Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10:1-4

Why Did Christ Come? The most amazing thing in all the world is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, should condescend to become a man that he might live and die in the place of sinful men as our Substitute upon the cursed tree. I hope I never get over the wonder of redeeming love. “Could we with ink the oceans fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade, – To write the love of God above Would drain the oceans dry, Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky!” Yet, when I meditate upon this great, stupendous fact, the fact that the Lord of glory came here to live and die for me, to be made sin for me, to bring in everlasting righteousness for me, to put away my sin by being made sin, to give me life by laying down his own life, that he came here to save me, I am compelled to ask, with reverent astonishment – Why? Why did Christ come? This question is answered in many ways and in many places in Holy Scripture. But it is not answered more fully or more clearly in any single passage than it is in Hebrews chapter ten. Here, the Holy Spirit tells us specifically why the Lord Jesus Christ came into this world and died in our room and stead at Calvary. No Other Way Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came here to put away sin because there was no other way for sin to be put away (Hebrews 10:1-4). – “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Good Things To Come The law of God given by Moses, with all its rituals, sacrifices, and ceremonies, was a shadow, type, or picture of the good things to come in Christ. Among those “good things” pictured and typified in the law are: – The Forgiveness of Sin, – Justification with God, – Peace with God, – Rest in Christ, – Fellowship with the Holy Lord God, – Preservation by Grace, – Salvation and Eternal Life in Christ, – and the blessed Assurance of Faith. Pictures of Christ The tabernacle, the priesthood and the law were not given to put away sin, but only to serve as a pattern, a blueprint, a picture of the true Tabernacle and true Sacrifice, which is Christ himself (Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 8:4-5). Those Old Testament sacrifices could never put away sin (Hebrews 10:2). Be sure you do not miss the argument given in verse two. If those sacrifices could put away sin, they would have ceased to be offered! If I bring a sacrifice of any kind that could make atonement for my sin, then there would be no need of offering another sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12-14). Once sin has been put away the sinner is discharged. Guilt is gone. Condemnation is impossible (Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1-4; Romans 8:33-34). This is the reason we have assurance and confidence in Christ (Romans 8:33-34). Our Lord Jesus Christ has offered one sacrifice, and believing him we have complete, total confidence and assurance that our sins are gone (Hebrews 10:17; Isaiah 53:4-6). “Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain, Could give the guilty conscience peace, Or wash away the stain. But Christ, the heavenly Lamb, Takes all our sins away:

A Sacrifice of nobler name And richer blood than they. Believing, we rejoice To see the curse remove: We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice, And sing redeeming love!” Remembrance Made In Hebrews 10:3 the Holy Spirit tells us that those carnal, legal sacrifices of the Old Testament only reminded the worshippers of God that someone must yet come to put sin away. Those sacrifices offered on a regular basis and by divine appointment gave a fresh remembrance of sin. The sin for which the sacrifices were made was not put away. They were still there. The sacrifices themselves only reminded the people of their sins. The sacrifices must and did continue until the Christ came, who put an end to them and to sin by his sacrifice. Not Possible In verse four we are told, “it is not possible” for such carnal sacrifices to put away sin. It is not possible for an animal’s blood to take away sin. Let me give you four reasons why sin could never be put away by such sacrifices. Sin is the transgression of God’s moral law. These sacrifices belonged to the ceremonial law. Christ was born under and obeyed the moral and the ceremonial law (Galatians 4:4-5). The blood is not the same blood. It is not from the same kind of person who sinned. But Christ is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh (Hebrews 2:16-18). Sin deals with the mind, the heart, the soul, and conscience, to which no animal can relate. Christ made his soul an offering for sin. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:10-11). If sin could be put away by some other means, then Christ died in vain (Galatians 2:21).

