:19.360 And so the first thing I did, filled it up with ice water, went up on a balcony, threw it off of the balcony onto a parking lot, and it cracked and busted immediately. 00:13:19.540 --> 00:13:20.379 Water went everywhere. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:23.320 And I'm like, okay, well, that didn't work. 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:25.600 That wasn't what I was expecting. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:29.900 And so when we say that something's indestructible, we're not talking about that. 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:38.759 We're not talking about something being tough or difficult to break, but a life that is impossible to destroy. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:42.720 A life that is impossible to destroy. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:50.419 A life that is beautifully and powerfully described in Acts chapter 2 when Peter is preaching at Pentecost and says, 00:13:50.419 --> 00:14:01.519 This Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:06.240 Now, at this point, he doesn't seem indestructible. 00:14:07.079 --> 00:14:11.439 At this point, Peter's just said that Jesus died. 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:16.940 And if this is where the story ends, well, then that's where the Bible ends. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:21.660 If this is where the story ends, then why are we even here today? 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:23.620 But that's not where the story ends. 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.960 So let's keep reading there. 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:28.860 He was crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:39.740 But God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:43.019 That is an indestructible life. 00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:45.860 That is our hope. 00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:48.580 That is what we build our lives on. 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:50.360 This is everything. 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:51.960 That's an indestructible life. 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:55.639 Jesus holds a priesthood that is truly forever. 00:14:55.639 --> 00:15:00.460 This truth is life-changing and life-giving for us today. 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:07.779 It means that Jesus' victory over death, hell, and the grave is final and it is eternal. 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:16.059 Which means that the same power that conquered the grave is the same power that saves us today. 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:22.419 The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is the same power that holds us today, 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:25.360 that gives us hope, that gives us meaning. 00:15:25.699 --> 00:15:31.579 And so meaning that because it is not possible for death to have the final say over Jesus, 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:35.019 this means that for those of us who are in Christ, 00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:40.620 it is not possible for death to have the final say over us either. 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:43.899 This is the hope that we build our lives on. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:47.779 This is the hope that the Bible says if this isn't true, then it's all for nothing. 00:15:48.459 --> 00:15:50.079 This is everything. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:55.560 And so the fact that Jesus holds this priesthood forever, eternal, 00:15:55.820 --> 00:15:59.580 is life-changing and life-giving to us today. 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:04.600 It is also what helps us to see one final truth 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:08.540 that I want to spend the remainder of our time thinking about today. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:16.340 All of this is pointing to the truth that Jesus is a better Savior. 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:25.040 All of this is coming together in the fact that Jesus is a better Savior. 00:16:25.800 --> 00:16:28.200 We've seen it through the order of Melchizedek, 00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:31.060 that Melchizedek is a better priesthood, 00:16:31.160 --> 00:16:33.879 a higher priesthood than the Levitical priesthood, 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:36.379 because he's a priest and he's a king, 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:39.019 and because he was appointed and he holds this forever. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.180 We see it through that. 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:42.819 We see it that all of this is pointing to Jesus, 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:47.659 that all of those things that were said about Melchizedek are perfected in Jesus, 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:53.620 and now is coming to this final point that I want us to wrap our minds around this morning, 00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:57.439 that Jesus is a better Savior. 00:16:58.319 --> 00:17:01.199 I want you to look at verses 20 through 28 with me. 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:02.980 It says this, 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:05.860 And it was not without an oath, 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:10.900 for those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath. 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:17.080 But this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him, 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:20.559 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:23.259 you are a priest forever. 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:26.759 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:33.000 The former priests were many in number because they were prevented by death from continuing office. 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:38.879 But he holds his priesthood permanently because he continues forever. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:45.779 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:49.920 since he always lives to make intercession for them. 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:53.799 For it was indeed fitting that we should have a high priest, 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:58.619 holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, 00:17:58.879 --> 00:18:00.879 and exalted above the heavens. 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:04.419 He has no need, like those high priests, 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:06.180 who offer sacrifices daily, 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:10.279 first for his own sins and then for those of the people, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:14.919 since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:19.980 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:24.259 but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:30.059 appoints a son who has been made perfect forever. 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:33.140 You see, up to this point, you may be thinking, 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.759 Brett, this is great and all. 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:38.740 I'm glad you're sharing this Melchizedek with us. 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:42.120 The early readers probably would have been really impressed by this 00:18:42.120 --> 00:18:44.079 because, you know, there wasn't much to say about them, 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:46.059 but now you're making it clear to them, 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:49.099 but what in the world does it have to do with us today? 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:51.399 I've never even thought about Melchizedek. