Historical Posts
FOF – Jesus Christ: The Way, The Truth, and The Life – audio
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Foundations of Faith |
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· Why Should I Have Faith When Evil And Suffering Are In The World? |
Jesus Christ: The Way, The Truth, and The Life
Introduction
1. John 14:1-6
2. It is the evening before the crucifixion, and Jesus still has so much to say to His disciples. Important things!
3. Part of His discourse to the disciples is recorded in John 13-16. He is going away, but He assures them that they know where He is going and that they know the way.
a. Thomas answered Him abruptly: “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
b. Jesus said to Him in that amazing statement for the ages: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
4. Today we will investigate this amazing statement in view of appreciating its unequaled value to men and women in need of a Savior.
Body
I. Let us observe some of the implications of the statement:
A. The words of Jesus imply that all people fit into two basic groups (John 3:16; Matt.25:31-46; Matt.13:36-43; Matt.7:13-14; Matt.25:1-13; John 5:28-29).
B. The words of Jesus mean that the way to God is absolute and singular (Matt.7:13-14; Acts 4:12).
C. The words of Jesus propose that we are out of touch with God, that we need to come to God, and that we can come to God (Heb.10:20).
II. One of the messages to be derived from the words of this text is the tragedy and ruin of life without Christ!
A. Why Jesus came.
1. There are many ways the Bible describes our wayward and sinful condition before God. Here’s the way Paul said it: Ephesians 2:12. Jesus said it this way: John 15:5.
2. Being without Christ is the worse thing in the world to happen to us because of who He is. He came to be our Lord, our Counselor, our Savior, our Shepherd, and our Friend. He wants to be all of these things to you.
3. Consider three points from Jesus’ description of Himself (as our bridge to God):
B. Because Jesus is the way, without Him we are lost!
1. A lost dog, a lost car, a lost ring, a lost billfold, a lost child, a lost cause – all of these things excite and alarm us because they all have to do with things that are valuable to us.
2. Jesus came into the world because – by Heaven’s valuation – we have lost the most valuable possession we have: our souls.
3. See Matthew 16:26. This question was asked by the One who came to save the soul. He asked it in order to make us think; to remind us of the value of the soul.
4. What is the soul? It is your essence as a human being (minus your physical body). You are a spiritual being with thoughts, and memory, and personality. And God has ordained you to live forever.
5. Nothing is more valuable than your soul, and Jesus is the way to find it!
C. Because Jesus is the truth, without Him we are in error!
1. Truth is that which corresponds to reality. Sadly, truth and reality have fallen on hard times. The very idea of truth is often rejected. Sometimes people say, “You have your truth, and I have my truth!”
2. And yet, even as we deny truth, we meet it everyday.
3. You need to know: Jesus was not a speculator in the world of think-so, uncertainty, or subjectivity. Based on the reality of God, the reality of sin, and the reality that God is going to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31), Jesus came to bring us to God! We need to know this, and be sure of it, because it is true!
4. Jesus said: “And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:4). Jesus was going to the Father. Can we go to the Father also? Yes…”and the way you know.” Thomas asked: “Lord…how can we know the way?” One of the things Jesus said in reply was: “I am…the truth…”
5. Here is what this means: Jesus Christ is the source and embodiment of all that we need to know to reach Heaven (John 8:32; Col.1:3-6; Rom.6:17-18; John 8:46; Gal.3:1).
6. This is one of the most important things you need to consider when it comes to understanding and accepting the truth about something: The process depends as much on the integrity of the listener as it does the veracity of the message!
7. Jesus Christ is the truth. He can save you from error and deception. But you have to “love the truth” (2 Thess.2:10). And that requires a sincere and noble heart.
D. Because Jesus is the life, without Him we are dead (John 1:4; John 10:10; John 11:25-26).
1. Before Jesus was our Savior, He was our Creator. As our Creator, He is our source of life (“in Him we live, and move, and have our being”; Acts 17:28).
