Sunday Night Bible Study Hebrews 10:15-39 August 7, 1994 Hebrews 10:15-39 Intro: We are reading a letter written to Jewish believers. People who understand the intricacies of the Old Testament Law and sacrificial system. 15 [Whereof] the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin. :18 Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin. Quotes from Jer.31:33,34 Two applications here: The proof of Jesus' complete sacrifice for us. He only had to offer Himself up once for our sins. He paid for our forgiveness completely with one shot. If your sins have been forgiven, then you don't need to offer anymore sacrifices. So if Jesus has forgiven your sins, you don't need to make any other kinds of sacrifices. Sometimes we get to feeling like we owe God something to pay for the sin we've just committed. There's nothing more we can add to Jesus' sacrifice for us. Lesson: We don't need to keep punishing ourselves for something that Jesus has already paid for. All we owe Him is thanks. Are we under the New Covenant or not? Has God kept His promise or not? We don't need to: Offer up some new sacrifice of Jesus through the Mass Beat ourselves up hoping to punish ourselves for our sins. Live with continual guilt because of some past sin. 19. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And [having] an high priest over the house of God; :19 boldness to enter We're now summing up what's been written. We're talking about the analogy of the tabernacle, separated into two rooms, the holy place, and the holiest of holies. The Ark of the Covenant was what was found in the holy of holies. It represented God's throne, where God would meet with His people. But their was a veil covering the doorway into both rooms, indicating a separation between God and the people. You couldn't just go waltzing into God's presence because your sin needed to be taken care of. Your sin separated you from God. Yet Jesus has made it possible for us to come into God's presence because of blood, through the giving of His own flesh. :20 a new and living way The new and living way was Jesus giving of Himself, His flesh. It is this new way that gets us through the veil. :21 an high priest Not only do we have this way to enter into the holiest place, but we have this superb High Priest, Jesus, who is always praying for us, and keeping us right with God. Because of these great benefits, we are given three things to be sure and do. 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. :22 Let us draw near Here's the first command given: Intimacy The inference is that we are to draw near to the holiest place, into God's presence. 4334 proserchomai {pros-er'-khom-ahee} 1) to come to, approach 2) draw near to 3) to assent to Come into God's presence, into the Holy of Holies. God doesn't want us just hanging around the outside of the tabernacle, learning all about it, studying it's dimensions, studying all about the laws, the priests, etc. Sometimes we get so busy with our lives, we lose our sense of intimacy with our Father. We can even be busy with "religious" things. Talking about God, but not talking to God. God wants us inside the Holy of Holies. Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. 1448 eggizo {eng-id'-zo} 1) to bring near, to join one thing to another 2) to draw or come near to, to approach Sometimes it's hard for us to draw near to God because we are so aware of how unworthy we are of Him. Peter Luke 5:4-9 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto [their] partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: That's why we need to draw near based upon what Jesus has done for us. :22 with a true heart in full assurance of faith Some of these Hebrew believers were having second doubts about Jesus because of all the persecution they were having. Some of them had been wondering how they could ever be approaching God without all the traditional sacrifices. Look at what Jesus has done for you, believe in it and move on with it. :22 hearts sprinkled ... bodies washed I believe the writer is going back to the picture given us in the Law. Two of the things that the priest had to do before going into God's presence was to be sprinkled with blood and washed with water. Hearts sprinkled Part of the priests' ordination: Ex 29:20-21 Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put [it] upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. 21 And thou shalt take of the blood that [is] upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle [it] upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him. The sprinkling with blood is clear, it's the blood of Jesus Christ Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Bodies washed Part of the ordination, even the daily ministering: Ex 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. Some may take this as baptism. 1Pe 3:20-21 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: I think it's a little different: Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Summary: We draw near to God by having our hearts washed in the blood of Jesus, and having kept ourselves washed in God's Word. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) :23 hold fast the profession of our faith Here's the second command: Committment Don't back down on your committment to Jesus. Some of these Jews were having second thoughts. :23 he is faithful that promised God isn't about to renege on any of His promises. Some of the Hebrews were probably wondering if Jesus sacrifice was really going to cover all their sins. 