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Now church, we believe in preaching through the Scriptures or the Bible and we are right now in the middle of a journey through the Book of Hebrews, so we are looking at Hebrews, Chapter 7 today.

Now, I want to say right up front, this is a rather technical sermon.  All right, so be prepared, is going to be not such an easy going ride, is quite technical because the chapter itself is rather technical.

So I hope you'll bear through at least bear through the first half, the second half will be more applicatory and I trust it’ll be something that you’ll find relevant.

Hebrews, Chapter 7 and we’re going to look at verses 11 all the way to 28, so 18 versus, quite ambitious.  But I think they are one thought together.  So that's why, we’re approaching it as a section.

Well, there was a Russian sentry guard that was on duty one day. He was in the place where you can call it, “No Man's Land”.  There is nothing around, and so one man walked by and asked him, “Sir, why are you standing guard in No Man's Land?” The sentry guide says, “That’s a good question. I don't know as well, but I'm going to ask my Platoon Commander.” So, he goes back and he asked his Platoon Commander, “why are we tasked to stand sentry or to do this duty at No Man's Land?” The Platoon Commander, likewise doesn't know the answer, so he went to the captain and all the way up the chain of command to the Tsar himself, the Emperor of Russia. The Tsar was also clueless as to why there is a sentry guard standing in No Man's Land, so he ordered an investigation.

So in 1903, that's a long time ago. 1903, he, he launched an investigation as to why this man is on “No Man's Land” and the investigation results showed that it was in 1776 that “Catherine The Great, the former Emperor, planted a rose shrub at that location and planted therefore a sentry guard to guard the rose shrub. But the rose shrub has since died 80 years ago and people are still called to stand guard at No Man's Land.

While this story tells us that change is very difficult. Some things are just very hard to change, especially religious traditions.

This is the experience of the writer to the Hebrews; he is dealing with a group of people who have come out of Judaism, to follow, to believe the Lord Jesus Christ. But this group of people - the Hebrews, have found it very difficult to totally leave Judaism, the former Levitical priesthood and the form of worship.

They find that it’s uneasy and they fear that they're losing out on something so they tempted to leave Christ and go back to Judaism. You can understand why, because Judaism and the Levitical priesthood is the very hallmark of the Hebrews.  This is the center of their religious life, that cultural life for thousands of years, for many generations. The ancestors themselves have always known worshiping God this way. So this is so deeply entrenched, deeply rooted and that for them now to totally leave Judaism and following Jesus is a very difficult task.

So the author to the Hebrews have had a formidable task in front of him, to be able to persuade them that you don't have to go back to the Judaism, keep following and holding on to Jesus Christ. Don't you ever fall back, so he sets about this mission by showing the superiority of Jesus Christ. He shows that Jesus is greater, greater than anyone that has come before.  He’s greater than the angels.

Now, the angels were the intermediaries by which the law, the 10 Commandments was given by God to Moses, but the law and the angels are no greater than Jesus.

Jesus is also shown to be greater than Moses, Moses brought in the priesthood, the tabernacle, the sacrifices, but Jesus is still greater.

Joshua, great guy led them into Canaan - The Promise Land. But even then, he could not lead them to salvation and rest in God. So Jesus again is greater.

Last week, we looked at how Jesus is greater than Aaron, the first high priest and in all these things, the author is saying, “why would you want to go back, when Jesus is greater. He says, in effect, “A change is needed.” And so you don't have to yearn and covet the things in the past because a change is needed, and indeed a change has been effected. So hold on to Jesus.

The author today, in verses 11 to 28. If you follow the book of Hebrews, is going to give a rather technical, but very persuasive argument to say that the change is needed, and indeed proper.  And we’re going to study that; we are going to look at the three reasons why a change is needed.

He says, you don't have to go back to Judaism but you can keep following Jesus, Why?
1.  The Weakness of the Former

Number one: The reason is because the former priesthood is impotent. Is weak! Is powerless to save! So why don't you go back because the former priesthood cannot save, that’s a simple basic argument.