2. Jesus is the only way to reach God! When a man or woman is baptized into Christ, there is an infusion of life (so that the soul is no longer dead to God; Rom.6:5).
3. In Jesus Christ, whatever we lack, one thing is certain: We will never be short of life!
4. Do you know what it means to be a Christian? It means new life (2 Cor.5:15).
5. Live or die, come what may, Jesus is our life. And because He is our life, we count not our lives dear to ourselves (Acts 20:24). Only in Jesus Christ is there power to overcome death (and we become more than conquerors; Rom.8:37)!
6. Jesus said (after calling us to commitment): “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt.16:25)
Conclusion
1. Thomas a Kempis, commenting on John 14:6, wrote these immortal words in honor of Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living.”
2. Our absolute and inescapable dependence on Jesus Christ is affirmed! Never forget what He said: “No one comes to the Father except through Me!”
3. It was a powerful thing to say. But you have power too! You have the power to obey Him or reject Him!
4. Some are angered by the exclusivity of His words (and want nothing to do with Him)! How much better, and wiser, to consider the possibility that He is, in fact, the only way to the Father!
5. It should be to our surprise and amazement that access to God has been graciously provided at all! Who are we to place God under our judgment and reject His grace?
Content by Brian Giselbach
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FOF – The Problem of Sin – audio
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Foundations of Faith |
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· Why Should I Have Faith When Evil And Suffering Are In The World? |
The Problem of Sin
Introduction
1. “Sin” is the most horrific word in the Bible and in human experience! It is sin that imperils our souls and makes our rescue from Hell so necessary. It is sin that causes such pain in the heart of God.
2. Dr. Karl Menninger, in his book, Whatever Became Of Sin, takes preachers to task for soft-pedaling when it comes to the subject of sin, and then adds that a preacher “cannot minimize sin and maintain his proper role in our culture.” Of course, any effort to minimize sin is to minimize the very reason why Jesus came from Heaven to earth – to save us from our sins.
3. Although there is a time and place for preachers to talk about specific sins, there is also a time and place to help the church understand the larger issue of sin’s gravity.
Body
I. How is sin to be defined?
A. Let’s pursue a blended approach (academic and practical) to defining sin:
1. The primary words for sin in the original language revolve around two main concepts:
(1) To sin is to “miss the mark” (as when a player aims for a goal and misses, or when an archer shoots an arrow and it falls short of the target). And then
(2) To sin is to “transgress” (as when a player steps out of bounds on a field/court of play).
2. So the basic idea of sin is easy to grasp. Sin involves a person straying off course or failing to achieve a goal.
B. Now there are a couple of ideas that need to be understood about sin that make this both a deeply spiritual issue and a relationship issue that, if not remedied, places us in the grip of Hell itself (and deservedly so)!
1. If sin is missing the goal or straying off course, then there must be a pre-determined boundary or goal: Romans 4:15; 1 John 3:4
2. Sin is more than just external behavior; it arises from the attitudes, the motives, and the will of each human being: Matthew 15:18-19; Jeremiah 17:9
C. Adding to this: The situation is even worse because the problem of sin is universal (Romans 3:9-18, 23).
II. This raises a question that is tremendously important: Why do we sin?
A. It is my guess that the cause of sin among human beings bears a relationship to the origin of sin (which we read about in Genesis 3:1-8). Paul cited this connection in Romans 5:12-21. How were we infected by Adam’s sin?
B. Some are of the opinion (and they teach it as the truth) that all of Adam’s offspring (including you/me) become sinners by inheritance; that we are sinners by nature; that we are hopelessly and totally depraved (hence the idea of total depravity).
C. But there are a several problems with this idea. I will mention some of them briefly:
1. Paul wrote: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…” (Romans 5:12) Paul did not say: “Death spread to all men, because Adam sinned”, but “because all sinned.” My sin is what brought death into my life as a consequence of sin!
2. Paul said (Romans 5:19): “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” If righteousness comes conditionally (by way of influence) – and it does – why not unrighteousness (or sin)?
