Now you see, the ministry of Christ, Who was Melchizedek, High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, their work is what? A spiritual work. You have part with Christ. And also, all of those who are baptized have a part with Christ and eternal life. And the whole purpose and goal and meaning for having those who serve is for the perfecting of the saints, that they may receive eternal life. “...For the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:...” (vs. 11-13). So you can put in your margin right there Matthew 5:48, because that then gives the definition of how to be as perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. It is a spiritual thing that must take place. So Christ gave the command and Paul shows how. Now that’s quite a thing to grow into, isn’t it? And eternal life is a fantastic and wonderful thing, so much that it, as Paul said, we look through a glass darkly.

Now then, he tells them to grow up. [Chuckle] And I think this is what needs to be for a lot of people in the church of God today. Verse 14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,...” And, oh boy, do we get every wind of doctrine. Every kind of question. Everything. And some of them…and they come in cycles. If we hadn’t had a certain question for a certain time, know for sure it’s going to come up. But you see, the whole thing that is important here is if those who are teaching the brethren teach them the word of God, and help them grow up in Christ, then they are not going to be any more children. And instead of be being tossed to and fro and saying, “Oh, isn’t that interesting! Tell me about it.” You’ll be able to say, “Well that’s right.” Or, “that’s wrong.” Or, “Here’s why it’s right.” Or, “Here’s why it’s wrong.” Because you will have the mind of Christ, then, to do so. That’s the whole purpose in it, you see. And all too often it comes down to a matter of force, and personality, and rules, and regulations. And then what should have been to Christ becomes a religion to men. And we’ve all lived through that, haven’t we? Yes.

Now it’s very interesting here, “...every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;...” Now the Greek is very interesting here. It means, “with a view for systematizing of the error.” In other words, they were going to systematize it into a religion. Has that been done? Yes. So much so, that as I mentioned last week, and I’m going to be taking this with me when I go to the elders conference, I have a book called “Christianity Without God.” And that is true, that Christianity today is without God, because why? It has been totally undermined and replaced by the systematizing of the error. And now they have a religion.

Now verse 15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:…” So we can ask the question, how much does God want us to grow spiritually? As much as we yield to God and choose to do so. That’s how. He’s not giving any limitation. There’s no difficult law for you to do that you must complete, and if you don’t complete that law you’re not going to have eternal life. Or you won’t be perfected. If you believe Christ and walk in His way, and have the Spirit of God, and continually repent of your sins and grow in grace and knowledge and overcome, you are going to grow up into Him in all things. And then you can be part of those who had the five talents and increased five. Or the two talents and increased two. Yes. So it’s quite a thing here, isn’t it? Then he talks about the whole church growing up into that, and so forth.

So anyway, let’s come back to Hebrews 7. “Therefore, if perfection was indeed possible through the Levitical priesthood...” (vs. 11, AT). Now let’s drop down here to verse 19 (AT). “Because the law brought nothing to perfection;...” Now I want you to circle, “the law.” That is a principle of law. But what we are talking about here, we’re talking about the law, concerning the priesthood in serving the people. Otherwise, because, when we come down here, there is an annulment of the law, there’s a changing of the law. Yet Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 (paraphrased), “Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets...” And hence, you would have a great contradiction, wouldn’t you? Since the law came from God, can any man annul it? Can any man change it? Oh, they can say they can. But in reality, do they in fact do it? No. What God has given, He can take. What God has commanded, He can change.

Now back to verse 11. “Therefore, if perfection was indeed possible [for] through the Levitical priesthood - for the law that the people had received was based on it - what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not to be named after the order of Aaron?” So if you had something that was perfect, why would you want to replace it? You wouldn’t want to. Now verse 12 (AT), “For since the priesthood has changed,...” He is stating it as a fact. Now if you have a different priesthood, “...it is obligatory that a change of the law also take place;…”

Now the change of the law means the laws relating to the priesthood. Now it can also - that is, directly. Secondarily, it can include all the laws are brought to their spiritual fullness. So they were changed in that sense. But they were not changed in the sense of the change in the priesthood law. A change had to take place. How was that change accomplished? Well, He’s preparing the way. The change has already taken place. Instead of worshiping in Jerusalem, Jesus said, “You shall worship God in Spirit and in truth. Not in Jerusalem, nor in Samaria. For God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:21,23-24, paraphrased). You change the form of worship. Under the covenant with the Aaronic priesthood, they came and brought a sacrifice. They recited certain words, bowed the head, and the priest blessed them and they went on their way. Now it’s entirely different. You have the Spirit of God, and you develop a relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. So therefore, you have to have a change in the priesthood, you have to have a change in the temple.

Now instead of the temple on earth, it’s the temple in heaven above. Instead of the Holy of Holies on earth, it’s the Holy of Holies in heaven above. Instead of animal sacrifices, there are two sacrifices that are required: one, the sacrifice of Christ; two, your baptism. Because you literally die in that watery grave. Entirely different than repeating the sacrifices over and over again, as he covers there in the tenth chapter, which we will see when we get there. Entirely different. Now also, it requires a change to whom the tithe belongs to. Because God is the one Who gave it, didn’t He? Yes.

