Hebrews 8-10

Hebrews 8 – Superior Covenant

The definition of a covenant is an agreement, a contract, a pact, or a treaty.  The first covenant had many regulations for the tabernacle and for worship.  Only the high priest could enter the inner room of the tabernacle once a year to offer sacrifices for the sins for himself and for the people.  These sacrifices were only a temporary fix and not able to cleanse the peoples’ consciences.    God said He would make a new covenant and put His laws in the minds and hearts of the people.  He would forgive them of their wickedness and remember their sins no more (Heb. 8:12).  This new covenant was Jesus.

The new covenant offers what the old cannot.  It offers eternal life.  Now we can go directly to God without a need for an earthly priest or mediator.  God says our sins will not be remembered.  How can God not remember our past sins?  - Because He chooses not to.  God is either the God of perfect grace or He is not God.  Grace forgets.  He who is perfect love cannot hold grudges.

How does the new covenant give you hope in your daily life?

If God has forgiven your sins, why do you still hold on to guilt?

Principle:  God’s new covenant promises believers a new life and new nature with His sufficient, sustaining grace.

Hebrews 9 – Superior Sanctuary

There were many regulations and limitations with the old covenant.  There were regulations as to worship and also an earthly sanctuary.  The tabernacle emphasized the presence of God in the midst of His people.  It was built in a particular way with an inner room called the Most Holy Place.  That was where God’s presence was.  The earthly tabernacle emphasized God’s holiness and His inaccessibility due to their sins.  No one could enter the inner room but the high priest.  He could enter only once a year and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people.  This had to be done over and over each year to cleanse their sins.  

Why was the shedding of blood necessary?  It’s the way the Sovereign God ordained it.  God cannot tolerate sin.  Without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sin.  He cannot just forgive sins because He is just.  Blood makes atonement for sin.  (Leviticus 17:11) “For the life of a creature is in the blood and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

The New Covenant is heavenly not earthly.  It is free from the ravages of time.  When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple which was the barrier between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place was supernaturally torn in two.  This symbolized the way to God was now open through the death of Christ.   Christ became the High Priest.  He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood having died on the cross for our sins.  The curtain was torn and now people have access to God.  The curtain is Jesus.  His blood cleansed our consciences and through Him we have obtained eternal redemption.  By the shedding of His blood we are set free from our sins and have the promise of eternal inheritance.  “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.” – Heb. 10:19-22.

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of the people and He will appear a second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting on Him. (Heb. 9:28).  He was our substitution.  He stood in our place.  This is the love of God.  When God sees us He doesn’t see our sins, He sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 

How do you know with certainty you are in perfect standing with God?  Romans 8:1 “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Principle:  Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of His own blood provides our access to God.

How is this truth changing your motives? 

What does it mean to you? 

Hebrews 10 – Superior Sacrifice

The Old Testament sacrifices were a shadow of things to come.  They didn’t clear the peoples’ consciences or solve the sin problem.  They were a continual reminder of sin.  Jesus is the real thing.  Everything else is a shadow or a copy.  Only Jesus gives us access to God.  It is Jesus who saves.  Christ’s sacrifice was once and for all.  We now can enter the Most Holy Place, because of the blood of Jesus our Great High Priest. 

How can you apply this confidence to your life?  

            Draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.

            Hold unswervingly to the hope you profess for He who promised is faithful.

            Consider how you may spur others toward love and good deeds.

            Don’t give up meeting together with others.

            Encourage one another all the more as you see the Day approaching.

            Do not throw away your confidence when exposed to insult and persecution.

            You need to persevere and do the will of God so you will receive what God promised.

            Don’t comprise your beliefs.

There is one sin that cannot be cleansed by Jesus’ blood.  That is the sin of rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior.  When a person rejects Christ and His cross, he will face God’s judgment and spend eternity separated from God.  He will be in eternal Hell.  (Heb. 10:30-31) “… It is mine to avenge; I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people.  It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Principle:  Jesus’ superior covenant makes forgiveness of sin permanent.

God keeps His promises.  Forgiven forever is an amazing promise.

Do you know He’s gone through extreme measures for you?

Are you using your access to God?

Join me here next week as we continue our study of Hebrews.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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