Hebrews 10:5-9

“Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.” Our Lord Jesus Christ came here as a Man, as our Mediator, Substitute and Representative to do and fulfill the will of God, to bring in a better covenant. Hebrews 10:5-8 are a quotation from Psalms 40:6-8 in which David, by the Spirit of inspiration wrote of Christ who was to come. A Body Prepared The sacrifices and offerings of the Old Testament continued only for a set time until Christ came (1 Corinthians 5:7). God never accepted them as a term of righteousness. But, when the fullness of time came, he clothed Christ in a human body prepared by the Holy Spirit, that his own dear Son might (in the body of a man) obey the law and suffer for sin (Romans 5:19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). God the Holy Spirit prepared a body for him (Hebrews 10:5), a real human body and soul for the infinite, eternal, incomprehensible Son of God, so that he could bear our sins in his body on the cursed tree and die as our Substitute. A Voluntary Substitute In Hebrews 10:6 we are again told that it was impossible for animal blood to put away human sin. Burnt offerings and sacrifices could never satisfy his justice, appease his anger, honor his law, or put away sin (Isaiah 1:11-18). Our Lord Jesus Christ came here as a voluntary Surety, as Jehovah’s voluntary Servant, to die as our Substitute by the will of God (Hebrews 10:7). In the book of God’s decrees and in the Book of God’s revelation (the Bible) it is clearly written that Christ would come to work out the redemptive will of God (Luke 24:44-47). The First and the Second In order to fulfill and bring in the new, everlasting covenant and the blessings of it, our Savior completely took away the old (Hebrews 10:8-9). In Hebrews 10:8 the prophecy of Psalms 40 is repeated. Here, however, all the sacrifices are included. That means this: – When Christ fulfilled them all he replaced them all. Those sacrifices gave no pleasure to God except as they were offered in faith toward Christ (Hebrews 11:4; Hebrews 11:17; Hebrews 11:28). By completely fulfilling the redemptive will of God (John 6:38), the Lord Jesus Christ has put away all sacrifices, all offerings, the priesthood and all that was associated with that covenant. “Christ is the END of the law!” He stands in the place of all that was represented in the law. Now, having Christ, we have all things in him (1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:9-10). He who was made to be sin for us is made of God unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. Let us ever glory in him! A God given and God sustained faith in Christ is not only sufficient to enable the most feeble believer to overcome the corruptions of the flesh, the allurements of the world, and the temptations of the devil, but also to give him an easy, triumphant passage through death into glory (Exodus 15:16-18). In a sense, faith’s last work shall be its greatest. When I am leaving this world, my body may convulse with pain, physical unconsciousness may set in, and I may have many spiritual struggles. Yet, once my soul is freed from this body of flesh, I shall be blest with such a sight and sense of my blessed Redeemer as I never had and never could have in this mortal state – (Acts 7:55).

Hebrews 10:9-14

The Great Transaction’s Done “’Tis done, the great transaction’s done! I am my Lord’s and He is mine!” Redemption’s work is done, completely finished. Nothing is to be added to it to make it complete. Nothing can be added to it. If we attempt to add anything to it, we make it of none effect to ourselves (Galatians 5:1-4). When our Lord Jesus Christ cried, “It is finished,” he had finished the work he came here to do. He had redeemed his people. He had finished the entire will of God he came here to fulfill. That is the entire basis of our faith and confidence in him as our Savior. It is Christ’s finished work of redemption as the sinner’s Substitute which the Holy Spirit declares in Hebrews 10:9-14 The Father’s Will The Lord Jesus Christ came here to die at Calvary to redeem God’s elect (Hebrews 10:9-10). Carry these two verses with you as you make your pilgrimage through this world. When Satan roars against you and your heart trembles because of your own sin, remember what the Lord God here declares in his Word for your soul’s comfort. Rejoice in these blessed facts. Roll them over in your heart. Worship God and give him thanks for great gospel truths. The Son of God came into this world in human flesh to offer himself as a sin-atoning sacrifice to God at Calvary. He came here to die as our Substitute by the will of God. He came here specifically to die in the room and place of God’s elect (“Them that are sanctified!”), as our great Substitute. And he has successfully, effectually redeemed all God’s elect by the sacrifice of himself (Hebrews 10:11-14). There is no possibility that even one of those sanctified and made perfect by his blood shall ever be charged with sin (Romans 4:8), condemned for sin (Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33-34), or separated from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). My Hope Here is the basis of my soul’s hope, comfort, and expectation before God. I have hope of eternal life, I expect to stand accepted before God forever, not because of anything I have done, experienced, and, or felt, but because of what Christ has done for me. I have hope before God because the Son of God stood as my Surety in the covenant of grace before the world began. By his own oath, from which he will not repent, the Lord Jesus Christ was made “a Surety of a better testament,” Surety of a better covenant, in the eternal councils of the triune God (Hebrews 7:22; Genesis 43:8-9; Job 33:24). In that covenant, the Son of God agreed to satisfy the law and justice of God for his people and bring all the hosts of God’s elect safe into glory. God the Father trusted his elect people into the hands of his Son as a Surety (Ephesians 1:12). And Christ’s suretyship engagements will not be finished until all that the Father gave him have come to him, and he has raised them up at the last day, presented them to the Father, and said, “Behold, I and the children which God hath given me.” See John 6:37-40; John 10:16; Hebrews 2:13). The fact that God the Son came into this world as a man gives me hope as well (Matthew 1:21). Immanuel, God with us, God in our nature, is God come to save. The Son of God would not have become one of us were it not his purpose to show us mercy. “For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). This is good news indeed: “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). I have hope before God because the Lord Jesus Christ obeyed the law of God as my representative. Though I am a sinner, without any ability to produce righteousness, I have hope before God who cannot accept anything less than perfect righteousness. My hope is “The Lord our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6). Christ lived in this world in perfect obedience to God as my Representative and brought in an everlasting righteousness. It is this righteousness, the righteous obedience of Christ, which God has imputed to me and imputes to all who believe (Romans 5:19). But before righteousness could be lawfully imputed to me, my sins had to be both atoned for and put away. So — I have hope before God because the Lord Jesus Christ died as my Substitute under the penalty of God’s holy law (Romans 3:24-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21). My God, by a marvelously legal but gracious transfer, transferred my sin to Christ and punished him for my sin and then transferred Christ’s righteousness to me and rewards me for his righteousness. Christ became what we were, so that we might forever be what he is. Christ stood in our place, so that we might forever stand in his place. Christ died, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, so that we might live forever with God. And, now, God is faithful and just to forgive the sins of all who confess their sins, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9). And I have hope before God because this Christ, who lived and died as the sinner’s Substitute, arose from the grave, ascended back into heaven, and has been exalted as King over the universe. The Lord Jesus Christ, “when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). The fact that he arose from the grave assures us that Christ has completely satisfied the law’s claim against our sins. The fact that he ascended back into heaven assures us that he is accepted of God as the Representative of his people. And the fact that he is enthroned as King over all things assures us that “he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” (Hebrews 7:25). Faith I am confident that Christ has done all of this for me, as my surety, my Representative, my Substitute, because I honestly acknowledge my sin before God and trust him alone as my Lord and Savior. My faith does not save me. Only Christ can save. But my faith gives me a confident hope that I have been saved by the grace of God through the righteousness and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 5:10-13).

