Hebrews 09:11-28 The Superior Sanctuary – audio

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Text: Hebrews 9:11-28

Introduction

1. In the current section of the epistle to the Hebrews, the focus is on the superiority of the New Covenant which provides:

a. Better promises – Hebrews 8:7-13

b. A better sanctuary – Hebrews 9:1-28

c. A better sacrifice – Hebrews 10:1-18

2. Three weeks ago we considered the earthly sanctuary of the Old Covenant, that tabernacle which:

a. Served as copy and shadow of the heavenly things – Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 8:5

b. Involved fleshly ordinances imposed only until the time of reformation – Hebrews 9:10

c. And was therefore limited in its ability to provide what man truly needed! – Hebrews 9:9b

3. In the second half of the ninth chapter, we are now introduced to the Heavenly Sanctuary of the New Covenant:

a. The true tabernacle in which Christ is a minister – Hebrews 8:2

b. The true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man – Hebrews 8:2

Body

I. IT IS HEAVENLY (Hebrews 9:11, Hebrews 9:24)

A. A GREATER AND MORE PERFECT TABERNACLE

1. A tabernacle not made with hands

2. A tabernacle not of this creation

3. Where then is this tabernacle? Look ahead to Hebrews 9:24

B. IN HEAVEN ITSELF

1. Christ has not entered the earthly tabernacle made with hands

2. It is into heaven itself that Christ has entered!

3. He now appears in the presence of God

4. Therefore the superior sanctuary is none other than heaven, where God dwells!

5. In this heavenly sanctuary Christ serves as High Priest of the good things to come. The good things includes the promises of Jeremiah 31:31-34, especially the one pertaining to forgiveness of sin

II. ITS MINISTRY EFFECTIVELY DEALS WITH SIN (Hebrews 9:12-15)

A. ETERNAL REDEMPTION IS PROVIDED (Hebrews 9:12)

1. Christ entered the Most Holy Place (heaven)

a. Just as the high priest entered the Most Holy Place in the earthly sanctuary

b. With these two major differences:

1) Jesus took not the blood of goats and calves, but His own blood

2) Jesus entered once for all, not once a year

2. With His blood, He obtained eternal redemption

a. This is why He does not need to offer His blood every year – Hebrews 10:10-12

b. But His redemption is eternal in another sense, as seen later in Hebrews 9:15

B. THE CONSCIENCE IS PURGED OF SIN (Hebrews 9:13-14)

1. The blood of animals was able to purify the flesh of an unclean person

2. But the blood of Christ is able to purge the conscience from dead works (i.e., sin) to serve the living God

a. The animal sacrifices could not do this – Hebrews 9:9-10; Hebrews 9:10:1-2

b. For the daily and annual sacrifices constantly reminded them of sin – Hebrews 10:3

c. Therefore Christ not only removes the legal guilt of sin, but also the inward (or emotional) guilt of sin!

C. THERE IS REDEMPTION FOR SINS UNDER THE FIRST COVENANT (Hebrews 9:15)

1. His role as Mediator of the New Covenant is not limited to those who lived after it became of force

2. His death covers not only sinners since His death, but also those who lived under the first covenant, who were called to receive the promise of eternal inheritance!

3. In providing atonement for those before and after His death, Jesus has truly obtained eternal redemption

III. ITS MINISTRY NECESSITATED A COSTLY SACRIFICE (Hebrews 9:16-22)

A. TO INITIATE A NEW TESTAMENT (Hebrews 9:16-17)

1. A testament, or will, requires the death of the one who makes it

2. It does not become of force until the testator dies

3. The New Covenant with its heavenly sanctuary is like a testament, requiring Jesus’ death for it to become of force

B. TO DEDICATE A NEW COVENANT (Hebrews 9:18-23)

1. Consider what was done with the first covenant

a. It was dedicated with the blood of calves and goats

b. Its tabernacle and furniture were purified with the sprinkling of such blood

2. Should the new covenant require any less?

a. The first covenant contained only copies of the things in the heavens

b. The heavenly things required purification by better sacrifices, Jesus’ own blood

IV. ITS MINISTRY IS FINAL AND COMPLETE (Hebrews 9:24-28)

A. CHRIST IS NOW IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US…

1. No longer is a high priest serving in a tabernacle made with hands

2. No longer is one serving in what was only a copy

3. Jesus is ministering as High Priest in that which is the true holy place!

B. HE ONLY NEEDED TO OFFER HIMSELF ONCE

1. The all-sufficiency of His sacrifice is seen that He only needed to offer Himself once

a. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often from the foundation of the world

b. Like the high priests of old, who entered the Most Holy Place each year

2. Therefore, at the end of the ages, He came to put away sin once for all!

a. The phrase end of the ages is equivalent to the last days – Hebrews 1:2

b. That final period of the world’s history – 1 Corinthians 10:11; 1 Peter 1:20

3. Just as man dies only once, so Jesus needed to be offered for sin only once

C. WHEN HE COMES AGAIN, IT WILL BE FOR SALVATION, NOT SIN

1. With His first coming, He was primarily the sin-bearer

a. He came to bear the sins of many

b. Which He did by dying on the cross for our sins – 1 Peter 2:24

2. His second coming will be apart from sin

a. To bring salvation (from the wrath of God to come – Romans 5:9)

b. To those who eagerly await for Him – 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

Conclusion

1. How is the sanctuary of the New Covenant superior?

a. By virtue of its nature: heavenly, not physical

b. By virtue of its ministry:

1) Dealing effectively with sin

2) Providing complete and final deliverance

2. Why should we be interested in the ministry of The Superior Sanctuary?

a. Because death is our appointed lot (unless Christ comes first) – Hebrews 9:27

b. And then comes the judgment – 2 Corinthians 5:10

c. The ministry of Christ prepares us for that coming judgment!

3. Are you prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Christ?

a. Preparation involves obedience, for Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him – Hebrews 5:9

b. Preparation involves allowing the blood of Christ to purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God – Hebrews 9:14

4. Through obedience to the precious gospel of Christ, we can eagerly wait for Him, knowing that for us He is coming to bring salvation and not condemnation! – 1 Thessalonians 1:10