You Need a Melchizedek in Your Life

I am convinced one of the most important ministries we have is encouraging one another—“Let us… stimulate one another to love and good deeds… and encouraging one another all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25). Our souls are stressed by living in this sense-oriented world; we get weary and discouraged (Gal. 6:9). We need to lift each other up!

When Abraham and his men were exhausted from battle, and most vulnerable, God sent someone to lift him up—Melchizedek, king of Salem. Though his place in history is brief, much has been said about Melchizedek as a type of Christ. He shows up right after Abraham has won a war against the kings of Canaan, with a well-deserved & much-needed meal for Abraham and his weary men. Then, after dinner, Melchizedek delivers a 2-verse sermon: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." (Gen.14:19-20)

Imagine that, you pastors and teachers, a two-point sermon that can be delivered in less than a minute! Point One: The Most High God owns the heavens and the earth. Point Two: the Most High God had defeated the enemy! The sermon was very relevant: Abraham would have been tempted to 1) covet the spoils of war, thus enriching him, and 2) lift himself up in the pride of his victory. In other words, at the moment of self-exaltation, God sends Melchizedek to lift Abraham’s eyes to the Most High God.

The best sermon is one that lifts you up to see God’s “higher” perspective, one that helps you to “set your mind on things above” (Col. 3:2), and turns your attention away from your ‘self’ to the Most High God. This is how we are to encourage one another—it is the Melchizedek ministry!