3. Paul said we are made sinners by Adam’s offense (so there’s a connection to be sure), but he never says how we are made sinners. Several scriptures (including Romans 1:18-32 and Ephesians 2:1ff) indicate that we become sinners by allowing ourselves, through varying degrees of consciousness, to fall under the influences characteristic of a sinful environment (which was introduced into the world by Adam)!
4. The impression of a sinful environment on the mind has proven to be a powerful influence (shaping our thoughts and personalities from even our earliest years).
– Still, the Bible places the onus responsibility for your sin on you: Ezekiel 18:4; James 1:12-18; 1 John 2:1.
– We have no one to blame for our sin but ourselves!
D. Some of the wrong things people believe about sin:
1. One of the ideas that people have is that all human beings are basically good (in their hearts). But consider: Matthew 18:1-5; 19:14; Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 2:24-25; Romans 7:18
2. Another idea contends that we must sin because we are human (on the basis that no one is perfect).
– One of the problems with this is that it fails to recognize the way the Bible deals with the subject of sin (which is primarily a decision of the will to transgress God’s law).
– Another problem with this idea is: If our humanity is inescapably tied to sin, then salvation from sin must include salvation from our humanity. But Jesus didn’t come to dehumanize us. Instead, He appealed to our humanity (our will; our autonomy) in order to save us Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 23:37.
E. So here’s the conclusion I believe the evidence demands: The vector of the fall (in Genesis 3) has been entirely negative! One writer said it this way: “Sin, at bottom, is as simple as it is dreadful: sin is simply telling God to “buzz off”! He claims us for Himself, and we say, “Leave me alone!”
III. What are the consequences of sin?
A. The worst and most serious consequence of our sin is our estrangement from God!
1. To be a stranger to God is to be dead to God (Ephesians 2:1).
2. Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 51:4; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 25:41
B. A second consequence of sin is our estrangement from others!
C. A third consequence of sin is our estrangement from ourselves (Hebrews 3:13; Luke 15; John 8:34). Someone said once: “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”
IV. No sermon on the subject of sin would be complete without a discussion of the remedy for overcoming sin!
A. Acts 8: Philip preached Jesus to an Ethiopian official from Isaiah 53
B. To overcome sin, a person must first recognize his/her own personal sin and personal guilt (Psalm 51; Acts 8; 1 Timothy 1:15).
C. And then steps must be taken – as directed by God – to have your sins expiated (or satisfied; or atoned for)! Jesus Christ came into the world to do this (Gal.4:3-7), and the effects of His sacrifice come to us on the basis of an obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 3:21-26)! This is the essence of the gospel! See also Mark 16:15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 John 4:19. This is the only remedy God has provided for the problem of sin.
D. Several years ago, Wendell Winkler came out with a book called Studying Sin Seriously. In this masterful book he highlighted a number of aids that we can utilize in overcoming temptation and sin! Among them:
1. We can use the Bible to help us overcome sin (Psalm 119:9; John 17:17; Psalm 119:11).
2. We can utilize prayer in overcoming temptation and sin (Ephesians 6:13-18; Matthew 6:13).
3. We can also cultivate a reverential fear of God in our desire to overcome sin (Exodus 20:20; Proverbs 3:7; 2 Corinthians 5:11).
4. Regular self-examination will help us to overcome sin (2 Corinthians 13:5). Also, be careful about who our friends are (1 Corinthians 15:33). Also, knowing that God is watching us, and that we will give an account of our lives before Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Conclusion
1. The problem with sin is that it will keep you out of Heaven. Even worse than that, you will find yourself in Hell forever.
2. Do you want to defeat the problem of sin in your life? Then adopt one simple disposition: Humility before God! See Luke 18:13.
3. Your Savior is imploring you to turn from your sin!
– Do it to avoid Hell!
– Do it to allow the Lord to make you fit, by His grace, for Heaven!
