Hebrews 10:1-18
Notes
Transcript
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Lord, here we go again!
Pray. Think myself empty. Read myself full. Write myself clear. Pray myself haught.
Be myself. Forget myself.
Lord, let this message be a beacon for you. Let me be forgotten and invisible. Let them see and know you, only you.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
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The word Gospel means “good news”. It’s pretty important to understand that. The Bible is not a book that tells us what we have to do to earn salvation, it is a book that tells us what God did to earn our salvation.
What he did was send Jesus. Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves and he paid for what we had done in his body on the cross.
God created human beings and intended for them to be ruling creatures. We were supposed to be under God but over everything else. We were supposed to rule over creation under the guidance and authority of God’s Word and to function as conduits for all the blessings of heaven.
That’s how it was supposed to be, but unfortunately, the Bible tells the story of how our first parents, Adam and Eve, fell into sin by choosing to rebel against God’s Word in order to become autonomous ruling creatures. Basically, they wanted to be gods unto themselves, deciding good and evil.
From that point on, humanity has been on a downward spiral moving further and further away from God and our original design and glory.
The heart of the Gospel is the Good News that Jesus has come as God in the flesh and has obeyed God perfectly and has therefore won the right to all the blessings God originally intended to give to men and women. Furthermore, through his sacrificial death on the cross, he has paid the debt that we owed to God for disobeying his commands.
There is therefore no need anymore for us to hide from God. In Jesus, we can come home and we can be restored. The climax of the Gospel is the great news that he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where he now intercedes on our behalf.
He gives the Holy Spirit to all his people and he slowly but surely, changes our hearts, reforms our desires and teaches us how to be the children of God we were always intended to be.
For now, Jesus remains in heaven, changing the world one person at a time, but one day he will return and judge the world in righteousness. He will remove from this world all sin and all causes of sin and he will restore the cosmos to a state of peace, prosperity and flourishing and all those who have received him as their Lord and Savior will participate in his rule and enjoy his goodness forever.
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PRAY
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It’s a fact that most people learn well through repetition. If you can recall when you were younger, you had spelling tests. To prepare for these, the assignments of learning were something like writing each word 10 times each and turning it in. Or maybe you learned best by having someone call the word out and you spelled it back. Flashcard decks are also a big tool in learning. You shuffle the deck and go through the deck and answer the question on the front of the card and check the answer on the back.
Even as an adult, we practice repetition in learning things. Maybe not academically, but the more we do something, the better we learn it. Throughout Scripture, we see this also as a practice. Jesus often repeated to his disciples lessons that were alike but in different forms so that they would understand and learn.
Repetition is also used to emphasize something.
In Hebrews chapter 10; 1-18, we are going to look at the emphasis of what the writer is trying to convey to his audience and, by implication, to us as readers today. As we talk tbhrough this seciton, we are also going to take a glimpse back through the last couple chapters we’ve read and recall how Jesus is the truly the Great High Priest and why.
Nic
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.
Jake
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.’ ”
Brandi
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. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Jami
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.
Amy
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.
Over the next two weeks, we’re going to look at one main idea in chapter 10.
ΜΑΙΝ ΙDEA: Because the sacrifice of Christ is endlessly effective, it produces people with spiritual stamina, liberal love, and conspicuous commitment.
Chapter 10 is all about the Power of Christ’s Permanent Sacrifice.
To start this out, we’re going to look at why Christ’s sacrifice is permanent and how it demonstrates a chosen obedience and true forgiveness.
So first, It is Permanent in contrast to Old Testament Sacrifices.
(vv. 1-4) Because the O.T. law only foreshadowed the NT Law, the OT sacrifices could never cover the sins of those intended. If so, then one sacrifice would have sufficed. The reminder of sin remained because the (animal) sacrifices were insufficient.
17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
(v.1) A shadow doesn’t reveal its object but rather provides an outline of reality. The Law was only a faint outline of the glories of the coming gospel, it was a temporary element in God’s plan.
(v. 2) If the Old Law could do these things, then they wouldn’t have had to be offered year after year. . The imperfections of the law (and the people-even the priest) are highlighted by the repetition of the sacrifices. If the law made the worshipers perfect, then it would have sufficed to only offer it once. The root cause was sin, which could not be cleansed by the sacrifices.
(vv. 3-4) Because of the inadequecies of the sacrifice, the people, and the priest, it had to be repeated each year. But Christ… cleansed this as the writer has already reminded the readers...
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”
The gospel had already been foreshadowed in the OT. Even the psalmist grasped this:
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
God accepted the perfect sacrifice of Christ because it represented a broken, contrite expression of obedience to his will.
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As we’re looking at why Christ’s sacrifice is permanent and how it demonstrates a chosen obedience and true forgiveness.
First, It is Permanent in contrast to Old Testament Sacrifices.
(vv. 5-10) Second, it is permanent based on obedience.
The writer has referenced Psalm 40:6-8 to explain why the failure of animal sacrifices failed to lead to the security of forgiveness.
6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
Wholehearted obedience was the only sacrifice God really wanted, and he found this response supremely in Jesus Christ.
He came to set aside the ancient sacrificial system and bring about the obedience to God which was always the intention of the rituals. He found the Father’s will written in the scriptures (in the scroll) and “by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.