Hebrews 10:11-22

“A New and Living Way Everything relating to this gospel age, everything relating to the worship of God in this age, everything relating to the believer’s life in Christ in this gospel age is described as “new” and “living.” New We are partakers of a new covenant. We come into the kingdom of God by a new birth (John 3:3-7). We are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have been given a new name (1 John 3:1-3). We live under the rule of a new commandment (1 John 3:23). We are citizens of the New Jerusalem. We sing a new song. We look for a new heavens and a new earth. Living As all things in Christ are new, so, too, all things in the kingdom of God are living. Our hope in Christ is a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). We drink from the fountain of Living Water. We eat that Living Bread which came down from heaven. We are built upon Christ as living stones upon the Living Stone, the Living Foundation. Spiritual In other words, everything relating to the knowledge, worship, and service of God is spiritual, not carnal. “True worshippers worship the Father in spirit…God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). – “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). – “We are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3). True worship is a matter of the heart, altogether spiritual. – We worship God by faith in Christ, upon the grounds of justice satisfied. – Hebrews 10:11-25 describes both the foundation and the exercise of grace. We worship the Lord our God, trusting his Son, drawing near to him upon the basis of redemption accomplished by Christ (Hebrews 10:11-14). We come to God, confident of acceptance with him because of the complete remission of sins by his grace through the redemption Christ accomplished at Calvary (Hebrews 10:15-18). This freedom in worship, this freedom in drawing near to God arises from the blessedness and realization of our complete, perfect reconciliation to God by and in Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22). This is what Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 5:17. We are reconciled to God, perfectly, completely, and immutably!

Hebrews 10:13

“From Henceforth Expecting” We have seen the expiation of our sin by our Savior’s blood atonement, and his exaltation as Lord as the reward of his obedience to the Father’s will as our covenant Surety and Mediator. Here the Holy Spirit shows us that which our great Savior yet expects to be the reward of his labor as our Mediator. As we have seen, he who redeemed us with his blood and saved us by his grace has been exalted to the throne of sovereign dominion. He reigns upon that throne of universal monarchy, “From henceforth expecting till his enemies has been made his footstool.” His foes shall all, without exception, become his servant and his footstool (Isaiah 45:22-25). Present Subjugation In one sense, this crushing of his enemies into subjection beneath his feet has already begun. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the sovereign ruler of the universe. All creation, all events, all animals, and all rational beings, either willingly or unwillingly, are his servants (2 Peter 2:1). He has power over all flesh. Be sure you understand this. Satan himself is Christ’s slave, beaten into subjection (John 12:31; Revelation 20:1-3). Wicked men and women are the servants of Christ, the errand boys of his providential rule. Satan cannot tempt God’s servant Job without first obtaining permission from the Lord God.; and having the limits of the temptation set by God. Not even demons of hell can run into a herd of hogs without the permission of Christ their Lord. Yes, the Lord God our Savior rules the universe totally and absolutely for the everlasting salvation of his own elect (Romans 8:28-30; Psalms 76:10). Gracious Subjugation Many of Christ’s enemies are conquered by his grace through the preaching of the gospel (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). How I thank God for conquering grace! Nothing else could have broken this rebel’s heart. Nothing less than sovereign, omnipotent, conquering grace could have stopped me in my mad rush to hell. Nothing else could have brought me to Christ and reconciled my heart to my God, making me willing in the day of his power to gladly bow to Christ as my Lord (Psalms 110:3). My heart sings with David, “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee!” Final Subjugation When Christ comes the second time, he will come to crush all rebellion. The second advent will not be a time of salvation for rebels, but of judgment and wrath. “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). In the last day, in the day of judgment, every enemy shall bow to Christ as Lord. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess, in heaven, earth, and hell, that Jesus Christ is Lord. And God shall be all in all. In the end, because Christ is exalted, he shall have his expectation. All his enemies shall be made his footstool. All who believe shall be saved. “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied!” All his foes shall be destroyed. All of God’s elect shall be saved (Romans 11:26). Christ shall be triumphant and glorious forever in all things and over all things (Revelation 19:6).