– Finally: James 4:7-10
Content by Brian Giselbach
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Job 19:23-27 I Know that My Redeemer Lives – audio
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Text: Job 19:23-27
Introduction
God allowed Satan to do anything to Job with the exception of taking his life. Everything Job had was taken away.
Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite tried to comfort him, but to no avail.
During their discourse, Job affirmed his belief that God would give everything back to him (Job 19:23-27).
Body
I. Job had a Redeemer, as do we.
A. Job had faith in God that even though what he had was taken away, God could give it back (Job 19:25; 1:21).
B. Asaph and Isaiah proclaimed that God is the Redeemer of Israel (Psalm 78:35; Isaiah 54:5).
C. The LORD is our Redeemer and Savior (Isaiah 49:26; 60:16).
D. God sent His Son to redeem…
1) …those under the law (Galatians 4:4-5).
2) …those who would later believe in Christ (Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:11-15).
II. Our Redeemer lives!
A. Job knew his Redeemer lives forever (Job 19:25).
B. Jesus was in the beginning with God and was God (John 1:1,14; 1 John 1:1-4). He is still alive today, and always will be (Revelation 1:18)! Because of Him, we may live forever (John 14:19).
C. Besides John, many others witnessed Christ after His death, burial, and resurrection including Thomas (John 20:24-29).
III. We will all see God.
A. Job knew he would see God (Job 19:26-27).
B. David wanted to see the face of God (Psalm 17:15).
C. God is love (1 John 4:8,16), and while describing love Paul said that we would “see…face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).”
1) The pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8).
2) We shall see God as He is, so we must purify ourselves (1 John 3:1-3).
3) Every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7-8; Matthew 24:30-31).
IV. We must long to see our God!
A. Job’s heart yearned within him (Job 19:27).
B. John expressed, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20)!” This was immediately after Christ said, “Surely I am coming quickly (Revelation 22:20).”
Conclusion
Job’s Redeemer lives; our Redeemer lives!
Are we ready for the return of Christ, that we may live forever with Him?
If so, we long for His return; if not, we need to become right with God. We can do so right now!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Galatians 05:05 Eagerly Awaiting Our Hope
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Text: Galatians 5:5
Introduction
1. A few questions to stimulate your thinking
a. What is your hope as a Christian?
b. How strong is that hope?
c. Can you say that you are eagerly awaiting your hope?
2. Much of the joy of being a Christian is related to our hope
a. How real that hope is to us
b. How eager we are to one day realize that hope
c. How it enables us to serve the Lord with joy and patience
3. Paul writes concerning his hope – Galatians 5:5
a. What he was waiting for
b. How he was eagerly waiting for it
4. From his words in this verse and elsewhere we can glean truths that can make a great difference in our attitude and service as Christians.
Body
I. WHAT WE ARE TO EAGERLY WAIT FOR
A. THE HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
1. The hope of justification
a. Paul had been writing about justification – Galatians 5:4
b. Justification and righteousness come from the same Greek word
c. Thus Paul is talking about the hope of being made right, not guilty of sin
2. They had no other hope of justification than by faith in the Redeemer
a. This was Paul’s hope expressed to the Philippians – Philippians 3:9
b. A hope that sustained him in his last days, his darkest hours – 2 Timothy 4:8
3. We are to have a strong desire plus expectation (the meaning of hope) regarding our standing before the Lord guiltless of sin
B. THE SAVIOR FROM HEAVEN
1. The Corinthians were eagerly waiting for the revelation of Jesus – 1 Corinthians 1:7
2. Paul also was eagerly waiting for Jesus from heaven – Philippians 3:20
3. For those who so eagerly await Him, Jesus will bring salvation – Hebrews 9:28
4. We are to eagerly await the coming of the Lord, for He will bring the righteousness (justification) we hope for!
C. THE REDEMPTION OF OUR Body
1. Paul also wrote of eagerly awaiting the redemption of our bodies – Romans 8:23
2. This pertains to the hope of the resurrection – Acts 23:6; 24:15
3. In which our mortal bodies will be raised and put on immortality – 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 48-54
4. Made possible by the coming and power of our Lord Jesus Christ! – Philippians 3:20-21
5. We are to eagerly await that glorious transformation in which our bodies as well as our souls will be redeemed by the Lord!
