July 24, 2016
Morning Service

The Book of Hebrews was written as an explanation of why the old covenant had to be done away with to make room for the new.  That was God’s plan from the very beginning.  He wanted us to be able to understand what grace and mercy were really all about.  The old covenant, or Law, brought with it an understanding of sin.  It also painted an awesome picture of the holiness of God for us.  The struggle then was to follow the Law to perfection to free ourselves from that sin and draw nearer to God.  It is our sin that separates us from God.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, from hearing.

Hebrews 10:1  For the Law which has a shadow of good things to come, not the very image of the things, appearing year by year with the same sacrifices, which they offer continually, they are never able to perfect those drawing near.

·         The Law pointed to the work and person of Christ while trying to imitate it (shadow).  In a sense, the Law would be like a picture of Christ and the New Covenant introduced us to Him in the flesh.

·         Here the writer again points out the fact that sin was never truly forgiven because the same sacrifices had to be made year after year.  We can compare that to in a way to our property taxes; they are never paid in full because as soon as you pay them they begin to build again for next year.  We are never free of them as were those under the Law never free from their sin.  This was a reminder every year.

 

Hebrews 10:2-4 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because the worshipers, when they had been once for all purged, would have had no more conscience of sin.  (3)  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again of sins every year.  (4)  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

·         These sacrifices were just a shadow of the real one.  It was more of a ritual cleansing that rolled their sins forward until Jesus came and offered the true and perfect sacrifice.

 

Hebrews 10:6-10 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have had no pleasure.  (7) Then I said, Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God."  (8)  Above, when He said, "Sacrifice and offering, and burnt offerings and offering for sin You did not desire, neither did You have pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the Law), (9) then He said, "Lo, I come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first so that He may establish the second.  (10)  By this will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

·         This is a quotation from chapter 40 of the Book of Psalms.  It has been God’s plan from the beginning of time that through the body and blood of Jesus Christ the Law would be fulfilled.  Jesus said this right after the Beatitudes Sermon on the Mount:

 

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill.

·         He has fulfilled the old covenant to establish the new one.  By this we are sanctified (set apart for God’s special use).  Jesus knew this was His purpose as He prayed this in the garden:

 

John 17:19 And I sanctify Myself for their sakes, so that they also might be sanctified in truth.

·         It is through Jesus that our sanctification comes, not our works of following the Law.  Isn’t that a relief knowing He has done the work for us?

 

Hebrews 10:11-14  And indeed every priest stands daily ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  (12)  But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right of God,  (13)  from then on waiting until His enemies are made His footstool.  (14)  For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.

·         The animal sacrifices had to be made year after year but Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself fulfilled the Law’s demand once and forever.  On the cross Jesus mouthed the words “It is finished,” salvation’s work is done and it is signified by Jesus sitting down at the right hand of God.  By this one perfect offering salvation has been paid for in full forever.  The price of sin has been paid in full.

·         The old covenant has been fulfilled and the new one is now in full authority.

 

Hebrews 10:15-18 The Holy Spirit also is a witness 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)  also He adds, "their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more."  (18)  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

·         We are now free from the burden of the Law.  We are not bound to follow the rituals that led to cleansing us from sin.  The Roman letter states this:

 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

·         We no longer have to “earn” our forgiveness, it is a free gift.  The pressure has been lifted from us as our sin no longer has any power over us.  We no longer HAVE to obey we WANT to.  His laws are written in our hearts and our minds and we are free to be willing followers of Christ (Christians).

·         The old covenant kept us as slaves to a task fearing failure. The new one makes us children seeking to please our Heavenly Father because we love Him.

·         John summarizes this point very well:

 

 1 John 4:15-19

 

Lord thank you for loving us and giving Yourself for our sins.