Living In Light Of The New Covenant

Text: Hebrews 10:1-25

Introduction/Background:

· The book of Hebrews is a letter, written by an unknown author, to the Hebrew Christians.

· Oldest manuscripts do not provide an author’s name. This is a big debate which we do not have the time to dive into. Suffice it to say, “we don’t know who wrote it.”

· Its purpose is to relate the Old and New Covenants, and primarily to explain the New Covenant in light of the Old through the lens of Jesus Christ.

· Because it assumes an intimate knowledge of Old Testament Law, it may be helpful to review a few highlights. For further study and a great overview of Israel’s history and law, read the book of Deuteronomy.

I. Old “Mosaic” Covenant

A. Emphasized God’s transcendence

1. Two sets of laws: one regarding moral “sins,” one regarding ritual “cleanness.”

a) Example Sin law: “You shall not kill…commit adultery…”

b) Example Ritual law: Leviticus 11:24-26

c) This is an oversimplification of the classifications of OT Laws, for the sake of time.

2. Hebrews 9:1-10; Day of Atonement ritual

a) High Priest was the only one with direct access to God, and only once a year.

b) Any form of uncleanness or unforgiven sin resulted in his death.

B. God is still to be respected in this way.

1. Many people observe the different attitudes toward God between the Old and New Testaments and come to the wrong conclusions:

a) Different God in OT and NT

b) God was to be feared in OT and loved in NT

2. Many people exaggerate the differences and skip over verses in the OT such as Deut. 10:12-15 and verses in the NT such as John 3:36

3. But the reason for different emphasis is more complex.

a) God first taught his people to fear and respect His power, transcendence, holiness, etc. because only through understanding these aspects of God can we rightly understand what he did for us in the NT.

b) You cannot appreciate God’s love until you fully appreciate His wrath. You cannot appreciate His mercy until you appreciate his justice. You can’t appreciate His desire to have a personal relationship with you until you appreciate the fact that He does not need you for anything. You can’t appreciate the New Covenant, until you understand the Old.

c) God is still to be feared, respected, and treated as holy. And when you realize who God is, and that despite all this He chose to send His own Son to die for you so that He could reconcile you to Himself, then you’re on the right path to understanding the Letter to the Hebrews.

II. The Old Covenant was insufficient to reconcile man to God (10:1-4)

A. The Law served its purpose at the time, but it alone could not make man right in God’s eyes.

1. Perfect obedience to the Law was impossible with man

2. Thus, the Law served to expose man’s guilt before God (Romans 5:20, 7:7-12)

3. If the sacrifices—commanded by the Law—could justify man in God’s eyes, they would not have had to be continually offered.

4. The sacrificial system was a picture of the severity of sin—but it could not fully demonstrate how awful it was

a) A picture is worth a thousand words…

b) But even a picture can’t fully capture the splendor of a sunset or the majesty of the Taj Mahal.

c) The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin

5. This is why Abraham was justified by “faith,” and not by works

a) Romans 3:20, Romans 4:1-3, Hebrews 11

b) It was impossible for him to be justified through sacrifices; even those under the Old Covenant understood that more than ritual obedience to the Law was required for salvation.

B. Under the Old Covenant, sins were passed over

1. Romans 3:25

2. Sins in the OT were put on credit through the sacrificial system

3. They weren’t paid for until Christ came and paid off the debt, past, present, and future.

C. Under the Old Covenant, man could not stand in God’s presence

1. Varying levels of nearness to God were based on one’s cleanness.

2. The world à 12 tribes of Israel à Levites à Priests à High Priest

3. Exodus 19:21-22, 33:18-23

4. Israelites had to obtain forgiveness for sins through the priest and sacrifices

5. The average Israelite never experienced the presence of God in his life

III. Jesus Christ inaugurated a New, better covenant through His blood

A. Holy Spirit provides strength to obey (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

B. Sins, past, present, and future, are forgiven through Christ (10:12)

C. Man is reconciled to God

D. Man has access to God’s throne (10:19)

IV. Application: How should this knowledge affect the way we live?

A. Don’t revert to the Old Covenant ways!

1. You don’t need an earthly priest to access God’s throne for forgiveness.

a) We shouldn’t devalue intercessory prayer (James 5:13-16)

b) But anyone who says that the intercession of an earthly priest is necessary to obtain forgiveness for sins has distorted the clear teaching of scripture. Intercessory prayer is effectual, but is not a prerequisite to forgiveness.

c) We can “have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…” (Heb 10:19)

d) Through Jesus’ sacrifice we can approach God! No more standing at the bottom of the mountain. No more ritual cleansing ceremonies. No more priest, except the one High Priest Jesus Christ.

