The Better Hope

The Better Hope

1. A Better Hope Draws Us Near to God

The old covenant was a gift from God, providing a way for His people to approach Him and receive temporary atonement for sin. Yet it was never intended to be the final solution. Sacrifices had to be offered repeatedly, and priests continually changed because death prevented them from serving forever.

Hebrews introduces a different kind of priesthood through the mysterious figure of Melchizedek. He appears as both king and priest, pointing beyond himself to a greater reality. His life and ministry foreshadow Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest appointed directly by God.

Melchizedek Points Beyond Himself

Melchizedek appears briefly in Scripture, yet his significance is enormous. Abraham honored him with a tithe and received his blessing. This demonstrated that Melchizedek occupied a position of greatness that surpassed even Abraham.

The purpose of Melchizedek was not to draw attention to himself but to direct attention to Jesus. The symbol was important, but the reality is far greater. Jesus is the true and eternal Priest-King whom Melchizedek anticipated.

A New Priesthood Reveals a Better Covenant

If the Levitical priesthood could have brought perfection, there would have been no need for another priest. The appearance of a priest after the order of Melchizedek revealed that something greater was coming.

The law exposed sin and provided temporary covering, but it could not save. Jesus fulfilled what the law pointed toward and accomplished what it could never accomplish on its own.

Through Jesus We Can Draw Near

Hebrews declares that a better hope has been introduced through Jesus Christ.

Because of Jesus, access to God is no longer limited to earthly priests or repeated sacrifices. Every believer is invited to approach God personally.

God is not distant. He invites people to draw near to Him through faith in His Son.

Drawing near is an intentional choice. It requires movement toward God rather than drifting toward competing desires, distractions, and pressures. Spiritual growth happens when believers intentionally pursue God through prayer, worship, Scripture, community, and obedience.

The question remains: Are we drawing near or drifting away?

2. I Have Direct Access to God Through Jesus

Jesus was not appointed through human lineage or family inheritance. He was appointed by the oath of God Himself.

Unlike earthly priests who served temporarily, Jesus serves forever.

Jesus Is the Guarantor of a Better Covenant

The old sacrificial system could never provide complete assurance. Every sacrifice pointed forward to a greater sacrifice that was still to come.

Jesus became that sacrifice.

Because He is both the perfect priest and the perfect offering, the covenant He establishes cannot fail. His work is secure because His position is secure.

Jesus Lives Forever

Every priest under the old covenant eventually died. Their ministry ended because their lives ended.

Jesus is different.

He holds His priesthood permanently because He lives forever. His ministry never expires. His promises never weaken. His ability to save never diminishes.

Jesus Continually Intercedes for His People

Hebrews declares that Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him because He always lives to make intercession for them.

Jesus does not stand before the Father to condemn His people. He stands as their advocate and mediator.

No additional mediator is required. No other intercessor is necessary.

Believers have direct access to God through Jesus Christ.

This means forgiveness is available. Grace is available. Mercy is available. The invitation to draw near remains open.

3. Jesus Perfectly and Completely Finished the Work

The qualifications of Jesus make Him uniquely capable of accomplishing salvation.

He is holy, innocent, unstained, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Everything humanity lacks, Jesus possesses perfectly.

Jesus Offered the Perfect Sacrifice

The priests of the old covenant first had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before offering sacrifices for others.

Jesus had no sin.

Because He was completely holy, He did not need a sacrifice for Himself.

Instead, He offered Himself.

He became both the priest and the sacrifice.

Once for All

Animal sacrifices were repeated daily because they could never fully remove sin.

Jesus offered Himself once for all.

Nothing can be added to His work. Nothing can improve His work. Nothing can replace His work.

His sacrifice fully satisfied the righteous requirements of God.

It Is Finished

The purpose of the old covenant was never to provide permanent salvation. Its purpose was to reveal humanity's need for a Savior.

Every sacrifice pointed forward.

Every priest pointed forward.

Every law pointed forward.

Everything ultimately pointed to Jesus.

When Jesus completed His work, He declared, "It is finished."

The work of earning salvation was completed forever.

Believers do not work for salvation. They live from salvation.

The proper response is not striving but surrender.

The Better Hope

Jesus is the better priest.

Jesus is the better king.

Jesus brings the better covenant.

Jesus provides the better sacrifice.

Jesus gives better access to God.

Jesus is the better hope.

Everything the old covenant anticipated finds its fulfillment in Him. Because of Jesus, believers can draw near to God with confidence, rest in His finished work, and place their trust in the hope that never fails.

SERMON DETAILS

Speaker: Ben Marshall
Series: Greater Than
Sermon Title: The Better Hope
Date: Jun 7, 2026

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

• Hebrews 7:1–28

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