Obedience, For The Perfect Sacrifice

INTRODUCTION

There is a story of an English village whose chapel had an arch on which was written: “We Preach Christ Crucified.” For years godly men preached there and they presented a crucified Savior as the only means of salvation. But as the generation of godly preachers passed, a generation arose that considered the cross and its message antiquated and repulsive. They began to preach salvation by Christ’s example rather than by His blood. They did not see the necessity of His sacrifice. After a while, ivy crept up the side of the arch and covered the word “Crucified,” and only “We Preach Christ” was visible. Then the church decided that its message need not even be confined to Christ and the Bible. So the preachers began to give discourses on social issues, politics, philosophy, moral rearmament, and whatever else happened to spark interest. The ivy on the arch continued to grow until it covered the third word. Then it simply read, “We Preach.”

The sad reality is that this story seems to be true of many so-called “churches” today. The message of the cross of Christ is no longer front and center in the preaching. People get up in front of crowds and diatribe about social justice issues and other politically motivated topics. Sometimes they simply address the congregation as a motivational speaker, rather than a handler of sacred truth.

The reality is that there is nothing greater that needs to be preached than Christ crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The Apostle Paul makes abundantly clear that his purpose in going to Corinth was not to impress them with his wisdom or wow them with his delivery. Instead, he alludes to the fact that he was weak and trembling in his presentation…but he faithfully preached Christ crucified.

Now, as we get into Hebrews 10, the focus is solely on Christ crucified.

It is the crux of our faith. Without Jesus dying for the sins of the world, there is no reason for us to believe in Him. Let’s dive into the text and see where it takes us.

THE OLD COVENANT WAS DEPENDENT ON SACRIFICE (v. 1-4)

Read Hebrews 10:1

Under the Old Covenant, the priests were busy all day long, from dawn to sunset, slaughtering and sacrificing animals. It is estimated that at Passover as many as three hundred thousand lambs would be slain within a week. But no matter how many sacrifices were made, they were ineffective.

Read Hebrews 10:2 - If it worked, it would have ceased

The animal sacrifices could cover, but never remove, sin. Yet removal of sin is what men need. Sin and guilt eat away at us. But the old system could not remove sin or guilt.

What was the purpose of the sacrifices that had to be made over and over again?

Read Hebrews 10:3-4 - they provided a reminder of sins

It was a burdensome reminder to the people that the sin was only covered until the next sin took place.

And when the next sin took place, it needed to be atoned for.

John MacArthur - example

Suppose you get sick and the doctor gives you a prescription. You get it filled and start taking the medicine. If it works, every time you look at the bottle you are happy and are reminded that you are cured, that the sickness is gone. But if it does not work, every time you look at the bottle it reminds you that the medicine is ineffective and that you are still sick. It may sometimes give relief from the symptoms, but it does nothing to cure the disease. A person who must take a medicine to stay alive cannot be said to be cured.

This was the sad reality of those who were under the Law. They could not break free from it. They could not satisfy the payment for sin.

It is a wonderful blessing for Christians to know that we are free from guilt. We recognize that our sins are continually being forgiven by the grace of God through the death of Christ.

Romans 8:1 NASB95

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

THE NEW COVENANT WAS DEPENDENT ON OBEDIENCE (v. 5-9)

Read Hebrews 10:5-7

Old covenant sacrifices and offerings could not ultimately bring the forgiveness of sins. Even worse, for many who made the offerings, the sacrifices represented nothing more than mere religious ritual. Those people no longer offered up sacrifices in faith and obedience. They were just going through the motions.

Isaiah 1:11-15

The Israelites were so committed to their routine, that they still carried out their rituals, even though their hearts were far from God.

The Father did not ask his Son to offer sacrifices. He prepared a body for him and asked him to be the sacrifice.

In doing so, the Father was asking the Son for obedience.

Read Hebrews 10:8-9 - Obedience Is More Important Than Sacrifice

Example of King Saul and the Amalekites

1 Samuel 15:17-23

Psalm 51:16–17 ESV

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Micah 6:8 ESV

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

THE OBEDIENCE OF JESUS LED TO THE FINAL SACRIFICE (v. 10-18)

Read Hebrews 10:10

The new sacrifice is effective because it sanctifies the believer, makes him holy.

The old system had no way of making a man holy.

One act, in one moment, provided permanent sanctification for everyone who places his trust in Jesus Christ

On the cross, He sanctified us, set us apart unto Himself, forever holy and dear to Himself and to the Father.

Read Hebrews 10:11-13

The Old Testament priest continually stands, offering sacrifices all the time.

Jesus, having offered Himself once for all, has taken His seat next to the Father, having completed His work.

Philippians 2:5-11

God did not exalt Jesus because He died on the cross. He was exalted because of His humility and obedience.

It was the obedience of Jesus that led to His dying on the cross. It was the obedience of Jesus that led to our sins being forgiven.

Read Hebrews 10:14-18

God has written his law within us and will no longer remember our sins and lawless acts. The old covenant had provided for an annual remembrance of sin (v. 3). The new covenant promised no more remembrance of sin.

Thomas Lea (commentary on Hebrews)

Anyone who wants forgiveness of sin can find access by placing a repentant faith in the completed work of Christ. Christ’s sacrifice was God’s final answer to the universal problem of human sin. God has no need to speak a word beyond Jesus.

CONCLUSION

Christ’s sacrifice is permanent. It makes forgiveness possible. It gives access to God. It produces people who can endure in righteous living and in love for one another. It develops followers who can face and overcome persecution. Receiving Christ’s sacrifice is so important that anyone rejecting it will find no other means of paying for sins.