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.919 I've never even come across it in my mind. 00:18:53.959 --> 00:18:56.399 I wouldn't even know how to pronounce it on the page right here. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:19:00.079 And you may be thinking, what's the point of all of this? 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:04.559 The fact that Melchizedek was better than the Levitical priesthood, 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:07.379 but what difference does it make to me today 00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:12.000 that Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek? 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:16.980 Well, first, it shows us that we have a better and final Savior. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:20.279 We have a better and final Savior. 00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:23.900 There are so many things that we could focus on in this passage, 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:28.620 but there's three things that I want to really just bring our attention to 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:32.079 that are laid out for us in these last few verses. 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:36.339 All this talk about Melchizedek and Jesus helps us to see 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:39.660 that Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant. 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:44.000 It allows us to see that He is able to save to the uttermost 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:49.320 those who draw near to Him, draw near to God through Him. 00:19:49.540 --> 00:19:55.800 It allows us to understand that He always lives to make intercession for us. 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:58.960 And so as we think about that, the first thing that I want us to see 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:01.740 about Jesus being a better Savior 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:06.720 is that we clearly see Jesus as the guarantor of a better covenant. 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:09.599 Jesus as the guarantor. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.839 If you remember from last week, 00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:14.519 one of the major themes that we talked about 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:16.660 was the surety of God's Word. 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:19.980 We talked about how when God makes a promise, 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:22.579 when God says something, it's true. 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:24.940 That it doesn't matter what He says, 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:26.819 if God speaks it, it's true. 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:28.879 And so sometimes if the author is saying, 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:32.279 hey, God made an oath with this, He swore by this, 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:34.099 then what it's really emphasizing 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:36.740 is the fact that we have a God who speaks, 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:39.599 and when He speaks, He speaks truth. 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.639 And so right here in this passage, 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:43.319 He speaks this truth, 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:46.439 and it tells us of this oath that He is making. 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:49.519 The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind. 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:51.079 You are a priest forever. 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:54.079 You see, all of God's promises in the new covenant 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:57.720 are guaranteed by Jesus Himself. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:21:00.720 He guarantees to pay all the debts 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.019 that our sins have incurred 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:05.119 or will ever incur against us. 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:08.619 And so what this passage is reminding us of 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:12.759 is that God's covenant promise cannot fail 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:17.679 because God's priest, Jesus, cannot fail. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:21.220 All of these promises cannot fail 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:23.199 because Jesus can't fail. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:26.759 He's the guarantor of this better covenant. 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.640 A guarantor, you see, 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:29.500 is someone who gives a guarantee 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:32.720 to be responsible for someone else's debt. 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:37.700 Jesus has guaranteed His life, death, and resurrection 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:40.500 to be responsible for our debts. 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:43.580 All too often, we think, 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:45.319 Lord, if I could just be good enough. 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:47.860 We try to gain confidence before God 00:21:47.860 --> 00:21:50.460 by saying, Lord, maybe if I come to church enough, 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:53.700 maybe, I know, I'll give 11% to the church. 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:55.480 And then maybe that will, you know, 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:57.539 kind of make up for some of these other things. 00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.900 You know, I'll try to be there 00:21:58.900 --> 00:22:00.279 every time the church doors are open. 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:02.539 I'll try to do this, and I'll try to do this. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:05.180 And we spend so much of our time 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:08.279 trying to gain confidence before God 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:10.180 based on our own works 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:12.360 that we miss the point of this. 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:15.819 And so maybe today you need to stop 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:18.240 trying to be responsible for the debt 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.539 that you can't pay 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:21.699 and give it over to Jesus, 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.279 the guarantor of a better covenant. 00:22:24.979 --> 00:22:26.919 But it also tells us here 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:29.059 that Jesus is better 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:31.199 because He is able to save 00:22:31.199 --> 00:22:32.899 to the uttermost 00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:36.079 those who draw near to God through Him. 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.000 In other words, 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:41.500 Jesus is able to save 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:43.299 to the uttermost. 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.579 He's able to save 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.819 those wretched sinners 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:49.299 who are spending life in prison 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:51.559 for crimes that we wouldn't even dare 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:53.519 to speak about in church 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.539 or from the pulpit. 