"The Cross of Jesus: Once for All!"

LEADER: “He is Risen!” ALL: “He is Risen Indeed!”

1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV84

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

I. RECOGNIZE THE INADEQUACY OF THE OLD SACRIFICES! (10:1-6)

A. They Could Not Bring Access to God! (v.1)

1. The law is only a “shadow” – (cf. 8:5)

“The law is like a signpost that points to a reality some distance away, but is not itself the destination. Similarly, the Day of Atonement points to the reality revealed in the sacrifice of Christ. No traveller would confuse the sign with the destination, nor should a person seeking intimacy with God confuse the shadow of the OT ritual with the substance of Christ’s atoning cross” (Derrick Tidball).

2. The sacrifices must be “repeated endlessly”

Not just “repeated” (suggesting it is inadequate), but “repeated endlessly”—the work was never done!

3. The worshiper was never made “perfect”

B. They Could Not Remove Sin! (vv.2-4)

1. They still “…felt guilty” – (v.2)

2. They were reminded every year they were still sinners! – (v.3)

3. There was no way the “blood of bulls and goats” could “take away sins” – (v.4)

C. They Were Only External! (vv.5-6)

Psalm 40:6–8 NIV84

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

1 Samuel 15:22 NIV84

But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

II. ACCEPT THE COMPLETE ADEQUACY OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE! (10:7-18)

A. It Reflects God's Eternal Will! (v.7) – (Mark 8:31-33)

B. It Replaces the Old System! (vv.8-9)

Jesus establishes a new covenant!

The work of Jesus Christ is not more of the same, with perhaps some minor improvements to the existing sacrificial system, but a radical new beginning!

From now on, intimacy with God, the forgiveness of sins, and the cleansing of our consciences do not depend on our offering sacrifices, but on the sacrifice He has already offered in our place!

C. It Sanctifies the Believer! (v.10)

The old covenant sought to prevent what was already defiled from spreading by isolating it or even destroying it, but it was powerless to make the unclean clean! It could recognize and celebrate transformation, but could do nothing to bring it about!

By contrast – (v.10) – The cross does what the Law could never do—MAKE US HOLY!

2 Peter 1:3–4 NIV84

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

NOTE the permanence of that transformation – “…once for all.”

Which is why crosses in protestant churches are empty—there is no need for the Son of God to be offered repeatedly at Mass!

John 19:30 NIV84

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The whole argument among protestants over WHEN a person is saved is clearly answered here: You, and I, and every other believer in Jesus Christ was SAVED “…through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all!”

D. It Removes Sin! (vv.11-12)

The writer of Hebrews, having shown the contrasting effectiveness of the offering, NOW contrasts the work of the priest under the Old covenant with the work of “…this Priest”—Jesus Christ!

Jesus “…sat down at the right hand of the Father” because the work was finished!

E. It Sealed the Judgment of His Enemies! (v.13) (cf. 2:14)

(1 Corinthians 15:20-27)

The reason we celebrate this morning is because Jesus’ Resurrection is proof positive that you and I will one day rise again!

(1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

F. It Perfects the Saints Forever! (vv.14, 18)

“…made perfect forever” translates the Greek: τετελείωκεν εἰς τὸ διηνεκὲς, which is lit., ‘he has perfected in perpetuity’

This first verb is in the active voice (the subject performs the action), indicative mood (definite, sure) and perfect tense (completed action with continuing results).

“…those who are being made holy” translates, τοὺς ἁγιαζομένους, lit., ‘the ones who are being sanctified.’

This verb is a participle in the middle voice (a combination of active and passive—with a reflexive force the subject produces and receives the action) and present tense.

G. It Fulfills the Promise of a New Covenant! (vv.15-17)

CONCLUSION: (10:18)

That is my Easter message this morning: RECOGNIZE the INADEQUACY of the OT Sacrifices, and ACCEPT the ADEQUACY of Jesus’ sacrifice!

The work of sacrifice is done. There will be no more sacrifice for sin!

Forgiveness is already provided for those who trust in this one perfect sacrifice!

· Will you BELIEVE in Jesus Christ?

· Will you trust in HIS COMPLETED WORK on the Cross?

Revelation 3:20 NIV84

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

SING – “Because He Lives”