Our culture of guilt lacks integrity such that we do not trust one another, and we increase regulations and bureaucracy in response.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-18; Genesis 15:1-18
Sermon Notes:
- Hebrews 9:14 is amplified in chapter 10, tracing out the consequences of receiving a clean conscience.
- To be free from guilt is essential for us as humans.
- Our culture of guilt lacks integrity so we don’t trust one another, and we increase regulations and bureaucracy in response.
- If we reject God’s ten laws, we will have man’s 10,000 laws.
- Christ’s offices are Prophet (vv.1-7), Priest (vv.8-11), and King (vv.12-18). There is a divine appointment to each office.
- OT Israel’s hope was that in the Messiah all three offices would be joined in the kingly, redemptive rule of God (cf. Isaiah 53).
- Christ proclaims the righteousness of God as Prophet; He purges our sins at the cross as Priest; and He sits at the right hand of God as universal King.
- Christ is the personal Word, Redeemer and Ruler of the world.
- The OT temple and sacrifices were copies and shadows. The ceremonial aspects of the law were rendered obsolete at Christ’s coming (Col. 1:17 refers to ceremonies as shadows), but the civil and moral aspects were illumined in greater reality in Christ.
- Prophets are marked by their capacity to hear and obey God, calling the people to remember and obey God’s law. They must hear and obey before they can speak.
- In obedience, we are to point people to the purposes of God in Christ.
- In fulfillment of prophecy God Himself took on a body, and He was bruised for our transgressions (cf. Gen. 3:15; Is. 54.4-5).
- The Holy Spirit will cut into our hearts by the sword of the Spirit and enable us to speak and live out God’s word.
- Christ had no sin so He did not need to atone for His own sins and His blood was effective to cleanse our sin and guilt.
- Christ’s sacrifice was final, with no need for repetition.
- By Christ’s sacrifice, made in the very temple of heaven by God Himself, we have been sanctified.
- The grace of God is not against judgment; in fact it is through God’s judgment of our sin laid upon Christ that we are set free.
- God’s blood atonement and man’s pardon was always part of God’s plan. In Genesis 15, having put Abram in a ‘deep sleep’, God Himself swears a covenant with Abram by His own life.
- God alone can deliver us from the evil of our age. We need a revival. God will deliver us by judgment.
- Whoever will follow Christ must pick up his cross and bear it daily (Luke 9:23).
- Because Jesus is King of all things, He will accomplish His purposes.
- Christ will purify our consciences, even in His kingship,
- God will forgive and blot out our sins for His own sake (Jeremiah 31:8 and Isaiah 43:25).
- God does not need us, but by His grace He allows us to participate in His prophetic, priestly, and kingly work.
- We need to be servants of the living God for Christ’s kingship to be effective in us.
- When we have been forgiven by Christ we are free of guilt.
- Before we can pray “Thy Kingdom come” we have to get rid of our own little kingdoms.
Application Questions:
- What do the types of the OT reveal about Christ’s offices?
- What role does judgment play in the redemptive purposes of God?
- How can we fulfill the role of Prophet, pointing people to the law of God?
- Why must we surrender and obey God’s word and His law to be effective in ministry work?
- What are the costs of following Christ and doing His work?
- Is Christ our effectual king, or are we still sitting on the throne?