From Copies to Christ

Hebrews 9:23-28

Big Idea

Jesus is the perfect and final sacrifice who entered the true heavenly sanctuary, removed sin completely, and will return again to bring salvation to those who wait for Him.

Sermon Outline — Hebrews 9:23–28

I. The Earthly System Pointed to a Greater Reality (v.23)

Hebrews 9:23 “23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”

“the copies of heavenly things…”

Main Thought

The Old Testament tabernacle and sacrifices were only shadows of something greater that was coming in Christ.

Key Points

The earthly tabernacle was temporary and symbolic.

Animal sacrifices could cleanse externally but could never fully remove sin.

Heaven itself required a better sacrifice—not because heaven was defiled, but because sinners needed access to God.

Application

Many people still cling to “copies” today:

religious routines

legalism

self-righteousness- placing ourselves on pedal stools

outward spirituality- self glorification

God does not want us trusting in symbols when the substance has come in Jesus.

Illustration Idea

A blueprint is useful while building a house, but once the house is complete, you don’t keep living in the blueprint.

II. Jesus Entered the True Sanctuary for Us (v.24)

Hebrews 9:24 “24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”

Main Thought

Jesus did not enter an earthly holy place—He entered heaven itself into the very presence of God on our behalf.

Key Points

The high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year.

Jesus entered the true presence of God permanently.

He appears before the Father as our mediator and representative.

Application

We are not abandoned before God.

Jesus continually represents believers before the Father.

Our confidence is not in our performance but in Christ’s finished work.

Possible Emphasis

Religion says, “Try harder to reach God.” The gospel says, “Jesus has already gone before you.”

III. Jesus Offered Himself Once for All (v.25–26)

Hebrews 9:25–26 “25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

Main Thought

Unlike repeated Old Testament sacrifices, Christ’s sacrifice was complete and final.

Key Points

The old sacrifices had to be repeated constantly.

Repetition revealed their insufficiency.

Jesus sacrificed Himself once because His sacrifice was perfect.

Important Phrase

“once for all”

Application

You do not need to earn forgiveness repeatedly.

Christ’s work does not need improvement.

Believers can rest in the sufficiency of the cross.

Contrast

Old Covenant:

repeated sacrifices

temporary cleansing

continual reminder of sin

New Covenant:

one sacrifice

complete cleansing

full forgiveness

Illustration Idea

A debt that keeps needing payments was never fully paid. Jesus didn’t make installments on sin—He paid it in full.

IV. Every Person Faces Judgment (v.27)

Hebrews 9:27 “27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,”

Main Thought

Death is universal, and judgment is certain.

Key Points

Human beings die once.

After death comes judgment.

This destroys false hopes of endless chances after death.

Application

Life is temporary.

Eternity is real.

The question is not whether we will stand before God, but whether we stand in Christ.

Possible Pastoral Challenge

People prepare for retirement, careers, and emergencies—but many never prepare for eternity.

V. Jesus Will Appear Again to Complete Salvation (v.28)

Hebrews 9:28 “28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

Main Thought

Christ’s first coming dealt with sin; His second coming will bring final salvation to His people.

Key Points

First appearance: to bear sin.

Second appearance: not to deal with sin again.

He returns for those eagerly waiting for Him.

Application

Christians live with anticipation, not fear.

The return of Christ motivates holiness, faithfulness, and hope.

Our salvation is secure and will one day be fully realized.

Illustration Idea

Like waiting for a loved one to return home, the church waits expectantly for Christ.

Conclusion

Central Truth

Jesus is better in every way:

a better priest

Because His qualification comes from God not from the prescription given to man.

a better sacrifice

His atonement for sin is a once and for all perfect sacrifice, backed by the fact Jesus only went to Calvary’s cross once.

a better covenant

The fulfillment of the OT covenant done through Christ equals freedom from a legalistic way to atone for sin rather than be cleansed of it.

a better hope

Because the hope that we have in Jesus is not that we wait for the next year to roll around to pay again the sacrifice that we have to pay annually, but because when Jesus comes back… He will be coming for us His children.

Because of Him:

sin has been dealt with,

access to God is open,

judgment can be faced with confidence,

and the believer has hope for the future.

Closing Challenge

Are you trusting in religious “copies,” or in the finished work of Christ Himself?

And are you living as someone eagerly waiting for His return?