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:57.279 And He's able to save 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.859 those wretched sinners 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:00.940 who spent their life going to church, 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:03.480 who spent their life 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:06.359 looking good on the outside, 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:08.659 who gave their life 00:23:08.659 --> 00:23:11.000 to being good on the outside, 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:13.059 that they look good, 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:13.939 they look the part, 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.979 they look all these things, 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.659 that on the outside, 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.139 everybody said, 00:23:16.219 --> 00:23:17.279 they've got it together. 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:19.299 And so Jesus is able to save 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.759 those who are spending life in prison 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:23.339 and those who are sitting in churches today 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:25.799 who've put their hope in themselves. 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:29.419 He's able to save to the uttermost. 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:31.000 He's able to save 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:33.799 in the greatest possible way. 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.539 He's able to... 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:37.460 So who does Jesus save to the uttermost? 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:40.159 It tells us those who draw near to God 00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:41.559 through Him. 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:44.480 Spurgeon, reflecting on this verse, 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.039 said, he says, 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:46.700 Where do these people come? 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.639 They come to God, 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:52.079 which implies leaving something else. 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:54.299 If a man comes to God, 00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:56.019 he must leave his sins 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:57.519 and his righteousness. 00:23:58.079 --> 00:24:00.159 He must leave both his bad works 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:01.379 and his good ones. 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:03.159 How do they come? 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:06.300 They come by Jesus Christ. 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:08.279 Do not consider 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:10.220 that any will be heard 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.560 and saved by God 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:13.120 apart from the merits 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:15.040 of his Son. 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.900 This is why God is able 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:18.400 to save to the uttermost. 00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:20.180 This is why God is able 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:22.040 to save anyone that comes to Him. 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:24.259 Because in coming to Him, 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:26.200 you're saying that there is nothing 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:28.080 that you can do to save yourself. 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:30.619 This is how Jesus is able 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.879 to save to the uttermost. 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:33.259 Because He realizes 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:35.259 that His life 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.919 is the only one 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:36.960 that can pay for yours. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.879 His life is the only one 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.599 that is perfect. 00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:41.399 His life is the only one 00:24:41.399 --> 00:24:42.679 that is good enough. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.539 And because of that, 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.720 by placing our faith 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.579 and our trust in Him, 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:48.179 by drawing near to God 00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:49.259 through Him, 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:51.240 He is able to save us 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:53.960 wherever we are today. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:56.240 But also finally, 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.940 as we think about Jesus 00:24:57.940 --> 00:25:00.059 as a better Savior, 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.259 there is a powerful 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.480 and comforting truth 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.559 in this passage. 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:04.779 And that is that 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:06.420 He always lives 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.960 to make intercession. 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:10.220 He always lives 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.079 to make intercession. 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.140 Sometimes we get 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:14.700 a wrong picture 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.900 of what it means 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.980 for Jesus to be 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:18.440 interceding for us. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.240 If you're like me, 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:21.079 then you probably 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:22.460 sometimes feel like 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.720 Jesus and God 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.700 must be getting 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.680 fed up with you. 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:27.059 If you're like me, 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:27.819 you probably feel like, 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.380 you know what? 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:30.240 I've sinned again. 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:30.940 You know, 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.200 I keep going back to God 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.660 saying, Lord, 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.860 I keep doing this. 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:36.519 And if you're like me, 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.799 then it's really easy 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.440 in your mind 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.059 to just think 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:40.259 God's getting fed up 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.519 with you. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.900 That Jesus being 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:43.200 an intercessor for us 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.539 is like, 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.620 God, I've looked. 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:46.640 I know He's done it again. