Hebrews 9:1-28 The Power of the Blood

 

Intro: Purpose of Hebrews : Who Written too?

A)Superiority of Christ over all of the major Characters & aspects of Judaism : Prophets / Angels/ Moses/ Josh/ Priesthood /

 

B) We noted in Ch.8 that one of the major aspects of the Priesthood of Christ is that He established a NC based on Better Promises ( Focus Sun am)

 

C) As we move into Ch.10 the Writer begins to Contrast the OC w/ the NC

1)   Rd.v.1-5

 

D) He begins by talking about the set up of the Tab – but says we can’t go into detail on this right now ( We did on Sunday- Tab Worship )

1)   RD V.6-10

 

Now in v.6-10 He describes the Inadequacies of the OC & it’s Sacrifices

He mentions 3 things

A)1st LIMITED ACCESS :  He speaks of how the priest would go into the first part of the Tab the HP / always =  daily

 

B) But the 2nd part HH only once a Year & Only the High Priest V.8 the HS indicating that the ways into the HH or the Presence of God was not yet opened up

 

C) So there was definitely LIMITED ACCESS under the OC

 

2nd Limited Efficiency :

A)V.7 Only covered sins done in IGNORANCE :

 

B) The only sins that were covered under the Blood of the atoning sacrifice were those done in Ignorance

1)   Read thru the OT see there wasn’t provision made for sins that were Premeditated or out right rebellion

 

C) Which is why after his sin w/ Bathsheba – David Knew the only thing that He could do was call upon the mercy of God

     1) David said in v.16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—  These, O God, You will not despise.

 

The Sacrifices of the OC were also limited in their Efficiency v.9 they couldn’t make the Worshipper Perfect in regards to Conscience

A)There was no Clearing of the Conscience – sins merely covered not done away w/

 

B) Now he closes this section in dealing w/ the weaknesses of the OC when he says v.10 this whole system was temporary until the time of Reformation

 1) Word reformation in Greek is interesting.  It means "To make        straight, to restore to natural condition something that has    gotten out of line; for instance - bone out of joint!"

 

C.)    It means to set things right!

1)   The time of reformation came through Jesus Christ. He set man right –

      put mans bones back in place!

 

D.)    He did what Old Covenant with rituals and sacrifices could never do!

 

So the rest of the Chapter deals w/ the Efficiency of the NC & the affects of Christ Blood Rd v.11-22 / note four things told about effectiveness of Christ Sacrifice :

 

A) People have a fascination with blood!

     1.)     Blood Brothers/       Contracts sealed with blood

 

B.)Marriage ring : In old days ring finger used to be called leach finger -      believed from tip of leach finger ran vein to the heart!

1)    By placing ring on ring finger (leach finger) actually communicating a blood covenant to each other - new meaning – until death do us part!

 

Blood is a radical thing!

A)Body consist of 300 trillion cells that are all linked together, connected by  a Pipeline of veins, arteries, capillaries A pipeline 70 thousand miles long

   

 

B.)That Pipeline of veins arteries & Capillaries brings each cell nourishment in what is a Beautiful system of distribution/ God designed 

 

C)In one drop of blood - 5 million red blood cells Their job is to take food from digestive system & oxygen from    lungs and spread around body

 1) They Also have a job in cleansing system -they take out the garbage

 

D)Now the Blood travels through this system of 70,000 miles - once           every 60 seconds

 1) one red blood cell circulates that system 500,000 times in 4 1/2 months

 

In each drop of blood also 7,000 white blood cells - that circulate through the blood acting as a defense system

A.)    They are constantly fighting off bacteria that is always invading!

 

B) If one bacteria is allowed to live he will multiply at a rate of 3 million a day / if that happens the  body will be taken over & a person will die

  1) Now each bacteria is shaped different - shaped with little spear

 

C) And Bacteria takes that spear type thing on it and pokes at the         white blood cell when they get close - destroys them

 1) That Makes white blood cells job tough!  How destroy the bacteria!

 

D)God is so smart!  Made us w/ these Built in antibodies - drape over the bacteria in    mass among - like moss on a tree

     1.)     make that spear - dull or blunt so the white blood cell can get close to

          do it's job!