Now we’re just going to look at two scriptures in 1 Corinthians 9, because it fits right in here. So all of the law, or laws, relating to the worship of God under the covenant with Israel was changed or annulled. Not having to do with the Ten Commandments, not having to do with tithing. But having to do with the form of worship, from worship at a temple to a spiritual relationship with God with the Holy Spirit in your mind where you worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Now one thing I’m going to cover is why Paul did not use that authority. He had the authority to use it, but he didn’t use it. We’ll understand that when we get to it, which I’ll cover separately.

 Now let’s pick it up here in 1 Corinthians 9:11. Now it says, Paul wrote, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” Or, physical things. “If others be partakers of this power [authority; that’s what it should read, because the Greek is exousios], over you, are not we rather?” In other words, shouldn’t we also? “Nevertheless we have not used this [authority] power;...” Why? Because they were carnal. That’s why. Didn’t he say, “You’re carnal, and not spiritual”? Yes. “...But [I allowed] suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so [or that means, in the same way], hath the Lord ordained...” (vs. 11-14). Now that’s a very interesting word in the Greek. The word is diatasso, which means, “to command, to ordain, to direct.” Now if the Lord commanded, or directed, or ordained, “...that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel”, how should they live of it? As the priest who waited in the temple and served at the altar. And what did they receive? Tithes and offerings. So here is a clear-cut scripture which shows that in the New Testament, yes, it is an authority that should be used.

Now that’s why it had to be changed. Because, when we read back there in Numbers 18, God gave it to the Levites. Now that He is doing away with the Levitical priesthood, God has the tithe and the offerings, so then He designates to whom He gives it. And He just did, right there in 1 Corinthians 9. It’s designated. The Lord commanded, ordained, or appointed that that’s how it should be done. And I found it very interesting, that all those who don’t believe in tithing very rarely, rarely go to 1 Corinthians 9 and the verses that I read. Yes, they go to 1 Corinthians 9 and read the verses which have not to do with tithing, but have to do with the varying degrees of a person’s ability to give. And Paul even said, “You don’t even treat me as good as an ox.”

So it’s like everything else. If you don’t love God, and if you don’t want to serve Him from your heart, and if you don’t want to do what is right, then, you know, you just have to examine your heart before God. That’s all. No one can make you do it. All the letters, all the envelops, all the beatings, all of the fear and everything else. But it’s still true, if you take the things that belong to God, you’re stealing from God. It’s just that simple. And there are some people who are upset if I read that verse in Malachi 3, because they’ve been so traumatized in their own mind over tithing, and corruption of men, that they have forgotten that it is the commandment of God. It’s that simple. Maybe I won’t even have to bring that sermon after all. That ought to be enough.

Now let’s come back here to Hebrews 7. Now the Protestants like to read this as the change in the law, so therefore, that does away with the law. Verse 12 (AT), “For since the priesthood has changed,…” That’s what it’s talking about. “…It is obligatory that a change of the law also take place.” And you can put there, “…regulating the Levitical priesthood.” And that’s what it’s talking about, because, we’ll see here in verse 13 (AT), “…Because the one of Whom these things are said belongs to another tribe,…” So that means it’s Christ. Is this not also telling us that Melchizedek was Christ? Is that not true? Yes indeed. “…From which no one was appointed to serve at the altar. For it is quite evident that our Lord is descended from Judah…” So there we go. This ties it right in, you see. The Lord, from Judah; Melchizedek, Son of God, a Priest forever. All of those tie together, you see.         “…Of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning the priesthood” (vs. 12-13, AT). Therefore, God had to make a change. If He was going to take it from the Levites and give it to someone else, God had to make the change, didn’t He? Yes, He did. And He did. And the command there is in 1 Corinthians 9.

Now verse 15. “And it is even more evident because a different Priest arises [after] according to the order of Melchisedec; Who was not invested according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of indestructible life.” And that’s why what I said is absolutely true. The authority for Melchizedek to collect the tithes is based upon eternal life. The authority for Levi to collect the tithes is based upon a temporary command which God gave to Levi until Christ came. That’s why he says here, “…according to the power of indestructible life. For He testifies, ‘You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchisedec’” (vs. 15-17, AT). And Melchizedek was appointed by an oath, by a swearing of an oath, as we read back there in Psalm 110:4 (paraphrased), “I have sworn, You are a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Now Levi, that was never said of, was it? They were never appointed by an oath. They succeeded by physical inheritance. If you were of the house of Aaron, you were a priest. Or, able to be a priest when you reached the proper age. If you were of the tribe of Levi, but not of the house of Aaron, then you were a Levite and you were to serve the priesthood, and you were to serve the people as teacher, and so forth. That’s why God gave the tithe to Levi. Now then, we have something greater that is to be done. That is, to teach the way of eternal life.

