THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY
(Hebrews)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Those who are Christians have purified their souls in obeying the truth (1 Peter 1:22-25)
a. We were born again by the incorruptible seed of the Word of God.
b. The Word of the Lord will endure forever.

2. Those who are Christians came to believe because of the power of the Word of God (Romans 10:14-17).
a. Faith in Christ comes after knowledge of Christ.
b. Knowledge of Christ comes from the Word of God.

3. Those who are Christians have been saved by the Gospel of Christ. (Roman 1:16)
a. The Gospel of Christ is the power to save all men.
b. All men who believe and obey it shall be saved.

4. Those who are Christians continue to grow spiritually as they look into the "Perfect Law of Liberty (James 1:25)."
a. The Word of God acts as a mirror revealing our faults.
b. The mirror does no good if we make no effort to correct those faults.

5. The Perfect Law of Liberty has been given to us by Jesus Christ.
a. The Holy Spirit reminded inspired me of the truths Christ had taught them. (John 15:26)
b. The recorded the New Testament for us, which is the perfect law of liberty delivered unto us by Christ.
c. The liberty given by this perfect law is freedom from sin and freedom from the Old Law.

6. The Book of Hebrews Emphasizes just how much greater this perfect law of liberty is over the old law.
a. Essentially Hebrews shows the New Law is much greater than the old.
b. This was written to prevent Christians from going back into Judaism.
c. Today it can cause us to appreciate the greatness of the New Testament Law under which we now live.

DISCUSSION:

I. THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY HAS A GREATER LAW GIVER.

A. Greater than the angels. (Hebrews 1-2:4)

1. God revealed His will to man in various ways in the past. (1:1)
a. Directly speaking to the heads of the families during the age of the patriarchs.
b. Speaking through prophets.
c. Speaking through angels.

2. God has now revealed His will to man through His Son Jesus. (1:2)
a. Jesus is greater than the angels. (1:4ff.)
1) He is the only begotten Son of God.
2) The angels worship Him.
3) He sits by the right hand of God.
b. The Law given by Jesus is greater than the one given by Christ. (2:1-4)
1) Don't let the law slip.
2) There is no escape for neglecting the Law.
3) The Law was confirmed by miracles.

B. Greater than Moses. (Hebrews 3:1-6)

1. Moses was faithful serving in God's house.

2. The Lord is worthy of more glory because He is the Son who built the house.
a. God is the Father.
b. Jesus is the Son.
c. Moses is the servant.
d. Jesus is greater than Moses and thus His law is greater.

II. THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY HAS A GREATER REST.

A. The rest under the Law of Moses. (Hebrews 3:7-19)

1. The Jews who wandered in the wilderness lost their rest. (3:7-11)
a. Their rest was the land of Canaan.
b. They lost their rest because of unbelief.

2. There is a danger that Christians could loose their rest. (3:12-19)
a. Christians can become hardened by sin.
b. Christians can become unbelievers.

B. The greater rest under the Law of Liberty. (Hebrews 4:1-16)

1. They lost their rest so one remains for us. (4:1-11)

2. The word of God can help us to receive our rest. (4:12, 13)

III. THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY HAS A GREATER HIGH PRIEST. (Heb. 7)

A. The High Priest under the Law of Moses was imperfect. (Hebrews 7:11)

1. Those high priest were taken from among men. (5:1-3)

2. The high priests under Moses' Law had to offer sacrifice for their own sins. as well as for the people. (5:1-3)


B. The High Priest under the Law of Christ is perfect. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

1. He is greater because He is the Son of God. (4:14-16)

2. He is from a greater order of priests. (7:1-10)
a. Mechisedec blessed Abraham.
b. The less is blessed of the greater.
c. The high priests of Abraham's descendents are not as great as Melchisedec and the high priest after his order.

3. His priesthood shall last forever. (7:23-28)
a. The priests of old would all die.
b. Jesus shall live forever as High Priest.

3. Because the priesthood changed, the law changed. (7:12-22)
a. The former law and priesthood were imperfect.
b. The present law and High Priest are perfect.
c. We therefore, live under a better testament. (7:22)


CONCLUSION:

1. The Perfect Law of Liberty came into effect when Jesus Christ died. (Hebrews 9:15-17)

2. We ought to be thankful that we can live under a greater Law.

3. With a greater law comes a greater responsibility.
a. We shall not escape if we neglect this salvation. (Hebrews 2:1-3)
b. We shall receive a much sorer punishment. (Hebrews 10:24-39)

4. Are you a Christians who is beginning to let the perfect law of liberty slip away from you?