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Hebrews 10:19-25 Putting Our Position Into Practice

Sunday, we will begin the final movement of the book of Hebrews. From 10:19 through the book’s end, the author shows us how we must live in light of the truths he has taught. Through ten chapters, the author has demonstrated from the Old Testament Scriptures that Jesus fulfills God’s covenant promises. He is the perfect High Priest and the perfect sacrifice. Jesus is the priest-king, enthroned at the Father’s right hand. Yet, this rich theological truth is not just for the Hebrew Christians to understand. Jesus’ sufficiency should inform the way we live. The writer repeatedly calls the Hebrew Christians not to turn from Christ, even in tribulation and suffering. Trusting that Jesus truly is better than all other things should draw the Hebrews closer to Christ when the world seems to be crumbling around them. To that end, the writer not only gives the reader exhortations and commands to live faithfully, but his appeals also show how we avail ourselves of the blessings God has provided to help His people persevere. Before giving these commands, Hebrews grounds our response in what Jesus has already given. We are bound to live by the writer’s commands because of the perfect salvation we have already received. 

I. Our Responsibility Flows From Our Possession (v. 19-21)

II. Our Responsibility To Draw Near (v. 22)

III. Our Responsibility To Hold Fast Our Confession (v. 23)

IV. Our Responsibility To One Another (v. 24-25)  

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Hebrews 10:11-18 Four Essential Truths Part 2

This Sunday, we will complete the final section in Hebrews’ doctrinal case for the supremacy of Jesus. Throughout the book, the author has given numerous scriptural and theological proofs that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises and the goal to which all the Old Covenant has pointed. We have also been warned several times not to turn away from Christ. In 10:1-18, the author brings the case to a close with four conclusions based on all that has come before. We examined two of them last week in verses 1-10.

I. Our Sacrifices and Offerings Can Never Take Away Sin (v. 1-4)

II. Christ’s Sacrifice Has Sanctified Us Forever (v. 5-10)

This Lord’s Day, we will finish the section with the last two essential truths.

III. Christ’s Sacrifice Perfects Those Being Sanctified (v. 11-14)

IV. Christ’s Sacrifice Is The Only Offering For Sin (v. 15-18)

As we said last week, these four truths are essential for walking in the gospel of Christ when it seems the whole world seeks to turn us away. When our own hearts tempt us to find sufficiency in our works or feel incomplete in our failures, these four truths keep us grounded in the truth. The writer has gone to great lengths to prove Jesus’ superiority and fulfillment of all things, so these concluding truths are essential for us to absorb before moving into his instruction for how we must live in light of them.

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Hebrews 10:1-10 Four Essential Truths (Part 1)

Hebrews 10:1-18 is the final section of the author’s doctrinal argument. Here, we are given the conclusion of all the arguments in the last few chapters. Beginning in Hebrews 10:19, the author will begin showing his readers how to live in light of Jesus’ sufficiency and superiority to the Old Covenant. Given all that we have examined in the book of Hebrews, the author’s conclusions in 10:1-18 won’t be new truths we haven’t heard before. Yet, the conclusions drawn in this section are vital for the Hebrew Christians (and us) to anchor themselves in the face of suffering and persecution. The same is true for us. Though we may feel that we are already familiar with these truths, they are the bedrock and foundation upon which we must stand to walk out this Christian life. The author concludes the doctrinal section of Hebrews with four vital truths.

I. Our Sacrifices & Offerings Can Never Take Away Sins (1-4)

II. Christ’s Sacrifice Has Sanctified Us Forever (5-10)

III. Christ’s Sacrifice Perfects Those Being Sanctified (11-14)

IV. Christ’s Sacrifice  Is The Only Offering For Sin (15-18)

This Sunday, we will work through the first two points (v. 1-10) and the final two next week. Let these four concluding statements (found in v. 4, v. 10, v. 14, v. 18) be the compass that continually points us to the truth when our hearts and the world draw us toward other things.

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Hebrews 9:15-28 A Mediator's Death That Redeems

we return to the book of Hebrews and continue in Chapter 9. Several weeks ago, we worked through the first 14 verses. In those sections, the writer gave us a quick tour of the Tabernacle and explained its message, saying, “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 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper” (Heb. 9:8-9). Then, in verses 11-14, the writer explained that Jesus, the better High Priest, and sacrifice did what the Old Covenant elements could not do. He has permanently cleansed our sins and consciences so that we may enter God’s presence through Him. All this culminates in a conclusion stated in verse 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” (v. 15). There is so much packed into this conclusion statement that the rest of the chapter will explain and expand on this verse. Jesus has provided the promised inheritance that the Old Covenant works and sacrifices could only point toward. The blood of Jesus cleanses in a way that no other can. The argument of Hebrews 9:15-28 is difficult to follow. Therefore, I would encourage you to read Hebrews 9:11-28 multiple times before Sunday. To help you prepare, I have provided a more detailed outline to see the flow of the argument. Ultimately, the writer shows why Jesus’ death is necessary to inaugurate and consummate the New Covenant and how Jesus fulfilled everything necessary to have an eternal relationship with God.

