Hebrews 7:18-22 So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever.” Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. Big Idea: Christ initiated a better covenant. Hebrews 7:18-19 So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. Romans 7:9-12 Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life again and I died. The commandment that was meant for life resulted in death for me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. Romans 2:20 For no one will be justified (or made righteous) in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law. Galatians 3:10-11 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed. Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. Galatians 5:1-4 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace. Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Next Step: Memorize Matthew 11:28-30 Next Step: I will trade my yoke for Christ’s. Ephesians 2:13 & 18 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ…For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Hebrews 7:20-21 None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever.” Psalm 110:4 The Lord has sworn an oath and will not take it back: “You are a priest forever according to the pattern of Melchizedek.” Romans 11:29 …God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable. Hebrews 6:17-18 Because God wanted to show his unchangeable (or irrevocable) purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. “If God were changeable, He would not be infinite and almighty. All change ends in addition or diminution. If anything be added, He was not infinite before; if anything be diminished, He is not infinite after. All change implies bounds and limits to that which is changed, but God is infinite; His greatness is unsearchable. We can add number to number without any end and can conceive an infinite number, yet the greatness of God is beyond all our conceptions.” Stephen Charnock Hebrews 7:22 Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. Full of Eyes depiction of Genesis 3:15 Galatians 3:12-13 But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. Next Step: I will repent and submit my life to Christ.