In other words, if we all say this, if it ain't broke, why fix it?  But the reason why it got to be fixed, going to introduce a new priesthood is because the old one just don’t make it.  This is not my words. This is the word of the author here. He says in verse 11:

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek,
rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
(Hebrews 7:11 ESV)

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood, the old Judaistic priesthood, for under it, the people receive the law. What further the need would there have been for another priest to rise after the order of Melchizedek? So this is a rhetorical question, meaning the answer is obvious. He's saying if the old system can’t take away sin, then why do we need another one? Simple right? So obviously, he is saying the older one cannot take away sin.

Perfection cannot be attainable through the Levitical priesthood. The word, “perfection” is the word that means ‘accomplishment” or “fulfillment’

The old priesthood cannot fulfill or accomplished something. You say, “Accomplish what?” Let Scripture interprets Scripture, use the Bible to help you to understand the Bible.

So, in verses 18 and 19, he says,
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside
because of its weakness and uselessness
(for the law made nothing perfect);
but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced,
through which we draw near to God.

(Hebrews 7:18-19 ESV)

The law made nothing perfect, the law made nothing accomplished or fulfilled, in terms of what?  In terms or in the context of drawing near to God. So the old Levitical system, the law could not help anyone draw near to God.

What hinders people from drawing near to God? Sin? Of course! So the old Levitical priesthood can never remove sin.  That’s the problem! Why do we need a new one because the old one can't take away sin.

You say, “Surely all the animals killed, all the rituals, all the sacrifices must count for something right? Maybe it will wash away 10% of my sins,” but the author is very radical and very emphatic. He doesn't fudge around, he is crystal clear about this and he says, “the former, and when is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness, for the law made nothing perfect.”

Wow, He is very bold, to say the Levitical priesthood can’t never take away sin. It is weak, without power, literally. That's what it is. It is useless; it could not take away any single sin.

Then why have the priesthood in the past? Have you thought about it? If the author says it cannot take away sin, then why bother to have the Levitical priesthood.

I mean it's a lot of work. It's one out of twelve tribes of Israel dedicated to this. I mean, imagine in Singapore, one out of twelve person is in charge of some religious structure and the rest of the eleven tribes have to pay money to this one-twelve tribe. You say, why? So animals have to be killed, so much of it has to be burned, isn’t it a waste of time? What's the purpose?

Well, let's look ahead a bit.  In Hebrews 10, exactly what we've been saying so far.

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered,
since the worshipers, having once been cleansed,
would no longer have any consciousness of sins?
(Hebrews 10:1-3 ESV)

The law, now for since the law has but a shadow. The Levitical priesthood is not the real thing. That's what the author is saying, it’s “Just a shadow,” a foretaste, a preparation, a kind of appetizer, in a sense, for the good things to come. Instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, because it is “just a shadow.” It can never by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

So the sacrifices could never remove any sin from any worshiper, now, if it could, he says, “would they not have ceased to be offered, if they could you don't have to do it anymore every year, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sin.”

The fact that is to be offered year after year after year, tells us it doesn't take away any sin. So what's the purpose? The purpose is in Hebrews 10, verse where it says, “but in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.”

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
(Hebrews 10:1-3 ESV)

What is God's intention for the Levitical priesthood? Not to remove sins, but to remind you of your sins. It is like the law. Remember, the law cannot save you, but the law can show you your sins. The law can never remove sins, but the law reveals your sin, like the X-ray machine that shows you your spiritual cancer.

So, year after year. In fact, I would say this, day after day, the Jews, gathering outside the tabernacle would hear the screams, I don’t know whether goats and sheep scream, but they probably make some noise, right?  They would hear their streaks, their screams; you would see the blood splatter all over the place. They see the priest’s garment stained with blood, they see the animals lying there dead.

You say why? Why all these gore, why all these horrific sight? Because God meant for this to be a picture lesson every day.  This is what sin does to us.  This is the horror of sin. Sin brings death, you are sinners, you have to offer sacrifices to remind yourself that we are all sinners.

In fact, the Old Testament form of worship is a graphic reminder of barriers. Because of your sin, you cannot draw near to God. There are barriers, there are fences, there are veils that keep men at a distance from God and the fact that you do this year after year, is a constant reminder we are sinners.

So, in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins. But there is no removal of sins. The old priesthood is as good as showing us, but it cannot save us.

And so is the same for the law. The law made nothing perfect, 10 Commandments cannot save you. The 10 Commandments are just a kind of a preparation as it were; it forces you to realize your sins, so that you may ultimately come to Christ, to be justified by faith in Him.

