A Community of Disicples

Hebrews 10:19–25 CSB

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— 20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Introduction:

There are privileges and responsibilities that come with being followers of Jesus.

PRIVILEGE: Access to a new way of life

Hebrews 10:19–20 CSB

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— 20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)—

Sanctuary=Holy of holies (Pic). This was reserved for the priest only. He would go before Yahweh once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to burn incense and sprinkle blood of sacrificial animals on the mercy for the atonement of his sins and the sins of the people. It was in the Holy of Holies where the presence of God would be.

We don't need that any more because we have a better high priest (who didn’t sin and doesn’t need to constantly atone for our sin).

Our access is not predicated on what we have done. Instead it is predicated on what He has done. And what He has done has opened up a new life to us.

Boldness (παρρησία) =is not inner boldness but it indicates freedom. We have freedom to come before God (remember God is holy) as sinless people (though we are not). This is only because of the work of the better priest and better sacrificial system, Jesus.

APPLICATION: We ought to live as people who have boldness (freedom) in Christ.

RESPONSIBILITY

Hebrews 10:22 CSB

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.

“draw near” refers to what is real as opposed to what is only apparent. There can be no pretence of a devotion which is not true. The expression would seem to refer to the genuineness of the worshipper’s approach to God. (Honest and true worship)

Donald Guthrie, Hebrews: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 15, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1983), 215.

“full assurance” (in/en) We can have assurance. Coming in full assurance creates the environment in which the approach “drawing near” is made.

Hebrews 11:6 CSB

6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

“with our hearts sprinkled” inward cleansing

“our bodies washed in pur water” outward cleansing

Hebrews 10:23 CSB

23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.

in a wavering world we must still stand on Christian standards. Our hop for the future is the return of Christ. We must live like that is our hope.

Social Responsibility

Hebrews 10:24 CSB

24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works,

consider=concentrated thought

provoke/stir up=good agitation

We must be in tune with the needs of our fellow brothers and sisters. And this must be pursued by us. And our response or action must be genuine.

How? This is why we must.....

Hebrews 10:25 CSB

25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

church ἐπισυνᾰγωγή (episynagōgē)

RC groups

even outside of these times

Gathering is God’s idea and we must be faithful to it.