The Letter to the Hebrews Message Twenty Three
We have learned from the Lord as He led the Apostle Paul to write of the –

II. Exaltation of Christ 1:4 – 10:18 That Jesus is –

A. Superior to the prophets. 1:1-3
B. Superior to the Angels. 1:4-2:18
C. Superior in Administration. 3:1-4:13 (Moses the Example) and that –

D. Christ Superior in Mediation. 4:14 – 10:18 (Aaron and Melchizadec)

1. Because of His qualifications. 4:14-7:25
2. Because of His exaltation. . 7:26 – 8:5 and –
3. Because of His ministration. 8:6-10:18

a. Performed through a better service. 9:1-22

The service which we –

1). Considered. 9:1-7 The Shadow of the True Tabernacle.

(1). The Sanctuary. 9:2-5 The place where God put His name on earth to dwell among His people. Patterned after his home in Heaven.

Today we will see His ministry –

2). Compared. 9:8-14

He taught, by the Tabernacle, that a better service was –

a). Needed. 9:8-10 The Tabernacle on earth was a figure of what was needed, Perfection!

Hebrews 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

b). Provided. 9:11-14 His entrance was – Acceptable and eternal

Hebrews 9:11-14 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 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?

3). Confirmed – by His death 9:15-22

a). Resulted in – 9:15 Redemption. “…eternal inheritance.”

His death was Required. Without death, the promise could not be –

(1). Accepted. 9:16,17 or –
(2). Executed. 9:22 “…and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

b. Accomplished by a better sacrifice. 9:23-10:18

We rejoice in His sacrifice because His death, burial, and resurrection resulted in

1). His presence in Heaven. 9:23,24

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

2). His power over sin. “…to put away sin…” 9:25,26
3). His perfect offering. 9:27,28 Never needs to be (nor can be) repeated.

Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

And we note that the plan of God was being executed in accordance to –

4). His prophetic fulfillment. 10:1-18

The readers of this letter are taught that –

a) The Law –

(1). Was of limited value. 10:1-6

Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

And therefore it –

(2). Was set aside. 10:7-10

Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

b) The Lord 10:11-17

(1). Satisfied the will of God.

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
(2). Sealed the New Covenant.

Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Paul has set forth Jesus of Nazareth, both Lord and Christ, is greater than the Prophets, greater than the Angels, greater than the Law, greater than all.

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Founded on this truth of God, the Lord led Paul to turn to an –

III. Exhortation to believers 10:18—13:17 He began with an –

A. Exhortation to Faithfulness. 10:18-39 Pay careful attention!

1. Severity. A Word of Warning. 10:19-25

Paul reminded them of the blessing of salvation, and also the responsibility and accountability that came with the blessing. He wrote of the –

a. Permission we have to come into the presence of God. 10:19,20

“Having therefore…boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.”

b. Purpose. ‘worship’ 10:21 “…with our high priest…”

c. Preparation – we must know that we are prepared by faith in God through

1). Salvation 10:22a “…let us draw near with a true heart..”
2). Sanctification. 10:22b

d. Perseverance. 10:23 “…holding fast the profession of our faith without wavering…”

e. Practice our faith and provoke others to do the same. 10:24,25

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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.

Why should we exhort one another to be faithful to God? Because we know the

f. Principles of God do not change. 10:26-31

Paul reminded them of the consequences of willful sin. Their punishment would be –

a. Absolute.

Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Their punishment will be –
b. Appropriate.

Hebrews 10:28-29 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 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?

Their anticipation will be –
c. Agonizing.

Hebrews 10:30-31 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. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Some preach that these verses reveal that a saved person can lose his salvation. This is far from the truth. Paul has already set forth clearly that if a saved person could lose that salvation, Jesus’ death was not sufficient, powerful enough to fulfill His promise – “…I give them unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish…”

Do you believe that Moses is saved? Was he or was he not speaking with Jesus and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration?

Remember that even Moses was judged when he sinned willfully against the Lord!

Oh, that Aaron had been with Moses and advised him to listen carefully to the Words of God when the Israelites were complaining and demanding that Moses give them water.

Oh, that someone, maybe even his servant, Joshua, had encouraged him to pray before acting, to remember how God had blessed so many times before when Moses cried unto God for help!

Oh, that Moses had obeyed God and spoke unto the Rock as God had commanded him instead of hitting the rock with his rod! In his anger at the people, he was being vengeful and smote the rock.

Oh, that Moses had understood that God was using the rock as a type of His Son, the Christ, to show that the nation was blessed when it was smitten once, but His Son would only be smitten once! Never twice!

Moses broke down the illustration that God was giving and now Moses, God’s servant who had spoken to God as a friend spoke to a friend, was judged – “it was a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the living God.”

Can you imagine Moses crying out to God for mercy – to please let him finish his work and lead the nation across the Jordan River and into the Land of Promise. God allowed Moses to see the land of Canaan, but not lead the people into it. Moses took the work of God into his own hands. God warns us “Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense…The Lord shall judge His people…”. Not Moses, not us.

Will you listen to the Lord and follow His commandments?
Have you trusted Him by faith?