Study in Hebrews

1. Study in Hebrews Presentation 13

2. Call To PersevereUnderThe New Covenant Chap 10v1-39 Presentation 13

3. Introduction We need to be reminding ourselves as we work our way through this epistle that the Hebrew readership were being tempted to abandon Christ. They were poised to reject him as the only sufficient Saviour and to return to their former refuge by putting their trust in the Mosaic ceremonial system. This was viewed as a better alternative as a means of securing peace with God. Therefore, in the opening verses of Ch. 10 the incompetence of the old Levitical order of sacrifice is further compared with the uniquely adequate priesthood and sacrifice of Christ and this is demonstrated in four different ways: Presentation 13

4. Only Christ is Adequate 1. First by affirming the insubstantial character of the Mosaic system. The Mosaic system of sacrifice provided us with what might be described as an artist’s sketch. However, the finished work of art, the true picture can only be seen in the person and work of Christ. Or the O.T. sacrifices might be compared to a photograph: good to have in one’s possession when a loved one is absent but no adequate substitute for the company of the person themselves. The O.T. sacrifices acted like a photograph awaiting the arrival of the real thing! Presentation 13

5. Only Christ is Adequate 2. The readers attention is also drawn to the repetitive nature of the O.T. sacrifices. Clearly, if you have to repeat something it suggests that what has been done before is imperfect. Let me illustrate. Our neighbour had a major problem with his roof. A slater was called in repeatedly and each time reported, ‘You are watertight now!’ What was promised to be a ‘finished work’, clearly was not as his repeated visits demonstrated. In contrast, Jesus’ work was a finished, perfect work, a once and for all sacrifice for sin. Presentation 13

6. Only Christ is Adequate 3. Leviticalsacrifices were also repeated reminders to Israel that they were still living under the dominion of sin. Gazing on the photograph of a loved one may be a sore reminder of the fact that the one you want is not there. It may be the means of accentuating either a loss or a prolonged separation. In a similar manner the repeated sacrifices under the Old Covenant reminded Israel that sin was still a very real problem. In contrast, Jesus sacrifice not only dealt with sin’s penalty but it dealt with sin’s power and dominion. Its power hold over God’s people has been broken. Cf. Rom.6v1-14 Presentation 13

7. Only Christ is Adequate 4. Next we are reminded of the ineffectiveness of the blood of beasts. A brute beast by its very nature is unqualified to serve as a substitute for man. Clearly, it lacks both volition and rationality. An animal is not a willing sacrifice. It does not make a moral choice to lay down its life! Only a perfect man could be a perfect sacrifice for sin. And Jesus is the only sinless man who has ever lived. The value of his sacrifice is twofold. Not only was he a sinless man he was also the eternal Son of God. Presentation 13

8. Appeal To Scripture In v5-10 the writer takes the words of Ps. 40v6-8 and places them on the lips of Christ. For on the lips of Christ these words are shown to be supremely appropriate. Now look at 1 Sam. 15v22, Isa. 1v10-20, Amos 5v21ff and Mic. 6v6-8 and we see under what circumstances God saw ritual offerings as worthless and abhorrent. According to the quotation in v7 one of the things that gave Christ’s sacrifice its particular worth was its the volitional element. No one took his life from him. He laid it down of his own free will. Presentation 13

9. A Better Way I can remember speaking to someone who worked at an abattoir describing the frenzied panic of some animals who are able to sense they are about to be slaughtered. There was no volitional element there. Neither was there a volitional element on the part of the animals that were sacrificed under the levitical system. But Christ’s sacrifice superseded those of the O.T at this very point cfv8-9. A willing sacrifice. Think of the agony in Gethsemane; Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered. This volitional element is something we also must pattern our lives upon. cfRom. 12v1-2, Heb.13v16 Presentation 13

10. A Better Way In v11-14 earlier teaching is recapitulated. The work of the Levitical priesthood is never finished because both its priests and its sacrifices are marked by imperfection. Such a priesthood was ever “standing” never “seated”. Christ’s perfect sacrifice is enough for our perfection. Note in v13that although we are in the process of being changed and made holy the writer speaks of it as an already finished work. Why? Because God completes what he begins. Our present sanctification guarantees of our future perfection. In Christ we have all that we need to make us perfect. We are complete in him cf. Col. 2v9-10, Rom.8v28-30, 1Cor.1v30. Presentation 13

