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