Hebrews 10
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· 7 viewsHebrews 10 elucidates the complete and all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ, contrasting it with the insufficiencies of the Old Covenant, and exhorts believers to draw near in faith and to encourage one another in love and good works.
Notes
Transcript
Context
Hebrews 10 serves as a crescendo of sorts, emphasizing the finality and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice compared to the repetitive and insufficient sacrifices of the Old Covenant. The chapter transitions from a doctrinal exposition to an ethical exhortation, challenging believers to live out their faith in light of these profound truths.
Main Idea
The main idea of Hebrews 10 is the sufficiency and finality of Christ's one-time sacrifice for sins, which renders the repetitive sacrifices of the Old Covenant obsolete. The chapter then pivots to exhort believers to persevere in faith and good works, encouraging them to hold fast to their confession and to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. It closes with a warning against willful sin, given the knowledge of this great salvation.
Outline
The Insufficiency of Old Covenant Sacrifices (Verses 1-4)
The writer begins by contrasting the old sacrificial system with the work of Christ. The law was only a shadow and could not make those who approach perfect. It required repeated sacrifices that never fully dealt with sin.
Christ's Perfect Sacrifice (Verses 5-10)
Jesus enters the scene as the one who fulfills what the old system could not. Quoting Psalm 40, the writer demonstrates that God never truly desired animal sacrifices but a body prepared for willing obedience. Christ's sacrifice is thus superior because it is offered once and for all.
The Finality of Christ's Sacrifice (Verses 11-18)
While Old Covenant priests stand daily offering sacrifices, Jesus offered a single sacrifice for sins and sat down at the right hand of God. His seated position signifies the completion of His work. The Holy Spirit testifies to this new covenant relationship.
Call to Persevere in Faith (Verses 19-25)
Given the finality and sufficiency of Christ's work, believers are exhorted to draw near to God in full assurance of faith. The writer encourages believers to hold fast to their confession without wavering and to stir one another up to love and good works.
Warning Against Willful Sin (Verses 26-31)
The chapter closes with a solemn warning. For those who go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins but a fearful expectation of judgment.
Encouragement and Reminder of Earlier Sufferings (Verses 32-36)
The writer reminds his readers of their past endurance under suffering, encouraging them not to throw away their confidence, which has great reward.
The Just Shall Live by Faith (Verses 37-39)
Citing Habakkuk, the writer summarizes the essence of the Christian journey: living by faith. He concludes that the readers are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Proposition
You should persevere in faith.
The reason this proposition is chosen is because the chapter of Hebrews 10 presents a comprehensive view of Christ's complete and perfect work of atonement, and then moves to exhort believers to respond appropriately to this magnificent truth. After laying out the theological foundation of Christ's superior sacrifice, the chapter strongly urges believers to persevere in their faith, to hold fast to their confession, and to encourage one another. The exhortation to persevere is the action that encapsulates all other actions encouraged within the chapter. It ties together the doctrinal truth with the ethical response, culminating in a life of unwavering faith.
Illustrations
Abraham's Faith Journey
Abraham was called to leave his homeland for a place he did not know. Despite the uncertainties and challenges, including the promise of a son in old age, Abraham persevered in his faith. His life illustrates that even when things are unclear or seemingly impossible, perseverance in faith is the key to fulfilling God’s promises (Genesis 12:1-7; Hebrews 11:8-10).
Joseph in Egypt
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned. Yet, through all these trials, he persevered in his faith in God's providence. Eventually, he became the second in command in Egypt and saved his family from famine. His story teaches us that even in the face of severe trials, perseverance in faith can lead to unforeseen blessings and the fulfillment of God’s purpose (Genesis 50:20).
Paul's Apostolic Ministry
The Apostle Paul faced enormous challenges—beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, and more. Despite these, he declared, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul's life is a testament to what it means to persevere in faith, regardless of the circumstances, and he urges us to do the same (Philippians 3:14).
Ways You should persevere in faith
1. By Drawing Near With Confidence (Hebrews 10:22)
The text tells us to draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith. This is the natural response to the complete work of Christ. As those who are cleansed and sanctified, we must persistently approach God in faith.
The word "draw near" (προσερχόμεθα in Greek) also appears in Hebrews 4:16, urging us to approach God's throne with confidence. The idea is one of intimate communion.
In the Old Testament, the same concept is expressed in Psalm 73:28 in the LXX, where the psalmist draws near to God as his good.
F. David, the man after God’s own heart, often drew near to God in prayer and worship despite his circumstances. His life stands as an illustration of drawing near to God as a form of persevering in faith.
2. By Holding Fast Your Confession (Hebrews 10:23)
Given the superior covenant and priesthood of Christ, it is only fitting that believers should hold fast to the faith they profess. This way suggests that true faith endures and remains steadfast.