D. Such are the things we are to hope for and await eagerly: Our justification from sin, our Savior from heaven, our resurrection from the dead!
II. HOW WE CAN EAGERLY WAIT FOR IT
A. BY FAITH
1. This is our part
a. We are to have faith – ESV “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait…” – Galatians 5:5 ESV
b. Faith in Christ and His sacrifice, faith in His coming
2. A faith that is Bible-based
a. A strong conviction in things unseen; in particular, Jesus – Hebrews 11:1; John 3:36
b. Which comes through the Word of God-Rom 10:17;John 20:30-31
c. Which gives us hope, like a light shining in darkness – Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19
3. The eagerness with which we wait is proportional to the degree of faith we have
B. THROUGH THE SPIRIT
1. This is God’s part
a. Strengthened by the Spirit we wait for the fulfillment of the hope which righteousness by faith instead of the law insures to us.
b. Paul wrote of God helping us to abound in hope via His Spirit – Romans 15:13
2. We receive the Spirit’s aid as we:
a. Walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16
b. Set our minds on the things of the Spirit (i.e., the Word) – Romans 8:5-6
c. Ask God for strength by His Spirit (via prayer) – Ephesians 3:16,21
3. The eagerness with which we wait is proportional to the strength we receive from the Spirit
Conclusion
1. What is your hope (desire plus expectation) as a Christian? It should include
a. The hope of righteousness (justification)
b. The Savior’s revelation from heaven
c. The glorious resurrection from the dead
2. How strong is your hope? It all depends
a. Are you growing in faith (through the Word)?
b. Are you being strengthened by the Spirit (through prayer)?
3. If so, then we will eagerly await that for which we both desire and expect to see…!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Galatians 03:06-14, 26-29 Who Are the Heirs of Abraham?
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Text: Galatians 3:6-14, 26-29
Introduction
1. Abraham is a key figure in three of the world’s great religions
a. He is the ancestor of the Jews (Hebrews) through his son Isaac
b. Muslims regard him as the ancestor of the Arabs through Ishmael
c. Christians regard him as their spiritual father through Christ – Galatians 3:29
d. Such is truly consistent with the meaning of his name, “father of many” – Genesis 17:5
2. Central to the importance of Abraham are the promises God made to him
a. The land promise – Genesis 12:1, 7; 13:15-17
b. The nation promise – Genesis 12:2; 13:16; 17:6; 18:18
c. The seed promise – Genesis 12:3; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14
d. The fulfillment of these promises to Abraham is the theme of the Bible
3. The Bible reveals that God fulfilled these promises
a. The nation promise – via the descendants of Israel – Genesis 46:3
b. The land promise – in the days of Joshua and in the days of Solomon – Joshua 21:43-45; 23:14-15; 1 Kings 8:56; 2 Chronicles 9:26
