1077. Jesus Christ: Our high Priest Forever

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The school was founded in 1927 for the evangelist Dr. Bob Jones Senior's intent was to make a school where Christ would be the center of everything, so he established daily chapel services today. That tradition continues with fervent biblical preaching from the University travel platform today on The Daily Platform were continuing a study series entitled looking at the Jesus which is a study of Christ in the Old Testament. Today's message will be preached by Dr. Kevin Oberlin, a professor in the school of religion.

Take your Bibles today and turn to the hundred and 10th Psalm Psalm 110 we are in the middle of the semester long series entitled, looking unto Jesus, we got some wonderful messages regarding Christ in the Old Testament we heard how Christ is seen in the structure of the Old Testament as we await the perfect prophets the perfect king, the perfect priest we saw how Christ was prophesied in the covenants, particularly the promises given to Abraham we saw Christ in the binding of Isaac in Genesis chapter 22 we looked at King Jesus and second Samuel seven in the Davidic covenant prophecy and we gloried in Christ. In his the installed King of Psalm two and today were going to look at Jesus Christ, our high priest forever.

Have you given any thoughts today that you need a high priest in order to come to God Almighty, we might say well I don't need a high priest.

I can go directly to God, either direct access to God.

The fact is, none of us can go directly to God by ourselves. We all need a high priest in our text today in Psalm 110 is the number one quoted Old Testament passage in all of our New Testament is a Psalm of David. And as you can imagine, it's about Christ. It actually prophesies the moment when all of Christ's work would be done after his first advent in Jesus Christ would ascend to heaven, and the Psalm provides a window into a conversation look at in verse one the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule, thou in the midst of thine enemies thy people shall be willing in the day of my power and in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning thou hast the due of thy youth, and then if you jump down to verses five through seven. You see Christ now in his second advent. When he comes to rule and terrain verse five the Lord, at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the days of his wrath.

He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with dead bodies, he shall wound the heads over many countries, he shall drink of the brook in the way. Therefore, shall he lift up his head. Jesus is going to conquer every one of his enemies, and he will take what is rightfully his. He will judge all the wicked people one day with a righteous judgment, but right between these two sections is found verse four and you have a second office of Jesus Christ expressed, and that is his priesthood. Look at the text in verse four, the Lord hath sworn and will not repent, thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek and it's here that we combine the perfect king with the perfect priest in the person of Jesus Christ thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek West who is Melchizedek and what does this have to do with Christ's priesthood on Genesis chapter 414. There is another Old Testament tax that actually mentions Melchizedek if you'd like you to go turn over there and as we turn to Genesis chapter 14 on a recount. What actually is going on in that particular narrative. You have lots Abraham's nephew who has actually pitched his tent to Sodom and there is an invasion of the Confederacy of that valley, and Lot and his family and other people are taken in all these goods are taken by these kings of the north as far as Damascus in Genesis chapter 14 verse verse 14 it says and when Abraham or Abram heard that his brother was taken captive. He armed his training servants born in his own house 318 and pursue them on to Dan and he divided himself against them in the he and his servants. By night, and smote them and pursued them in verse 16 and he brought back all the goods and also brought again.

His brother Lot and his goods and the women also in the people in verse 17 says the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return as you look now at the verse beginning in verse 18 it says and Melchizedek king of Salem. He's a king of peace. The city Salem most most likely Jerusalem shortened version king of peace, king of Salem brought forth bread and wine, and he was the priest so you have this man Melchizedek to the king, but is also a priest and this man brings out this bread and wine, and he was a priest of the most high God. Verse 19 and he blessed him and he and he blessed Abram and set of him that he is them. He is a servant of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth, and he and blessed be the most high God, which had delivered thine enemies into thy hand and then Abram actually paid supplies now to Melchizedek and that's the extent of Melchizedek in the Old Testament. Psalm 110 verse four Genesis chapter 14, so this Melchizedek Melchizedek me king of righteousness is that acne righteous or he's king of righteousness. He's king of Salem is a king was also a priest and I want you to see how quickly Melchizedek comes on the scene and then he vanishes just as quickly with her other text as well. The talk of Melchizedek. We have Hebrews chapter 5. In fact, we don't have any other record Old Testament, but there is this New Testament book Hebrews that actually in three successive chapters tells us about his attic chapter 5 chapter 6 in chapter 7.

