Three Advantages of Being In Christ
Notes
Transcript
Read: Hebrews 10:19-25
Read: Hebrews 10:19-25
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 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. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
There is something about being a member of an organaization, club, group, or organization that we often are either drawn to or refuse membership based on some of the advantages of belonging.
Costco is an amazing store, but I haven’t seen the advantage of joining because it is so far across town - but every once in a while someone will take us there for a shopping trip or pizza. It is interesting how you walk up there to the door and they are like vulture eyeing you, or at least that's how you feel - they are waiting to see your card - do you belong here?
Now we do have a Sam’s membership and I feel it has saved us some time and money in the long run - but I don’t even think about it, I usually use the card on my phone and just show it to the person at the stand and keep on walking - I have access to the store because I’m a paying member.
The author of Hebrews says there are some privileges and advantages of being in Christ.
He begins by talking about a boldness or confidence we have to enter into the holiest - we don’t have to come shyly or in fear
Adam Clarke noted that under the Law it was a serious thing to approach the Holy of Holies. If you missed one important step or one minor detail it could cost you your life.
But we don’t have to come with that kind of fear - because we have the blood of Jesus Christ.
We can walk right up to God in the Holy of Holies.
This advantage is made available because Jesus made, opened, inaugurated or the KJV says “consecrated” for us.
I want to unpack that just a little tonight - That phrase “new” isn’t talking so much about the New Testament way but rather the Greek word used there has more of the idea of “freshly killed”
Under the Law the blood of a sacrifice was only good for a limited time - once the blood cooled down and began to coagulate it was no longer viable and able to be used in sacrifices.
But this blood of Jesus Christ - which we enter boldly - and in which he opened this way - will never loose it’s power. It’s fresh - just as fresh in 2021 as it was 2000 years ago when it was first shed.
I’m so thankful there’s still power in the blood!!!
Richard S. Taylor says, “It is living in the sense that it is perennially valid, never outdated; but especially in the sense that it is effectual.”
The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 6: Hebrews–Revelation A. The Exhortation to Freedom and Fellowship (10:19–25)
For centuries the non-Christian Hebrews had laboriously climbed the wearisome staircase of futile ordinances and dead works only to discover at the top of the stairs, as they came to the close of each year of concentrated effort, and went to the sanctuary on the great Day of Atonement, that the door to the chamber of God at the head of that stairs was closed and barred against their entry. They could, in fact, get no nearer to God than the curtains of the outer court of the tabernacle. Now, suddenly, the outer curtain has been removed, the court is thrown wide open to the worshipers, the inner veil is swept aside, and Christ, God’s own Son, bids them boldly, without fear or trepidation, to draw near, enter the very court of God’s presence, and embrace the holy Lord of the universe by faith. At last the barrier has been removed by Christ and all men may enter without discrimination
The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 6: Hebrews–Revelation A. The Exhortation to Freedom and Fellowship (10:19–25)
Christ’s new and living way of salvation is as an escalator upon which the believer dares to plant his feet in faith, and is carried upward (cf. Rom. 1:16), as compared to the long and laborious staircase of human works that never quite reaches to the throne of God—an unfinished tower of Babel that ultimately confuses and scatters the worshipers in hopeless defeat.
So we have this New & Living Way
Next we have this Great High Priesthood of Christ -
What it Means That Jesus Is a Priest
What it Means That Jesus Is a Priest
In the Old Testament, the priests were the temporary mediators between God and man. They offered the sacrifices required under the law. Within that priesthood was a single High Priest. He alone offered the sacrifice on the day of atonement that cleansed the people for one year.
Jesus not only fulfilled the role of a priest but he exceeded the role of the High Priest removing our sins forever.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
So we have this New & Living Way
Next we have this Great High Priesthood of Christ -
Lastly this Great High Priest is dependable
The three “let us”
The Salad of Hebrews 10
22 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.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out,