All too soon we are approaching Christmas. A year of greater glory- ups and downs but every down we expc, greater glory is ahead of us
It’s like after a bout of sickness, u feel better after u recover. Better off than before the illness. God will make sure we are restored and recompensed. For every evil day, He has many good days ahead of us.
The LORD’s supper is remembering the LORD. Give praise we can partake every Sunday. The bread and the cup is what we see for the very first in the hands of Melchizedek- v unusual and extraordinary high priest. No one knows who his parents is and some say he is the preincarnate of Christ. Melchizedek means the king of righteousness, the king who gives u righteousness. Our High Priest is under the order of Melchizedek.
Consecrate > is not empty your hands but it is in Hebrew to literally fill your hands.
When Melchizedek came to Abraham, he came with hands full of Jesus, full of the communion elements.
Abraham must have been tired when he encountered Melchizedek after a battle. “The Most High God”- El Elyon. First mention of this name of God.
“Blessed be (insert name here) of the Most High God”- the first greeting of Melchizedek.
Abraham said to King of Sodom (type of Satan) he would take nothing from him because he knows the LORD—> strength to resist temptation and the devil coz have found something greater
Many are sick coz not discerning the body. When the blood is taken from body, there is death. The last supper is proclaiming His death until He comes. Not about the resurrection.
So why the body? By His stripes u are healed, have brand new kidneys, your youth is renewed like the eagles.
Righteous foundation- the shed blood of our Saviour. This is the cup of the new covenant.
Drink in consciousness that Christ has taken your sins away.
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Each generation has been covered by the finished work of the untransferable priesthood.
81 high priests from Aaron to Caiaphas
Some good. Some bad. But all ordained.
Jesus high priesthood is untransferable (not unchangeable) priesthood.
All the needs of the people and the burdens is placed on the High Priest. All the high priests died and have to transfer the title to the next one. Jesus’ high priesthood is untransferable because of his endless life & this is why He can save us to the uttermost.
A human high priest might be good but his next generation of high priest might be bad.
One of the greatest neglect of the body of Christ is the failure to teach about the High Priesthood of Christ. Strong meat in Hebrews refers to the High priesthood of Melchizedek.
Today we have a high priest. Jesus reigns forever as our high priest. This ministry should be emphasised to the body today. People don’t realise today Jesus isn’t still putting away your sins. That was put away at Calvary by ONE sacrifice- the sacrifice of Himself- and He say down because He had already purged our sins. Today the High Priesthood is for your hope and assurance today as you live. You have a strong rept in Heaven. He isn’t still a sin offering. He has already put way your sins. It is done.
The High Priest is a provision given the people during the journey through the wilderness. We meet the manna every day – bite sized portions of Christ. Bread of life. He is the real food, the bread of life.
Men not designed not just to eat food but every word of God. Not enough to just read the Word on Sunday.
Hebrews 5:1-2
Every HP is taken from amongst men.
Why was Aaron chosen as the HP? Moses did so much in comparison. Why not Moses?
V2- Some people are ignorant – “Know ye not…” Paul always says. People are going astray all the time. —> God is compassionate to them.
Where was Aaron when Israel was suffering the whiplash of the task masters of Egypt? He was w the people, suffering. Moses was luxuriating in the palace.
Jesus born in the manger. There was no place in the inn which belonged to King David’s lineage. A Pseudo King was ruling.
Jesus is the perfect man. His feet touched the soil of the earth. He cried with us and felt our sufferings. He was with the suffering people. He had compassion and loved all he met.
Herod could have given Him a position but He stayed amongst us.
He was tired and slept in the boat. He understands our exhaustion.
Heb 5:1— for men’s benefit and to God.
Prophet is for God to men
Priest is on our side = for men to God
Hebrews refer to Jesus as GREAT High Priest. Stronger representation and a greater tenderness in this High Priest.
Exo 28- describes HP garments in great and exact detail. There is meaning in every detail.
Aaron means very exalted.
Aaron’s garment is outward for our learning. Visual aid for us. But Christ had all these as a person inwardly
Aaron is dignified by the clothing. The clothing is dignified by Jesus ministry.
HS wants to remove the good and replace with the best – Jesus.
Removes all the great men of faith and puts looking unto Jesus.
He will bear the burden so we don’t have to. The burden is upon the HP and not the people. The nation is judged by the standing of the person.