The words rendered “made holy” involve a single Greek word (hēgiasmenoi) often rendered “sanctify” (cf. 10:14, 29). Here it occurs in a tense that makes it plain, along with the rest of the statement, that the sanctification is an accomplished fact. Nowhere in Hebrews does the writer refer to the “progressive sanctification” of a believer’s life. Instead sanctification is for him a functional equivalent of the Pauline concept of justification. By the sanctification which is accomplished through the death of Christ, New-Covenant worshipers are perfected for guilt-free service to God (cf. 2:11).
Hodges, Zane C. “Hebrews.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 804. Print.
Doesn’t this sound like the Gospel? If so, it’s because it is! The work is finished. The cross served the purpose of the alter of sacrifice and the sinless lamb was placed on it. It is finished.
In Christ believers receive complete cleansing of their sin. They are equipped to enter God’s presence. They can offer acceptable worship to him. They are accepted!
Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
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As we’re looking at why Christ’s sacrifice is permanent and how it demonstrates a chosen obedience and true forgiveness.
First, It is Permanent in contrast to Old Testament Sacrifices.
(vv. 5-10) Second, it is permanent based on obedience.
(vv. 11-18) Lastly, it’s Permanent Because It Secured Forgiveness.
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Christ’s sacrifice lasted because it offered permanent pardon to those who had offended God. Priests presided over an endless round of ineffective sacrifices. Some sacrifices were offered annually at the Day of Atonement. Priests also officiated at the daily sacrifices. The sheer futility of the whole process is evident in this verse.
Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
If you recall, I talked about the difference between the priest standing and Jesus sitting. Here again, we see this being used as a reference to the comparison.
In contrast with the priests of the old covenant, who stand daily at the altar to offer repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins, Jesus sits at God’s right hand, his sacrificial work completed (11–14). The result of this for believers is that we have been made holy and he has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy.
Peterson, David G. “Hebrews.” New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Ed. D. A. Carson et al. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994. 1342. Print.
(v. 12) Two features showed the conclusive nature of Christ’s sacrifice. First, Christ had offered only a single sacrifice, and this single offering did the job (v. 10). Second, Jesus’ job as sacrificial lamb was finished. When Jesus exclaimed, “It is finished” (John 19:30), he really meant it. His enthronement at the right hand of God showed the completion of the task. His seat at God’s right hand showed that God had exalted him to the position of highest glory. In Jesus, believers have access to unlimited grace and power.
Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
10:13. The present era is a waiting period as Christ anticipates a final victory over his enemies. We have been living in this era since the time of Jesus’ exaltation to heaven. Christ has already won the victory, but we do not yet see the complete defeat of Christ’s spiritual enemies. Rather than complaining about the delay, we should see this time as a day of grace to allow outsiders to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness. We have no doubt or question about the ultimate outcome.
Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
10:14. Returning to the work of Christ as our High Priest, this verse spotlights the effect of his single offering. (For the purifying effect of Jesus’ death, see v. 10.)
On the cross Christ has already made a single offering so that in generation after generation he is continually making holy all who respond in faith. To become perfect did not promise sinless perfection, but it promised believers the full realization of God’s saving purpose.
10:15–17. Here we return to the new covenant (cf. 8:8–13), again quoting Jeremiah 31. The Holy Spirit was the author of this practical and relevant application. God has written his law within us and will no longer remember our sins and lawless acts. The old covenant had provided for an annual remembrance of sin (v. 3). The new covenant promised no more remembrance of sin. We can receive complete forgiveness, for Jesus’ death gives freedom from the penalty of sin.
10:18. These words close the doctrinal section of Hebrews. Christ’s new covenant makes Old Testament sacrifices obsolete. When God erases our sins, we no longer need a sin offering. The entire sacrificial system is unnecessary. The single offering of Christ has wiped out the need for the old sacrificial system and has introduced a new era. Christ himself fulfilled the message which God intended the sacrifices to proclaim.
Anyone who wants forgiveness of sin can find access by placing a repentant faith in the completed work of Christ. Christ’s sacrifice was God’s final answer to the universal problem of human sin. God has no need to speak a word beyond Jesus.
Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
Power in Sacrifice
Imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote his friends at Philippi one of his most joyous letters. Most inmates find a grim existence in confinement, but Paul announced to his Philippian friends that his confinement had actually contributed to the spread of the gospel (Phil. 1:12). Soldiers, ordinary servants of the king, and many other people learned that Paul’s confinement came because of his commitment to Christ.
On the outside, some of Paul’s Christian friends became bolder in their witness when they saw God’s care of Paul. Others, who seemed to be Paul’s opponents, tried to add misery to his affliction (Phil. 1:16). Whatever their motivation, Paul rejoiced at the preaching of Christ (Phil. 1:18). What caused Paul the inmate to have this joy? What prevented his issuing a chorus of complaints about his lot in life? Paul would say, “I find power in Christ to strengthen me” (Phil. 4:13).
The writer of Hebrews knew that Christians would find power in Christ’s permanent sacrifice. He had seen the ineffectiveness of Old Testament sacrifices (Heb. 10:1–4), but he had also observed that Christ’s sacrifice produced long-lasting changes which prompted new life in his followers. Christ’s sacrifice demonstrated a chosen commitment to follow God’s will (10:5–10). His sacrifice did the job because it obtained forgiveness for Jesus’ followers (10:11–18), unlike the Jewish priests who regularly offered sacrifices which did not remove sin (10:11).
Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
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(1) What is sin? How would you define it?
(2) What is willful (deliberate) sin? What is the difference between willful & negligent sin?
(3) What does it mean that Jesus has died for you in regards to these sins? (4) What does it mean to be forgiven?