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John 12:12-26 The Coming Of The King

This Lord’s Day is often called Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem mounted on a donkey to the shouts and praises of Jerusalem. This final entry into Jerusalem began the last days before Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. This Sunday, we will look at what is often called “The Triumphal Entry” from John 12:12-26. If you had been in Jerusalem that day, it would have been a scene of victory and glory for Jesus. You would have assumed that Christ had finally reached the pinnacle of his ministry, and this messiah was now bringing the Kingdom promises to God’s people. You would have thought that Jesus was about to be proclaimed King and rule from Jerusalem, inaugurating God’s reign over the oppressing nations. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead, which this crowd knew (v. 17-18), and now they saw the fulfillment of prophecy as Jesus rode into the city mounted on a donkey (Zech. 9:9). Yet, no one in the crowd understood the kind of king Jesus had come to be. His disciples didn’t understand He had come to die (v. 16). Within several days, the crowds who hailed him as king cried, “Crucify Him” before Pilate, and even the Pharisees thought he had come to reign (v. 19). Everyone in this scene understood Jesus based on their own expectations rather than who He really was. Yet, before entering the city, Jesus Himself tells them how all must respond to this King. As Greeks desire to see Him, Jesus explains that He would be glorified in His death (v. 23-24) so that His people would be with Him. Then, He tells them the requirement of this King (v. 25-26). Before we come to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, we must ask if we have rightly responded to this King of kings for who He is.

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Hebrews 9:1-14 How Can We Enter The Holy Place?

By now, the continuous exposition of Hebrews may be wearing on you. The context and argument of Hebrews is a bit foreign to us as modern Western readers. This world of sacred tabernacles, altars, priests, and ceremonial rites is not part of our upbringing or customs. We are certainly not tempted to return to such practices as the first Hebrew readers were. So, what does this intricately detailed comparison and contrast of Jesus’ new covenant and the old covenant have to do with me? In our text (9:1-14), the author will tell us what the Holy Spirit teaches us through the old covenant Tabernacle. “By this (the limited access to God’s presence), the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section (the Tabernacle) is still standing” (Heb. 9:8). This has everything to do with us. The Tabernacle shows us that the way into God’s presence is closed because of His holiness and humanity’s sin. The Tabernacle kept God’s people at a distance so they would not die from His holy presence. The Tabernacle in Israel’s camp was a constant reminder that though God dwelled among them, they must keep out of that tent or die. However, this section also shows us that the Tabernacle and the Old Covenant system were never intended to be the final answer. The Old Covenant could never cleanse the conscience and allow complete access to God (v. 9-10). Then, Hebrews shows us the contrast of Jesus’ sacrifice and high priestly work that not only secures our eternal redemption but also cleanses the conscience so that now, in Christ, we enter into the full presence of God without fear. Today, you are not tempted to build a sacred tent and start sacrificing goats, but we are all tempted to forsake the way of Jesus and follow some other means to be accepted by God. Yet, just like the works of the Old Covenant, nothing other than Christ can cleanse us on the inside so that we may draw near to God.

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Hebrews 8:7-13 Better Promises of The New Covenant

As we spring into daylight savings time this Sunday, we will work our way through Hebrews 8:7-13. In the last few sections, we have spent significant time understanding and glorying in Jesus as our perfect High Priest, mediator, and intercessor. Now, the writer discusses the covenant our Priest mediates to us. We ended in verse 6 last week, which said Christ is superior to the old priests because the covenant He mediates is based on better promises. Hebrews 8:7- 13 contrasts the old and new covenants to explain those “better promises” that Jesus mediates. Most of Hebrews 8:7-13 is a direct quote from Jeremiah 31:33-34 as the prophet foretold God’s intention to establish a new and better covenant with His people. Hebrews 8 uses Jeremiah’s text to show that God Himself declared the old covenant insufficient because of the people’s sinful hearts, and He promised to remedy mankind’s “heart problem” with a new covenant. Rather than a covenant based on the efforts of God and humans, as the Mosaic covenant stipulated, God Himself would change the hearts of His people, dwell with them, and accomplish complete and perfect forgiveness. The “fault” in the old covenant (man’s sinful inability to keep the law) is overcome by the “better promises” of the new. Jesus satisfies the justice of the law and, as our High Priest and sacrifice, accomplishes what the law could not do. In Christ, God’s new covenant promises are poured out fully through Him, and the sinner’s heart is transformed as God Himself writes His law upon it by the Spirit. As the writer continues to make his case to the Hebrew Christians, it becomes increasingly clear that attempting to worship and serve God through the old covenant law is futile and foolish when better promises have been given.