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came,
in order that we might be justified by faith.
(Galatians 3:24 ESV)

But the law was never meant to be the means by which a man should be saved. Now, all that means, that the Levitical priesthood just won't make it. And as such, the author argues, we need another priest. Okay, if the old one doesn’t save, we need a brand-new one.

So he says, “If perfection had been attainable then why do we even need another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek.

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek,
rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
(Hebrews 7:11 ESV)

I will highlight the word, “another” for you. The word, “another” is a helpful word to realize, because in the Greek, there’s two ways by which the word another in English is used.

One, You can have the word, “allos” and two, you have the word, “heteros”.

You say, what's the difference? Why Sunday morning teach me - “allos” and “heteros”. While “Allos” is different of the same kind.  “Heteros” is different of a different kind. Still make no sense. Okay…

Two apples, you have one apple and another apple. This another apple will be another “allos” because it is another apple.

But if I have an Apple and another chicken. Then, this would be “heteros”, because it is totally different.

The word that is used here is the word “heteros”.  This is not just another priest after the order of Aaron; this is a totally different priesthood, under the order of Melchizedek.

Because he says,
For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to
another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said
nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident
when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 7:13-15 ESV)

“For the one of whom these things we are spoken belong to another tribe regarding Jesus, He's not from Levi, he is not from Aaron's line, he's from another tribe, this tribe, no one ever served at the altar.

“For it is evident that Our Lord descended from Judah.” There are no priest from Judah, all priest are from Levi. So if Jesus is the priesthood, obviously, he must be a priest of the different order and we learned how he is of the order of Melchizedek in our sermon last week.

All that being said, there’s a need for change. The reason is because the former priesthood just can't make it. It is weak! It is impotent! It is unable to save!   That is the probably the heaviest part we have, all right? So if you’ve survived that, you're okay.

2. The Word of the Father
But let me tell you the second reason why in the Scripture he says, the priesthood needs to be changed. Because not only, because the old one doesn’t work, but because the father himself says, “I want to change.” It is going to be a different priesthood.  The word of the Father, the promise, the oath of God is invoked here.

For it is witnessed of him, you are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
(Hebrews 7:17 ESV)

He says in verse 17,
“For it is witnessed of him you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

So why change?  Because God says, “it is not going to be Aaron, or his descendants.” God says directly to His Son, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

But this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, you are a priest forever.’”
(Hebrews 7:21 ESV)

In fact, he says this with an oath,
“For this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever. “

Now, the Levitical priests were not installed with oaths, but Jesus is. And he's going to be a priest forever, so very simple logic, right?

Why do we need to change?

Number one, the old one can't make it.

Number two, the father has spoken, said it and promised it.

3. The Worthiness of the Final
And Number Three, finally, the final priesthood of Jesus Christ is worth it.

He is worth it! His priesthood works! And he is of such a different nature and character. He is the right one, that’s his point.

Who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
(Hebrews 7:16 ESV)

So we read this in verse 16, Jesus becomes a high priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily dissent, but by the power of an indestructible life.

What do you mean? It means that Jesus is rightfully priest, because he has the power of an indestructible life. This is not true for the Aaronic priest.  The priest of Aaron had no power of an indestructible life. They were priests because of the legal requirement concerning bodily dissent.

What does this mean? It means that priests are priest purely because of their physical heritage, their lineage.   So if you are born in the tribe of Levi, you are qualified to be a priest.  It’s external factor, of course for priests, they also have to check for other conditions such as physical defects. If you have this disease or that problem, you cannot be a priest. Somebody actually made some calculation, in the Old Testament, a priest has to be screened for some 142 physical defects, but again, even though it sounds a lot, they are all external factors - born in this family, don't have this physical defects and when you’re ordained you got to be washed and cleansed in this outward ceremonial way.  So, everything to do with the Aaronic priesthood is very external.

