The Supreme Minister: Application Focus

[Prophecy Update]

This morning, Pastor Lonnie is going to be sharing a prophecy update. These updates are important to stir us to see that the time is drawing closer and closer to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Recap:

We have covered 10 and a half chapters so far, and today will be our 27th week studying through this incredible epistle.

So far we have tackled:

The Supreme Revelation: Hebrews 1-4:13: In these chapters we covered many important foundational topics and issues concerning our faith.

Seeing that Jesus is both greater than the prophets of old, angel, and Moses. The author’s goal is to encourage Jewish men and women believers and unbeliever to stick it our with Jesus Christ the Messiah. Realizing that we are not to neglect our great salvation. Specially when we really understand all Jesus gave for us and never giving up on us. If we are not careful to keep Christ as the main thing in our lives we run the risk of missing out on the rest that God provides for us.

The Supreme High Priest: Hebrews 4:14-7:28: The important aspects of this portion of Hebrews to remember is that Jesus is not only qualified by man’s standards to be our High Priest, but God’s standards too. He is the prefect High Priest and there will be no other to replace Him. Because His priesthood is forever, it’s eternal. We have been given access to God, through prayer and receiving so many incredible blessing being apart of His family… Why would we want to go back to the old way of living?

Introduction:

This morning we are going to recap what we have gone through these last 7 weeks. And our focus is to be reminded of the applicational conclusions we made. In this section in particular section we have finished the majority of the doctrinal teaching that we find in Hebrews. As we will see as we reread this 3rd section of Hebrews. That the climax of the epistle is brought up in chapter 8, the whole reason why this letter was written. And what precedes is more focused on application and encouragement.

Reading:

[Steven] Hebrews 8:1-5

Hebrews 8:1–5 ESV

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

[John] Hebrews 8:6-13

Hebrews 8:6–13 ESV

6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 8 For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

[Stephanie] Hebrews 9:1-14

Hebrews 9:1–14 ESV

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

[Ed] Hebrews 9:15-22

Hebrews 9:15–22 ESV

15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

[Ken] Hebrews 9:23-28

Hebrews 9:23–28 ESV

23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

[Bailey] Hebrews 10:1-18

Hebrews 10:1–18 ESV

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Christ is the High Priest [8:1-5]

Right away in verse 1 we are given the principle thought, the main idea of this epistle. Our author had to lay down a lot of foundational points, knowing that his Jewish audience were going to try and argue against him. This major principle thought is this: Jesus Christ is and will always be the supreme High Priest. Standing between God and man, the only person who can make us acceptable to God, the One who ministers both in heaven and on earth for me and you!

Jesus is seated in heaven in all glory, honor, dominion, and power! Sitting there completely sovereign, ruling and reigning with all authority!

“There is only one true God. He is infinite in his being and perfection. He is invisible, without body, parts, or passions. He is unchanging, immense, eternal, and beyond human comprehension. He is unchanging, immense, eternal, and beyond human comprehension. He is almighty, most wise, and most holy. He is completely free and absolute, working everything according to the counsel of his own unchanging and righteous will and for his own glory.He is most living, gracious, merciful, and longsuffering. He is abundant in goodness and truth, forging iniquity, transgression, and sin. He rewards those who diligently seek him. He is just and fearsome in his judgments. He hates sin and will not clear the guilty.

God is the source of all life, glory, goodness, and blessedness, in and of himself. He alone is all-sufficient in and unto himself. He does not stand in need of any of the creatures that he made, nor does he acquire any glory from them. Rather, he reveals his glory in, by, to, and on them. He alone is the fountain of all being. All things are from him, through him, and to him. He is sovereign over all things, to do by, for, and on them whatever he pleases. He sees all things, and nothing is ever hidden from him. God’s knowledge is infinite, without error, and without dependence on anything he created. For God there is no chance or uncertainty. All his purposes, works, and commands are holy. He is due whatever worship, service, and obedience he is pleased to require from angels, people, and every other creature.” –Paul David Trip (Do you Believe?)

Application: It is so easy to place our hope and assurance in created things. And that is because we have been tainted with sin. Sin has blinded us to the realities that are only found in God. Again family, there is no such thing as the “good ol’ days”

This morning we are reminded of a really simple question… Is Jesus worthy of our worship? If so, we need to be living for Him.

John 14:15 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

This is where our theology becomes practical… Because you really only believe what you obey. Let us not live a life of practical atheism.

Christ is the Minister of the New Covenant [8:6-13]

The New Covenant is one of the greatest truths we get to study, because of its massive implications for our lives. In life there are two kinds of covenant agreements:

There is an agreement where both parties set the terms and agree to them.

