The Greater Sacrifice

INTRODUCTION

The Courageous Sacrifice of King Jesus

Most kingdoms do anything they can to protect their king. This is the unspoken premise of the game of chess, for example. When the king falls, the kingdom is lost. Therefore, the king must be protected at all costs.

King Jesus did exactly the opposite. With royal courage he surrendered his body to be crucified. On the cross he offered a king's ransom: his life for the life of his people. He would die for all the wrong things that we had ever done and would do, completely atoning for all our sins. The crown of thorns that was meant to make a mockery of his royal claims actually proclaimed his kingly dignity, even in death

Big Idea: To live for Christ is to embrace the permanent Sacrifice.

Easy Bake Oven - gives the fake imitation of the real thing, the better thing.

How do we embrace the permanent Sacrifice?

We Embrace our Eternal Legacy

We have continued to see throughout Hebrews that of the eternal and unrepeatable sacrifice of Christ.

The writer continues to impress upon his readers that better things are yet to come. He does this in order to press home his message about the superiority of Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant, he brings forth strong illustrations which serve to emphasize the benefits of the New Covenant over the Old Covenant. The first is legal and the other is Biblical.

Hebrews 9:15–17 ESV

15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.

COVID WILL

My wife texts me a message while I was in quarantine with COVID asking what I was doing, I exclaimed, I am writing my will. I immediately received a response something like, “how bad off are you that you have to write a will.” I responded, “I am not planning on checking out today, however, you never know and it is better to be prepared than not.”

All of us are going to check out of this life one day. What are you doing with the legacy you have been given.

The word for will thelema that is translated as a legacy. This is a promised eternal inheritance. Now the illustration is given of a last will and testament (covenant).

NOTE: Here we have a logical play on words. The writer is making the point that a will does not take effect until the person dies who has written the will. Meaning the New Covenant and all of it’s benefits are not active until the person who has made the will dies, i.e. Jesus Christ the son of God. Therefore, it is necessary to have proof of death before the will can be enacted.

*What are you doing with the legacy you have been given?

NOTE: It is God’s inheritance to freely give. It is promised to and reserved for God’s people, the sheep of His pasture. The generous gift is promised, eternal, and inherited.

1) Are you living as a grateful beneficiary or a dead-beat tenant?

Man is a pauper before God, unable to meet the demands of a pure and holy God with his own cheap and useless ‘righteous’ efforts. It is only when we recognize our need, and see ourselves as we really are that allow him to remove the flimsy curtain of our moral pretence.

Then we can be brought to the place where we gratefully receive the gift that we have been given.

* The grateful tenant hears the call and joyfully receives the inheritance.

NOTE: In the depths of his destitution and need, man hears the merciful and generous call of God. It is those who are called who act on the call and receive the inheritance.

Being called by God is far more than a mere invitation. Even though the term in the gospels is used to describe an invitation to a wedding reception or a private dinner. It also is interpreted in the Greek New Testament as a summons to appear to a law court.

In other words, when interpreting the word “call”, the invitation idea perfectly conveys the concept of generosity, but must also take on the connotation of being summoned to appear.

It is God who calls and not simply a benevolent host whom we can ignore or blow off.

In responding to such a summons we are being brought to the place of pardon and wealth.

*The Dead-beat tenant rejects the call and seeks another way.

The dead-beat tenant will perhaps seek to get in on his own merits or moral standing before God. The dead-beat tenant will possibly seek to get in on his religious devotion to God.

Hebrews 3:1 ESV

1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

“Many are Called but few are Chosen”

Jesus was the master story teller and told numerous parables about the coming kingdom of God. The wedding feast the Jesus is referring to in Matthew 22 tells the story of a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. The wedding feast in scripture is the day on which God will gather all his redeemed and they will enter his presence in complete holiness and Joy.

By the kings orders the wedding feast invitations were sent out to call ...... those who were invited to the feast, however, they would not come giving various excuses and treating the messenger badly. The king then told the messengers to go out into the main roads and invite all who will come to the wedding feast. Jesus is describing first the Jews who were invited and then the Gentiles. The rejection by the Jews led to the invitation being extended also to the Gentile nation.

