Sermon Tone Analysis

Continuing In Confidence:  Part I

Draw Near and Go Far

Hebrews 10:19-25                   June 8, 1997

 

Scripture:  Unison Reading, Heb.

10:19-25, page 1873-1874, Pew Bible

 

Introduction:

 

          This passage continues the confidence theme in connection with Heb.

6:19-20.

This passage gives us the enablement and then the exhortation.

“Since” and “Let Us” x 4.

          Based on the explanation of the priesthood of Christ in the order of Melchizedek in Ch. 7-10.

*Part I.         Continue in confidence by drawing near to God:  the new                             and living way.

(vv.

19-25)*

 

          A.

Our confidence before God continues through the new and                       living way of the blood of Jesus.

(v.

19)  {See Heb.

9:11-28}

 

The blood of Jesus sums up all that he did for us in the offering up of himself.

The holy place is no longer sealed off for the continual performance of sacrifices.

It is wide open on the strength of the perfect offering already made.

It is available only to those who are called brothers, those who share in the heavenly calling (Heb.

3:1).

Those who discover a new approach to God through Jesus also discover a new relationship to each other.

B.

Our confidence before God continues through the new and                       living way of the body of Jesus.

(v.

20)  {See Heb.

10:1-18}

 

The words for “new and living way” imply a freshly slain or recent sacrifice.

Jesus became a living sacrifice, immediately effective for every person, in every time, for every sin.

(Rom.

12:1)

Jesus is the “way” that would be provided to gain access to God, Heb.

9:8.

Early Christians were known as the Way, Acts 9:1,2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22.

But more correctly in this passage, Jesus is the way through his atoning sacrifice, the way to God through the curtain by his flesh.

Just as the curtain could be seen as a hindrance in our access to God, it can also be seen as the way of access.

{See Mt. 27:51}

Faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross is the way of access to God.

The holy of holies is wide open through Jesus.

Just as in life, it is who you know that makes a difference in where you can go.

Just like a top secret security clearance that finds no objection to your access to the most important people, places and information.

C.

Our confidence before God continues through the superior                       priesthood of Jesus.

(v.

21)  {See Heb.

7:11-    28}

 

The greatness of his priesthood has to do with his unique effectiveness in opening up a new and living way, Heb 4:14-16.

His priesthood over the house of God is both in heaven and on earth, Heb.

3:6.

D.

Therefore we can draw near to God through Jesus (personal                              devotion) - four conditions of approach that are met in Jesus.

(v.

22)

                   1.

With a sincere heart (with true devotion).

A true heart is genuine, sincere, honest, meaningful, and without hypocrisy.

A true heart involves and attitude of gladness, freedom, and enthusiasm.

A true heart knows what Jesus Christ has done -- the great impact and meaning of what he has done.

A true heart knows that it can really draw near God -- that it can know God and commune and fellowship with him.

It knows that it can walk in praise and thanksgiving to God all day -- that it can have the presence and power of God looking after and caring for it all day -- that God will deliver from all trials and temptations and give victory and triumph over all.

The true heart knows what it is to draw near God -- what it is to live in an unbroken communion and fellowship with him.

2.

With full assurance of faith (with no reason to doubt).

Full assurance means unqualified assurance in Christ, that he is the one person who can and does give us access into God’s presence -- that Christ and Christ alone makes us acceptable to God.

It means to be absolutely convinced that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ is the only perfect sacrifice -- that his sacrificial death is the only sacrifice that God accepts.

3.

With our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty                                conscience (with moral purity).

4.

With our bodies washed with pure water (outward as                               well as inward purity).

We must have hearts and bodies perfectly cleansed and washed.

This is a picture of the High Priest cleansing and washing himself before he entered God’s presence in the holy of holies, the inner sanctuary of the Jewish tabernacle.

He sprinkled himself with the blood of the sacrificial animal and washed himself.

This symbolized that his own sins were being forgiven.

His own evil conscience was being cleansed and the sins of his body were being washed away.

The point is this:  before we approach God, we must be cleansed of sin and its guilt-- cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

We have to approach God through Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ alone is the perfect sacrifice for sins; he alone has made the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Therefore, the only way we can be cleansed of sin is to trust Jesus Christ.

If we really trust his sacrifice, then God accepts his sacrifice for us.

God cleanses us of sin.

He gives us a clean conscience and washed body -- a conscience cleansed of evil and guilt and a body washed from sin.

 

          E.

Therefore we can have hope in God through Jesus (consistency).

(v.

23)

                   1.       Our hope begins with our profession of faith in Jesus.

2.       Our hope continues to enable us to be unwavering about                                    our faith in Jesus.

(not inclining from true perpendicular)

                   3.       Our hope is founded upon God’s faithfulness to us.

4.       Our hope in God’s faithfulness is secured by God’s                                  promises to us.

F.

Therefore we can be an inspiration to others in service through                          Jesus (social obligations).

(v.

24)

                   1.

The consideration of God’s love to us in Jesus inspires us                                  to promote love in ourselves and others.

2.

The consideration of God’s good deed to us in Jesus                                 inspires us to promote good deeds in ourselves and others.

a.

These are corporate actions that must be worked at                                           individually.

                             b.

It emphasizes that love must have a practical                                                     outcome.

G.

Therefore we can be an inspiration to others in worship through                        Jesus (worship obligations).

(v.

25)

                   1.

The promotion of love and good deeds takes place in the                                   context of mutual fellowship and worship.

2.

The promotion of love and good deeds does not take place                      in the context of isolation from other believers.

a.

The church drifter or lone Christian has minimal                                                effectiveness on others in the body of Christ.

b.