The Epistle To The Hebrews - Executable Outlines

. They could not cleanse the sinner’s conscience - He 10:2-3; cf. 9:9
c. They could not take away sin - He 10:4; cf. 10:11
Mark A. Copeland
[Jesus coming as a priest after the order of Melchizedek implies that the Levitical priesthood, while
having served the purpose for which it was intended (to foreshadow the sacrifice of Christ), was not able
to provide man what he really needs. The priesthood of Christ also signifies...]
II. THE LAW HAS BEEN ANNULLED (12-18)
A. A CHANGE IN THE PRIESTHOOD SIGNIFIES A CHANGE IN THE LAW...
1. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi - He 7:13-14; cf. Mt 1:1-2
2. Moses had not authorized anyone from Judah to serve as priest; indeed, God specifically
forbid anyone other than a descendant of Aaron - cf. Num 16:40
3. For Christ to serve as priest, then, a change must have occurred - He 7:14
4. Especially for one who serves “according to the power of an endless life” - He 7:15-17
a. The Levitical priests were “mortal men”, whose service ended at death
b. But Jesus is a priest “forever”, His priesthood is therefore unchangeable - He 7:24
B. WITH THE CHANGE IN PRIESTHOOD, THE LAW IS NOW ANNULLED...
1. “Annulled” means “to declare as void, to invalidate, to abrogate” (Lightfoot)
2. The “former commandment” (as the Law is called) has therefore been set aside - He 7:
18-19a
a. Because it was weak and unprofitable
b. In the sense of making us “perfect” (acceptable to God) - cf. He 10:1
3. That the Law has been done away should not surprise us...
a. God foretold this would happen - cf. He 8:7-13
b. Jesus implied that the Law would be done away once it was fulfilled - Mt 5:17-18
1) One “jot” or “tittle” would not pass from the law until it was fulfilled
2) If the priesthood was changed, then it must have been fulfilled!
c. Paul described how Jesus abolished it in His death on the cross
1) To the Ephesians - Ep 2:14-16
2) To the Colossians - Co 2:14-16
[This significance of Christ’s priesthood has powerful implications. With the Law annulled, it would be
folly to seek justification by the Law (cf. Ga 5:4); it also explains why we should not go to the Old Law
to find our authority for the work, worship, and organization of the church! Finally, there is that
significance of Christ’s priesthood which should be most precious to us...]
III. THERE IS NOW A BETTER HOPE (19)
A. THROUGH WHICH WE CAN DRAW NEAR TO GOD...
1. As we saw earlier, the Levitical priesthood did not offer “perfection”
a. Its sacrifices could not make one “perfect” regarding:
1) “Consciousness of sins”, for sacrifices were “year by year” - He 10:1-3
2) Actual forgiveness of sins, for “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats
could take away sins” - He 10:4
b. Thus the Law, because of its “weakness and unprofitableness”, “made nothing perfect”
- He 7:18-19
2. But now we have in Christ a “better” hope
Sermons From Hebrews 55