Hebrews 10:14

Perfection Promised – Perfection Done Someone said, “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” In the Old Testament believers anticipated that which the Lord would do, believing his Word of promise. In this New Testament age believers rejoice in that which the Lord has done, believing his Word of grace. We have a perfect example of this in Hebrews 10:14. Read Psalms 138:7-8. There we see a believer in the Old Testament speaking in confident faith about that which God promised he would do. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Here, in Hebrews 10:14, we see a believer in this gospel age looking back to the finished work of Christ and declaring in the joy of confident faith what the Lord has done for him and for all who are his. “By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” In the Old Testament, the believer’s faith rested on the promise of God and the work of Christ as things unseen. His heart yearned for God’s salvation as an inheritance yet in reserve. Today, we look upon the same thing, trust the same Savior and the same work; but we possess God’s salvation as a thing accomplished. It is true, there is a very real sense in which we yet look to the future, confidently hoping for God’s salvation, because we have not yet experienced the fullness of it. (Oh, what that will be!) Still, we do possess it now in Christ. Christ has obtained eternal redemption for us by his blood (Hebrews 9:12); and we have obtained an eternal inheritance in him (Ephesians 1:11). Righteousness has been brought in.

Our great Savior has made an end of our transgressions. These are not things we hope for, but facts. They are things we now possess by faith in Christ. – “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” I have turned this text over, and over, and over in my mind, and prayed about it, and looked into it, and have sought illumination from the Holy Spirit for years. It is one of those verses my mind keeps going back to virtually every day, countless times in a day some days. I love to roll it around in my soul like a good piece of candy in my mouth. It is one of those texts I like to mull over. The more I think about it, the bigger it gets. Every time I open one of its doors I see another. Here the Holy Spirit declares that our Lord Jesus Christ has, by his one offering for sin, perfected all God’s elect and perfected them forever.

Hebrews 10:15-18

Where is your evidence? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 10:15-18 Here the Spirit of God describes the remission of our sins by covenant grace. These verses are quoted from Jeremiah 31:31-34, where the Lord our God described the covenant of grace and promised its fulfillment in Christ. There are many other things spoken of and promised in the covenant. But here just three things are mentioned. Did I say, “Just three things”? These three things are indescribably great. Eternity will be spent learning the meaning of these three boons of God’s amazing grace. Meditate upon them. Roll them around in your heart and soul until you are utterly amazed by the fact that God has done these three things for you. If you are a believer, if you trust Christ, these three, great covenant blessings are yours in Christ Regeneration The God of all grace has put his law, his Gospel, his Word into our hearts. He has written his law in our hearts with the finger of his grace, causing us to love him, his will, his way, and his Word. His commandments are no longer grievous to us (1 John 5:3). Forgiveness The God of Glory says, concerning you and me, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Oh, my brother, my sister, rejoice in this – There is forgiveness with our God! His name declares it. His glory demands it. His Son came to obtain it. All the prophets and apostles proclaim it. Multitudes in heaven and earth have experienced it (Psalms 32:1-5; Psalms 103:1-5; Psalms 130:1-8). He who is our God is God who “delighteth in mercy!” Satisfaction “Where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." Justice satisfied demands no more. The blood of Christ is enough! God requires no more offering for sin. My conscience requires no more offering for sin. There is no more offering for sin. Why? Because Christ has put away our sins! Therefore, condemnation is not a possibility (Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33-34). “Where there is absolute remission, forgiveness and cancellation of penalty, there is no longer any offering or sacrifice to be made. If we are in Christ and redeemed by Christ, it is dishonoring to our Savior not to rest in his grace and his atonement.” (Pastor Henry Mahan)