The term "hold fast" (κατέχωμεν in Greek) is a strong term for holding something securely and not letting go.
In the Old Testament, the term appears in Deuteronomy 11:22 in the LXX, encouraging Israelites to hold fast to God's commands to experience His blessings.
Peter serves as an example. Despite his initial denials of Christ, he held fast to his faith thereafter, leading the early church courageously.
3. By Stirring Up Love (Hebrews 10:24)
Love and good works are the natural fruit of genuine faith, and believers are to stir up these virtues in each other. It's a communal aspect of persevering in faith.
The word for "stir up" (παροξυσμόν in Greek) means to provoke or stimulate.
In the LXX, the word appears in a negative context in Proverbs 15:18, where it talks about stirring up anger. Here it’s used in a positive sense to stimulate love and good deeds.
Barnabas, whose name means "Son of Encouragement," constantly exhorted and encouraged the early Christians, embodying the principle of stirring up love and good works among believers.
4. By Assembling Together (Hebrews 10:25)
The community of believers is instrumental in helping individuals persevere. Gathering together becomes a means through which encouragement and spiritual vitality are maintained.
The term "assembling" (ἐπισυναγωγὴν in Greek) suggests a deliberate gathering for a specific purpose.
The word appears in 2 Chronicles 20:4 in the LXX, where Jehoshaphat assembled the people to seek the Lord’s guidance, emphasizing the importance of collective prayer and worship.
Early believers in Acts met frequently to pray, break bread, and receive apostolic teaching, embodying the idea of assembling together as a way to persevere in faith.
Pointing to Christ
Hebrews 10 is a profound chapter that centers on the complete and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ as opposed to the incomplete and repetitive sacrifices of the Old Covenant. The New Testament makes it abundantly clear that Jesus Christ is the final High Priest and the ultimate sacrifice who takes away sin once and for all (1 Peter 3:18; Romans 6:10).
In this chapter, the high priesthood of Christ is likened to Melchizedek, a theme developed in Hebrews 5-7. Jesus is confirmed as a high priest forever (Hebrews 7:17). The sacrificial system of the Old Covenant was a shadow, a mere copy of heavenly things, and Jesus Christ is the substance (Colossians 2:17).
Furthermore, the chapter tells us that by the single offering of Himself, Christ has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14). This mirrors Christ’s own words on the cross: "It is finished" (John 19:30). In Christ, the law is written on our hearts (Hebrews 10:16), fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy (Jeremiah 31:33) and echoing the promise of the new covenant in Jesus’ own teaching during the Last Supper (Luke 22:20).
The concept of our hearts being sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22) correlates with the New Testament teaching of regeneration and renewal through the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
Hebrews 10 also aligns with the apostolic teaching that emphasizes faith, love, and hope. This triad is frequently found in Paul’s writings (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3), emphasizing the essentials of the Christian life, all of which are rooted in the completed work of Jesus Christ.
The notion of the final judgment and the terrifying expectation of fury for those who have rejected God’s grace (Hebrews 10:26-27) is likewise reinforced throughout the New Testament (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 20:15).
So, in its entirety, Hebrews 10 points to Christ as the fulfillment of the Law, the final sacrifice, the ultimate High Priest, and the cornerstone of our faith, hope, and love.
Gospel Invitation
Oh, what a glory it is that we have a high priest in Jesus Christ who stands in the gap for us! Unlike the high priests of old, who had to offer sacrifices for themselves and then for the people, Jesus offered Himself once and for all. Through faith in His atoning death and glorious resurrection, you are justified, made right with God. Not only are you freed from the penalty of eternal damnation but also from the power and bondage of sin in your daily life.
Think about it. Those sacrifices of old, as Hebrews 10 describes, couldn't purify the worshipers. They were mere shadows, continual reminders of sin. But in Christ, we are not only reminded of God's grace but are recipients of it! As you sit here today, if your life is burdened by the weight of sin, if you feel chained by past mistakes, if guilt is your constant companion, know that there is freedom and peace in Christ Jesus.
He has written His law in our hearts, not on tablets of stone. By this, He sanctifies us, setting us apart for holy use. Through faith, you are called to a transformed life. A life where you are no longer a slave to sin but are free to serve the living God. A life that looks forward not just to earthly happiness but to an eternal glory where sin has no place.
Christ is the door to this new life. Come to Him. Repent of your sins and find grace upon grace. For those of us who have tasted this grace, let us continue to draw near to God in full assurance of faith. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope and stir each other to love and good works, looking unto Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. Amen.
Bibliography
"The Significance of Hebrews 10 in the Christian Life: A Comprehensive Sermon Preparation." ChatGPT, OpenAI, 2023.