2. You don’t bring a sacrifice to obtain forgiveness (Heb 10:8-14)

a) The sacrifice has already been made, your forgiveness has already been purchased.

b) Even under the Old Covenant, sacrifices were null and void if not accompanied by genuine heartfelt sacrifice. Ps 51:16-17

c) Again, “sacrifices” (of money, fasting, etc.) may be used as evidences of contrition, but should never be misconstrued to be requisites for forgiveness.

B. “Let us draw near to God…” (10:22)

1. We can be motivated out of love, instead of solely by fear

2. We GET to:

a) Read our Bible

b) Pray

c) Be a part of furthering God’s plan

C. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess…” (10:23)

1. God’s past faithfulness ought to strongly reassure us of His future faithfulness.

2. Examine the OT; when God made a promise, whether for judgment or mercy, He kept it.

3. The very fact that God sent His Son to pay the penalty of our sins is a twofold witness to His faithfulness: 1) He was thereby faithful to his just nature, 2) He was faithful to His plan of reconciliation

D. “Let us consider how we might stir one another to love and good deeds.” (10:24)

1. How often do we “consider” (ponder, meditate, scheme) how we can “stir one another to love and good deeds?”

2. Homework assignment: This week, pick a member of this congregation, and ponder how you might encourage them in their walk with God, to grow deeper and to live better.

a) Try a simple letter, note, or phone call

b) Take the time to have an actual conversation with them

c) Ask them how they’re doing in their Christian walk, how you can pray for them, etc.

d) What might our church look like if we did this?

E. “Let us not give up meeting together…but let us encourage one another…” (10:25)

1. Christianity is not a solo religion

a) Nowadays, many people will say, “Oh, I believe in God—I’m a Christian. But I just don’t see the point in going to church.”

(1) The idea of a Christian living outside of the regular fellowship and discipline of a local assembly of believers would have been utterly unintelligible to the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews.

(2) A “Solo Christian” is an oxymoron

b) Christians are to be a part of a church where they:

(1) Are encouraged by other believers—support during difficult times of life, biblical teaching, etc.

(2) Encourage other believers—“it’s more blessed to give than to receive”

(3) Subject themselves to the discipline and authority of other believers

(a) Some people don’t like this notion of authority/submission and church discipline

(b) But, if we are saved, we should earnestly desire this accountability and discipline which keeps us from straying too far.

2. We ought to be dedicated to the types of church meetings that provide an atmosphere for encouragement: small group Bible studies, prayer meetings, visitations, etc.

a) Knowing what Christ has done for us ought to make us desire to meet together!

b) The OT Jews never had access to God, and we can experience His presence every time we meet together! Why don’t we desire that?

c) Normal, healthy Christian living is meeting together on a regular basis for prayer, Bible study, and fellowship

d) If when I am considering which church functions to attend, I ask myself “Am I really necessary?” then I’ve missed the point. The right question to ask is “How can I encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ?” You start by being present.

3. Let us not give up meeting together because:

a) God commands us thus, and He is a holy and transcendent God who is to be feared and respected.

b) This same transcendent God provided a way for us to be restored into fellowship with Him once again.

c) Through Christ we obtain forgiveness of our sins and are made righteous in His sight

d) We have a great High Priest who daily intercedes for us

e) We have access to the very throne of God

f) When we meet, God’s presence is here with us

g) Through our meetings you will be blessed

h) You have a unique spiritual gift that will bless others

i) We need each other

j) A day may come when such meetings will occur only at the risk of our lives