Hebrews 10:19-22

Reconciliation “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God.” Hebrews 10:19-22 When reading Holy Scripture, we sometimes pass over small, familiar words and phrases, or statements of fact, without much thought. Personally, I must confess, I am far too often guilty of reading over things in the Scriptures, when it appears that the context is just moving from one thing to another. We ought never do that with the Word of God. If we do, we are sure to miss precious, exquisite pearls hidden in what seem to be very common shells. Every word in this Book is written by divine inspiration for a divine purpose, for our comfort, instruction, and edification in the saving knowledge of Christ. In reading the Book of Hebrews, have you ever noticed how often we are admonished to do something with the words, “Let us”? These two, very familiar words are used powerfully in this Epistle. Twelve times in these thirteen chapters the apostle Paul calls us to action and inspires us to do something of tremendous importance with these two words (Hebrews 4:1; Hebrews 4:11; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 10:22-24; Hebrews 12:1; Hebrews 12:28; Hebrews 13:13; Hebrews 13:15). Three Responsibilities In Hebrews 10:19-25 God the Holy Spirit uses these two words, “Let us,” to call us to three very important responsibilities and privileges as God’s saints in this world. (1.) We must ever draw near to our God by faith in Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22). (2.) We must hold fast the profession of our faith (Hebrews 10:23). And (3.) we must consider one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). In these verses of Holy Scripture the apostle Paul is urging us, as believers, to persevere in the faith. In the face of trials and temptations, difficulties and dangers, heretics and hecklers, we must persevere in the faith. It is written, “He that endureth unto the end shall be saved.” It is not the person who begins the race, but the one who finishes it that wins the prize. If we would persevere in the faith, steadfast unto the end, continually draw near to our God. Draw Near “Let us draw near” to our God (Hebrews 10:19-22). – “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” (Hebrews 10:22). This text does not stand alone. It is part of a sentence which begins in Hebrews 10:19. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, sinners have free access to God almighty upon his glorious throne, by Christ’s precious blood. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). Through the merit and mediation of Christ, by faith in his sin-atoning blood, you and I can now approach that God who is “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings and Lord of lords, Who only hath immortality dwelling in light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting” (1 Timothy 6:15-16). Brethren Did you catch that sweet word “brethren” as you read Hebrews 10:19? “Brethren” is a term of family oneness, spiritual unity, common blessedness, and tender affection. As brethren, you and I have this common privilege. We are here called to enter into the holy presence of God with boldness by the blood of Jesus, our one Savior, our only Savior, our common Savior, our accepted Savior, our enthroned Savior. The Holiest The place we may enter with boldness is heaven itself, “the holiest,” referring to the holy of holies in the tabernacle, which was the type of heavenly glory. This is the most holy place, the place of God’s manifest majesty, glory, and presence, the place of mercy. This is the place where our Father is, where our Savior is, where our brethren are, where our Sacrifice is! Heaven was symbolically shut by the sin of man, when he was driven out of the Garden of Eden. It was typically opened by the entrance of the high priest into the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement. But now, it really is open. “Behold, a Door open in heaven!” That Door is Christ. He has in person entered into it by his blood. He has opened the way for us. In him and by him we may and do now “enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus!” Here we come and present our prayers and praises to God by Christ. Here we pour out our hearts to the Lord. Here we find mercy, grace, and peace. And soon, we shall enter, like our Lord himself, personally, all by his blood! The Way The way of entrance is “by the blood of Jesus.” It is his blood, which gives both entrance and boldness. By his blood sin is removed, both from the sight of God and the conscience of the believer; peace is made with God and spoken to our hearts; pardon is procured; law and justice are satisfied and no more to be feared. And by his blood the everlasting covenant is ratified and confirmed. A High Priest We may approach God himself with boldness, drawing near to him by faith, because we have a great High Priest sitting in his presence, sitting with him on his throne, accepted forever! We draw near to God in the holiest “by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God” (Hebrews 10:20-21; cf. 1 John 2:1-2)). Therefore, “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” (Hebrews 10:22).

Hebrews 10:22-25

Matters of Responsibility “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. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 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.” Hebrews 10:22-25 What great privileges of grace we enjoy in Christ! The triune God has covenanted to save us! The Son of God has redeemed us by his own precious blood! We are forgiven of all sin, sanctified by the grace of God, and given permanent access to and acceptance with the holy Lord God in Christ. Being made the recipients of such grace by the power and grace of God the Holy Spirit, by whose saving operations we now believe, we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.