If you go over to the Hebrews. I know I'm having you turn a lot today but I want you to have the satisfaction of seeing really all the passages that have to do with this mysterious character Melchizedek. Hebrews chapter 5 and Melchizedek is mentioned in verse six on pickup with verse five Hebrews chapter 5 verse five so also Christ glory glorified, not himself, to be made a high priest but he that said unto him, thou art my son today have I begotten the as he saith also in another place thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek to jump down to verse nine and being made perfect, that is, Christ. He became the author of an eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Christ who's called of God, and high priest after the order of Melchizedek. In chapter 6 we have one mention of Melchizedek and that's found in verse 20 where it says whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek and then in chapter 7. Now we have a fuller narrative regarding Melchizedek enforces verses one and two of chapter 7. It actually goes back and rehearses that history reread in Genesis chapter 14.

Look at the passage there. Chapter 7 verses 1 to 4.

This Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him to whom also Abraham gave 1/10 part of all first being by interpretation King of righteousness. And after that also King of Salem work which is king of peace.

As we have this history that's given to us of who Melchizedek is Melchizedek is this one who was actually a type of Christ combines the offices of king and priest into one being into himself. In verses nine and 10 now the writer of Hebrews is going to explain that Melchizedek is actually greater than the ironic priesthood.

He's greater than the Levite or Levitical priesthood verse nine and as I may say so, Levi also received with ties paid ties in Abraham, for he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him and basically what the Scripture saying is that Levi is lesser than Melchizedek because Levi who is part of Abraham is in the loins of Abraham. Abraham actually paid ties to Melchizedek.

Therefore Melchizedek is greater than Levi a this theological idea, so verse 11. Then says if therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood. What further need was there that any other priest should rise after the order Melchizedek and not be called after the order of Aaron, but my question is what about Jesus Christ, who is this Melchizedek and what is this have to do with Christ's priesthood is Christ connected to the Jewish priesthood. Will you go down to verse 14, the authors and explain verse 14 of chapter 7 for it is evident that our Lord Jesus Christ spraying out of where Judah, of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood and it is yet far more evident for that after the similitude after the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life for he testified if thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. So who is Melchizedek will Melchizedek was a type of Christ combine the offices and per of king and priest in himself, but was Melchizedek actually a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.

What we call that a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ will word you might uses a theophany, or more specifically a Christophe and he was known Melchizedek a theophany. What is a clue to that that's found in chapter 7, verse three and chapter 7 verse three it says that Melchizedek is without father, without mother, without dissent, having neither beginning of days nor end-of-life. But he's made like the son of God. Melchizedek is made he resembles the son of God. The question is, how was Melchizedek like the son of God. How is Melchizedek may or resembling the son of God, will the tax answers the question. The next race. He's made like the son of God and that he abide if a priesthood continually, or another word perpetually or for ever and always. Melchizedek is a type of Christ in his timelessness in his eternal nest sees a priest continually he's a priest, perpetually he's dateless he just is. He doesn't have a father or mother. He doesn't have a beginning date. He doesn't have an end date. He just is this priest that is perpetually offering onto God as a high priest, but what made Melchizedek timeless like the son of God, is it that we have Adam and all his posterity but then God just created one man outside of Adam, and he does is okay. This medicine be this madness can be forever is can be a priest forever absent a crate him to be a type or is there something else action going on. How is it that Melchizedek can be timeless like the son of God. What does it mean that he was without father, without mother, without beginning. Melchizedek is taught made timeless intentionally in the Scripture record itself.

Melchizedek is made timeless intentionally by the Scripture record when we saw him. In Genesis in Genesis chapter 14, we noted that Melchizedek didn't actually have that heat that he disappears and he appears as a priest before God one to whom even the patriarch Abraham is a pain ties but just as quickly as he appears he vanishes off the scene in this book of Genesis, will the point is not that Melchizedek did not actually have human parents or the fact that he never lived a normal light length of life and then died.