 

 

 

Only problem is only one antibody can fit given bacteria!

A.)    So the body needs to send the right one and then a whole   contingency to go rap around bacteria

     1.)     In order for the white blood cell to be victorious

 

B.)    That can take time - people can die!

     1.)     Advantage today - buy antiboditics that  help out until body finds the

           right one!

 

C.)    Historically not case time of Cortez Mexico  small pox wiped out

4 million    Aztec Indians - no antibody / settlers into plains

 

So this war rages inside of us - but God has made us with an ability to ward off such disease!

A.)    Now another thing that can help us is a blood transfusion!

1)   Where you take the blood of someone who has the disease & had

      victory over it and transfuse it into person with disease

 

B.)    That transfusion can help them overcome!

 

Well The principle of Blood transfusion is a neat picture of what has taken place spiritually through blood of Christ!

A.)    Notice 4  things here in our passage - effects of the Christ blood upon our lives

 

B) 1st affect is there is now Unlimited Access into the HH or the Presence of God  V.12 He entered the Most Holy Place ONCE FOR ALL

 

C) Eph.2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

 

D) The Blood of Jesus Satisfied the Requirement of God –

 

 

 

2ND thing discover about the Efficiency of Christ Blood – v.13,14 Cleanses our Conscience from dead works

A)The OC could cover the sin / but it couldn’t affect the Conscience it couldn’t remove the Guilt – Blood of Jesus does

 

B) The Cleansing  is so thorough/ Sins forgiven & forgotten – done away w/

 

In a single moment those who were black as hell become white as heaven,

through the application of the blood of sprinkling; for all sin disappears as

soon as the blood falls on the conscience. That which the blood of bulls

and of goats could not do, the blood of Jesus effectually accomplishes

cleansing from all sin.   CHS

 

C) IN Lev 11 - "The life is in the blood" - so true!  But not just physical nutrition in blood - but spiritual life

 1) Blood speaks of spiritual things!

 

D)Number 25 man was murdered/ God said the shed blood would     pollute the land and cry out to the Lord!

 

E) IN Genesis 4 - Cain killed brother Abel - "What have you done -   your brothers blood cries out from ground!"           Blood speaks!!!!

 1)But Of What?  "Condemnation defilement/pollution!  This world stinks.  

        "Cries out for justice!

 

But listen there is another one who's blood speaks! Heb 12:22 told that the Blood of Jesus speaks of Better thngs than that of Abel’s

A.)    Abel's blood, Nicole Simpson, Ron Goldman,/ Bonnie Blakley blood speaks of    condemnation, justice, pollution , world stinks!

 

B.)    Jesus blood speaks of better things - Liberation!

1.) Speaks in Greek in present active participle /continually speaking!   

       You are free!  Clear conscience!

 

    

At a great parliament of religions meeting, held at Chicago many years ago, practically every known religion was represented, and many discourses delivered.

    

   During one session, Dr. Joseph Cook, of Boston, suddenly rose and said: "Gentlemen, I'd like  to introduce to you a woman with a great sorrow.  Bloodstains are on her hands, and nothing she has tried will remove them. 

The blood is that of murder, and nothing will take away the stain.  She has been driven to desperation in her distress. 

 

Is there anything in your religion that will remove her sin and give her peace?"

 A silence fell upon the gathering as the speaker turned from one to another for an answer. Not one of the company replied.

 

then   Raising his eyes heavenwards, Dr. Cook then cried out, "I will ask another question. John, can you tell this woman how to get rid of her awful sin?"  The great preacher awaited, as if listening for a reply.  Suddenly he cried, "Listen, John speaks:   "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin"

(1 John 1:7)

    

Not a soul broke the silence, the representatives of Eastern religions and Western cults sat dumb. 

In the face of human need, they were without message of hope.  The gospel of Jesus Christ alone could meet the need.

 

The Blood of Jesus Cleanses our Sin totally – cleanses our Conscience forgiven & forgotten

A)Blood fights infection and the blood of Jesus fights the infectious work of Satan on our conscience

 

B)Accuser of the brethren / seeks to constantly bring condemnation on us!