c. The seed promise – with the coming of Christ – Acts 3:25-26
4. In the early church, there were evidently some who sought to limit the seed promise
a. To those who were physical descendants of Abraham
b. Or Gentile Christians who were circumcised and kept the Law – cf. Acts 15:1,5
Body
I. THOSE WHO ARE OF FAITH
A. THEY ARE THE SONS OF ABRAHAM.
1. Just as Abraham believed God – Galatians 3:6
a. Without faith, it is impossible to please God – Hebrews 11:6
b. Abraham’s faith was accounted to him for righteousness – Genesis 15:6
2. Indeed, only those of faith are sons of Abraham – Galatians 3:7
a. This is what the seed promise had reference to – Galatians 3:8
b. It is those of faith who are blessed with believing Abraham – Galatians 3:9
3. Those who have the same kind of faith as Abraham
a. To do the works of Abraham – cf. John 8:39
b. Willing to “walk in the steps of the faith” which Abraham had – Romans 4:11-12
c. I.e., to have an obedient faith like he did – Hebrews 11:8-10
B. NOT THOSE WHO ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW
1. That is, those who seek to be justified by the Law of Moses
a. As many in Israel were seeking to do – cf. Romans 9:31-32
b. They sought to establish their own righteousness – Romans 10:1-13
2. For they are under the curse of the Law – Galatians 3:10
a. The Law cursed those who did not confirm (keep) it – Deuteronomy 27:26
b. The Law also proclaimed all men to be sinners – Romans 3:10-20
3. They are not justified by the works of the Law – Galatians 3:11-12
a. As the Law itself foretold – Habakkuk 2:4
b. The Law required perfect obedience, which none could offer – Leviticus 18:5
4. It is through faith like Abraham’s that one becomes an heir of Abraham. Those who seek salvation through the works of the Law are not his true descendants. But it is more than simply faith; it is faith in the right Person.
II. THOSE WHOM CHRIST HAS REDEEMED
A. THEY ARE REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW
1. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law
a. He became a curse for us by dying on the tree – Galatians 3:13
b. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree – 1 Peter 2:24
2. Thus He offers redemption
a. From every lawless deed – Titus 2:14
b. Through His blood, providing the forgiveness of sins – Ephesians 1:7
B. THEY ARE RECIPIENTS OF THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM
1. Even Gentiles, in Christ Jesus – Galatians 3:14
a. As indicated in the promise to Abraham (“all the families of the earth”) – Genesis 12:3
b. As indicated in the promise to Abraham (“in your seed”) – Genesis 22:16; Galatians 3:16
2. They have received the promise of the Spirit – Galatians 3:14
a. The Spirit Jesus promised to those who believe- cf. John 7:37-39
b. Which Paul reminded the Galatians they had received through faith – cf. Galatians 3:2
3. The heirs of Abraham are those who have been redeemed by Christ and made recipients of the blessing promised to Abraham (which included receiving the Spirit). Closely connected to this is Paul’s point at the end of the chapter (Galatians 3:26-29), that the true heirs of Abraham are:
III. THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME SONS OF GOD
A. THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS
1. We become sons of God through faith in Christ – Galatians 3:26
a. Faith in Jesus as the Messiah – John 8:24; 6:69
b. Believing that He died for our sins – 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
c. Faith in His resurrection from the dead – Romans 10:9
2. A privilege offered to those who believe in Jesus – cf. John 1:12
a. Those who believe are given the right to become children of God
b. How their faith leads them to become children of God is explained in Galatians 3:27
B. THROUGH BAPTISM INTO CHRIST
1. We become sons of God through faith, through our baptism into Christ Galatians 3:27
a. Note carefully the conjunction “for”
b. Paul explains how they became children of God by faith in Christ
c. It was when they put Christ on in baptism
2. For in baptism one is buried with Christ, crucified with Christ, and raised to live with Him – Romans 6:3-8
a. In baptism we are united with Christ
b. In baptism we are thus “clothed” with Christ (put Him on)
Conclusion
1. Who, then, are the heirs of Abraham, heirs of the promise made regarding his seed?
a. Those who are of faith, walking in the steps of faith like Abraham did
b. Those whom Christ has redeemed, recipients of the promise of the Spirit
c. Those who have become sons of God through faith in Christ, having clothed themselves with Christ in baptism
2. The heirs of Abraham regarding the seed promise are not those
a. Who claim to be so because of their lineage through Isaac or Ishmael
b. Who seek salvation through keeping the Law of Moses
3. Rather, as aptly summarized in the words of Paul himself:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” – Galatians 3:28-29
4. Are you in Christ, having been baptized into Christ and in so doing “put on Christ”? If so, then you are blessed to be a true heir of Abraham according to the promise…!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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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
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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