11. A Better Way In v15-18 the writer returns to New Covenant which was anticipated in the Old Testament and he cites Jer.31v33ffin order to establish finally the perfection of Christ’s sacrifice. The new life that is ours in Christ is not imposed from outside, for that would reduce life to conforming to external rules. Instead, the law is written inwardly in our hearts, and this is accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit to work out what he has written into our lives. This is done in the context of confident assurance that God will remember our sins “no more”! Presentation 13

12. Call To Persevere Verses 19-39 form the conclusion of the central doctrinal section of the epistle. It takes the form of exhortation, on the basis of the teaching that has been given, to press into the presence of God with boldness; to enter through the new and living way opened up as a result of the sacrificial work of Jesus. Jesus taught in anticipation of his death that, “No man comes the Father except through me” Jn. 14v6. The believer for his part must come with sincerity of heart [Ps.51v6] and with an assurance of faith [11v6]. He also reminds them that as a result of the death of Christ they have known a once for all cleansing from sin, which was given its outward expression in their baptism [v22]. Presentation 13

13. Call To Persevere There is an exhortation to perseverance in v23. Perseverance has been called the “hallmark” of a genuine profession of faith. Cf. Matt. 13v18-33. There are five things in v23-25 that should encourage the believer in perseverance. • The great Christian hope, to be held unswervingly • The faithful promises of God • A mutual exhortation towards practical Christian living. • Christian fellowship. We are not to be solitary saints but called to provide mutual encouragement. • The imminent return of the Lord Jesus. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Presentation 13

14. The Peril Of Despising The Gospel: Fourth Warning ? Verses 26-31 are notoriously difficult and must be understood in context. The readers were poised to abandon Christ as Saviour and instead return to the Leviticalsacrificial system. These verses raise a number of questions: • What particular sin has the writer has in mind? [Apostasy] • Does he mean that there is no provision for the sins of Christians? [No] cf. 10v14,19 1 Jn.1v7, 2v1ff • What is the “knowledge of the truth” he warns against rejecting? [The sufficiency of Christ] • If the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning sacrifice is rejected, why is there “no sacrifice for sins left” ? [Because Christ is the only sacrifice for sins.] Presentation 13

15. The Peril Of Despising The Gospel: Fourth Warning A rigorous misunderstanding of these verses produced a schismatic church which continued from the C3rd until the C8th - the Novatian church. It refused the readmission into the church of lapsed Christians who under torture and persecution had denied Christ. This view is not supported here. The writer argues that, under the Mosaic system, apostasy from the Old Covenant was punishable by death. And he then asks how much more culpable is the apostate under the New Covenant who says in effect, “I refuse to place any confidence in the sacrifice of Christ as the only ground of my salvation” ? Presentation 13

16. The Peril Of Despising The Gospel: Fourth Warning Such rejection amounts in the writer’s mind to the following: a. A scornful denial of the person of Christ trampling him underfoot! b. A rejection of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. c. A rejection of the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit in their life. [Mk.3v22-30] The author draws his warning to a conclusion by reminding his readers in v31that the rebellion of apostasy means the inevitability of retribution. ‘It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’ Presentation 13

17. Encouragement To Persevere The pastoral concern of the author comes into evidence again in v32-34 following his established pattern. He does not leave the issue on a note of warning but calls upon them to discover tokens of encouragement. And so he reminds them of their former behaviour under trial. These are evidences of God’s grace at work in their lives and he recognises the pastoral value of reminding them of that. People who are wavering on the threshold of the kingdom and who are tempted to throw in the towel need such encouragement. They need to be reminded of God at work in them for they invariably have lost sight of this! Presentation 13

18. Encouragement To Persevere A final exhortation to perseverance is given in v35-39. Note the development of the argument: • They have ground for confident assurance that they belong to God’s kingdom; they are to guard against discarding that which is precious. • The reward which God brings is not for starting well but for perseverance! • The immanent return of Jesus is an encouragement to persevere under trial. • The writer identifies with his readers affirming that both he and they are men of faith. The Hebrews epistle is a response to those tempted to forsake Christ. It constantly points to the mercy of God and so encourages repentance and faith. Presentation 13