1)    Rev.12:10 - tells us the way to overcome – They overcame the accuser by the Blood of the :Lamb !!!!

 

 

 

The 3rd thing that the blood of Jesus does – v.14 it gives us a Freedom to serve the Lord

A)Conscience is clear / I know that I am forgiven / Now I want to respond - 

 

B) When Priest would go before the Lord - blood on right earlobe,     right thumb, right big toe

1.) Symbolized - everything heard, did with hands, everywhere walked

      was covered by the blood!

 

C) We need to do the same spiritually - especially in the realm of        service

1.) Not my righteousness, my togetherness - but - the blood of Jesus Christ  

      frees me to serve God

 

D)What was reserved for High Priest in Old Covenant has been made available to everyone in the New COV!

 1) Guys, you can serve God! Your life can be an instrument for His use!

     All Priests!  Royal Priesthood offer up Praise

 

 

4th thing Efficiency of the Blood Established an Eternal Inheritance v.15

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

 

A)Paul put it this way in Romans 8 - "Spirit bears witness with our   spirit children; since children - heirs - joint heirs!"

     1.)     You have inheritance in Christ

 

B)You go from being totally indebt to totally rich!

 

C) Well, how can I know that I will take part in the inheritance?  How know for real?

 1) Our Lord left a will!  Read V.16,17

 

Pt is that Wills go into effect once the person who left the will dies!

A)Jesus death assures that the will has gone into affect – RD V.18-22

 

B)His blood being shed tells us that what is written in the will Stands 

     1) Without the Shedding of Blood no Remission of sins

 

C) But wills can be contested in court! Often clever lawyers can       completely annul the intentions of the testator in his will

1)   Like in the case of Anna Nicole Smith – the Bimbo married to the old guy she trying to say he left it all to her /

 

D) His family saying not in right mind/ he was manipulated

 

Now To ensure that the terms of a will are carried out to the letter, the ideal thing would be for the testator to come back to life & execute the will himself!

 

A)Guess what?  Jesus came back to life & His REZ ensures that His will - will    be      carried through! Given spirit in hearts as a guarantee!

 

B) So We have a rich inheritance in Jesus Christ - beginning w/ forgiveness, free guilt, clear conscious, Joy, Purpose / Privilege of  Service

( Plus eternity w/ Him to look forward to )

 

Wrap up – v.23-28 summary of all that He has been saying here by making note of Christ 3 appearances / Read v23-28

A) 1st Christ now appears in heaven the True Tab – he appears in the Presence of God FOR US

 

B) He is our Advocate – He ever lives to make intercession.

1)    So first He is our Assurance that this Covenant is for Real as He appears in heaven for us – Our Defense

 

C) 2nd found in v.25-26

 

2nd He has appeared to Put away our Sins – Conscience is cleared

A)Scapegoat a picture of Christ work of putting away sin !!!!

 

V.27 - Interesting statement - Those who believe in reincarnation - die once - Bible says  - then judgment!

A.) Now there are two ways to appear before God – You can appear before him on the basis of your sins being forgiven thru Christ

 

B) Or you can appear before him on the Basis of your own Merit

   1) Your GOOD WORKS -  Not my Choice - For unbeliever - not a day to look forward to!

    

C)Choir as kid - mouth words - a lot of people today are like the guy in the choir - mouthing the words

     1)Judgment day - sing solo before God

 

D)Thoughts and intents - motives of heart will be revealed!

 

But for Believer we look forward to that day v.28 3rd appearing - wait eagerly!        Our Hope!   Absolute expectation of coming good!

A.)    When a scheduled jet comes from NY arrives in SD International the air traffic controller knows all details      of flight pattern  

 

B) He Knows of various stages in flight - when departed, when it will arrive!

1)   But because that is  his job - not much anticipation - just another flight -   

      another day!

 

C)But contrast the traffic controller w/ the gal who's fiancé is on that plane!

     1.)     She knows nothing of details of the flight but she only knows

          approximate time of arrival - excited; eagerly anticipating!/ Best outfit

    

D)That is how Lord wants us to be - at airport, ready, watching

     1.)     occupy until I come!  Life count eternally add to inheritance