Hebrews 9:1-14 (manuscript)

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Conscience:

After considering all these passages, here is our attempt to define the conscience: The conscience is your consciousness of what you believe is right and wrong . 6 Consciousness [Naselli, Andrew David,Crowley, J. D.. Conscience: What It Is, How to Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ (p. 42). Crossway. Kindle Edition.]

Redemption:

Christ’s saving work viewed as an act of “buying back” sinners out of their bondage to sin and to Satan through the payment of a ransom (though the analogy should not be pressed to specify anyone to whom a ransom was paid). (27C.2.d. (4)) Grudem

What’s the goal of this sermon? (Hebrews 10:22, 7:25)

To help people believe that enduring in the Christian life is directly connected to drawing near to God on the basis of Christ’s eternal redemption secured by his blood.

Hebrews 10:22 KJV 1900

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.

Hebrews 7:25 KJV 1900

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Illustration: Esther 4:10-5:2.

Why is this goal needed?

We take for granted the weight, upon our conscience, of God’s holy presence.

We turn off our conscience when it may not please our flesh.

We’ve underestimated the value of Jesus’ redemption.

We are tired and looking for superficial answers that never work.

Big Idea:

Draw near to God on the basis of Jesus’ eternal redemption secured by his blood.

[The drive to endure is directly proportional to why you draw near to God. We must be increasingly secure in our relationship with God if we will endure to the end.]

Preview:

(1) What is my need for redemption (9:1-5)

(2) What is the nature of the redemption I need (9:6-10)

(3) How as this redemption secured and what does it do? (9:11-14)

(4) What must I believe and do because of this redemption secured?

Body:

(1) What is my need for redemption? (Hebrews 9:1-5)

Hebrews 9:1–5 KJV 1900

1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

The structure of this place points to my need. (expl. the structure)

The structure of this place included artifacts that point to requirements/duties. They constantly show the required submission. No self-autonomy.

The sanctity of this place points to my need.

(v. 1, 2, 3) The same word is used three times to point to the sanctity of this place. This kind of sanctity makes you more aware of God’s holiness and our unholiness.

The supremacy of this presence (v. 4-5) points to my need.

As if the artifacts were not enough, there is a physical structure to shadow over the place of God’s presence.

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Bible Doctrine 9. Holiness

The most holy place, where the ark of the covenant was kept, was the place most separated from evil and sin and most fully devoted to God’s service.

Answer/Meaning:

My need for redemption is because God is so holy and I am not — the need is to be set free from slavery to my unholiness.

Without meeting his demands, I have no option but to accept the judgment that He knows I deserve because I fall short of His glory. We don’t get to bargain with Him because unless the bargaining means me being made perfect, it falls short.

Illustration: American Idol, Seacrest interviews before an individual enters before the judges to seek their favor. They needed to be set free from their usual way of life, and their freedom was based on the judgment of the judges.

Application:

God’s tokens of his holiness are also tokens of his goodness.

The fact that He provided this things shows that He wants to know you and be known by you.

How else should you consider the factors of your life that have brought you to this day, this moment in history.

Have you taken time to consider,

“Why is there anything rather than nothing at all?”

“What message do you sense as you consider these things?”

Transition:

The presence of God is what we need most, but the presence of God is what we deserve least.

In fact, the presence of God is His Person, and for His Person to be in contact with us means certain and immediate death. How then can it be attained, and thus become a source of endurance for all of eternity?

(2) What is the nature of the redemption I need? (Hebrews 9:6-10)

Hebrews 9:6–10 KJV 1900

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

What the continual work shows us: (v. 6-7)

The nature of what we need: What I need cannot be fixed by another sinner sacrificing continually.

The work of the priests continually shows the nature of the redemption I need by contrast.

The work of the high priest annually shows the nature of the redemption I need by contrast.

What the Holy Ghost shows us (v. 8-10)

The first section = “You can’t go into the presence of God!” (v. 8)

The “conscience” is not the Holy Ghost, but it is a gift: (v. 9-10)

That makes us aware of our shortcomings...

In particular unintended sin

That makes us try to be made right...

Answer/Meaning: The nature of the redemption that I need is one that can eternally set me free from my own attempts to cover up, that which I am aware of, is missing.

Illustration: Adam & Eve or Luke 5:4-8 (Peter).

Application:

Recognize that the nature of what you and I need cannot be corrected by our activities.

The presence of God is what we need most, but the presence of God activates our conscience to make us realize that we are missing something that needs to be fixed, and the problem is too deep to be fixed by anything less than God Himself.

Transition:

Our need is to be delivered from slavery to my unholiness and the nature of the deliverance that I need is an eternal deliverance from my attempts to continually cover up.

(3) How was this redemption secured and what does it do? (Hebrews 9:11-14)

Hebrews 9:11–14 KJV 1900

Illustration: Argument from the lesser to the greater; Roger McMonigle’s beans - “There’s more where that came from...”

This redemption was secured by a better high priest of a better place, with better blood sacrifice, and a completed better work. (v. 11-12)

Owen: "I shall take the boldness, therefore, to say, whoever be offended at it, that if we lose the ancient doctrine of justification through faith in the blood of Christ, and the imputation of his righteousness unto us, public profession of religion will quickly issue in Popery or Atheism" [Beeke, A Puritan Theology, Ch. 31 - opening page)

This redemption does the impossible — sets me free from me. (v. 13-14).