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.140 But look, 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.700 just give Him 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.579 one more shot. 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:51.559 Give Him one more shot 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.240 and let's see how. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.419 And before He has 00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:54.579 that sentence out of His mouth, 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:55.839 I've done messed up again. 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.259 And so finally, 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:58.859 after the thousandth time 00:25:58.859 --> 00:26:00.700 of messing up 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.700 and falling short, 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.779 God finally says, 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.720 that's it. 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.440 Enough is enough. 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:08.059 But this passage 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:10.419 lets us know 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:12.259 that this will never happen. 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.339 man. 00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:16.879 This passage 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:18.839 lets us know 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:22.019 that He lives forever 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:24.220 to make intercession for us. 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.740 That there's never going 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:28.140 to come an end to that. 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.799 One of my favorite, 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:32.000 if not favorite authors 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.559 is Jerry Bridges. 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:36.500 And in one of his books, 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:38.319 he was reflecting on this idea 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:39.879 that this justice 00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:41.080 has been satisfied. 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:42.340 And he wrote this. 00:26:42.520 --> 00:26:43.840 And I've mentioned this 00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:45.080 a time or two before 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:45.640 a while back. 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:47.380 But it's a chapter 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:47.840 in the book 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.840 that I continue 00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:50.120 to go back to sometimes. 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:51.420 And it continues 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.360 to be helpful for me. 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:54.120 So I pray that it's helpful 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:55.100 for you as well. 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.320 But he wrote this. 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:56.680 He says, 00:26:56.680 --> 00:27:17.039 Now this is where Christians 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:18.680 oftentimes find themselves. 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.500 Where a lot of times 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:23.259 we get fed up with ourselves 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:25.100 and we fed up with our decisions 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:26.539 and we fed up with our sin 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:28.079 and so frustrated 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:29.059 by our actions 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:30.599 that we think God 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:32.179 is about to just get fed up 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:32.579 with us 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:34.259 and be done with us forever. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:36.459 But Bridges went on to say, 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:36.740 he says, 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.740 Immediately, 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:40.339 on the hill of those words 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:41.779 though came this thought, 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:44.240 No, you wouldn't. 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:47.539 Because Jesus satisfied 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:49.500 your justice for me. 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.500 You see, 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:53.099 if you are a follower of Christ, 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:54.419 if you've placed your faith 00:27:54.419 --> 00:27:55.599 and your trust in Jesus, 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.480 you can never say 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:59.379 that God would be perfectly just 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.679 in sending you to hell 00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:02.819 because of Jesus. 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:06.659 It is a very accurate statement 00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:07.879 that apart from Jesus, 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:09.919 we are all perfectly 00:28:09.919 --> 00:28:11.659 on a path to hell. 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:13.339 That God would be perfectly just 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.899 in sending us to hell 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:16.299 apart from Jesus. 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:19.039 But because of Jesus, 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:21.159 that truth changes. 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:22.900 Because of that truth, 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.160 our eternity changes. 00:28:25.040 --> 00:28:26.440 This is the beauty of the gospel 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:28.560 that we need to be reminded of 00:28:28.560 --> 00:28:29.519 every day. 00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:31.740 That there is nothing we can do 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.980 to make God love us anymore. 00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:34.220 Nothing that we have done 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.640 to make Him love us any less. 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.160 This is a truth 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:39.680 that we can hold on to 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:41.820 because of what Jesus accomplished 00:28:41.820 --> 00:28:42.820 on the cross. 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.400 It was perfect. 00:28:44.580 --> 00:28:45.480 It was complete. 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.160 It was finished. 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.860 It was finished. 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.420 And so instead of Jesus 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.640 standing before God 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.779 shaking His hand, 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:52.080 His head with His arms 00:28:52.080 --> 00:28:52.400 telling us, 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.860 God, I don't know what to do with Him. 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:55.740 We must picture Jesus 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:57.019 standing before God 00:28:57.019 --> 00:29:00.279 holding up His finished work 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.100 on the cross 00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:02.140 and saying, 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.680 He's mine. 