But Jesus is having the right and the power eternally.  He has the power of an indestructible life.  So, very superior to Aaron's priesthood and because He is the power of an indestructible life, He continues to be our priest forever.

who has become a priest, not on the basis of
a legal requirement concerning bodily descent,
but by the power of an indestructible life.
(Hebrews 7:16 ESV)

Now the former Levitical priests, they were many of them.
Why? Simple logic, they were prevented by death from continuing, they all had to die, so no one could be the priest forever.

because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently,
because he continues forever.
(Hebrews 7:23-24 ESV)

Imagine if you’ve told someone about your problem, he’s been been praying for you.  Then, next day, you found out that he died. “Jialat [Hokkien saying which is used usually used when one is in trouble or difficulty.] I got to start all over again with a new priest”.  But they had the problem; the priest will die, but for Jesus is different. His priesthood is permanent because he continues forever.

And the implication of that is verse 25, the great summary verse of chapter 7:

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost
those who draw near to God through him,    since he always lives to make intercession for them.
(Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

“Consequently, Christ, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

We’ve learned that this is what Christ does. I believe in Jesus some 10 years ago, I'm still believing in him today. But today I'm still sinning. Does that mean that I'm cast out from God's grace and presence? No, you know why? Because Jesus, your high priest is still pleading his finished work on the cross on your behalf.

So the devil come along, he says, “You are a sinner God, You cannot be saved.” Jesus comes along and says, “I die for him.” The next day the same thing happens. And Jesus comes along and say, “I die for him.” He's always applying the merit of his death on our behalf, even as we continue to sin. You know what, he's not going to forget this and you don't have to worry he's going to die and somebody with no memory of this with come and arise, because he is ever, forever going to be our high priest. Power of an indestructible life.

And another difference about the worthiness of our final priesthood is that Jesus is absolutely pure and sinless.

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need,
like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily,
first for his own sins and then for those of the people,
since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
(Hebrews 7:26-27 ESV)

That's an obvious point. It was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest. What kind of a high priest? Someone who is holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens, who is victorious. He has no need, like those high priests to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people. Every high priest has to sacrifice an animal for himself first.

In Chinese we call this “自身难保” [zi4 shen1 nan2 bao3, can’t help oneself in Chinese].  He can't even save himself, he wants to save others.  No! No! No!  He [refers to the priest] was meant to be a picture to show us sins.  He cannot save us, he's a sinner. It's obvious; he has to offer sacrifices for himself.

Jesus - holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners. So of course, he is our worthy high priest.

This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
(Hebrews 7:22 ESV)

So the argument of it all, is this makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

Now this covenant word will become prominent in chapters 8 and 9 and we will come to that in due course. But this is it. What's the author trying to drive at? The author is saying a change is needed.

Why?
The old one cannot save anybody. You… you got to change.  a change is needed, Why? because God the Father has said it.

A change is needed. Why?
Because Jesus definitely makes the cut, He's worthy, He is sinless. He lives forever. He is the power of an indestructible life, therefore he is your high priest, don’t give up on Christ and go back to the weakness of the former. That's the logic!

Now, emotionally is going to be difficult for the Jews but spiritually, and if you think clearly, truth should set them free. So not only is the change needed, a change has indeed been effected with the coming of our Savior. So hang on and hold on.

I want to make two simple applications as we consider this text.  With this change of priesthood, some things change. A change for Christianity, for faith in God. “What has changed?” you say.

A CHANGE IS NEEDED

Number one, I think, worship has changed, worship has changed.  Well, maybe not worship in its heartbeat but worship in its expression has changed.

In the Old Testament, people worship God this way.  This is their worship. When you talk about worship, this is how they think.  We gather before the Tabernacle and there the presence of God, we sing praises to him, we offer sacrifices. The Jews, when they think about worship, think about a location. They think about a structure. They think about the furniture, they think about the animals.

This is what constitutes worship for them but do you realize what the author is implying is that, with the coming of Jesus Christ, with the setting away of the Old Testament, worship is now radically change. That for the New Testament believer, worship is no more limited to this place.

In fact, you don't even need to do these things anymore. That's why for us today, we don't have animals. I mean, this morning, I did not bring any… I mean if there is a need today, in Furama, we have to have, how many of you here, eh, we need to bring like what few hundred sheep to be slaughtered, I think I'll be horrified, all the blood spilling on my face. We don't have to do that here.