With such great privileges come great responsibilities. Here the Spirit of God shows us some of our responsibilities as God’s people in this world. They are responsibilities relating to ourselves, to our God, and to one another. Draw Near Let us draw near to God (Hebrews 10:22). Let us ever come to our God in prayer and praise with honest, open and sincere hearts. He will receive us, for our hearts have been sprinkled with the blood of Christ and our bodies have been washed or purified by his Spirit through the Word and by the power of his grace. A true heart, wrote old John Trapp, is “a heart truly and entirely given up to God, delighting to do his will, desirous rather that God’s will be done than our own, that he may be glorified though we be not gratified, acknowledging the kingdom, power, and glory to be his alone.” If our hearts are true, if we truly trust Christ alone for the whole of our everlasting acceptance with God, we can and shall come to him with “the full assurance of faith,” being confident of acceptance with him because of Christ’s finished work. This assurance is altogether a matter of faith in Christ. It is based entirely upon the work of redemption accomplished outside our experience. Yet, it arises from the experience of grace in our souls. It is the result of having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. We enjoy this blessed assurance by having the witness of the blood of Christ in our hearts (1 John 5:7-14), having our bodies washed with pure water, that is to say, being born again by the Spirit of God. Hold Fast “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: (for he is faithful that promised)” (Hebrews 10:23). It is our responsibility to continue steadfast in the faith of the gospel, because God is faithful. We must allow nothing to turn us aside from Christ (Philippians 3:4-14). Whatever the trial, the fear, the doubt, or the trouble, let us believe God. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Consider One Another As we make our pilgrimage through this world of woe, let us ever consider one another (v.24). Let us ever consider and be considerate of one another, both as frail, fickle, sinful men and women, and as brothers and sisters in Christ, companions in the grace of God, companions in tribulation, and companions in this hostile world. If we make it our business in life to love one another and care for one another, we will have less time to complain of being neglected. If we will each consider one another, that will help to kindle and rekindle love and grace in others. Public Worship Let us never forsake the assembly of God’s saints in the worship of our God (Hebrews 10:25). This, too, is a matter of urgent, pressing responsibility. It is the blessed duty and great privilege of believers to meet together for worship, praise and fellowship. We ought never take this for granted. Our great God has appointed it, approves of it, is glorified in it, and deserves to be worshipped. We need to be edified, instructed, refreshed, and comforted. Others need to be convinced, converted and brought to a knowledge of Christ. – There are yet some sheep who must be called. This is the place where our Lord has promised to meet with his people (Matthew 18:20; Psalms 122:1-9; Psalms 133:1-3). The assembly of God’s saints for public worship, the gathering of God’s people to hear his Word, seek his face, and sing his praise is prominently set before us in the New Testament as a matter of great privilege and great responsibility. When God’s saints come together in the name of Christ, that assembly is “the house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). It is “the temple of God” (1 Corinthians 3:16). It is a “habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). This is the place, the only place, where the Lord God promises to meet with, speak to, and instruct his people. Nothing is more important for the spiritual health and well-being of our souls than the assembly of the saints for worship. December 16, 2001 Will we ever learn that the plain statements of Holy Scripture alone must be the basis of our faith and practice, not the tortuous deductions of depraved minds, not the self-promoting creeds of denominationalism, and not traditions of the “church fathers.” It is the revealed will of God in Holy Scripture that is and must be, our solitary rule in all things. All our doctrine, all our ordinances of divine worship, and all our judgment in all spiritual matters must arise from “thus saith the Lord.” We dare not add or take away anything from the Book.