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.940 That's mine. 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.580 That one belongs to me. 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:08.660 That one's bought and paid for. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:12.940 And then exhaustible love 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.779 and mercy 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:15.620 bought and paid for 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:17.559 by Christ Himself. 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:20.000 Look at verse 26. 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.539 It says, 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:22.600 For it was indeed fitting 00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.940 that we should have 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:25.240 such a high priest, 00:29:25.840 --> 00:29:26.340 holy, 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.460 innocent, 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.019 unstained, 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.500 separated from sinners, 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:32.740 and exalted above the heavens. 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.980 That sounds like 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.500 a better high priest to me. 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.019 And He says, 00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:38.140 He has no need 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:39.740 like the other priests 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:41.500 who offer sacrifices daily 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.700 first for His own sins 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.259 and then also 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.480 for those of the people 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:46.080 since He did this 00:29:46.080 --> 00:29:47.019 once and for all 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:48.319 when He offered up Himself. 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:51.200 This is a better high priest. 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.420 You know, 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.299 it's not often 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:55.600 that I try to go through 00:29:55.600 --> 00:29:57.880 28 verses of Scripture 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.759 in a Sunday. 00:29:59.580 --> 00:30:00.400 It's not often 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.759 that we'll try to take that much 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.539 and actually 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:04.240 this is one of those passages 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.519 that probably could have taken 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.600 three or four weeks 00:30:06.600 --> 00:30:08.600 easily to cover that. 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.140 There's enough depth, 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.680 there's enough theological truth 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:13.180 to go into this 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:15.400 in a much deeper manner. 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.700 But the reason I wanted us 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:19.039 to look at the entire chapter 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.940 in one week 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:21.320 was because I hope 00:30:21.320 --> 00:30:22.460 that it's able to point us 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.720 to seeing Jesus 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.880 more clearly. 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:27.200 Melchizedek is a fascinating 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:28.259 person in the Bible 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.560 and it would benefit 00:30:29.560 --> 00:30:30.519 all of us 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.580 to spend more time 00:30:31.580 --> 00:30:32.600 thinking about Him. 00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.420 It would benefit 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.000 all of us 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:35.180 to start thinking 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:36.700 about the theological truths 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.560 of what it means 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.299 for Him to be 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.399 a high priest 00:30:39.399 --> 00:30:40.179 and a king 00:30:40.179 --> 00:30:41.240 and to be appointed 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.460 that have no beginning 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:42.940 or end. 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.839 It would benefit 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.480 all of us 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.419 to spend more time 00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:46.119 thinking about 00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:47.379 His connection 00:30:47.379 --> 00:30:48.740 to and foreshadowing 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.419 of Jesus. 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:51.279 The fact that He was 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.099 a priestly king, 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.980 the fact that He was 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:53.240 appointed, 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.460 all of those things. 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.019 But ultimately, 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.799 I believe the author 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:59.200 is using all of this 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.440 to help us 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.639 see Jesus 00:31:01.639 --> 00:31:02.500 more clearly. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.779 I believe what the author 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.740 is trying to do 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:07.180 is trying to open up 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.599 our minds 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.620 to see Jesus 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:10.460 for who He truly is. 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:12.539 To wrap our minds 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.799 around the goodness 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.599 and the greatness 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.900 of who Christ is. 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.819 That yes, 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:18.000 He is a king. 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:19.559 He's a king of righteousness. 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.799 He's a king of peace. 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:22.440 He is a high priest 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.000 who is able 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:24.819 to make perfect 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:26.099 on the sacrifice 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:27.019 with His own life. 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:28.259 He's a high priest forever. 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.740 He constantly lives 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.500 to make intercession 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.059 for us. 