A Better Way
Notes
Transcript
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Introduction
Introduction
Inclusio with 4:14-16
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Review What we have in Jesus (basis)
Review What we have in Jesus (basis)
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
Confidence to enter the Most Holy Place
The significance of entry
Moses and the burning bush
The tabernacle
Sinai
Isaiah 59:2 “2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
Our confidence described
Confident that “This is where I must go”
Everything I need I have in him, so I am able to confidently seek him
Confidence navigating an intersection
Confident that “This is where I can go”
Confident because he makes it so I can go – we didn’t suddenly become more holy between the OT and NT – something happened
What that demands (command)
What that demands (command)
22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Draw near to God
Draw near to God
Hebrews 10:22 “22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
What does drawing near mean?
The contrast between distance and fellowship characterizes the biblical narrative
Nearness and fellowship characterize the life of the Christian
Conversion – justification – we come to him
Fellowship – sanctification – we walk with him
Eternal communion – glorification – we spend eternity with him
Manner – in what way do we draw near
Sincere heart – loyalty
Full assurance – confidence
Our confidence in God’s faithfulness to welcome us is an act of worship
Unlike Esther who feared to enter into the presence of her husband
Means – how are we able
Cleansed conscience
Provided through Christ’s sacrifice
Hebrews 9:14 “14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Washed body
Not baptism but cleansing from sin
This requires the work of our great high priest
Passive tense
Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess
Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess
Hebrews 10:23 “23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hold on
Recognizes that there is a temptation and possibility that we wouldn’t hold on
Unswervingly
A running back – speed vs. strength
To the hope we profess
We are tempted to hold on to other hopes
The esteem of others
Materialism
Because he holds unswervingly to us – “he is faithful”
great is thy faithfulness
Spur one another to love and good deeds
Spur one another to love and good deeds
Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Draw near to God and hold fast to Jesus, but bring others with you
The call to hold on to Jesus is so important and the temptation to let go so great, that we must recognize that we cannot do it alone
Means
“Spur one another on” – agitate, irritate
“Meet together”
Specifically, the time to do so is when the gathering is gathered
Is this a command to never miss anything a church does?
We ought not add a law to this book about Christ’s superiority to the law
Instead, we must do what it tells us – don’t neglect (prioritize)
Let’s get practical about church
Let’s get practical about church
Prioritize church attendance
Over sports
Over family time
Come early leave late
Practice hospitality
Entertaining v. hospitality
Persist in relationships
yet not I but Christ