The … the building that we are building in Punggol is not going to look like this? [Pastor refers to the Tabernacle] You all will kill us right? I mean if we build it like this, wow, GFA [Gross Floor Area] very little, very little land needs to be built, just a little bit, “gao liao” [enough/sufficient in Hokkien.]  No, that's not our building and I'm so grateful that is not going to be like this because I don't have to wear funny clothes to worship service and to perform ceremonies.   No, you don’t have to do this anymore!

With the coming of Christ, worship is now radically different. There is now a greater, I would say this, there is a greater freedom of worship. The expressions are different.  Now just in case you think, “O, Pastor is saying that we can worship any O how.”  No! No! No! There are still important fundamental principles that are applicable to worship and especially for congregational worship. When we gather, things must be done decently and in order. You find it in the Scripture, we must worship God in spirit and in truth, in the beauty of holiness, it must be Christ-centered, but beyond that there is a lot of freedom.

The Bible doesn't say you must do step one, step two, step three, step four. No steps! The Bible doesn't say you must worship in Furama or in any other place. The Bible doesn’t say start at what time, end at what time. The Bible doesn't say you must use hymnals or you can use projections, the bible doesn't say that! There is a great freedom.

But, I think there are some people, a lot of people still don't quite get it.  We are still very locked in to the form, forgetting that there is freedom.

Several years ago, there was someone who came to our church, visited our church and straight after [they] he left and we found out why. The person left because he was very upset that in church service, there is no pulpit. You know the lectern, the thing the preacher stands behind. “Church must have pulpit, if not, not a church service.”

We found it interesting because you don't find pulpits in the Tabernacle and I certainly don't read of Jesus walking around with his pulpit. I mean, it would be quite cumbersome to do that. You don't have to worship God with a pulpit. Now, a pulpit is useful for those who use notes, right? It is just a very functional thing, rather than the pastor walking around like this, but it doesn't mean that you're not worshiping if you don't have that structure.  There is freedom.

In fact, I'll say the radical concept of worship is so different now that worship is just not limited to the time you offer your sacrifices at the Tabernacle.  With the New Testament, with the coming of Jesus. It is greatly expanded to this.

Real worship is according to Romans 12 One.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
(Romans 12:1 ESV)

“I appeal to you. Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

You say, what is worship? “Sunday morning” I say, “Yes, but that's not good enough.”

Worship is your life.

Your life got be a continuous worship to God. Now, it doesn't mean that you are saying, “God, I want to be like the worship lamb.” And you take a knife and you slit yourself. No! No! No!  Living sacrifice. All right, not dead sacrifice.

You live every day dying to yourself and unto God, that’s what it means.  So worship is now no more one limited time in one location, it’s your whole life. It means, whether you eat or drink or whatsoever, you do you do all to the glory of God.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

It means that what Jesus is saying in John 4, makes sense now.

Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father…... But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
(John 4:21,23 ESV)

He said to this woman who is a Samaritan, who believes that worship should be on this mountain and the Jews worship there but Jesus clarified her thinking. “No, no, no, lady, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.“

No more the Tabernacle, no more the Holy City, Everywhere! The hour is coming, and is now here, I‘m going to die on the Cross, I’m going to bring in the new dispensation, as if were.  The new radicalized, different approach to God, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.  Not at the Tabernacle alone. But everywhere you go.  Every time.

So worship is now expanded with the coming of Christ and worship is now made free.

Let me clarify this again, not free for us to do whatever I like, or free to do is, without principles.  No, no, there are still very important principles to consider, but by and large, the expression of it is now very much made free.

What’s the importance of that?

Piper says that the freeing up from the limited expressions of worship is for the sake of missions. You say, “How does it work?”

The frightening freedom of worship in the New Testament
is a missionary mandate. We must not lock this gospel treasure in any cultural straitjacket. Rather let us find the place, the time, the dress, the forms, the music that kindles and carries a passion for the supremacy of God in all things.” [John Piper]

He says the frightening freedom of worship. When he says is freedom, because you're no more legislated to say must bring this animal, do this, cut here, wash that. No, no, you don't have that anymore, but is frightening in a sense, we man can abuse this and do wrong things with this freedom.  So he balances it. He says, “The frightening freedom of worship in the New Testament is a missionary mandate.”

You've got to have this freedom in order for missions to take place. Why? Because we must not lock this Gospel treasure in any cultural straitjacket, rather let us find a place, the time, the address, the forms, the music that kindles and carries a passion for the supremacy of God in all things.