The king joins his guests only to discover a man trying to get in to the feast another way, without the proper wedding garments. This is a foretelling of the judgement that is to come, the man is bound and thrown into the utter darkness where there is weeping, and gnashing of teeth.

So, what does Jesus mean by many are called but few are chosen? The pattern in this parable helps us understand the nature of the call of God. It is the summons or nature of God’s invitation through the servants - prophets in the OT, and ministers in the NT. This call is for all to repent and believe the good news that has been brought to them by His word. Jesus is teaching that those who refuse the gift are responsible for their rejection.

It is also possible to respond to this call in a non-saving way. The man without the wedding garments in 22:12 presumably responded to the invitation. But his lack of the garment proves he does not belong at the feast, and he is banished. Who are the chosen. Those who have sincerely responded to the call of God and received the inheritance through Christ in faith.

First - it is not a small thing to refuse the summons of God through his messengers. God will hold those who refuse that summons responsible on the Judgement Day.

Second - Jesus wants us to know that there is a more subtle way to refuse the summons. One may pay lip service to the external call, but never truly embrace Jesus as offered in that call. Even this refusal subjects us to God’s just judgement.

When it comes to the legacy you have been given?

2) Are you sharing the gift or hording the benefits?

What are the generous gifts we have received?

“The promised eternal inheritance”

Promised = Certainty

Note: There are very few things you can bank on in this life. Most things that people put all of their hopes and trusts in come crashing down around them. i.e. job security, love of a spouse, money, popularity, beauty.

The writer continues to bring us back to the point that the gift of God’s grace through Christ’s work does not depend on us for anything. Why do we continue to go back to the well of self-sufficiency.

Our culture has programmed us to rely on #1, and the lack of need to depend on anyone else to carry us across the finish line.

Remember you make a Horrible God!

Movie Bruce Almighty, Bruce (Jim Carrey) career in TV has been stalled for a while, and when he is passed over for a coveted anchorman position, he loses it, complaining that God is treating him poorly. Soon after, God (Morgan Freeman) actually contacts Bruce and offers him all of his powers if he thinks he can do a better job. Bruce accepts and goes on a spree, using his new-found abilities for selfish, personal use until he realizes that the prayers of the world are going unanswered.

Eternal = quality

It cannot waste away or be taken away. It is not exposed to the ravages of time. Hebrews was writing to Christians on the verge of persecution and suffering. But, although their opponents rob them of earthly possessions and even physical life, their heavenly inheritance and eternal life were the same, imperishable. Their treasures have not been laid up in banks and the stock market of the Roman world, but in the place where Jesus had told them to deposit their true riches, in heaven itself.

Remember Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:25 that all athletes train hard to compete and receive a perishable wreath, but we run the race to receive the imperishable crown of life.

I cannot help but think after watching the summer Olympics this year how long it will take for the medals to tarnish and the memories to be forgotten. All things fade away, dust, to dust, and ashes to ashes but, the eternal inheritance that we have been given will never fade away.

When we talk about the attributes of God we try to answer the question such as “Who is God?” and “What is God like?”

How can our finite minds grasp the infinite God of the universe.

The Aseity of God

Aseity: is the quality or state of being of God. This means that God is sufficient in himself, independent of anything outside of himself. Acts 17:24-30 Paul tells us that God does not need anything beyond himself. The eternal quality of the inheritance takes on the eternal quality of God. 1) he has not beginning or end. 2) he does not change 3) he is equally conscious of past, present, and future, and 4) he is not limited by the passing of time in what he can accomplish.

Inheritance = Content

This is God’s inheritance promised for God’s people alone. The idea of inheritance which appeals most to our author is that of the inherited place which God has prepared, the land promised.

But, all of the blessings are not reserved for the future.

We have the already but not yet reality!

In Christ we have entered ‘the world to come’ and ‘the powers of the world to come’ are already available and evident in the lives of his believers. This immediate inheritance of believers is emphasized here when he refers to our present redemption. His death redeems man from the transgressions under the first covenant.