Battle btw Goliath and David-
David’s victory is not personal. Went down as Israel. Not as David. Same w Jesus. This is why we can say we have been crucified and raised as Christ.
Once the judgment is done, submit to judgment in the person of Christ, and favour comes.
24x in Exodus always mentioned in this order
– blue purple scarlet
Blue and Red- heavenly =blue, men =red
Jarring putting them side by side. Then we have the colour in btw- purple. Purple is mix of blue and red. Where deity means humanity, you have Christ. Purple is the colour of deity.
Blue
Purple
Red (men)
White (Luke)
Jesus never has to retract a word. Never makes a mistake. If only our young ones realise that when they worship human idols, they fall.
Jesus glory is like the golden thread that weaves through the ephod.
Ruby (Sardius- blood red Ruby)- first stone
Jasper (Crystal clear)- last stone
Rev 4:3 – the Alpha and Omega on the throne looks like Ruby and Jasper.
Golden chains -what He has done for u, will never be loosed
Caiaphas- the last High Priest of Lev priesthood tore his garments. All the garments came to an end in the face of the REAL High Priest.
The order of Melchizedek priesthood – no beginning, no end, no predecessor or successor —> type of Jesus
Baby believers worry about salvation
Older believers worry about daily trials
Jesus covers all these worries.
Exo 28:9-12
V10 in order of their birth (onyx)
V 21 – according to twelve tribes (Judah goes first)
Judah means ‘praise’ – our first response to any trials is PRAISE.
Girl was healed of Leukaemia after saying HALLELUJAH seven times. Let’s praise the LORD and teach our kids the language of praise, not just that of Babylon.
Names on his shoulders- born with equal standing.
Names on breastplate- unity amidst diversity… Diff beauties in his heart.
Exo 28:29- breastplate is ‘over his heart’ not just over the chest. Heart speaks of love. He holds us in his heart.
We see the beauty of the gems when light shines on it. When u go to a shop, they show up the gem on a dark surface so u can see the light shining through it.
The HP bears us not we bear Him. His strength is moved when His heart is moved.
Rest in Him.
U cannot trust and worry at the same time. If u are worrying, u are not trusting. If u trust Him, then u rest.
We can trust in our advocate, our strong representation for us to God. Rest. He carries our worries and cares.
Matt 9:36- the people were burnt out and fatigued and scattered like sheep BUT He had compassion.
Something is wrong when church is weary and scattered.
When a butcher sees scattered sheep think of food. When a tailor sees scattered sheep think of making clothes. Shepherd sees scattered sheep and feels compassion. He bears u on His heart. Be like John and listen close to His heartbeat. His heart presents us as glorious. He rept us with such loveliness.
Enjoying life – we don’t experience hangover but a carry over.
God is love and God is light. When we face the light, the gems reflect the light and the beauty of the gems.
Go and sin no more comes after neither do i condemn u.
Jesus is the light that exposes how forgive and cloths in beauties and excellences we are. Not light to expose our flaws.
Exo28:21- The names are engraved not written on his breastplate. Can’t be blotted out.
Exo 28:30- ur (light), Urim (plural of lights) and Thummim (perfections). We are presented to God as lights and perfection through the HP.
The lights shine out from the HP Breastplate like an indicator. Eg of Achan
In your valley of trouble (Achor) look for the doors of hope.
1 Sam 30:7-8
David has time to consult the LORD. Don’t rush into things only to regret decision years later.
Our guidance is greater. They have the Urim but we have HS.
Grace flows best in a local assembly. Belong to a church. Not stand alone.
Rest on His love for guidance.
There are wonderful people speaking bad of him because they are wonderful in Christ. Pastor and us we are also wonderful in Christ. We love because He first loved us.
Simon boasted of his love for the LORD and felt the distance. John boasted of The LORD’s love for him.
John 13:21-26
Leaning back on His love then u ask LORD what shall I do?
Depending not on ur love.
U can either trust or worry. Can’t do both. Take our concerns and put them in the nail pierced hands of the LORD, then sit down and say no further because have a perfect advocate. “Lord I know I love me and want me to prosper according to your ways, LORD (question here, eg. how shall I do this)?”
I have a great high priest whose name is love..
My name is graven on his hands
My name is written on his heart
I know that while he stands
No tongue can beat thence depart
Beautiful sermon. Thank you.