Week 15, Hebrews 10:1 25 Hook Main Point: Jesus is the better purifier. Current Event Do you have hand sanitizer within arm s reach? Some choose to be aggressive in the war against bacteria, others adopt a laissez-faire approach, and still others choose to remain ignorant to the presence of germs completely. Below are five comparisons. Choose the object in each pair that carries more bacteria: 1. Kitchen floor in front of sink OR floor in front of the toilet Answer: kitchen floor = 830 bacteria per sq. in. floor = 764 bacteria per sq. in. 2. Dish towel OR kitchen drain Answer: kitchen drain = 567,845 bacteria per sq. in. dish towel = 408 bacteria per sq. in. 3. Garbage bin OR kitchen faucet Answer: kitchen faucet = 13,227 bacteria per sq. in. garbage bin = 411 bacteria per sq. in. 4. Bathroom light switch OR child training potty Answer: bathroom light switch = 217 bacteria per sq. in. potty = 191 bacteria per sq. in. 5. Toy OR buttons on a microwave Answer: toy = 345 bacteria per sq. in. microwave buttons = 214 bacteria per sq. in.
Discussion Questions What is your philosophy concerning interacting with germs? When you clean your home, is bacteria management high on your priority list? Why or why not? In what ways is the believer purified in his or her Christian walk? Is purification an ongoing process?
Hebrews 10:1 25 Book Main Point: Jesus is the better purifier. Text Summary: Ineffective and repeated animal sacrifices could not perfect the sinner, but by God s will, Christ s superior sacrifice did abolishing sin once for all. Worshippers have been purified by the blood of Christ and are empowered in mind and heart to encourage one another in this new covenant reality. Hebrews 10:1 18 (Read) Sub Point: Jesus sacrifice perfects His people. The author describes how the Levitical system falls short in cleansing the believer. This is compared to what Christ accomplished in His sacrifice. The teaching on Christ s superior sacrifice culminates in this section of Scripture, summarizing the truth established in the prior chapters: the blood of Jesus has done away with the law and its tabernacle, sacrifices and priesthood. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Colossians 2:17 What the law could not do, Christ has done. In Christ, shadow gave way to substance, temporary was replaced with the eternal, the imperfect became perfect, judgment became mercy, and the law has become grace! 1 In the sacrifice of the old covenant, there is a reminder of sins every year (10:3). In the sacrifice of the new covenant, there is a reminder of grace every time we share the body and blood of Christ. 2 And (Jesus) took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:19 20, emphasis added What a contrast! The writer of Hebrews heightens the contrast by weaving another Old Testament Scripture into his message, this time from Psalm 40:6 8. He puts words, originally written by King David, into the mouth of King Jesus to make the point that sacrifices and offerings were not what God wanted; rather, He desires an obedient heart. 1 Allen, David L. (2010), In The New American Commentary: Hebrews (p. 505). Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group. 2 Allen, David L. (2010), In The New American Commentary: Hebrews (p. 495). Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group.
Jesus, the Most Obedient One, fulfilled God s will through the offering of His body. Now, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (10:10). This confession focuses our attention on the effects of Jesus sacrifice. The blood of Jesus cleansed our hearts of an evil conscience (10:22). His sacrifice put away sin, ushered in the new covenant, and sanctified believers. This is a finished work, yet sanctification is also a process of becoming who we already are (in Christ) as we discard who we thought we were along the way. Let s believe the witness of the Holy Spirit that declares the laws of God are on our hearts and in our minds, and that our sin is remembered no more. Hebrews 10:1 speaks about good things to come. What are those good things? (See also Hebrews 9:11.) Read Hebrews 10:14. What does this verse declare is finished? What is still occurring? What does that look like in your life? How does someone become who they already are (in Christ)? If Christ has made a way for sanctification, what is the role of the believer in the process? Hebrews 10:19 25 (Read) Sub Point: Because of what Jesus did, believers can draw close to God. In response to the sacrifice of Jesus, the believer is prodded to action. The new covenant is here! The obedience-from-the-heart that was expected under the old covenant, is now accomplished by God with the new. 3 Believers are washed of guilt and this inner cleansing is why we can confidently enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus (10:9). We can (because Jesus did). Hebrews 10:22 We can enter into God s presence with full faith (because the blood of Jesus cleanses us). The old covenant revealed man s sin, but the new covenant removed it. Using Old Testament language that referenced actions done to prepare priests for the presence of God (Exodus 29:1, 4, 21), the author of Hebrews says our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (10:22). We are guiltless, spotless, and our sins are remembered no more! Hebrews 10:23 3 O Brien, Peter T. (2010), In The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to the Hebrews (p. 359). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
We can confess our hope (because Jesus made a way by His death). We are hopeful because our trust is in Jesus work, not our own. Although there are times when it is necessary to confess sin (1 John 1:9), Hebrews reminds us to confess our hope our hope is Jesus and all that we are in Him. Hebrews 10:24 We can stir up one another to love (because Jesus is High Priest over the house of God). The author tells brothers and sisters to stir one another up. The command, stir up is often translated provoke. It s a strong word, somewhat confrontational, but imagine poking a campfire until dormant coals come back to flame. In the same way, believers are to stir up love and spur each other to good works by encouraging one another when meeting together (10:25). We are a family. Because of Jesus, we enter God s presence with faith; we confess our hope; and we encourage one another in love. So now, faith, hope and love abide, but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). According to verse 22, what kind of heart should we have in approaching the Lord? How do we obtain that kind of heart? In what ways does meditating on Hebrews 10:14 fulfill the admonition of Hebrews 10:23? How do we stir up one another to love and good works according to verse 25?
Week 15, Hebrews 10:1 25 Took Main Point: Jesus is the better solution to sin. Current Event At some point, a constant desire to be purified from germs can cause harm. Howie Mandel has suffered with OCD his entire life. While hosting The Howie Mandel Show, the comedian would shake countless hands. Mandel was so concerned by the bacteria that his guests carried, he constantly soaked himself with hand sanitizer and would perform a surgical scrub before and after each show. As thorough as the cleanings were, they were ineffective to eliminate the true problem: germs are everywhere. Eventually, his hands became raw and he had almost no antibodies. In that season of his life, every germ posed a real threat to his health. 4 Unlike cleaning to purify oneself from germs, Jesus cleansing work is a once-for-all activity that purifies the believer. The Christ follower s conscience is clean and because of that, he is able to draw near to God. No longer crippled by fear or guilt, the followers of Jesus are free to draw near to God, hold fast and prod one another to maturity. Lesson Conclusion Jesus achieved perfection for His people in removing their sin and remembering it no more. With a clean conscience, we are invited to enter the Holy Place of God. Since we have access to God through Christ s sacrifice, let s draw near and hold fast, encouraging one another along the way! 4 http://abcnews.go.com/2020/howie-mandel-public-obsessive-compulisve-disorder-feargerms/story?id=9153966&page=3
Challenge Let go of your guilt. The blood of Jesus abolished sin and purified your heart. Do you still feel guilty? This kind of guilt is a symptom of unbelief in the goodness of God. Make your feelings and thoughts bow to the truth: We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5 Silence every accusing thought by the Word of God, My heart is pure; my mind is Christ s; and my sins are forgotten by the goodness of God! Confess your hope. Confess by agreeing with God. Unhealthy confession is admission of your badness, but hopeful confession is declaration of trust in God s goodness!