Theme: The old covenant is a shadow of the new covenant (8:1-10:18; cf. 8:5; 9:9; 10:1).
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I. The old covenant was lacking (8:1-13).
A. The promises of the new covenant are better (8:1-6).
B. The O.T. prophets anticipated a new covenant (8:7-12).
C. The old covenant became obsolete (8:13).

II. The new covenant gave full access to God (9:1-10).
A. The old covenant (outer tabernacle) could not give full access to God (9:1-5).
​B. The new covenant (Holy of Holies) gave full access to God (9:6-10).

III. The sacrifice for the new covenant was offered in the heavenly tabernacle (9:11-14).

​IV. The mediator of the new covenant had to die (9:15-22).
A. Christ had to die so we could receive our inheritance (9:15-17).
​B. Death was necessary for cleansing (9:18-22).
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V. The sacrifice for the new covenant is Christ Himself (9:23-28).

​VI. The sacrifice for the new covenant is once-for-all-time (10:1-18).

Theme: Jesus is the Great High Priest
I. Draw near with confidence to your Great High Priest (4:14-16).

• Your High Priest ascended into Heaven (4:14).
• Your High Priest understands your weakness (4:15).
• Your High Priest gives grace and mercy (4:16).

 
​II. Jesus is the Perfect High Priest (5:1-10).

• The Perfect High Priest is appointed by God (5:1, 4-6).
• The Perfect High Priest is truly human (5:2, 7).
• The Perfect High Priest is sinless (5:3, 8-10).

 
III. Be careful listeners of God’s Word (5:11-6:20).

• Be careful listeners so you can teach others (5:11-12).
• Be careful listeners so you can discern good and evil (5:13-14).
• Be careful listeners so you can press on to maturity (6:1-3).
• Be careful listeners so you can avoid destruction (6:4-8).
  1. Those who were once enlightened were destroyed (Ex. 13:21).
  2. Those who tasted the heavenly gift were destroyed (Ex. 16:4).
  3. Those who partook of the Holy Spirit were destroyed (Num. 11:25).
  4. Those who tasted the Word were destroyed (Ex. 20:18).
• Convincing proofs of the careful listener (6:9-12).
  1. Serving other believers (6:9-10).
  2. Diligent listening of God’s Word (6:11-12).
• Reasons for being a careful listener (6:13-20).
  1. God promised by His own name (6:13-15).
  2. God’s purposes never change (6:16-18).
  3. God’s promise is certain (6:19-20).

 
IV. Jesus is the Forever High Priest (7:1-28).

• Because of the order of Melchizedek (7:1-10)
  1. Melchizedek is the king of righteousness and peace (7:1-2).
  2. Melchizedek’s lineage is not traced (7:3-7).
  3. Melchizedek received a tithe from Levi (7:8-10).
• Because of the oath of God (7:11-22).
  1. The Levitical Priesthood was temporary (7:11-12).
  2. The Melchizedek Priesthood was permanent (7:13-28). 
• Because He lives on (7:23-25).
• Because His character is flawless (7:26-28).

A. Jesus is more faithful than Moses (3:1-6).
​1. Moses was faithful in the house (3:1-5).
​2. Jesus was faithful over the house (3:6).

​B. Therefore do not harden your heart like Israel did (3:7-12).

C. Instead, encourage each other to enter God's rest (3:13-4:11).
1. Because there is still time (3:13).
​2. Because we are partners with Christ (3:14).
3. Because God is angry towards sinners (3:16-4:11).

D. The Word of God is the key to entering God's rest (4:12-13).
1. The Word of God is alive (4:12).
​2. The Word of God is effective (4:12).
3. The Word of God is sharp (4:12).
4. The Word of God condemns the heart (4:12).
​5. God exposes the heart (4:13).

​What is the Word of God? Hebrews 4:12-13 gives us five descriptions of the Word of God.

• The Word of God is alive. This book is a living book. This book is breathed out by God. Because it is a living book, it also brings life. We were dead in our sins, but made alive through the power of the Word of God coupled with the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is alive.
• ​The Word is active or effective. The Word of God accomplishes something. Every time the Word of God is read it does something to the hearer. We cannot read God's Word without being transformed into His likeness. The Word of God is effective.
• The Word of God is sharp. It pierces with both precision and depth. The Word of God is able to divide soul and spirit; joints and marrow.
• ​The Word of God judges the thoughts of the heart. The word "judge" does not mean evaluate, but rather condemn. The Word of God condemns the heart. In God's sight, every person deserves God's judgment or condemnation. Everyone is in desperate need of a Savior. The Word of God rightfully judges all who have rejected the Savior.
• The Word of God exposes the heart. There is no one - man or beast - that can hide from God's sight. Everyone is completely exposed before God.

 Hebrews 1:1-2:4
Jesus is Greater

Jesus is greater than angels
    A. Because Jesus is God (1:1-4)
          i.      God has spoken
         ii.      God has spoken through a Son
 
   B.    Because Jesus is the Rightful King (1:5-6)
           i.      Jesus is the rightful Davidic King
          ii.      Angels will worship the rightful King
 
   C.     Because Jesus is the Righteous King (1:7-9)
            i.      Angels are merely agents of righteousness
           ii.      Jesus rules righteously
          iii.      Jesus loves righteousness
 
   D.    Because Jesus is the Eternal King (1:10-14)
           i.      Jesus was there at the foundation of the earth
          ii.      Jesus will outlast the earth
         iii.      Jesus will rule until His enemies submit
 
   E.     Response: Pay the greatest attention to the Message (2:1-4)
           i.       Because you may drift away
          ii.    Because there is no chance for escape
         iii.  Because the Message was confirmed.
 
   F.       Because all things will submit to Jesus (2:5-9)
             i.            Nothing can resist His rule
            ii.            One day all things will submit to Him
           iii.            All things will submit to Him because He tasted death for everyone.
 
   G.     Because God chose for Jesus to suffer (2:10-13)
            i.      God chose for Jesus to suffer because it is the only way.
           ii.      God chose for Jesus to suffer because we can relate to it.
 
   H.    Because Jesus has the power over death (2:14-18)
           i.      Through death Jesus won the victory
          ii.      Death enabled Jesus to be like His brothers