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.400 He's trying to do 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:32.940 all of that 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:34.059 to help us 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.720 to see 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.900 that Jesus 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:37.740 is a better Savior. 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:39.579 He's the only Savior. 00:31:40.100 --> 00:31:41.180 He's better than anything 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.740 and everything 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.380 in this world 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:43.100 and He's worth 00:31:43.100 --> 00:31:45.059 giving our lives to. 00:31:45.600 --> 00:31:46.720 A hope that clearly 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.680 points to Jesus 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:49.120 as the guarantor 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.980 of a better covenant. 00:31:50.360 --> 00:31:51.460 A hope that shows us 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:53.279 Jesus and Jesus alone 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.680 can save to the other most 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:56.140 those who come to Him. 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.839 A hope that gives us 00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:59.039 the wonderful assurance 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:00.680 that we have a Savior 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.759 who never ceases 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.660 to make intercession 00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.299 for us. 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:04.980 And so today 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:06.200 it is my hope and prayer 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.960 that we see Jesus 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:10.339 as the only one 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.039 with authority 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:11.759 to save. 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:13.700 And our only hope 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.399 in this life 00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.539 and the life to come 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.779 is by placing 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.440 our faith 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.579 and our trust in Him. 00:32:19.399 --> 00:32:20.639 Some of us here today 00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:22.319 just need to be reminded 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:24.119 that Jesus saves 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:25.599 in the greatest way possible. 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:27.599 And that as a child 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.299 of the King 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:30.200 He never looks at you 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.059 with disgust 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.940 or disappointment 00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:33.579 but He looks 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.639 at you 00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:36.139 as His child. 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.419 Let that be 00:32:38.419 --> 00:32:39.159 what drives you 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:39.899 to live for Him 00:32:39.899 --> 00:32:40.679 to serve Him 00:32:40.679 --> 00:32:42.200 to be obedient to Him 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:43.399 possibly by changing 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:43.879 the way 00:32:43.879 --> 00:32:45.079 that you interact 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.599 with those 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:47.079 who are closest to you. 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.940 Maybe by the way 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.539 that you use 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:50.240 the resources 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:51.679 that God has blessed you with 00:32:51.679 --> 00:32:53.379 maybe by serving Him 00:32:53.379 --> 00:32:54.539 in a different capacity 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.379 whether that means 00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.740 changing a vocation 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:58.220 and going into the ministry 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.059 maybe that means 00:32:59.059 --> 00:33:00.620 deciding and praying 00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:01.460 about where God 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.420 wants to lead you 00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:03.220 and your family 00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:04.279 to serve Him. 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.500 Maybe it means 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.599 being obedient to Him 00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:09.120 by joining this church. 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:09.880 Maybe it means 00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:11.059 being obedient to Him 00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:12.420 by following through 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:13.960 with believers' baptism. 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.559 That's been a prayer 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:16.059 of mine 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:17.180 over the last little while 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.339 and over the last 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:18.880 three weeks 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:19.980 in the 11 o'clock service 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:20.539 we've gotten to see 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.720 five baptisms 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.759 and two more 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.740 that are going to take place 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.579 next Sunday. 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:27.199 Many of those 00:33:27.199 --> 00:33:28.779 or about half of those 00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.199 are children 00:33:29.199 --> 00:33:30.019 half of those 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.759 are adults 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:32.119 who at one point 00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:32.859 in their life 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.699 were baptized 00:33:33.699 --> 00:33:34.919 but they realized 00:33:34.919 --> 00:33:35.980 that at that moment 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.579 in their life 00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:37.359 they didn't realize 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:37.939 what they were doing 00:33:37.939 --> 00:33:38.879 they were being baptized 00:33:38.879 --> 00:33:40.159 because their friends 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:40.939 were because they felt 00:33:40.939 --> 00:33:41.759 pressure to. 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:44.519 But now that they've 00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.419 given their life 00:33:45.419 --> 00:33:45.899 to Jesus 00:33:45.899 --> 00:33:46.720 they want to follow 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:47.839 through with that baptism. 