In other word, a Chinese church, if I may put it this way, shall not make an Indian people worship in the Chinese way.   They should worship God in a God-centered way, but it does not need to be the Chinese way.  It doesn't mean that, “Oh, we worship like this. This is the way to worship,” so the Indians also must sing Chinese songs.  You say, “What is that?”

No need! Don't put cultures and peoples into cultural straitjackets.   The freeing up of worship is to allow the evangelization of the lost. The penetration of the Gospel into many people groups.  So with the coming of Jesus Christ, He changes our worship, our understanding and he changes the way missions is to be done.

In the Old Testament, the mantra is “come and worship” In the New Testament, “go and give the Gospel.” Is a totally different thing, at least in its emphasis.

Let me say, secondly, not only worship is impacted, I believe that the way we draw near to God is changed.

Why is salvation? Fundamental question. What is salvation?

Christians, we talk salvation, salvation, salvation, what is salvation? Salvation for what? From what? So often we preach a happy, clappy message. Salvation is believing God in your life on this earth is going to be all right. So to many people's mind, Salvation is freedom from pain, freedom from illness, freedom from trials, freedom from difficulties.

Now, God can certainly set you free from these things, but is very important for you to understand that is not the primary thing.

The primary thing is not freedom from these pains that we have in this world, but the primary aim of salvation is exactly what you see here - drawing near to God.

It's a God-centered reality, the writer of the book of Hebrews says, “this is what I'm telling you, draw near to God.” Hebrews 7.

For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside
because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
(Hebrews 7:18-19 ESV)

Hebrews 10:
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
(Hebrews 10:22 ESV)

He says let us draw near.  He is talking about his relationship with God. Salvation is about reconciliation with God and he says, in Hebrews 4, let us them with confidence draw near.  It’s about drawing near.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace
to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

How do you draw near? How do you draw near?

The Jews have erroneously believed the way to draw near is to kill animals.

Well, I read about a pastor who was asked this question by an old lady in his Church. The lady asked, “Pastor, do you think God still accept sacrifices today? I have a little dog here and I'm wondering if it works if I sacrifice my dog.” “Why do you want to sacrifice your dog?” “I was thinking if I sacrifice my dog, then God will have mercy on my daughter to heal her.“

Before we laugh at this lady. Sometimes you think like that, don't we?  Maybe is not your dog, but if I sacrifice my time to serve him, maybe you would have mercy to answer my prayer.  Maybe if I sacrifice my money, I give to Church, I give to the poor, then maybe God will be more gracious and answer my prayer and help me in this area.   Isn't this the way we think? Just different objects, that’s all but same mindset. That is the Old Testament wrong thinking.

To think that we draw near to God by offering, the Jews got it wrong. I mean, there was never God's intention, it was supposed to show that their sins by they thought that that’s a way for them to be saved. For them to gain acceptance, but remember those words, the law made nothing perfect.  It cannot remove sins, it cannot grant grace.

The only way by which we draw near to God is via the new priesthood not by the old way of our sacrifice, but by the new way of Jesus’ sacrifice.  How do you draw near to God?

Fundamental verse,
I am the way, the truth and the life.  [John 14: 6]

No one comes to the Father but by me, not by goats and bulls but God alone, by Christ alone. That means, today folks, you are accepted before God, not because of who you are or what you have done or what you will do. We’re accepted today, we can draw near today before God, purely because of the finished work of Jesus Christ for us.

So, no man comes to God, “God, I sacrifice this for you, you hear my prayer.”  Wrong basis! “God, I come to you, “I am a sinner. But I come to you in the confidence that your Son did a perfect work, I give you glory, hear me in your mercy, because of Jesus.” Different! Now, you give yourself as a living sacrifice, not to earn God's favor, but you give yourself as a living sacrifice because God has already given you favor, it is done.

So remember in these verses:
“For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” [Ephesians 2:8-9]

The way to God. The approach to God, not the old Levitical erroneous interpretation of trying to earn your way but via Jesus Christ, the “heteros” way, the order of Melchizedek.

And because of that, folks, when you sin. Yes, we will be ashamed. We will be guilty for our sins, but let me say this, you can also have that confidence and that rejoicing that Jesus Christ is the one still pleading for you. You can rejoice in that.