Until Christ returns we are slaves to sin, but through his work we are released from this tyrant’s captivity so that we are set at liberty. Those whom the son has set free are free indeed. The Old man has died, and once this takes place the priceless benefits of the legacy are ours. Romans 8 talks about having the first fruits of the spirit as Son’s and daughters of God. We are now set free to worship Him in spirit and in truth. The blinders have been removed from our hearts and lives so that we can see God as he truly is.

Our inheritance in Christ is Imperishable

1 Peter 1:23 “Since you have been born again not of perishable seed but imperishable.

Our inheritance in Christ is unspoiled

Revelation 21:27 “Nothing unclean will enter the presence of God.

Our inheritance in Christ is unfading

The glorious intensity of our inheritance will not loose its luster over time.

Our inheritance in Chris is reserved

Your crown in glory has your name on it and no one can take that away from you. 2 Corinthians 1:22 “He has sealed you for the day of His coming.”

Now the writer brings his point home by tying the covenant both old and new to the death of Christ.

Hebrews 9:22 ESV

22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

The writer is using a well known and familiar phrase from ancient literature which would have been familiar to his readers. If you want the covenant it will cost a great sacrifice. Not just any sacrifice will do.

He is saying this matter of fact like, not expecting any push-back or disagreement.

Hebrews 9:23–28 ESV

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. 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. 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. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 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.

NOTE: Blood was sprinkled on the congregation making them people of the covenant. The writer also refers to the blood being sprinkled on the book of the covenant. Both people and the book, congregation and the covenant, had the mark of the Cross on them.

This picture was given special priority at the last supper as Jesus took the cup he referred to his coming sacrifice, the outpoured life, as ‘the blood of the covenant’; it was to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’.

Secondly, the sanctuary was sanctified by blood. The first sanctuary, the desert tent of meeting, used by the Hebrew people during their wilderness wondering, had to be cleansed by the sprinkling of blood so that all it’s furnishings were purified. Under the Old Covenant nothing was considered clean unless it had the mark of shed blood. Apart from the death of Christ’s blood, all other sacrifices were insufficient to pay the price for the forgiveness of sins.

PURIFICATION THROUGH THE DEATH OF CHRIST

CLIP FROM THE CHOSEN SHORT MOVIE

Note: It was of course Jesus Christ who provides the “better sacrifice,” and in describing them the preacher repeats many of the themes we have continued to read in Hebrews.

CULTURAL CONNECTION TODAY

What happens in times of Crisis and Despair? We are trapped by the circumstances of life, sickness, death, breakdown of marriage, collapse of business, end of a career, we can be terribly lonely. In moments such as these we desire companionship and comfort. We cry out desperately for God to help us in our time of need. But if we are not believers how can we approach the holy and righteous God? We need a mediator. Remember the confidence we have to approach Christ.

How do we embrace the permanent sacrifice?

We Embrace the Price that has been paid.

The writer after discussing the coming of the inheritance which comes to believers through Christ eternal legacy. He now develops a theme which has been introduced many times in the earlier passages of the letter, that of Christ’s perfect sacrifice. He believes that the offering of the body of Jesus Christ is unique in its purpose, nature, cost and effect.

NOTE: In this final section the reader has been reminded of three things of practical importance in our daily Christian living:

God’s holiness

Man’s accountability

Christ’s return.

*How are you living daily before the face of God’s Holiness?

It’s Immense Cost

Hebrews 10:5–10 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. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

NOTE: The writer moves from the prophecy of Jeremiah 31 that is repeated to the eloquence of Psalm 40 into the mouth of the Lord jesus at his incarnation. Jesus is saying not that the Father does not require repeated sacrifices but takes great pleasure in the surrendered life of one who is eager to do his will.

Sacrifices are not a substitution for Obedience.

Note: The value of the sacrifices was always in what they represented.

Why do we need to be reminded of the Holiness of God?

We need to be reminded in case we become morally careless.

The function of the law in Old Testament times was to constantly remind God’s people of the sinfulness of sin. The day of atonement was an annual and constant reminder of man’s need of cleansing.

