Condemned, Conquered, and Changed

Take your copy of God’s Word and open with me to Hebrews chapter 10.

Occasionally, our family likes to watch the show “Shark Tank.” Shark Tank is a reality television show where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of wealthy investors, called "Sharks," in hopes of securing funding and strategic partnerships. The business pitch is oftentimes called an “elevator pitch.” You should know your product and purpose so well that you can give a concise, persuasive speech designed to quickly explain who you are, what you do, and what you're looking for, typically within the time span of an elevator ride (30 seconds to 2 minutes).

Well, sometimes, when we’re sharing the gospel with someone we don’t have a whole lot of time. If we could give a summary of the gospel in three key statements, I believe we could say…

Main Point: The Law condemns, Jesus conquers, and we are changed.

“Say it with me…”

*have congregation repeat*

THE LAW CONDEMNS

(vs. 1-4)

Specify—The Covenant Law

vs. 1 — “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities…”

The Law was temporary. The Law pointed to a greater reality that was coming. What does this mean?

The Law does two things: 1) Charges us with guilt; 2) Provides a temporary remedy

So, the Law exposes sin for what it is. It declares, in writing, what is already true. It’s not that, for example, everybody was committing murder or adultery or lying and then God gives the Law and is like, “Ah…now it’s wrong.” No. The Law was what God required for living in relationship with Him as His covenant people. But as part of the Law, God also allowed for sacrifices.

Different kinds of sin offerings

Vs. 1—“…it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.”

The inefficiency of the sacrifices. They can’t FORGIVE. They temporarily “covered” and held back God’s wrath but they could not REMOVE.

Hebrews 10:2–4 “Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

If the Law could perfect, then there would be no reason for the sacrifices to be offered year after year.

Nick Saban—I know half of y’all don’t like him and probably just vomited a little bit in your mouth…

Illustration: Nick Saban and the Blowout

Nick Saban once pulled a player aside in the middle of a 45-point lead and chewed him out for missing a block. Reporters asked him about it, and Saban said, “It doesn’t matter what the scoreboard says—we play to a standard.”

That’s the Law. God’s standard doesn’t change based on our performance or good intentions. And no matter how good we think we’re doing, the Law keeps pointing out every missed block, every false step. But Christ came to do what no human coach, effort, or system could—He met the standard perfectly, fulfilled the Law completely, and now He changes us from the inside out.

JESUS CONQUERS

Hebrews 10:5–13 ESV

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.

The incarnation…a quote from Psalm 40.

“…Christ came into the world…” (vs. 5)

“…a body have you prepared for me…” (vs. 5)

Here’s what Jesus does…

Vs. 7—Jesus conquers the Law’s demands.

He perfectly fulfills the Law.

Vs 7—Jesus conquers sin.

Hebrews 10:17–18 “then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

Jesus conquers His enemies.

Satan & Death

Satan is actively working.

WE ARE CHANGED

(vs. 14-18)

Hebrews 10:14–18 “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Now, pay attention to the language, here. “He ‘has perfected’ for all time those who ‘are being sanctified.’”

You’ve been justified. God’s work isn’t finished the moment you get saved. It’s what we talked about last Sunday from chapter 9. Remember…we’re justified, we’re adopted, we’re being saved from the power of sin. He saves us to change us.

The biblical word for this is sanctification. Sanctification is the lifelong daily process by which God’s Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ as we surrender to Him.

Now, what does sanctification look like?

Well, look at vs. 15…

And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

Here’s what sanctification is…here’s what happens to us when we are saved—the Lord puts His law on our hearts and minds.

Silversmith—seeing his reflection in the metal

Just as the Law is unable to FORGIVE us, it is also unable to CHANGE us. That’s what we need. We need a heart change. We need to get to the root of the problem.

Forgiveness of sin

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit

“the Holy Spirit bears witness to us”

“under new ownership”

A new heart

(Jeremiah 31)

HARP ON THE “CHANGE”

SALVATION/FAITH is not just about mere intellectual assent. It’s about the spirit of God changing you and giving you a new heart.

Genuine salvation—change

I love the Church. I’m not going to bash the church because Jesus loves his church. But, we’ve really done a lot to hurt and damage the reputation of Christ. Our words, posts, etc. The world doesn’t need more church people. The world needs changed people. Changed people change the world.

APPLICATION

To the original audience—what you’re trying to go back to can’t save you! Why would you do that?!?!

The greatest need you’ve got is forgiveness of sin. Atonement.

Religion can’t save you. Going through the motions doesn’t fix our problem. Morality can’t save you.

People try everything in the book to “cleanse their conscience.”

Are you living in defeat to sin?