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost
those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
(Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

Some of you today are so ashamed to come back to God. You may come to church, but in your heart, you ashamed to go to him in prayer. You feel that you're such a hypocrite and I think you should be mourning for your own sin, but at the very same time, you should rejoice, that you can come to God, not because you deserve it, because you been a good boy, because Jesus paid it all.  And this love, this gratitude for His finished work, I hope to inspire you to live more pure and holy lives.

But, your confidence is in Him. So as John has shared in the earlier verse, Scripture reading, now it changes your prayer life, you don't pray only when you feel you deserve it, you pray every time, even though you don't deserve. Because of Jesus, you come confidently, boldly to the throne of grace and whatever needs you have, whatever needs you have, you can be confident you obtain that mercy because your Father looks at you, not based on what you have done but look at what His Son has done on your behalf.

The priesthood of Jesus Christ changes everything. We are so used to thinking, the old self-righteous ways, but [worship] changes it. I mean, Jesus changes it, changes your worship, changes the way we do missions, changes the way we draw near to God, changes the way you pray. That’s Hebrews 7 for you.

Appreciate your attention. I know it's not easy. The next time, we’re going to look at Hebrews 8, it is going an entire chapter, even more challenging. But, buckle up and we will have a wonderful ride, knowing more about Christ and what he has done for us.

Let’s bow for a word of prayer together. One of the great songs of our time is this simple song - Jesus Paid It All.

The opposite is true, we can't pay anything at all, the lambs, the goats, the bulls that were sacrificed, I think probably numbering the millions, gallons, billions of gallons of blood has been spilled, cannot pay anything at all.   It is impossible that the blood of animals should be able to cleanse one human sin.  It is impossible that any of your sacrifice can pay for any one sin.  Now, listen to this, Jesus paid it all.  Therefore all to Him I owe.   Sin had left a crimson stain, but Jesus washed it white as snow.

This morning, you can come to God, confident that you stand white as snow. You say, “Why?” “Jesus paid it all.”  May this revolutionize your relationship with Christ with God. May this enable you on a daily basis to have this confidence to draw near, to read, to study His Word, to pray, to grow because you are accepted in the beloved. You stand in grace.

I pray as a Church, we will mature. We’ll mature from being fixated on outward forms of expressions in worship to understanding the principles behind worship.   That we will be like what Jesus said, “We can worship God in spirit and in truth.”  O yes, we must have good principles apply to the instruments we use, songs we choose, lighting, sermons - absolutely necessary. But, are we more fixated about the form rather than function, the purpose and the principles.  Ah, friends, the key to unlocking all this is to realize, with Jesus there comes freedom.

A freedom that we should wisely employ biblically for the advancement of the Gospel amongst the people. It may be to the Indians, it may be to the faraway Africans, it can be to the Japanese, or it can even be to the down and outs in our societies today, people who may be different from us.

I want to say lastly to you, if you're here with us for the first time.  You say, “What is all this on all about, so difficult, so complex?”

Is not complex, is very simple.” There's only one high priest, there is only one man who can represent us and save us from our sins. There's only one man who has this indestructible life. There's only one man who ever live to make intercession for us, there is only one man who is truly pure and innocent and unstained, who has died for us and paid for our sins. That man is the God-man - Jesus Christ and I know that when I stand before God one day, I will have no excuse. I'm guilty, but I will have a perfect plea. My high priest, Jesus Christ stands before God for me.

Do you have this high priest? Who will represent you?  My friends, this morning, Jesus wants to be your high priest.  He calls you to repent and believe in Him.  Would you do that? Would you turn from your sin, acknowledge your helplessness, your hopelessness and find your all in Jesus Christ.

You maybe someone who has grown up in church for many many years but you have never really come to Christ. Would you do that today? Coming to Church is very different from coming to Christ. Coming to Church doesn't mean you come to Christ.  You come to Christ with repentance and faith.

So Father, thank You this morning that you have given us Your Word.  I pray that it will be made real and life applicable for our brethren here. Lord, we praise you, we sing, we rejoice, Jesus paid it all.  We are proud of our Savior. We thank You for our Savior. And may we also say to Him, “All to Him I owe.” Bless your Church and we pray all this now in Jesus name, Amen.

 

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