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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

Here in Genesis we have this guy who is a king and a priest with a funny sounding name appearing on the scene for a few short verses and then he disappears about as quickly as he first appeared.

Then we find him mentioned again in Psalm 110, a Psalm which is acknowledged by Jews to be a prophecy related to Messiah.

Then, the next time we hear about him is in Hebrews 5, 6, and 7 as the writer of the Book of Hebrews gives us some insight into this mystery man and his purpose.

So what can we make of this one called Melchisedek. Well, according to Psalm 110 and the portions of Scripture found in the Book of Hebrews, he is a wonderful type of Christ.

Tonight as we observe the Lord’s table, let’s look at the one called Melchisedek as we also look at the Priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ and see what Melchisedek has to do with the Lord’s Table.

WE SAID THAT THE WRITER OF HEBREWS (WHO I BELIEVE TO BE PAUL) SAYS THAT MELCHISEDEK IS A TYPE OF CHRIST. HOW SO?:

I.         MELCHISEDEK HAD NO RECORDED PEDIGREE, THE SAME AS CHRIST. (Hebrews 7:3, 6)

            Melchisedek suddenly appears and disappears without previous mention.

Christ also had no recorded pedigree [the same as Melchisedek] such as was required for the Levitical priesthood.

This emphasizes the fact that Melchisedek nor Christ inherited the priesthood. God chose Melchisedek as a priest without regard to his family.

A pedigree was considered essential for a priest by the Jews. On the other hand, since the Jews recognized Melchisedek as a true priest of God, and they even recognized him as being greater than Abraham, Paul argued that they had to recognize that genealogy was not the essential thing for a priest and that on those grounds Jesus Christ could be a priest after the order of MELCHISEDEK to fulfill Psalm 110.

Micah 5:2–“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

John 1:1-2– “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:14–“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

            MELCHISEDEK HAD NO RECORDED PEDIGREE, THE SAME AS CHRIST.

II.       MELCHISEDEK WAS A KING-PRIEST, AS IS CHRIST.

            (Vs 18; Hebrews 7:1-2)

The idea of a king-priest is something unknown in the history of Israel.

But it is known in prophecy as we saw Wednesday night in our study of the Old Testament Prophets. (Zechariah 6:12-13)

            A.        Melchisedek Was A King.

                        1.         His Name Means King Of Righteousness. (Hebrews 7:2)

                        2.         He Was The King Of “Salem,” Which Is King Of Peace.

                                    Salem was the ancient name for Jerusalem.   It means peace.

                                    Jerusalem means “habitation of peace.”

This is the proper order–King of Righteousness, King of Peace–because without RIGHTEOUSNESS, there can be no PEACE! Both righteousness and peace come from the Lord Jesus Christ!

            B.        Melchisedek Was A Priest.

This is the first mention of a “priest;” the very first mention of the word.

                        It proves that God has had representatives in all ages.

                        Melchisedek was a Gentile whose priesthood is eternal in Christ.

                        (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:10; 6:20; 7: 1-28)

The Aaronic priesthood was temporary according to Hebrews 7:11-12; but not Melchisedek’s priesthood. His is an everlasting priesthood!

III.      MELCHISEDEK WAS GREATER THAN ABRAHAM, JUST AS CHRIST IS.

            (Vs 20; Hebrews 7:4-8; John 8:54-59)

Abraham the father of the Jewish nation, paid tithes to Melchisedek which establishes his superiority.

Abraham was paying tithes to one not connected to the chosen people. Even Levi, who received tithes of the Jewish people, paid tithes to Melchisedek “in Abraham.”

            Abraham here in Genesis 14 acknowledged a “non-Jewish” priest as superior.

            (Think about the fact that the Jews did not even consider Jesus as Jewish.)

By the way, this is the first place that tithing is mentioned in the Bible. And the tithe was paid to one who typified Christ.

            The idea here is simple–“The less is blessed of the better.”

            Abraham received a blessing from Melchisedek who was better (and a type of Christ).

            As Abraham was blessed of Melchisedek, we are blessed of Christ.

            Don’t miss Hebrews 7:8!

IV.      MELCHISEDEK CAME TO ABRAM WITH BREAD AND WINE, JUST AS CHRIST COMES TO US WITH HIS BODY AND BLOOD.

            This is the first place that you will find bread and wine mentioned together.

Bread was mentioned separately in Genesis 3:19–“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

Wine is mentioned separately in Genesis 9:21–“And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

            Bread and wine (unfermented grape juice) are the emblems of the Lord’s Supper.

            This pre-shadows the atonement much as Christ pre-shadowed it in Luke 22:14-30.

Over in Genesis, we read that Abraham had been victorious in battle. The victory came from God. So we could say that Abraham was victorious through God.

            Does that remind you of anything?

1 Corinthians 15:57–“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 8:37–“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

            God’s representative greeted him with bread and wine, symbols of what brought victory.

Conclusion     

Jesus Christ is a priest for ever–eternal salvation, eternal redemption, perfected for ever.

God is the Eternal One. His life is eternal life.

The everlasting priesthood of Christ means that He will do His work in us in the power of the eternal life that He has and gives. He lives for ever, therefore He can save completely.

Note that right after Abram was victorious, the king of Sodom came with a bargain.

Sodom was wicked. Who is the king of wickedness? Satan.

Satan comes to us after we are victorious in the Lord and tries to get us to bargain with him.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!