“…According to the power of indestructible life. For He testifies, ‘You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchisedec.’ For there is indeed an annulment of the earlier commandment delivered to Aaron…” Because that’s what it’s talking about, the difference between Aaron and Melchizedek. “…Due to its weakness and [unprofitability] unprofitableness; because the law [that is, of the priesthood] brought nothing to perfection; rather, perfection is brought about by a superior hope,…” (vs. 16-19, AT). And that’s what the Greek means. Not a better hope, a superior. Not something that is just better. It is superior. Let’s liken it this way: today, the physical descendents of Judah are waiting to have another temple spot so they can build another temple. And where do they go? And every year it is, “Next year in Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Well, that prayer has never been answered because they have rejected the King of Peace, Who is Christ.

So what is one of the things that they want to do? They want to get to the physical place. If they can get to the Western Wailing Wall and scribble out a little prayer…as a matter of fact, you could even fax a prayer to Jerusalem, and they will put it on a little, thin piece of paper, and they will take it up and scrunch it into a crack in the Western Wailing Wall. Now, which is superior? That you can get on your knees and have direct access to God the Father and Jesus Christ wherever you are; and you don’t have to do like the Muslims, pray toward Mecca five times a day. Here’s what it is: “…through which we draw near to God” (vs. 19, AT).

Now what do you have to do to draw near to God? Let’s come to James 1. This is by faith. Now we are told Jesus gave the promise. He said, “Ask, and you shall receive. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7, paraphrased). That’s the kind of access that you have to God by prayer, and by belief. If you believe God, don’t worry about the circumstances around you. Take care of it the best that you can. You have to trust God to intervene for you. You do your part. You believe God, and continue to believe Him, even though a prayer may not be answered in the timeframe you think it should be. And when that happens, you know that’s not the timeframe of God. And don’t look at the circumstances around you as being so dire that they are not recoverable. Because with God, all things are possible. That’s why it’s a superior hope.

Now we have here concerning faith. Now let’s pick it up here in verse 1. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into [different] divers temptations [or, that is, trials]; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” And that means, the proving of your faith works patience, and also the same word for endurance. “But let patience have her perfect work,…” (James 1:1-4). Now, what happens if you get impatient? You’re cutting off patience. It’s that simple. You’ve got to let patience have its perfect work. Maybe God has something else in mind, rather than what you have in mind, or what I have in mind, you see. Put it all in God’s hands. He’ll work it out. If you believe, He will answer. He will answer in His time and in His way, because we have a superior hope, because we draw close to God.

So it says let it have its perfect work, “…that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” So this is the whole process of perfection that the law is not able to do. Now, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, [not] nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” And now we also know that, not only driven by the wind, but also enhanced by tsunamis, and enhanced by earthquakes. And the water responds. “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Because, verse 8, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (vs. 5-8). When that happens then you are not trusting in God.

Now let’s come over here to chapter 4, and let’s see where he talks about it again. Now let’s pick it up here, beginning in verse 7. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil [we have our work we need to do], and he will flee from you.” Now, we’re to resist him in the faith. “Draw nigh to God,…” because that’s what it’s talking about here in Hebrews 7:19, a superior hope through which we draw near to God. So here’s James saying, “Draw [near] nigh to God, and He will draw [near] nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of [God] the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (James 4:7-10). So God will do it.

So this is a greater relationship with God. And what is so fantastic about this is that, it is not dependent upon who you are. It is not dependent upon whether you are one of the twelve tribes of Israel; it is not dependent upon whether you are circumcised in the flesh; it is dependent upon whether you are circumcised in the heart, and have had the baptism of Christ. That’s how we draw near to God. Now let’s come back to Hebrews 7, and we’ll finish up a few verses. I don’t know if we will be able to finish it all, but from hereon in we’ll make a little faster progress than we have in the past. Because it goes through some things…and as I mentioned last week, I’m happy – and I never even thought of it until last week – but I’m happy that we sent out for the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles the video on the tabernacle. Because this will help you be able to visualize more what Paul is talking about when we get into chapter eight, and nine, and ten, and so forth, you see.

Back to Hebrews 7:19 (AT). “…Perfection is brought about by a superior hope through which we draw near to God. And by this measure [that’s how we are to measure it], even according as it was not without the swearing of an oath that He was made a Priest (for those who descend from Aaron are made priests without the swearing of an oath;…” In other words, now verse 21 (AT), “But He was made a Priest with the swearing of an oath by Him Who says concerning Him, ‘The Lord swore and will not revoke His word, “You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchisedec”’);…” Now if you truly, truly understand this, you won’t be bothered with problems of Judaizing. If you truly understand this, you won’t be bothered with a lot of problems that people have, because then you are going to be living by that superior hope, and always have that before you. So that’s something.

Now notice verse 22. And we’ll go ahead and we’ll finish here with verse 22 (AT). Yes. That’s interesting. We finished Hebrews #22 on verse 22. Didn’t plan that way, just came out that way. “By such a greater measure then, [Christ] Jesus was made the Guarantor of a superior covenant.” Through the priesthood of Melchizedek, through being the perfect sacrifice of God. That is a superior covenant.