Hebrews 10: Christ Is A Better Sacrifice
Hebrews 10
Theme: Remain Confident in Christ
A) Reasons
2) Because He is a better Priest (4:14 - 10:39)
d) Priest of a better sacrifice (10:1-39)
This passage shows several reasons Christ's sacrifice is
better than that of the Levitical priests, and several ways to
apply this truth.
A) Reasons Christ's Sacrifice Is Better
1) Because it is the form (1a). Animal sacrifices were only
a shadow, or type of Christ. They pictured a sinless
substitute bearing man's guilt for sin. Christ, however, is
the form. He is the substance which casts the shadow. The
sacrifice of His own body for man's sin is the substantive
payment which the OT sacrifices pointed to.
2) Because it removes guilt (1-4). That animal sacrifices were
unable to cleanse a believers' conscience is evident from the
fact that they had to be offered repeatedly (2). Rather than
remove sin, they only reminded the believer of it (3). In
fact, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to
take away sins." (4 NAS). Since Christ's sacrifice removes
sin once for all, it cleanses the believer's conscience.
3) Because it pleases God (5-9). God said He was not pleased
with the animal sacrifices and offerings (5-6; cf. Ps.
40:6ff.). God was, however, pleased with the human body
Christ took on and offered as a sacrifice for man's sin (7-9).
1 John 2:2 and Romans 3:25 say Christ's death satisfied all
God's righteous demands against sin.
4) Because it sanctifies forever (10-18). The animal
sacrifices had to be offered again and again, but Christ's
death removes sin once and for all. This is evident from the
fact that after He rose, He ascended into heaven and sat down
at the right hand of God. Christ's sacrifice of His own body
for our sin, permanently cleanses believers of sin with regard
to their positional standing before God.
5) Because there is no other sacrifice (26-31)
The statement in verse 26 that "if we go on sinning willfully"
seems to refer to those who "throw away" their confidence in
Christ. For these, "there no longer remains a sacrifice for
sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment". This
seems to mean there is no other sacrifice, than that which
Christ has already made, which can pay for sin. To reject
this sacrifice would expose the believer to the fury of God.
As stated in previous chapters, though, this letter is written
to believers, and believers cannot loose their salvation. The
only interpretation which seems to survive cross examination
from other passages of Scripture and the context of Hebrews is
that this apostasy refers to those who were saved but departed
from their confidence in Christ to the extent that God
severely chastened them.
B) How To Show Confidence In Christ's Sacrifice
6) By drawing near to God (19-22)
Guilt made Adam shrink away from God and hide (Gen. 3:8-11)
Knowing Christ has effectively cleansed you from guilt once
for all, should give you confidence to enter God's presence
and wait for Christ's appearing.
7) By holding fast our confession (23)
God is faithful. After He saves you from the penalty of sin,
He also saves from the power of sin (including guilt) in your
daily life, and then from the very presence of sin in glory.
The believer should remain confident in Christ the High Priest
for deliverance from daily sin, in hope of final deliverance
from the presence of sin in his inheritance rest in glory (cf.
Rom. 8).
8) By provoking love in others (24-25)
The word "stimulate" (24), comes from roots which mean to be
sharp, irritate, or provoke. This word is used to describe
the "sharp" contention between Paul and Apollos (Acts 15:39).
Believers should consider how to provoke one another to love
and good deeds.
9) By assembling with other believers (25)
Simply showing up at worship meetings is a way to be
encouraged and encourage others in the faith.
10) By exhorting one another (25b)
This word means to "call to one's side". It involves speaking
to them in such a way as to comfort, instruct, and encourage
them.
11) By remembering former good works (32-34)
Hebrews 6:10 says God remembers the past good works He has
wrought in us (cf. Eph. 2:8-10). Verse 32 refers to the
Hebrews' "former days", when they endured great conflicts,
sufferings, reproaches, and tribulations for their faith in
Christ, as well as their sympathy for those who endured the
same. Remembering God's past fruit and deliverance in our
lives should also encourage us to endure in hope of Christ's
appearing (37-39).