This is what the puritans referred to as a “sensible cleansing - to make the soul conscious that it is washed clean, and forgiven of all its trespasses, and has a right to eternal life.” [Beeke, Ibid, p. 361]

No other religion like biblical Christianity.

Naselli & Crowley, “We know of no other religion that freely offers such a comprehensive and eternal cleansing at the deepest level of conscience. ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ Jesus pronounced (Matthew 9:2).

Illustration: I can’t go there looking like that. I need to change.

“We live at a special time in the history of redemption. God’s people can now have a clear conscience because Jesus inaugurated the new covenant through his life, death, and resurrection. In former times, God’s people under the old covenant had guilty consciences that hindered how they approached God. The gifts and sacrifices that God’s people offered could not perfect or clear the conscience of the worshiper (Heb. 9:9). But now we can confidently approach God on the basis of Jesus’s definitive conscience-cleansing work on the cross. Now we can have a “clear conscience” (Heb. 13:18). 4 [Naselli, Andrew David,Crowley, J. D.. Conscience: What It Is, How to Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ (p. 51). Crossway. Kindle Edition.]

Answer/Meaning: This redemption, secured by the blood of Christ, cleanses our consciences so that we may boldly draw near to God.

Illustration: The Samaritan Woman. Jesus did NOT overlook the sin; He paid for the sin.

App:

We are about to enter the summer, and we must not depend upon our summer vacations to do for us what only Jesus can do.

Don’t be a slave to physical rest. Be a slave to Jesus.

Don’t be a slave to seeking your own satisfaction. Be a slave to Jesus as your satisfaction.

Your clear conscience does not begin with you. Your clear conscience begins with Jesus Christ.

(4) What must I believe and do because of this redemption secured?

You must believe in a standard of holiness/sacredness.

You will never appreciate the forgiveness of sin, unless you first recognize the sin.

Do you believe in any kind of sacredness, moral cleanliness, right, purity, character purity? If so, what is the standard by which that is measured?

You must be compelled towards holiness by the blood of Christ.

The value of the blood of Christ should compel us towards holiness.

"Christ’s bloody satisfaction should make us deeply mourn over our sin that nailed Him to the cross.” - Beeke, A Puritan Theology, p. 369.

You must meditate on the blood.

Charnock concluded that when we do not meditate on Christ’s substitionary blood, we are prone to continue in sin, as if Christ died to give us a license for sin rather than to destroy sin. On the other hand, daily regarding His blood will stifle the worldliness and ungodliness that harasses our souls. [Beeke, p. 366-67]

You must decide the kind of worshipper that you will be.

Will you be the worshipper who is always doing because you are trying to make up for what is missing, or will you be the worshipper whose conscience has been cleansed to draw near to God with full assurance.

You must be washed in the blood!

You must draw nigh to God, on the merit of Jesus, and He will cause you to endure.

How do you know if you are drawing near to God?

We most readily encounter the presence of God through the Holy Spirit of God, through the Word of God, through the people of God, through the ordinances among the people of God…etc.

Drawing nigh to God is a term of closeness.

Drawing nigh to God is a phrase of worship.

Drawing nigh to God means experiencing the fullness of His person by a faith-filled heart of worship.

Drawing nigh to God is when our spiritual disciplines lead us to the experience of God’s presence.

Drawing nigh to God is the heart of a believer who is worshipping day-by-day by faith in the eternal redemption of Jesus Christ.

Drawing near to God is the secret of persevering for God, but you can only draw near because Jesus has won for you the favor of God.

Answer/Meaning: I must believe that the only way to persevere is to draw near by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

The Redemption that my conscience needed is the one provided by the perfect High Priest, whereby he paid with his blood so that I could be set free and empowered to persevere in this life.

Possible scripture readings:

Exodus 24:1-8

Leviticus 17:1-11

Ephesians 1:3-11

Possible Hymns:

“Once for All” by PP Bliss (if we don’t know this one, may be a good one to add in the future)

“Nothing but the Blood”

“The Church’s One Foundation”

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

“Alas and did my Savior Bleed”

“Lead Me to Calvary”

Possible Quotations:

But they were not sprinkled with “scarlet wool,” nor yet “with hyssop.” Why was this? Because the cleansing was not bodily but spiritual, and the blood was spiritual. How? It flowed not from the body of irrational animals, but from the Body prepared by the Spirit. With this blood not Moses but Christ sprinkled us, through the word which was spoken; “This is the blood of the New Testament, for the remission of sins.” This word, instead of hyssop, having been dipped in the blood, sprinkles all. And there indeed the body was cleansed outwardly, for the purifying was bodily; but here, since the purifying is spiritual, it entereth into the soul, and cleanseth it, not being simply sprinkled over, but gushing forth in our souls. The initiated understand what is said. And in their case indeed one sprinkled just the surface; but he who was sprinkled washed it off again; for surely he did not go about continually stained with blood. But in the case of the soul it is not so, but the blood is mixed with its very substance, making it vigorous and pure, and leading it to the very unapproachable beauty.

- John Chrysostom. (1889). Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on the Epistle to the Hebrews. In P. Schaff (Ed.), & T. Keble & F. Gardiner (Trans.), Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and Epistle to the Hebrews (Vol. 14, p. 444). Christian Literature Company.

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