I. The "fault" In The Old Covenant (v. 7-9)

II. The Better Promises Of The New Covenant (v. 10-12)

III. The Exclusive Nature Of The New Covenant (v. 13)

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Hebrews 8:1-6 We Have Such A High Priest

Hebrews 8:1-13 describes Jesus’ “more excellent” ministry as our perfect High Priest and the better covenant of which He is our mediator. This Sunday, we will examine the first six verses as the writer demonstrates that, though the Hebrew Christians no longer take part in the sacrifices and priests of the earthly temple, they still have a perfect priest, a true tabernacle, and an eternally sufficient sacrifice. As I studied the text and prayed this week in preparation, I found myself thinking, “How much more do we really need to know about Jesus as our High Priest?” Honestly, we have considered the writer’s arguments pretty deeply through chapters 5 & 7. Yet, the deeper I investigated Hebrews 8:1-6, the more convicted I became of that mindset. Jesus representing us as our High Priest and sacrifice is the gospel! I had forgotten the basic context of the book’s intent. The writer of Hebrews isn’t calling his readers to learn about Jesus’ High Priesthood. He is calling them to trust in it and stake their lives and eternity on it! The truths of Jesus’ priestly ministry in the true heavenly tabernacle are not just theological reflection to be studied, they are the heart and soul of our salvation. By intricately explaining Jesus’ superior intercession and sacrifice in the real holy of holies, the Book of Hebrews intends to spur our hearts to depend upon Jesus more, to repent of our sin more, and to worship Christ as the all-sufficient Lord of Glory. For the author, this is not a mere instructional lecture on Christ’s nature and ministry, he places Jesus’ priesthood before that we might turn more deeply to Him and hold fast to our confession without wavering. The Hebrew Christians have a Priest who reigns over all things (8:1), a true tabernacle which all the earthly temples point to (8:4-5), and an offering that saves to the uttermost presented by our perfect Priest (8:3). Though we may be coving ground we have trod before, we should not think of these truths as repetitive mundane doctrine to be learned. This is an exploration of our identity in Christ that should draw our hearts deeper into worship and dependence. Don’t just learn it – depend on it. This text doesn’t just show us that such a Priest exists. He says, "We have such a priest" (8:1).

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Hebrews 7:23-28 Able To Save To The Uttermost

For the next several chapters, Hebrews will continue to show us the purpose and result of Jesus as our perfect High Priest. Through the first 22 verses of chapter 7, the writer proved to the Hebrew Christians that Jesus’ priesthood is superior to the Levitical priests. Jesus’ priesthood is shown using the picture of Melchizedek, a mysterious priest-king from Genesis 14. Last week, we worked through Hebrews 7:1-22, which was a very complex argument proving Jesus is our perfect priest. If you haven’t listened to the sermon walking through this dense section, I encourage you to do so before Sunday because this week, we will finish chapter 7, examining the conclusion of the writer’s argument. Hebrews 7:23-28 will be much more straightforward. Because Jesus is the perfect priest who lives forever representing us eternally, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him (v. 25). Verse 25 is one of the most profound and beautiful truths in the Scripture. Jesus is able to save because He lives forever interceding for His people. Today, our priest is interceding for us by His perfect life and sacrifice. As the Hebrew Christians suffered persecution, they needed to know that their advocate still stands at the throne on their behalf. Their trial is not without purpose or hope. And because Jesus is our priest by God’s own sworn oath (v. 28) our mediator perfectly satisfies every aspect of our justification, our ongoing sanctification, and our future glorification. Jesus is superior and sufficient because only He is able to save to the uttermost.

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Hebrews 7:1-22 Jesus is A Better Priest

In Hebrews 5:1-10, the writer began teaching that Jesus is the true and perfect High Priest. He quoted Psalm 110:4, showing that God swore His Messiah would be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. However, before explaining what he meant, he stopped this line of teaching because the Hebrews were “dull of hearing” and needed to go on to maturity (5:11-6:20). Sunday, as we come to chapter 7, the author will pick up where he left off, teaching what it means that Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek. Chapter 7 is very dense and often confusing in our context because we are not steeped in the culture of Judaism. If someone says, “Jesus is a perfect priest, greater than all the Levitical priests in the Old Covenant,” we would say, “We agree! Let’s move on to something else.” Yet, the author of Hebrews spends considerable time and energy proving that Jesus is better than the Levitical priests. He does this because these Hebrew Christians facing persecution and suffering were tempted by the arguments of their fellow Jews. They were tempted by questions like, “How can Jesus be a priest at all since God’s law commands all priests be Levites?” “Why did God give a law for the priesthood if He always planned on changing the priesthood?” Although we will only preach through verse 22 Sunday, the main point of chapter 7 is found in v. 25. “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Though the depth of argument may not be necessary to convince us Jesus is our perfect High Priest, it was for the Hebrews. Likewise, we also learn how the Scriptures had always foretold and pointed to the true priesthood of Jesus Christ. We need a priest to perfectly represent us eternally before the Father – and we have one! Jesus is the “guarantor of a better covenant” (v.22).

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