Hebrews 10:11-18 † Those Who Have Been Made Perfect

Hebrews 10:11–18 ESV

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “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,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE

The author of Hebrews explains the sacrifice of Christ and its application to God’s people. We should understand that Jesus has made us “perfect” and is “making us perfect.”

INTRODUCTION

The problem of our imperfection: we sense that there is a God to be pleased but we rebel against his will instead of living it out.

INTRO PRAYER

Lord, we ask today that you would fill us with a greater understanding of what you have accomplished in us through Christ Jesus. Help us to see what truly pleases you. Help us to press into our faith with full assurance and hope. Draw us near to you by the power of your Spirit in these moments. Amen.

WHAT WON’T MAKE US PERFECT

Let’s begin our discussion by talking about what the Bible says won’t make us perfect.

Imperfect Idols Won’t Stop Demanding

Why worship what takes but cannot give back?

Isaiah 44:12–17 BE:NT

A craftworker in metal with a cutter works in the fire. He forms it with hammers, works it with his energetic arm. Should he get hungry, he’d have no energy; should he not drink water, he’d be faint. A craftworker in wood stretches a line, outlines it with a chalk. He makes it with squares, outlines it with a compass. He makes it in the image of a person, with the majesty of a human being, to live at home…He secures it for himself among the trees of the forest, plants a pine so the rain may make it grow, So it may be fuel for someone, and he takes some of them and gets warm. He both lights it and bakes bread, and also makes a god and bows down to it. He makes an image and prostrates himself to it, while half of it he burns in the middle of the fire…He will plead with it and say, ‘Rescue me, because you’re my god.’

Imperfect Sacrifices Won’t Clear Our Conscience

Hebrews 10:1–4 ESV

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Who am I really trying to please?

What is my attitude toward worship? Am I worshipping idols of the world? Am I stuck in a ritualistic religious mindset?

The problem with both approaches: they are me-centered NOT God-centered.

The problem with both approaches: they leave me feeling like there’s always more to do.

Psalm 65:3 ESV

3 When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.

WHO CAN MAKE US PERFECT

Hebrews has repeatedly told us that enduring in our faith isn’t about what we do, but about who Jesus is and what he has done. Our connection to Christ is the key to our identity as those he has made perfect and is sanctifying.

Jesus’ Sacrifice Fulfills God’s Will

The gospel tells us that Jesus came to do what we could not—to truly please God with a life of perfection.

Hebrews 10:5–9 ESV

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 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.’ ” 8 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), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.

Jesus’ Sacrifice Cleanses Our Conscience

When we understand the gospel, we have ammunition to speak truth to our broken conscience: IT IS FINISHED.

Hebrews 10:12–14 ESV

12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Have you noticed that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?

Martin Lloyd-Jones

Jesus’ Sacrifice Enables True Obedience

The gospel cleanses our hearts in such a way that God dwells in and with his people by his Spirit. We have the resources to overcome our flesh and worship in Spirit and in truth.

Hebrews 10:15–18 ESV

15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “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,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

LIVING OUT A SANCTIFIED IDENTITY

When you and I begin to understand our gospel-shaped identity, we can pursue the Bible’s teaching about our sanctification. Here are two ways you can live out your identity this week:

Rest in What Christ Has Accomplished

Hebrews 10:22–23 ESV

…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

When I am tempted to live out some other identity this week, I will remind myself that “he who promised is faithful!”

Psalm 119:50 ESV

This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.

Wait for What Christ Will Reveal

Hebrews 10:12–13 ESV

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.

When I am tempted to live out some other identity this week , I will remind myself that the victory of Christ is near.

Our lives become a testimony to the truth of the gospel when we live as if Christ’s victory is sure no matter how hard our circumstances.

“The early Christian martyrs talked of death with a horrible happiness…they smelt the grave afar off like a field of flowers.”

G.K. Chesterton

PASTORAL PRAYER

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