Hebrews 10:24-29

Trampling Under Foot The Son of God “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?” Hebrews 10:24-29 Those who willfully neglect the assembly of God’s saints for public worship, though they may mentally know the truth of God, tread underfoot the Son of God, count the blood of the covenant a useless thing and despise the Spirit of grace. Let’s see if that is not what the Holy Spirit tells us in Hebrews 10:24-29. This passage is pressing upon us the necessity of perseverance in the faith, and the need for each of us, by every means we can use, to encourage one another to “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” Look at the admonition and warning here given by our God to all who profess faith in his dear Son. Consider One Another “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” – May God give us grace ever to consider one another, to encourage and be encouraging to one another, for Christ’s sake. If we devote ourselves to loving, caring for, and serving others, we will have less time to feel sorry for ourselves and complain about being neglected by others. And, as we serve each other, we provoke others to love and good works, kindling in them a desire to serve rather than be served. Not Forsaking “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” – This is talking about our regular gathering together unto Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:1), the act of meeting together in one place for the worship of our God and Savior, by the ministry of the Word, prayer and praise, and in observing ordinances of the gospel: Believer’s Baptism and The Lord’s Supper. To “forsake” the assembling of God’s saints in public worship refers to willful neglect in attending the gathering of God’s saints. Many ramble from place to place, never really committing themselves to the building of God’s church and kingdom, but ever seeking personal gratification. This abandoning of God’s church is an abandoning of God, the gospel of his grace and the glory of his Son. It is apostasy, departing from the faith, letting go our profession. Privilege and Duty It is both our highest privilege and greatest duty in this world to assemble with God’s saints for public worship. Our heavenly Father has appointed it and approves of it. His glory is concerned in it. And his gospel is advanced by it. Both we and our brethren need it, that we may be revived, refreshed, comforted, instructed, edified, and enabled to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. The unconverted need our faithfulness in worship as well. We ought to maintain the worship of God for their sake, as well as our own, that they may be convinced of the gospel, converted by the grace of God, and brought to the knowledge and faith of Christ. John Gill wrote, This “assembling together ought not to be forsaken; for it is a forsaking God, and our own mercies, and such are like to be forsaken of God; nor is it known what is lost hereby; and it is the first outward visible step to apostasy, and often issues it in.” The Manner of Some “As the manner of some is.” – As in those early days, so in our day, it is the practice of many who profess faith in Christ to absent themselves from the house of God, showing by their neglect an utter contempt for Christ, his church and the gospel of the grace of God. I know that is strong language; but that is the language of this passage. Exhorting One Another “But exhorting one another.” – Rather than abandoning one another, let us exhort and encourage one another to prayer, to attend the worship of God, to adhere to Christ, and the faith we have professed. Let us ever encourage one another to consider Christ and cling to him. It is in this way that we most effectually serve, comfort and edify one another. Here we share (in conversation, prayer, preaching and praise) our experiences of grace, the doctrine of Christ, and the things of God. Here, in the house of God, we put one another in remembrance of God’s faithfulness, his promises, our responsibilities, and of our Lord’s coming. – “And so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – Do you see the day approaching? – The Day of Death? – The Day of Christ’s Advent? – The Day of Judgment? Sinning Willfully “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” – When a person abandons Christ, when he abandons the worship of God, when he abandons the gospel, he abandons hope. Sinners have no hope but him! If we were to leave him, we have nowhere else to go! (Read John 6:66-69.) Those who abandon Christ abandon everything, except the wrath of God. There is nothing left for the apostate, – “But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” How important is the worship of God? It is just this important. The worship of God displays faith in Christ, love for Christ, devotion to Christ, and great need of Christ. The forsaking of the assembly of God’s saints displays contempt for Christ (Hebrews 10:28-29). Cling to Christ as a drowning man clings to the life rope. With every apparent slip of our hands, let us grip more firmly than ever, knowing all the while that we must be held by him if we are to hold him. Yet hold him we must!

