Sermon Tone Analysis

Review Chapter 8

In chapter 8, the writer emphasized the differences between the old and new covenants

We also saw that the earthly tabernacle was a shadow of the heavenly one

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The Sanctuary under the Old Covenant Hebrews 9:1-10

Discussion Questions

In what ways did the tabernacle aid worship?

How do we worship God today?

Can you remember from Exodus the significance of Holy Place and the veil?

(Exodus 25-27; 35-40)

Why can the sacrifices offered never fully restore the guilty party’s consciences?

What did the priests do in the Holy Place?

What did the priests have to do before entering the Holy of Holies?

When could they go into the Holy of Holies?

And who could go in?

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Description of the earthly tabernacle Hebrews 9:1-5.

In this chapter, the writer shows his readers that there are some similarities between the two covenants

God commanded Moses to build a tent or tabernacle

During their desert wanderings, this tent was movable

But when Israel settled in Jerusalem, a permanent temple was built

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There were two chambers to this tabernacle

The outer chamber was the Holy Place and it contained

The lampstand: golden, seven branches, and the priests ensured it was constantly lit

The bread of presence: 12 loaves baked fresh weekly, and eaten by priests (along with wine)

These items point us to Christ

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The inner chamber was the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)

It represented the divine presence of God and was blocked by a veil

Alter of incense represents the prayers of God’s people before God’s throne

Ark of the Covenant was the supreme object of holiness containing the manna, Aaron’s staff and ten commandments

Ark was a symbol of God’s throne (Mercy Seat)

“Cherubim” were the fighting angelic attendants of God

This tabernacle was to also function as a reminder to the people about the need to worship God

Many of the objects inside were related to worship

We were created by God to worship Him

In fact in Revelations 7:9-12 we can see that God’s “end vision” for the world of every tribe and tongue to Himself

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After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen!

Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!

Amen.”

We sometimes forget that one of our basic duties is to worship and praise God

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This is not a once-a-week activity that we do during church services

We can worship God in public but it is likely not going to be heartfelt unless we also worship Him privately during our quite time

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Weaknesses of the earthly tabernacle system Hebrews 9:6-10.

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The priests would enter regularly into the Holy Place

God appointed the descendants of Levi (“Levites”) to work in the temple/tabernacle but not all

Only the descendants of Aaron were to function as priests

They performed their duties regularly - meaning repeatedly showing that it never ended

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Regarding the High Priests, only they were allowed to enter the Holy of Holies once a year

The Holy of Holies was severely restricted to one visit per year on the Day of Atonement

Because the High Priest was a sinner, he could not enter “without taking blood, which he offers for himself”

In Leviticus 16:2, Moses is given instructions for Aaron, “Tell your brother Aaron, that he may not come whenever he wants into the Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark or else he will die”

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The writer points out to the readers that under the Old Covenant, even Aaronic priests had limited access

Even rightly appointed priests could not approach the presence of God anytime

Verse 8, states: “By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened”

In contrast to this statement is Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace (mercy seat), that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”

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The writer is pointing out that the Old Covenant was focused on earthly sacrifices

But these were incapable of absolving man of his sins

They were not able to alleviate the guilty conscience

These earthly sacrifices merely pointed to the time of reformation - the New Covenant

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The Blood of Christ Hebrews 9:11-22

Discussion Questions

What are the good things that are to come?

What is the tabernacle made with hands?

What place did He enter?

What did He do?

What was His mission?

What did He accomplish?

For what reason is Christ the mediator of the new covenant?

What sins does this passage say Christ’s death redeemed?

What does verse 16 mean?

Why does there need to be death when a covenant is made?

What was the importance of sprinkling with blood?

What was the symbolism of it?

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The Superiority of Christ’s Blood Hebrews 9:11-14.

The blood of Christ was “sprinkled” in the real Holy of Holies (vs.

11-12a)

The earthly tent/tabernacle was simply a picture of God’s ultimate dwelling in heaven

Jesus presents His sacrifice in the very presence of God Himself

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Christ’s blood was from a perfect person (vs.12b-14)

Take a look at the contrast the writer presents

“Not by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by the means of His own blood” (v.12b)

Christ was the prefect sacrifice without blemish

He offered His blood “through the eternal Spirit”, pointing toward His divine status - He is both man and God

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What was the purpose of Christ’s blood and what does it do for us?

The Old Testament sacrifices “sanctified” people outwardly - “purification of the flesh”

But Christ’s sacrifice changes us inwardly toward new obedience