A New and Living Way

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This is a sermon based on Hebrews 10:1-4, 11-24 and was preached as part of a worship service celebrating the Lord's Supper.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction

Today we are looking into a passage of Scripture that I believe has theological and practical significance in regards to our observance of the Lord’s Supper. The title I have chosen for the message is taken from verse 20, which appears in the middle of a long sentence. After making a few introductory comments about the book of Hebrews, I would like to briefly examine this subject, “A New and Living Way,” by considering these points:

1. How is the new way different from the old way?
2. How does this truth impact practical Christian living?

Hebrews:

We don’t know for sure who the author of Hebrews really is, but some scholars think it may be the Apostle Paul. The letter seems to be directed toward Jewish believers who were facing persecution for their faith and, as a result, some were turning back to the former beliefs of Judaism. They were returning to the tangible things of the former life including the temple, the sacrifices and the law.

The key word of Hebrews is the word, “better,” because the author uses various arguments to convince the readers that the new covenant is better than the old covenant. He is trying to prove to them that faith in Christ is better than faith in the temple and the old system of sacrifices. Some of the things he has covered include: Jesus is better than Moses and better than angels; Jesus is a better high priest; and a better sacrifice.

Now, these kinds of arguments continue in chapter ten where the author is making a contrast between the OT system of ongoing sacrifices and the one-time sacrifice completed by Jesus. He makes some clear distinctions to explain how the new is different and better than the old. He also defines some practical ways that this information should impact the lives of believers.

Let’s take a look at what the writer had to say and see how it applies to our lives today.

1. How is the new way different than the old way?

A. The old way was a temporary shadow (symbol, copy) of the eternal and the real. (vv.1, 4, 9, 10)

The sacrifices of lambs and goats; bulls and heifers were all necessary and required by God in the old system but they never were able to actually cover up the sins of the people. They were just a “shadow” to demonstrate the need for the only adequate sacrifice.

The old system was initiated with the original intent to be replaced by the blood of Christ when the time was appropriate.

B. The old way required repetition while the new way is complete. (vv. 2, 3, 10-14)

The author makes it clear that the old system was inferior because of the fact that it required repetition. Sacrifices were necessary on a regular basis for all types of purposes, including the Day of Atonement every year when the High Priest would enter the holiest place behind the veil to sprinkle the blood on the “mercy seat” – the lid of the Ark of the Covenant.

He argues that the repetition was proof that the sins were never permanently remitted until Jesus made the sacrifice of His own blood once and for all.

C. The new way provides privileges never enjoyed under the old system.

These privileges included:

·          Knowledge of sins forgiven and cleansed (vv. 10, 17)

·          Permission to enter the holiest place of the heavenly temple (v. 19)

·          Having a High Priest that forever intercedes

2. How does this truth practically impact the life of a believer?

The answer to this question can be found in the three “Let us” admonitions found in verses 22, 23, & 24.

A. Let us draw near (v. 22)

Since the new way has been provided and is completed through the offering of Jesus’ blood, we have the privilege to approach the Sovereign God of the universe with a “sincere heart” and with “full assurance” or confidence of faith. We know by faith that the blood of Christ has cleansed our hearts and our lives and His blood gives us access to the throne of God, from which we had been separated before. So, let us approach the throne of God often. Let us approach with confidence; not in ourselves, but in and through Jesus Christ.

B. Let us hold fast (v. 23)

Everything that needs to be done for our salvation has been done, so let us hold tightly to the faith we profess. (We can’t profess it if we don’t possess it!) Let’s not lose heart. Let’s not give in or give up.

Why? Because God is faithful. He can be trusted. He has done everything that is necessary to get us to heaven, so let’s not lose heart and through away our confidence or our faith.

No matter how difficult life gets, let’s continue to hold fast to our faith.

C. Let us provoke (stimulate) one another (v. 24-30)

Oh my, this is one admonition that most modern-day Americans do not like. We have become so accustomed to our independent life style and our “do-my-own-thing” attitudes, that we do not like it very much at all for anyone else to point out our deficiencies or failures.

The biblical writer proclaims that in light of all the arguments he has just covered, we need to “consider one another” (care enough about each other) to stimulate, motivate or provoke one another to a greater degree of love and good works. In other words, we are to encourage each other to show evidence of our love and commitment to Christ in our everyday lives.

We are to press each other to be more diligent about meeting together for worship, encouragement, accountability and fellowship. And, he says that we are to do this all the more as we get closer and closer to the “day” that is approaching (Second Coming). I believe the closer we get to the return of Christ, the more the Devil will try his best to get people to find more excuses to be absent from the accountability and fellowship of other believers.

Verses 26-30 emphasize the fact that this “provoking” one another includes warnings about willful, deliberate sin that is excused and ignored rather than confessed and forsaken. Verse 26 – starts off with the conjunction “for” which makes a connection to the verses before it.

“no more sacrifice” – I am convinced that the author is saying that the sacrifice he was just describing in the earlier part of the chapter does not continue to cover the individual who willfully and deliberately engages in sin against God even after having known and believed the truth of the gospel.

Dear friends, can I lovingly but firmly say that I’m concerned and even alarmed about how much our holiness churches have been affected by a Calvinistic-style of theology that emphasizes the impossibility to live victoriously over sin, and we all can’t help but sin everyday. This is not always true, but many people who believe that it is not possible to have victory over sin, often develop a careless attitude about sin and a tendency to excuse it. But, this passage in Hebrews 10 clearly warns against that kind of attitude.

He emphasizes it by saying, if those who despised Moses (the OT law) died without mercy, then how much more judgment will await those who trample the Son of God by living as though the blood of Christ was an unholy thing, and has “done despite” (insulted) the Spirit of grace. That is the reason why this passage, as well as other passages in the NT, urge us believers to watch out for one another and exhort one another and hold each other accountable. We are to pray for one another and to seek to restore every wayward or erring brother, because there is a real danger of being lost after we have once believed the truth and trusted in the blood of Christ.

Conclusion:

Today we are going to celebrate the Lord’s Supper once again in remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ for our sins. I believe it is fitting for us to reflect on these words in Hebrews regarding His sacrifice and how it should impact our lives as believers.

Let us draw near to the Lord in faith and confidence as we partake of these emblems. Let us hold fast to our faith and not waver or surrender under trials and pressures. And, let us stimulate one another to a greater level of love and service to our Lord, remembering that if we deliberately walk away from obeying the truth, it is just as if we trample under foot the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross.

Before we share the sacrament of communion I want us to stand together and sing the hymn, “There Is a Fountain."