But the point is that the very book of beginnings the book of Genesis where every detail of ancestry is recorded to preserve exactly who is of the blessing who is of the Redeemer who was coming. I mean it's Abraham and then it's Isaac. It's not Jacob right, it's her, it's Isaac, not Ishmael, it's Jacob, not Esau it's Judah, not these brothers and it is in this very book that we have a prominent figure without any record.

He appears and then he vanishes just as quickly, so the Scripture is actually setting up Melchizedek to be thought of as a timeless character the Scriptures presenting him that way intentionally so Christ has so Christ is knelt by multitudes of Melchizedek was a type of Jesus Christ priesthood forever. Christ has a type specifically verifying his eternal priesthood. Christ is a timeless eternal priest because he conquered the grave and is a priest today.

Death could not hold him.

Christ did not become a priest. On the basis of Old Testament regulation are ancestry, but Christ is a priesthood as a priesthood forever on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. Look at verse 15 and 16 of chapter 7 and is yet far more evident for that after the similitude after the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who is made, not after the law of carnal commandment is not after these Old Testament regulations, but after the power of an endless life, the grave could not hold this one and he now is a priest forever. Jesus Christ is priesthood is forever so Melchizedek was a type of Christ. Melchizedek combine the King priest office in himself. Someone 10 Melchizedek is not a descendent of Levi is that Melchizedek was actually greater than Levi, but the primary point of Melchizedek is the fact that he is a forever priest. He has a forever priesthood. Melchizedek is made or set up as a forever priest well why was the mode. Melchizedek in high priesthood superior to Aaron's or I could to ask this way. What made ironic high priesthood so insufficient well number one Jesus lives forever, so he has a permanent high priesthood in the ironic priesthood. There was a succession coming priest Dying and you need another generation.

A priest actually do a priest do anatomy born and raised up, but because Jesus lives forever. He has a permanent priesthood.

Look at verse 23 and they truly Hebrews 723 and they truly were many priest because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death, but this man, because he continue with forever. He has an unchangeable and nontransferable priesthood. Therefore he can save you completely. You can save you fully. We can save you perpetually because he will always be your priest. Jesus always lives to intercede on your behalf.

Look at verse 25 four wherefore he also is able also to save to what extent can this priest say he can save to the uttermost them that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. So we have a priest that is greater that intercedes on our behalf.

It's like a warranty that won't run out. It's a status that is eternal.

Number two.

What was the Melchizedek in high priest, why was it so superior to Aaron's on the ironic priesthood. These high priest had offered up sins for themselves first and then they offered on them up for other people may look back in chapter 5, verse one it says for every high priest from among men is ordained from that in things pertaining to God that he offer both gifts and sacrifices percent and then look at the end of verse two. The problem is these priest had their own infirmities.

These priest had their own sin that they were dealing with day after day. But geez us are perfect high priest forever is holy. Look at verse 26. This high priest became became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, this is chapter 7 verse 26 he separate from sinners. He's made he's exalted above the heavens. Verse 27 who need if not daily, as those high priest to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins and then for the peoples.

For this he did once, when he offered up himself. This Jesus Christ is the true King of all righteousness.

He is the king of all peace and what sacrifice does Christ bring to the altar. His sacrifice was perfect because his sacrifice was himself some 2000 years ago Jesus Christ died across and when he did he paid the penalty of sin once and for all that is not by works of righteousness within ourselves and somehow we can make our way to God but that is only through his shed blood on the cross we can have forgiveness of sins we can have atonement we get remission from sins cut canceling up completely. A propitiation upon Christ in our stead and our place in third.

What makes the Melchizedek in high priesthood superior to Aaron's. What makes it so significant is that Jesus Christ, the perfect priest was accepted by God and was appointed to the role of priesthood forever. Look at verse 28 for the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity, but the word of the oath which was since the law maketh the son, who is consecrated for ever more of you go back to Psalm 110 a look at our text that we have here from this morning. Psalm 110 verse four.

There is no need to ever ever ever fear that Jesus will not be your high priest. Whatever God says without an oath assure but because this is so incredibly important that there will never ever be a period of time on into eternity for Jesus would not be a faithful high priest to God on our behalf. God assures us this way.