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. :25 as ye see the day approaching The day referring to the Second Coming of Christ. :24 let us consider one another to provoke unto love ... Here's the third command: Fellowship. These seem to be some of the major elements of "fellowship". a) consider one another 2657 katanoeo {kat-an-o-eh'-o} 1) to perceive, remark, observe, understand 2) to consider attentively, fix one's eyes or mind upon It seems to be a part of our culture to try to avoid people. We are in the midst of a paranoid society. We don't want people to get too close. We avoid eye contact with people. We don't want to get involved. But just the opposite of our culture, we need to be keenly aware of each other, of each other's needs, even just of each others' presence. b) to provoke unto love Some translations use "stimulate", I think KJV is good here. 3948 paroxusmos {par-ox-oos-mos'} 1) an inciting, incitement 2) irritation love - agape It's kind of funny to think that we are to be "irritating" each other into love! But part of what should be happening whenever we get together, is that somehow we should be pricking each other into loving more and more. We should be coming out of church more willing to enter into agape than when we first came in. c) to provoke to good works 2570 kalos {kal-os'} 1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable 1a) beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent 1b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends 1b1) genuine, approved 1b2) precious 1b3) joined to names of men designated by their office, competent, able, such as one ought to be 1b4) praiseworthy, noble 1c) beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy 1c1) morally good, noble 1d) honourable, conferring honour 1e) affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming Wow! Here's a good question to ask yourself if you find yourself counseling with someone: Am I provoking them to love and good works? d) not forsaking the assembling of ourselve together No "Lone Ranger Christians". You aren't going to survive by going to the Colorado river every weekend in the name of "communing with God". Baloney. When we aren't around other walking, talking Christians, we run the danger of getting deceived by our own hearts. Heb 3:12-13 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. e) exhorting one another 3870 parakaleo {par-ak-al-eh'-o} 1) to call to one's side, call for, summon 2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc. 2a) to admonish, exhort 2b) to beg, entreat, beseech 2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty 2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort 2c1) to receive consolation, be comforted 2d) to encourage, strengthen 2e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging 2f) to instruct, teach This is the word used to describe the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Sometimes it carries the idea of moving a person to action, other times to strengthen, others to comfort. But it basically means to come alongside to help. Sometimes we get to thinking that this is what the pastor is for. True. But there is no mention of pastors here. This is the responsibility of each of us. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, :26 For if we sin wilfully... Here's the logical conclusion of what will happen if we don't do the three "let us'" we've just been told to do. This is a misunderstood verse (and passage). Sometimes when we read it we think that we have somehow blown it and that our sins can no longer we covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. That's how the devil wants us to misunderstand this passage. 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance [belongeth] unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. :26 no more sacrifice for sins In understanding this section, we need to keep several things in mind. This book was written to Jews who have become Christians. Before coming to Jesus, Jews were raised understanding that whenever they sinned, they were to pay for their sins through sacrifice, the giving of another life in exchange for their own. But now, after having come to Jesus, these Jewish believers have come to discover that all the Laws and sacrifices were leading up to one giant fulfillment in Jesus Christ. We've been seeing very clearly that Jesus, by one sacrifice, paid for all of our sins for all time. Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Now, as Jewish believers, these people were facing tremendous persecution in accepting Jesus as their Messiah. They were put out of their synagogues, cut off from their families, disinherited, all kinds of bad stuff. Some of them were contemplating leaving all this Jesus stuff and just going back to Judaism, where they wouldn't face any hastles. But the writer is trying to say,. after building up all this evidence through the letter that Jesus' death fulfilled, and even replaced the entire sacrificial system, that after these believers have understood about Jesus' death for their sins, they just can't go back to Judaism anymore. The Hebrew system of sacrifices isn't good for them anymore because they have understood what the whole thing was pointing to. Jesus. Now that they've understood that Jesus died in their place, covering their sins with His blood, they can't go out, sin, and then think that they can take care of it with a goat. :29 of how much sorer punishment If someone could be put to death under Moses' law, because they disregarded the law and broke it, and if Moses' law was just a shadow of the real thing, Jesus, think of the punishment facing those who will disregard the real thing. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. :36 For ye have need of patience