We need to be reminded that we are helpless sinners.

Note: The sacrifice does not just expose the nature of our sin; it effects the removal of sin. If Christ’s sacrifice merely points us to a better way to live morally in a sin sick world then His sacrifice is incomplete and ineffective for our lives.

We need to continually recall the immensity of his Salvation.

In an age when moral standards are declining rapidly and ethical values are constantly being exposed to ruthless scrutiny, the Christian needs to continually be reminded of the immensity of his salvation before a Holy God.

In the course of our daily life we need to continually go back to Calvary and visit the empty tomb. We should say: ‘My sin took him there and that is where he was condemned for me. By that death I am not only cleansed but consecrated. I am set apart for God’ s service everyday and for God’s glory for the benefit and blessing of others.

*How are you living daily in accountability?

It’s Sanctifying effect

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.

Christ Finished Work

“He offered a single sacrifice effective for all time.”

We must constantly work to sharpen our eternal perspective.

What is the focus of your eternal perspective?

We need this reminder in case we become so absorbed with the material world around us that we forget, or have Spiritual Amnesia.

“After that comes the judgement”

The judgement theme emerges again and again in Hebrews, bringing it’s own sense of urgency and seriousness. In contemporary society all of the emphasis is on the profits and pleasures of today. The prevailing attitude is that the prosperous farmer in Christ’s parable: ‘You have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.” But God called that farmer a fool, and Jesus reminded his hearers that to be saved we must prefer the riches of the next world more than the treasures of this one.

DON’T BE A FOOL. WE know that a day is coming when all of our works will be exposed. In determining any course of action in life we should pursue not merely things which gratify man, but those things that glorify God the most.

Note: When is the last time you had a decision to make in your daily life that you asked the question? What will bring the most honor and glory to God?

The spirits reiterated Word

10:15-18

We know that this continuing process of sanctification is to be a reality in our lives, we need the Holy Spirit’s constant reminder of the indwelling word which is written on our minds and in our hearts.

The greatest message the word convey’s to us is:

The assurance of forgiveness. “I will remember their sins no more.”

The promise of His return for his own.

*How are you living daily for Christ’s return?

Hebrews 9:27–28 ESV

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 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.

We daily need to be reminded in case we becoming spiritually lazy that Christ will appear a second time… to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

There is a big difference between knowing that Jesus could return today and knowing that He will return today. Jesus said “No one knows the day or hour”. The time of His coming is something that He has not revealed to anyone, and so, until He calls us to Himself, we should continue to serve Him as if he were coming back today.

The constant reminder of Christ’s return should move us to Action.

NOTE: The return of Christ is always presented as a great motivation to action, not a reason to cease from action.

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 ESV

6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

NOTE: The early Church lived with the assumption that Christ would return in their lifetime. What if they had watched Jesus ascend into heaven and then just sat down and waited? The gospel would have ceased at that very moment in time.

We should view every day as a gift from God to be used for His Glory alone.

CLOSING

Hebrews 10:17–18 ESV

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.

Dane Ortlund “Gentle and Lowly”

Before coming to Christ we not only lived in sin; we enjoyed living in sin. We wanted to live in sin. It was our coddled treasure, our Gollum’s ring, our settled delight. In short, we were dead, utterly helpless. That’s what his mercy healed. “We can be moral dead people, or we can be immoral dead people. Either way we are still dead.

The mercy of God reaches down and rinses clean not only obviously bad people but fraudulently good people, both of whom equally stand in need of resurrection. The mercy of God becomes real to us not only when we see how depraved we naturally are, but also when we see that the river of mercy flowing out of God’s heart took shape in a man, mercy becomes something we can see, hear, and touch.

Do you know what Jesus does to those who squander and reject His mercy? He pours out more mercy. God is rich in mercy that is the whole point.

When you receive the gift of the inheritance that He has been preparing for you from the foundation of the earth, our sin’s and lawless deed’s fade away in the backdrop of His mercy and Grace.

NOTE: His mercy is not calculating and cautious like ours. It is unrestrained, flood like, sweeping over your very soul.