He says I will not repent. Look at the tax Psalm 110 verse four.

The Lord has sworn and will not repent you will not change his mind. Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. So how does this affect our lives today.

We have a major problem that we there's coming a day in which God will judge the world. Dr. Saldivar read for us in Psalm two. About a week ago that Jesus Christ will break them his enemies with a rod of iron and steel – some in pieces like a potter's vessel and we read about today in Psalm 110 verses five through seven.

The greatest threat today is not financial loss. The greatest threat today is not world tensions. The greatest threat today is not even cultural degeneration. The main problem in the world today and for everyone in the world today is how can I a sinner before a holy God be reconciled to my creator and escape is all full wrath will be only God approved answer is Jesus Christ God's appointed high priest forever and what consolation there is today. If you are a child of his, and you are shielded by Jesus Christ. Your high priest forever.

The songwriter puts it this way before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfectly a great high priest whose name is law. Whoever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on his hands. My name is written on his heart I know that while in heaven he stands no tongue can bid me, that's the parts so what guilt have you brought in with you today.

What fear what shame is in your soul. You might say why God can never accept me. I mean, God never use me. I've messed up so badly.

This month marks the 459th year of the anniversary of the martyrdom of Thomas Cranmer and actually, yesterday was the actual day. I like how one recounts a story in March 2015 56, a crowd of curious spectators packed the University church in Oxford, England.

They were there to witness the public recantation, one of the most well-known English reformers, a man named Thomas Cranmer and Cranmer had been arrested by the Roman Catholic authorities nearly 3 years earlier, and at first his resolve was really strong but after months of prison under daily pressure from his captors and the imminent threat of being burned at a stake. This reformers faith failed in his enemies eventually coerced him to actually sign several documents to renounce his Protestant faith on a moment of weakness in order to prolong his life. Cranmer denied the truth that he had defended throughout his ministry the very principles upon which the Reformation itself was based in the Roman Catholic Queen Mary the first known to the church in church history is blood Mary viewed Cranmer's retractions is a mighty trophy in her violent campaign against the Protestant cause, but Cranmer's enemies wanted more than just a written recantation they wanted him to declare it publicly, and so in March 15 March 2015 56, Thomas Cranmer was taken from prison and brought to the University church church dressed in tattered clothing, weary, broken, integrated this reformer took his place at the pulpit as scripts of public recantation was already approved was put before him and his enemies now sat expectantly in the audience eager to hear his clear denunciation of the evangelical faith, but then the unexpected happened in the very middle of the speech Thomas Cranmer deviated from the script to the shock and dismay of his enemies. He refused to recant the true gospel. Instead he bravely recanted his earlier recantation's and finding the courage you have lapped over those previous months. The embolden reformer announce a crowd of shocked onlookers. This I come to the great thing that troubles my conscience more than any other thing I've ever said or did my life and that is the setting abroad of writings contrary to the truth which here I now refuse and renounces things written by my hand, which were contrary to the truth, which I thought my heart being written for fear of death to save my life, and Cranmer went on to say that if he should be burned at the stake. His right hand would be the first to be destroyed since it had signed those recantation's will. Chaos ensued and moments later, they grabbed Cranmer they seized and they marched them out to be burned at the stake, and true to his word. He thrust his right hand into the flame so that he might be just that it might be destroyed first as the flames and circled his body and Cranmer died with words crying out to his high priest, Jesus, Lord Jesus Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. I see the heavens open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God and Cranmer found grace in the eyes of God through his high priest, Jesus. So what guilt have you brought in with you today. What secret fear. What shame the gospel is the answer look to Christ. The faithful appointed high priest by God and he alone can wash away your sins. He alone can reconciled to God. Reconciliation is not a breath away when Satan tempt me to despair and tells me of the guilt with an upward. I look and see him there, who made an end of all my sin because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free for God. The justice satisfied to look on him and pardon me, you've been listening to a sermon preached at Bob Jones University by Dr. Kevin Oberlin, which is part of the study series about Christ in the Old Testament. Join us again tomorrow as we continue this series here on The Daily Platform