00:33:48.699 --> 00:33:49.759 Hopefully this passage 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:51.000 as we see Jesus 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.759 more clearly 00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:53.159 it causes us 00:33:53.159 --> 00:33:54.139 to have more faith 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:54.920 and trust in Him 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:55.960 to serve Him 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.980 in greater ways. 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:59.300 But others in here 00:33:59.300 --> 00:34:00.300 may need to see 00:34:00.300 --> 00:34:01.380 and believe Jesus 00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:02.500 for the first time. 00:34:03.580 --> 00:34:04.440 And so I want to ask you 00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:05.420 are you ready to come 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:06.080 to the Father 00:34:06.080 --> 00:34:07.600 through faith in Christ? 00:34:08.260 --> 00:34:08.980 Are you ready 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.920 to give your life 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.460 to Jesus? 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.200 Are you ready 00:34:12.200 --> 00:34:12.960 to follow Him? 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.700 Are you ready to say 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:15.760 Lord there is no hope 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.640 on my own 00:34:16.640 --> 00:34:17.920 I'm placing my faith 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.760 and my trust in You 00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.720 because You 00:34:19.720 --> 00:34:20.800 and You alone 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.599 can save. 00:34:22.220 --> 00:34:22.980 Father thank You 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.679 so very much 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:25.900 for this passage 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.780 Lord a passage 00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:28.639 that causes us 00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:30.000 to jump into 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:30.840 some deep waters 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:32.159 to think more clearly 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.179 about who You are 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:34.440 and so Lord I pray 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:36.659 that You have 00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:38.139 helped us 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:38.699 to see You 00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.179 more clearly. 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:39.760 Lord that we 00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:40.480 wouldn't become 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:41.219 too lazy 00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:42.320 to understand 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:42.980 these truths 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:43.880 that are in Your Word 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:44.900 but Lord that we 00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:45.760 would take the time 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:46.519 that we would dive 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.219 into Your Word 00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:48.860 to see You 00:34:48.860 --> 00:34:49.440 more clearly 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.599 for who You are. 00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:52.460 and so Lord I pray 00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:53.579 that as we see You 00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:54.259 more clearly 00:34:54.259 --> 00:34:56.019 that You would give us 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:57.000 the boldness 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:58.699 to live for You. 00:34:59.299 --> 00:35:00.440 Help us to see You 00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:00.839 clearly 00:35:00.839 --> 00:35:02.500 so that we can live 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.860 for You in greater ways 00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:04.880 whether that's changing 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.719 how we interact 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:06.480 with our families 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:07.500 by changing 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.920 how we devote 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.599 our time 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.599 and our resources 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:11.659 to things 00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:14.500 maybe by changing 00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:16.159 where we live 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:17.079 or what we do 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:19.000 or how we use 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.679 the resources 00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.400 that You've given 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:21.099 to us. 00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:22.900 Lord give us 00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:24.019 a bold faith 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:26.360 to live for You 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:28.519 to serve You 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.039 with everything 00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:29.860 that we have 00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:31.719 and Lord I pray 00:35:31.719 --> 00:35:32.239 that if there's 00:35:32.239 --> 00:35:33.259 someone here today 00:35:33.259 --> 00:35:34.679 that has never 00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:35.659 given their life 00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:36.179 to You 00:35:36.179 --> 00:35:37.119 that's never 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:38.219 placed their faith 00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:38.840 and their trust 00:35:38.840 --> 00:35:39.400 in You 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:41.079 that You would 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.639 help them 00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:43.019 to see You 00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:43.799 more clearly 00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:45.920 so that they can 00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:46.680 realize 00:35:46.680 --> 00:35:47.560 that You 00:35:47.560 --> 00:35:48.720 and You alone 00:35:48.720 --> 00:35:49.820 have the power 00:35:49.820 --> 00:35:50.460 to save. 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.280 Lord thank You 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:52.960 for this passage 00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:53.539 thank You 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.280 for what it teaches 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:56.180 us about You 00:35:56.180 --> 00:35:57.220 and help us 00:35:57.220 --> 00:35:57.980 to live for You 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:58.960 in greater ways. 00:35:59.420 --> 00:36:00.160 We ask all this 00:36:00.160 --> 00:36:00.920 in Jesus name 00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:01.400 Amen. 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:02.620 I want to invite you 00:36:02.620 --> 00:36:02.980 to stand 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:03.560 we're going to sing 00:36:03.560 --> 00:36:04.700 a song of invitation 00:36:04.700 --> 00:36:06.160 and if God is speaking 00:36:06.160 --> 00:36:06.940 I want you to respond 00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:07.860 as we stand together 00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.760 and sing.