Dec. 15, 2024

“LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT”

“THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST”

HEBREWS 10:1-39

The author Presents Three Benefits that explains Why The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ is Superior to the Old Covenant Sacrifices:

1.  Christ’s Sacrifice Takes Away Sin. Hebrews 10:1-10

*The Need For A Better Sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:1-4 “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”

Why were the Old Covenant sacrifices inferior? (Isaiah 1:11-15). 

The Law was only “a shadow of good things to come..” vs.1 and not the reality itself.

Animal sacrifices could never completely deal with human guilt.

Leviticus 4:20,26 “And he shall do with the bull as he did with the bull as a sin offering; thus he shall do with it. So the priest shall make atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them. 26And he shall burn all its fat on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice of the peace offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.”

So the annual Day of Atonement did not accomplish “remission of sin” but only “reminder of sin.” 

vs.3-4 “But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”

John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

*The Provision of the Better Sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:5-9 “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure. 7Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come In the volume of the book it is written of Me To do Your will, O God.’ 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.” 

It was God who provided the sacrifice and not man:

Psalm 40:6-8

“… when He came into the world…” vs.5. This quotation makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices.

The word “sacrifice” vs.5- refers to any of the animal sacrifices. “Offering” vs.5- covers the meal offerings and drink offerings.

Twice the author stated that God “had no pleasure.” vs.6, “… nor had pleasure in them” vs.8. 

No amount of sacrifices could substitute for obedience.

vs.7- Jesus came to do the Father’s will, this will is the New Covenant that has replaced the Old Covenant.

*The Effectiveness of the Better Sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:10 “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” 

Believers have been set apart “sanctified” vs.10 by the offering of Christ’s body once and for all on the cross.

John 17:9-12

2.   Christ’s Sacrifice Need Not Be Repeated. Hebrews 10:11-18

Hebrews 1:3,13 “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 13But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?”

Hebrews 8:1 “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.”

What tens of thousands of animal sacrifices could not accomplish, Jesus accomplished with one sacrifice forever! 

Hebrews 10:11-12 “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God”

“Sat down…” vs.12- refers us again to Psalm 110:1 “The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” 

Hebrews 10:13-14 “From that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” 

Believers are complete in Jesus Christ:

Colossians 2:10 “And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

We have a perfect standing before God because of the finished work of Jesus.

How do we know personally that we have this perfect standing before God?

Hebrews 10:15-18 “But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.”

The writer in vs.16-17 quoted Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 31:33-34

2 Corinthians 3:6 “Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

When a sinner trusts Jesus Christ, his sins are all forgiven, the guilt is gone, and the matter is completely settled forever.

Start here 12-1-2024

3.   Christ’s Sacrifice Open The Way To God. Hebrews 10:19-39

Encouragement: Only the death of Christ could tear that veil, and open the way into the heavenly sanctuary where God dwells.

Mark 15:38 “Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

*A Gracious Invitation- 

Hebrews 10:19-25 “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 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. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

“Let us draw near” vs.22, “let us hold fast” vs.23, “let us consider one another” vs.24- This three-fold invitation hinges on our boldness to enter the Holy of Holies.

vs.19 “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.”

This boldness rests on the finished work of Jesus Christ our Savior.

vs.20 “by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh.”

On the basis of these assurances, we have boldness to enter because we have a living High Priest and have an open invitation to enter the presence of God. 

Hebrews 4:16

Consider what is involved in this Three-Fold Invitation:

1.  “Let us draw near” vs.22- “to come to” deals with our hearts. Of course, we must prepare ourselves spiritually to fellowship with God.

1 John 1:5-2:2

2.   “Let Us Hold Fast” vs.23- “endurance, to stay” deals with our words.

Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Paul invites them to “hold fast the confession of our hope..” vs.23.

Psalm 57:7 “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise.”

3.   “Let us consider one another” vs.24-25- deals with our conduct. Fellowship with God must never become selfish.

“Provoke” vs.24-means with a view of excitement.

Three great Christian virtues are evident here: faith vs.22, hope vs.23, and love vs.24. They are the fruit of our fellowship with God in His heavenly sanctuary.

The purpose of our assembling together is for participation in worship, and fellowship with others:

Draw near in faith-toward God

Draw near in hope-for ourselves

Draw near in love-for others.

*A Solemn Exhortation. 

Danger Signal- Warning, this is the fourth of five exhortations found in Hebrews. It is written to believers and follows in sequence with the other exhortations:

Hebrews 10:26-31 “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

How does an arrogant attitude affect a believers relationship with God? “…who has trampled the Son of God underfoot…” vs.29, and insults the Holy Spirit.

What can this kind of Christian expect from God? He can expect severe discipline (Hebrews 12, 10:27-29).

The major theme in Hebrews is “God has spoken-how are you responding to His Word?”

1 Chronicles 21:13 “And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

*A Encouraging Confirmation.

Hebrews 10:32-39 “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

Lest any of his readers should misinterpret his exhortation, the author followed it with words of encouragement and confirmation.

It is here the secret of victory was their faith and patience. The author introduced the text around which Hebrews is written:

“Now the just shall live by faith…” vs.38.

The believer who lives by faith will “go on to perfection” Hebrews 6:1. But the believer who lives by sight will “draw back to perdition.” vs.39

What is perdition in this context? The Greek word is used 20 times in the New Testament and is translated by different words: “perish” Acts 8:20, “die” Acts 25:16, “destruction” Romans 9:22, and “waste” Matthew 26:8. The word can mean eternal judgment, but it need not in this instance.

The saving of the soul is the opposite of waste. To walk by faith means to obey God’s Word and live for Jesus Christ. We lose our lives for His sake- but we save them!

Matthew 16:25-27

How are you walking? By faith or by sight?