There is an agreement where one party sets the terms, but parties agree to them.

The latter is very similar to the new covenant. God has made a covenant with man, but He and He alone dictates the terms. And the point of this passage is that the New Covenant has been established with us, and is given to us through the death and resurrection of Christ.

The old covenant cannot save you, it can only show you that you need a Savior. Showing us that we have fallen short of the glory of God. And that salvation comes through this New Covenant made through the sacrifice of Christ.

Application: Family Jesus has given us better promises.

Hebrews 8:6 ESV

6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

These promises will se us through the most desperate and dark times. These are promises that become alive to us through the Holy Spirit. And they are promises of blessing and undeserved favor.

Christ is the Minister of the New Place of Worship [9:1-14]

Mankind’s different methods of approaching God are all inadequate, imperfect, and incomplete. The earthly temple and the priests are not able to save your mortal soul. The temple and priests are merely shadows of the reality that can only be found in the glory of Christ. As we have mentioned prior over and over again, animal sacrifices were sufficient for a temporary covering of sin. There needed to be a perfect sacrifice for eternal redemption. Which is a point that should ever cease to blow us away!

Application:That Christ’s work on the cross was complete and once for all.

Hebrews 9:14 ESV

14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

“purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

Daily study of God’s word, worship, and prayer will result in the following:

A deeper knowledge of the nature and character of God.

A clearer understanding of how God works.

An ever-deepening love for and trust in Him.

A deeper willingness and commitment to surrender your life to Him.

A deeper knowledge of yourself as sinner, sufferer, and saint.

A deeper understanding of the life you have been called to as a child of God.

A deeper more practical grasp of the truth of God’s Word.

A clearer and more practical understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A deeper awareness of the nature of sin and temptation.

More regular patterns of conviction of sin, confession, and repentance.

being better prepared for spiritual warfare and Satan’s attacks.

Becoming more and more thankful for God’s presence, power, and promises and the blessings of being loved by Him.

Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant [9:15-22]

Under the old covenant we could never relate to God, after all we have fallen short of His perfect and holy standard. This message we asked the question, “Well why would God create the law and give it to us excepting us to keep it?” We were reminded that God was not at fault here, we are. We have sinned against Him. And our sin separates us from Him. Despite our sorry state, the law is still very useful, because it exposes who we really are, sinners in need of a Savior. This Savior is the Mediator of the New Covenant meaning:

Application: no matter the problems we are facing we have a High Priest who can relate to us, and He is also our mediator, our go between looking after us. Helping us when we need Him most. Like Peter walking on water, after taking his eyes off of Jesus he began to sink… Jesus saved him and helped him. Family do not place your hope and trust in anything other than Jesus. You family with fail you, so will your friends, money, security, even theology. Place your hope in Jesus Christ!

Christ is the Mediator for Redemption (Part 1) [9:23-28]

Family, the blood of Christ will forever be our covering and our only way to be accepted by God and to be with Him in heaven for eternity.

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Because Jesus isn’t continually dying for our sins, but died once for all. There are some serious ramifications that we have to be aware of. This principle of being sacrificed once for all is why the suffering of hell but be eternal for those who reject the atoning work of Jesus.

They are in hell to pay the penalty of their sin, but as imperfect beings they are unable to make a perfect payment. A soul could be released from hell the moment its debt of sin was paid for completely. However, that day will never come. Hell is going to be unfathomably terrible because there will be separation from God, not living up to our created potential, and unending torment.

Application: If you are a believer, you have to be praying for the lost.

“Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if sinners will be damned, at least let them leap into hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees, imploring them to stop, and not madly destroy themselves. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”–Spurgeon

If you are not a believer this morning our prayer is that your eyes would be open to the glorious gospel and that you might receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. I promise you it will not be easy, but oh, is it rewarding and wonderful… Maybe wild is an accurate descriptive word.

Christ is the Mediator for Redemption (Part 2) [10:1-18]

Family, there isn’t anything in this word that can compare to what Jesus Christ has given us. There is nothing greater or more exciting. For the Jews that our author is writing too, he is trying to convince them not to turn their back on Jesus Christ the true and living God. Sticking with Jesus is the way to go. The old covenant with all of it’s animal sacrifices, and earthly priests fall so short.

The only person capable of saving your soul and helping you with the problems that arise throughout your life… Is Jesus Christ!

When it comes to Jesus you can only come to three conclusions: liar, lunatic, or Lord. Jesus is either a psychopath and a narcissist. Just a crazy person… Or He is the Son of God that came to this world to redeem us from our sin.

Gospel:

Accountability

Bad News

Good News

Response

Benediction:

Numbers 6:24–26 ESV

24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.