Hebrews 10

Intro

So this morning we will looking into . Now in order to appreciate what the writer is saying and why he is saying it it is important to again consider who he is addressing and why.

Who?

Why?

Now it would seem that the writer is spending a lot of time making and re-making the same points, because he is.

What do you think the mental state of these believers was? Discouraged and depressed. When dealing with the down trodden, some one in difficulty, what is the best way to approach them? To remind them of what they already should know about Jesus and His love for them.

Paul writes But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

So we, as does the Holy Spirit, should speak with words that build up, comfort, and encourage.

So here in Chapter 10 the writer is going to remind them of thing he has already said several times.

V 1 -4 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Remember he is taking to first century Jewish believers that are considering going back.

Think of a friend considering going back to an abusive relationship, you have to remind them of why they left. Has anyone known someone in that position.

We are told that a the law was a Shadow. What does a shadow reveal?

The writer mentions “consciousness of sins” in Vs 2. What does he mean? Are we conscious of your sins? Yes but differently than a Jew at that time. Every repeated sacrifice was a reminder of sins. It brought the consciousness of sins to the people again and again. But the work of Jesus on the cross takes away sin!

The bible tells us that God has forgotten our sins!

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins: Animal sacrifice under the Old Covenant could cover sin. The Hebrew word for atonement is kophar, which literally means, “to cover.” But animal sacrifice could never take away sins. Only Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice of the New Covenant, takes sins away.

V5 - 10 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come; in the volume of the book it is written of Me; to do Your will, O God.’ ” Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Here the writer is quoting from

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;

​​My ears You have opened.

​​Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.

7 ​​Then I said, “Behold, I come;

​​In the scroll of the book it is written of me.

8 ​​I delight to do Your will, O my God,

​​And Your law is within my heart.”

If you were doubting as a new Jewish believer in the First Century we would take you to the Law and show you it was all God’s plan.

One of my favorite things is teaching from the Old Testament. I love finding Jesus in the “Volume of the Book”. The whole thing is all about Him. From beginning to end.

In verse 10 we see another point that he has hammered over and over and that is that “Jesus died once for all”.

V11 - 18 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

In this section notice that the author is contrasting the earthly HP to Jesus. Notice, how is the HP ministering? Standing always working. But notice V12, Jesus He offered Himself and sat down at the right hand of the Father.

Also notice the use of the word “one”.

Vs 14 He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified: This makes it plain that the work of Jesus is effective only for those who are being sanctified. The work of Jesus is capable of saving every human being, but it is only effective in saving those who are being sanctified(set apart to God).

What is sanctification? How does it differ from salvation?

“What a glorious word! Those for whom Christ has died were perfected by his death. It does not mean that he made them perfect in characters so that they are no longer sinners, but that he made those for whom he died perfectly free from the guilt of sin. When Christ took their sins upon himself, sin remained no longer upon them, for it could not be in two places at one and the same time.” (Spurgeon)

Vs 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin: Where sins are really forgiven and forgotten (remission of these), there no longer must be an offering for sin.

There is a very light sensation when you finally realize that all your sin is forgiven. Nothing you can do will make you more right with God than you are as a Christ Follower.

It is said that this ends the Doctrinal portion of Hebrews and the balance of the Book is for practical exhortation,

Vs 19- 22 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Having boldness: Access is given to us for a bold approach to God. The point is simple: we must take advantage of this access, and take it with boldness. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the holiest place of all with fear and trembling, but we can enter the Holiestwith boldness.

This boldness is a complete contrast to the way the High Priest entered the Holy Place under the Old Covenant. “He went with fear and trembling, because, if he had neglected the smallest item prescribed by the law, he could expect nothing but death. Genuine believers can come even to the throne of God with confidence, as they carry into the Divine presence the infinitely meritorious blood of the great atonement; and, being justified through that blood, they have a right to all the blessings of the eternal kingdom.” (Clarke)

Newell on a new and living way: “It is eternally as if just now He had borne our sins in His own body on the Tree, as if just now He had said, ‘It is finished,’ and the soldier had pierced His side and there had come forth blood and water. He is evermore freshly-slain.”

“This is evidently an allusion to the blood of the victim newly shed, uncoagulated, and consequently proper to be use for sprinkling. The blood of the Jewish victims was fit for sacrificial purposes only so long as it was warm and fluid.” (Clarke)

That is, His flesh: The writer to the Hebrews makes an analogy between the veil that stood between God and man and the body of Jesus. Jesus’ body was “torn,” and so was the veil, each indicating that now we can come to God boldly.

Vs 23 - 25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He is faithful that promised; much the more as you see the Day approaching. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

That’s really all we need to know, For He who promised is faithful: The reason we can stand strong is because He who promised is faithful. It is far better to trust in His faithfulness instead of ours!

He follows by answering the question of why do you need to be at church? We need to consider others. Its not just about me and you.

Your being here engaged in worship encourages others.

The writer now gives a stern warning in Vs 26 - 31

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

It’s important that we don’t miss apply this. This is talking about a willful rejection of the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the Blood of Christ.

Unfortunately, most Jews have done this.

It has been said that one most step over the body of Christ to go to Hell.

Vs 32 - 34 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

It should make us ashamed to consider what other believers are going through around the world. But I fear some of that is coming on us soon.

Vs 35 - 38 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Now the just shall live by faith: We need to follow in the footsteps of the just who will live by faith, and endure to see the promise fulfilled.

Every word in is important, and the Lord quotes it three times in the New Testament just to bring out the fullness of the meaning.

In Paul quotes this same passage from with the emphasis on faith: “The just shall live by faith“

In Paul quotes this passage from with the emphasis on just: “The just shall live by faith”

Here in the emphasis is on live: “The just shall live by faith”