Life with God through Christ
Notes
Transcript
Appetiser
Appetiser
“A perfect sunset.” A sunset as it should be.
It’s this idea of perfection that we’re after; a perfect world=the world as it should be, a perfect man=man as he should be.
This is what God has achieved in Christ for His people. The Christian hope is for a remade world, where God and His people are together in perfect harmony.
Our passage treats with God perfecting us, and the experience of that now. “Our” meaning those of us in Christ.
Main Course
Main Course
God has freed us from our guilt, v1-4
God has freed us from our guilt, v1-4
v1: perfection not through the law
a reminder of what we’re after, namely, perfection:“make perfect”). The ideal purpose God intends for us.
Restoration of a right standing with God
Undoing the devastation of sin
a reminder that it is not achievable through the law of God, cf. 7:11, 18-19. It “is a shadow of the good things that are coming”—a hope-giving device for the future.
the law is a past witness to a future reality
v2-4: the law was powerless to release us from our sin
If it had been, the sacrifices described in it would have stopped being offered, v2a
Animal sacrifices don’t remove our sins, v4. How much less our own efforts, works?
They knew this, because they still felt guilty, v2b. There was a “consciousness of sins” (ESV).
Sometimes your hands get dirty, and no matter how you wash them, there’s a sensation in you as if they were still dirty.
And if they forgot, there was an annual reminder, v3. The law still has this function! No earthly provision can do away with our sin!
In Christ the reality is here! v2b
9:11—this is why Christ makes us perfect. He actually removes our sin, because His sacrifice is effective, 9:12. He cleanses my conscience, 9:14. Therefore, I am truly free, and I feel it. In a sense, my consciousness of sin is gone—I am free.
What if I don’t feel so? We’ll come to that!
We’re not like the king of Niniveh, saying “Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” (Jonah 3:9) We know we have been cleansed.
For the unconverted, the constant reminder of sins in order to lead them to Christ is precisely what they need. Their sins are unforgiven, and apart from Christ, will remain so.
God has made us holy, v5-10
God has made us holy, v5-10
This talks about my standing with God. In Christ, I am made holy, set apart for God. I am back where I belong.
v5-7 is quoting Psalm 40:6-7 from the LXX
David promises obedience to the will of God, knowing God desires obedience, and not sacrifice. In other words, He won’t be bartered with by bringing sacrifices. That won’t wash—it didn’t in Saul’s case, cf. 1Sa 15:22-23
But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.’
The difference in the second line between Psalm 40:6 and the quote in v5 comes from the translation used. Our OT follows the Hebrew text, but the author used the LXX.
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Hebrews 10:5–9
The “digging of the ears” in 40:6 refers to a posture of obedient submission.
But the LXX focuses on the body, and our author quotes that because he talks about more than a posture of submission: in Christ’s case it was actual, active, lifelong obedience.
v8-10 is the application of the Psalm to the work of Christ. v8-9 explains how in the incarnation (cf. v5) the One who can and will actually do the will of God arrived. Christ has come to do God’s will, and by doing that, He fulfils all the OT prophecies, and reveals the reality the shadows were pointing to.
In Christ, the longing of David is fulfilled, v10. And so is the longing of all God’s people: we have been set aside, sanctified, made holy to God, by God. Leviticus 20:8
Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
Assurance of salvation: I am holy in Christ. When He is removed from God’s presence, so will I be. That is: never.
Christ is my Sabbath rest, cf. He 4:9-10. The 7th day is the point of Creation, the purpose of it. I become part of the fulfilment of that, as my delight in fellowship with God, and His delight in me through Christ is restored.
I can now serve God, He 9:14. Positionally. I wasn’t allowed before; it wasn’t considered service, or good deeds. Now, God delights in my offering of obedience, and in my worship.
Notice, this is “by that will”—it is, once again, entirely God’s doing. It is not by the will of man, but that of God.
God is making us holy, v11-18
God is making us holy, v11-18
This talks about the undoing of the devastation of sin.
v11-14 contains a reference back to 1:3, 8:1-2: Christ sat down, because His offering requires no repetition. As Psalm 110:1 promised, the successful Priest King will have final victory over His enemies.
Christ waits now, which is not a reference to Him not doing anything (the rest of the letter tells us otherwise!), but that the victory is certain. His sacrifice has assured that victory.
“If he can beat that, he deserves to be on pole.” (Senna/Prost, having finished his qualifying lap.)
We’ll see Christ next when He comes to reign, cf. 9:28. Are you a friend or enemy?
It also highlights what characterises God’s people: “those who are being made holy”. They are the ones Christ “has made perfect”. This refers to God’s ongoing work in the life of His people; He transforms their hearts and lives to be in line with Him.
v15-17 explain this in light of the New Covenant promise.
v15-16: heart transformation. Note that it’s not the actions, but the attitudes that are promised to change. This is the miracle of new birth. This is how we know who God’s children are.
v17: the forgiveness of sins. “Then” highlights the organic connection between transformation of the heart and removal of sin.
Notice the phrase “testifies to us about this.” This is the answer to the dilemma, “What if I still have a consciousness of my sin?”
The Spirit encourages believers by reminding them of this Gospel truth. Yes, your emotions may not catch up quickly, but will you remember that you are accepted, washed, and being sanctified by Christ’s sacrifice? Do you see God’s work in you? Do others see it in you?
v18 is the crescendo: the final, unrepeatable sacrifice of Christ does away with any other sacrifices. Mt 11:28-30
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’