Call to worship:
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.Psalm 118:5-7
Gathering Video
Questions for reflection:
What does the writer of Hebrews mean when he says the priesthood of Jesus is perfect, powerful, and permanent?
How are we tempted to disconnect theology from life?
How can we connect the good news of the gospel story to our very lives today?
Corporate Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
We thank you for the presence of Christ and the peace He brings. We are grateful for this grand story that centers on Your Son and shapes the entirety of our lives. May Your Spirit send us from this place with boldness, kindness, compassion, and love.
In the name of Christ we pray,
Amen
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Notes//Quotes//Slides:
Hebrews 7:11-28
The ‘perfection’ in question could also be translated completeness; it’s what you get when everything has been put into place for the final great purpose to be achieved. What is this great purpose? Nothing less, it seems, than God’s intention for the whole created world. This includes human behaviour, but goes much wider. The world is God’s great project. Just as a bride and bridegroom plan their wedding day, and work to make it perfect, God is working at bringing his world to perfection and doing what is necessary to make it complete. NT Wright
Guthrie Picture
“The adjective in v. 24 is aparabatos (“permanent,”). This word, used only here in the New Testament and rarely elsewhere, was applied in legal contexts in the ancient world to mean “inviolable” or something not to be transgressed. “Permanent” represents a meaning widely attested in ancient literature. The first-century writer Plutarch, for example, used the word to describe the constancy of the sun’s course through the sky. Thus, Jesus’ priesthood may be characterized as “unchangeable,” since he will hold the office forever." - George Guthrie
“In Hebrews 7 God has given us powerful words meant for a relational end. This discourse detailing the superiority of Jesus’ high priesthood is far more than a theoretical treatise. It expresses relational theology, as all true theology is in essence.” - George Guthrie