Theme: Remain Confident in Christ
A) Reasons
2) Because He is a better Priest (4:14 - 10:39)
d) Priest of a better sacrifice (10:1-39)
This passage shows several reasons Christ's sacrifice is
better than that of the Levitical priests, and several ways to
apply this truth.
A) Reasons Christ's Sacrifice Is Better
1) Because it is the form (1a). Animal sacrifices were only
a shadow, or type of Christ. They pictured a sinless
substitute bearing man's guilt for sin. Christ, however, is
the form. He is the substance which casts the shadow. The
sacrifice of His own body for man's sin is the substantive
payment which the OT sacrifices pointed to.
2) Because it removes guilt (1-4). That animal sacrifices were
unable to cleanse a believers' conscience is evident from the
fact that they had to be offered repeatedly (2). Rather than
remove sin, they only reminded the believer of it (3). In
fact, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to
take away sins." (4 NAS). Since Christ's sacrifice removes
sin once for all, it cleanses the believer's conscience.
3) Because it pleases God (5-9). God said He was not pleased
with the animal sacrifices and offerings (5-6; cf. Ps.
40:6ff.). God was, however, pleased with the human body
Christ took on and offered as a sacrifice for man's sin (7-9).
1 John 2:2 and Romans 3:25 say Christ's death satisfied all
God's righteous demands against sin.
4) Because it sanctifies forever (10-18). The animal
sacrifices had to be offered again and again, but Christ's
death removes sin once and for all. This is evident from the
fact that after He rose, He ascended into heaven and sat down
at the right hand of God. Christ's sacrifice of His own body
for our sin, permanently cleanses believers of sin with regard
to their positional standing before God.
5) Because there is no other sacrifice (26-31)
The statement in verse 26 that "if we go on sinning willfully"
seems to refer to those who "throw away" their confidence in
Christ. For these, "there no longer remains a sacrifice for
sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment". This
seems to mean there is no other sacrifice, than that which
Christ has already made, which can pay for sin. To reject
this sacrifice would expose the believer to the fury of God.
As stated in previous chapters, though, this letter is written
to believers, and believers cannot loose their salvation. The
only interpretation which seems to survive cross examination
from other passages of Scripture and the context of Hebrews is
that this apostasy refers to those who were saved but departed
from their confidence in Christ to the extent that God
severely chastened them.
B) How To Show Confidence In Christ's Sacrifice
6) By drawing near to God (19-22)
Guilt made Adam shrink away from God and hide (Gen. 3:8-11)
Knowing Christ has effectively cleansed you from guilt once
for all, should give you confidence to enter God's presence
and wait for Christ's appearing.
7) By holding fast our confession (23)
God is faithful. After He saves you from the penalty of sin,
He also saves from the power of sin (including guilt) in your
daily life, and then from the very presence of sin in glory.
The believer should remain confident in Christ the High Priest
for deliverance from daily sin, in hope of final deliverance
from the presence of sin in his inheritance rest in glory (cf.
Rom. 8).
8) By provoking love in others (24-25)
The word "stimulate" (24), comes from roots which mean to be
sharp, irritate, or provoke. This word is used to describe
the "sharp" contention between Paul and Apollos (Acts 15:39).
Believers should consider how to provoke one another to love
and good deeds.
9) By assembling with other believers (25)
Simply showing up at worship meetings is a way to be
encouraged and encourage others in the faith.
10) By exhorting one another (25b)
This word means to "call to one's side". It involves speaking
to them in such a way as to comfort, instruct, and encourage
them.
11) By remembering former good works (32-34)
Hebrews 6:10 says God remembers the past good works He has
wrought in us (cf. Eph. 2:8-10). Verse 32 refers to the
Hebrews' "former days", when they endured great conflicts,
sufferings, reproaches, and tribulations for their faith in
Christ, as well as their sympathy for those who endured the
same. Remembering God's past fruit and deliverance in our
lives should also encourage us to endure in hope of Christ's
appearing (37-39).
--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
______________________________________________
www.faithguard.org
www.twitter.com/faithguard
www.facebook.com/faithguard
______________________________________________
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
______________________________________________
www.faithguard.org
www.twitter.com/faithguard
www.facebook.com/faithguard
______________________________________________
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