Hebrews 10:26-29

“We Are Not Of Them Who Draw Back” There are many who begin the race, but never finish, – many who run well for a season, but in time fall by the wayside, – many who, like Judas, Demas, and Diotrephes, seem to be stalwart examples of faith and faithfulness, but at last deny the faith, forsake Christ and his people, and make shipwreck of their souls. These facts, so often illustrated in Holy Scripture and verified by observation, cause great concern in the hearts of men and women like us who struggle with sin. True believers are often like the true apostles of our Lord. – On that night when he announced that one of them would betray him, those whose hearts were true quaked with fear, saying, “Lord, is it I?” After reading the warnings given to us in this tenth chapter of Hebrews against such apostasy, when we read Hebrews 10:39, we have reason to shout with joy and thanksgiving to our God who keeps us by grace. – “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” This last section of Hebrews 10 was written specifically to encourage us in perseverance; and the source of encouragement is the assurance that true believers shall persevere unto the end. The righteous shall, indeed, hold on his way. Christ’s sheep shall “never perish.” Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ. God’s elect shall persevere unto the end, because we shall be preserved and kept unto the end by God’s almighty, immutable grace. Apostasy and Willful Sin Once again, we have here a word against apostasy. In Hebrews 10:26-27, the apostle describes what apostasy is. This description must be understood in its context. Here the Holy Spirit clearly makes apostasy to be connected with the forsaking of Christ, his gospel, his church, and the worship of God in the assembly of his saints. These verses are perverted by many in their attempts to prove that true believers can be lost - that people who commit sin after being saved by the grace of God are lost. That heresy is so totally contrary to the Scriptures that it needs no more refutation than the teaching of reincarnation. Yet, an incorrect interpretation of this passage has caused great distress upon many genuine believers. The fact is, honest hearts, burdened with a sense of inward sin, realize that all of our acts of sin are, to one degree or another, willful acts. This is what the text means. – After a person has embraced and professed the gospel of Christ (and particularly the great truths revealed in this chapter: that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only and all-sufficient High Priest of God’s elect, that his blood is our only effectual atonement, and that his sacrifice is the end and fulfillment of all the types and shadows of the law) – and yet, against all evidences, light, and revelation, willfully denies the sufficiency of Christ and the efficacy of his sacrifice, there is no other sacrifice for sin; there is no other Savior! There is no help for him, no hope for him, but only a certain fearful judgment awaiting him eternally. There is no going back to the Mosaic law, rituals and ceremonies. So if anyone willfully turns from Christ, there is no hope! (Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 3:11). The willful sin spoken of in Hebrews 10:26 is the abandonment of Christ, his gospel, his worship, and his people. It is going back to the law, going back to works religion, – going back to the world. That is exactly the way this apostasy is described in Hebrews 10:28-29. God gave the law to Israel by Moses. Anyone who rejected God’s law or set at naught the rules and sacrifices of the law was put to death (Deuteronomy 17:1-6). While the tabernacle, temple, and ordinances of the law stood, they were binding upon the people. If God poured his wrath upon those who made light of the types, think how severe his judgments shall be upon those who reject and make light of the precious blood of his dear Son! A return to circumcision and ceremony is turning away from Christ! It is bringing contempt upon the Son of God and the gospel of God’s free grace (Galatians 5:1-4; Galatians 4:21). We must not shy away from the very strong words the apostle was inspired to use in describing what this apostasy involves. – It is treading under foot the Son of God. – It is counting the blood of the covenant, wherewith a person has been outwardly sanctified (by the profession and practice of religion), a unholy, common, ordinary, meaningless thing. – It is doing despite to the Spirit if grace. Awaiting Judgment Those who abandon Christ and the gospel of God’s grace and glory in him never knew him. Nothing awaits them but wrath and judgment (Hebrews 10:30-31). “They went out from us because they were not of us.” Such people, those who choose will-worship, circumcision, works and law in the stead of the revealed Christ, have every reason to expect the wrath and judgment of God to fall on them (Deuteronomy 32:35-39). It is a fearful thing to incur the wrath of the eternal and living God (John 3:36). Ask Noah’s generation, the inhabitants of Sodom, or the sons of Korah. – “Be not high minded, but fear” (Romans 11:21-22; John 3:35-36). Assurance In Hebrews 10:32-34, the Holy Spirit calls us to remembrance. To encourage us in perseverance, to encourage us to go on in faith, trusting Christ, even in the face of great temptation and opposition, to hold to our confidence in him and not be disturbed and discouraged by false prophets, ceremonialists, and legalists (who would rob us of liberty in Christ and take us away from the simplicity that is in him), Paul urges us to remember the early days of faith when we endured mocking, ridicule and affliction. When you left the world to walk with Christ, the world did not allow you to leave peacefully; but you knew that in heaven you had a family, an inheritance and an everlasting glory, even if you lost everything here. The people you lost for Christ’s sake are nothing compared to the family you have gained. The comforts, pleasures and fame of the world are nothing but soap bubbles. The glory of heaven is eternal.

Hebrews 10:35-39

“We Have Need of Patience” “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:35-39 Paul concludes this chapter with a comforting, assuring, and challenging word of admonition. He urges us not to cast away our confidence, our confidence in Christ, our confident hope of everlasting salvation in him.

He is telling us not to take our eyes off Christ, to let nothing and no one come between us and him. Trials will come upon us. Temptations will assail us. Satan will roar against us. The world will allure us. Those things are certain; but so is this: “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Yes, there is, indeed, “a great recompense of reward” at the end of our pilgrimage. We shall be with Christ! We shall be like Christ! We shall see him as he is, “face to face!” Our God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes forever! When we have entered into and taken possession of glory with Christ, there will be no more sorrow, for there shall be no more sin! For now, let us exercise “patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Here is the promise by which the Holy Sprit inspires our perseverance. – “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” When our Lord Jesus Christ comes, he will put an end to all suffering and death and sorrow (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:4-5). Ours is a life of faith. It is written, “The just shall live by faith.” So let us exercise the patience of confident faith in Christ. True believers live by faith, not by law, works, merit, or ceremony. We receive spiritual life by faith in Christ. That life is sustained and kept by the power of God through faith. That life shall be perfected by faith. The whole of our salvation is by faith. – “It is of faith that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed” (Romans 4:16). Works make no contribution to our life in Christ; and if any professor of faith draws back to ceremonialism or turns away from the simplicity of faith in Christ, God says, “My soul shall have no pleasure in him.” “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” True believers cannot, will not, and do not leave Christ, nor will they take up the weak and beggarly elements of the law and their own works in the place of Christ. “To whom shall we go?” Christ alone has life. Christ alone gives life. Christ alone is life! He who saved us and has kept us thus far will keep us to the end and will present us, at last, faultless before the presence of his glory (John 10:27-30; Romans 8:38-39; Jude 1:24-25).