25) Hebrews - The Old and the New Covenant Part 2
Notes
Transcript
Teach God’s Character and Work. (The Word)
So that the people may turn from a rebellious Heart (Root) Sins of “Unbelief, Pride, Selfishness” (Repentance)
and “Be Reconciled to God” (Justification)
Resulting in Transformation - behavioral change of the work of the HS (Sanctification)
Which is obedience to the will of God (The Word)
Resulting in being encouraged by God’s Character and Work to hold fast to the Promise of Hope. (Faith and Belief)
Resulting in Eternal Rest, Joy, Peace, Worship (Glorification)
For His Glory
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1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
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8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
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Introduction
Introduction
We gather today on the eve of Christmas. The day that remembers and celebrates the incarnation of our Lord and savior. With his advent Peace, Joy, Love, and Hope came with the babe in the manger. These will come to those who believe in his life and death as saving them from the desperate place they find themselves. Sinners in need of a savior.
Last week we went over the foretelling in Jeremiah 31 that a new covenant was coming. A Better Covenant. A covenant that would not be dependent on the obedience of man but on the character of God himself. For this new covenant says that God will write his laws on the hearts and minds of his people. They will know God experientially, each and every one, not in a hearsay or far away way. But in a personal way. The author ended chapter 8 with the following passage:
13 By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.
Because God has said that there is a new covenant, one that Jesus spoke of at the Lord’s Supper, God is declaring the first one obsolete. It is aged and is about to pass away. The New has come making the old obsolete and now we pick up the author’s thought with a comparison between the old covenant and the new. Let us turn to Chapter 9 and read God’s word today.
1 Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves. 3 Behind the second curtain was a tent called the most holy place. 4 It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 The cherubim of glory were above the ark overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now. 6 With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry. 7 But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience. 10 They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order. 11 But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?
The First Covenant
The First Covenant
1 Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sanctuary.
The word for ministry is translated as ministry, worship, and service. The word means divine service. Service to God. The word for sanctuary means holy place or sacred place. The first covenant had regulations for divine service and in a holy place on earth. The author is not downgrading or denigrating the old covenant. As he has with his other comparisons to Jesus he has kept the high place of the object or person he is comparing too, whether it was angels, Moses or here the old covenant. He keeps them in the high place that God established them and then elevates the true substance of the promises to an even higher place.
The first covenant had divine service and a holy and sacred place. The holy place that the presence of God would dwell among his people.
8 “They are to make a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell among them. 9 You must make it according to all that I show you—the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings.
The pattern that God would show Moses is very detailed. The earthly sanctuary the author is speaking of is the tabernacle of God. The tabernacle has a large portion of exodus dedicated to its design and construction. Documenting the instructions God gave Moses and the Israelites executing the plans that were given. Starting in chapter 25 all the way to the end of Exodus the tabernacle is an important part of second half of Exodus.
The Old Sanctuary
The Old Sanctuary
2 For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves. 3 Behind the second curtain was a tent called the most holy place. 4 It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 The cherubim of glory were above the ark overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now.
Picture of Tabernacle
The Tabernacle was central to the community of Isreal. The tabernacle was a portable structure that was 150 feet long and 75 feet wide. It had white curtains walls around the outer court that would separate the holy place from the people. There was one entrance on the east side and all of the sacrifices would happen in this outer court on the bronze alter.
Each part symbolizing and pointing to Christ as the substance of the shadow. We see the the alter where sacrifices must be make for atonement.
22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Without a sacrifice there is no forgiveness. The atonement sacrifices would be made over and over on this alter as the people came to appease the wrath that they had incurred. Also in the outer court was a basin for washing and ceremonial cleansing. Priests would wash in this basin for different reasons but would cleanse themselves before entering the tent in the middle of the outer court.
This tent was 45 foot long and 15 feet wide and separated into 2 parts. Only priests could enter the holy place which is the first room of the tent. It was 2/3 of the tent. This was called the holy place. It contained the lampstand, the table with the 12 loaves of breads that represented the 12 tribes of Isreal and the alter of incense.
There was another curtain that was the barrier the vail to the most sacred place. The holy of holies.
Where only Levitical priests could enter the holy place. Only the High priest could enter the holy of holies. Then only on one day of the year. The day of atonement. Behind this curtain was the the arc of the covenant. Which contained a jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the tablets of the covenant. This was a large box made out of wood and covered in Gold.
The lid of the box was the mercy seat and over the mercy seat were the two angelic beings called cherubim. This was the most sacred place on earth. It was the place where God’s presence would meet man’s mediators.
22 I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.
God was very specific in His instruction to Moses on how the tabernacle was to be set up. When they went from place to place they would follow the cloud and when it stopped they would set up the Tabernacle. It was the central part of the camp. Three of the twelve tribes would camp in each of the four directions. Three to the north, three to the east, and three to the west and south as well. This was the center of the Israelite community and at the very heart of all of it was the holy of holies where God’s presence dwelled.
The Old Ministry
The Old Ministry
6 With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry. 7 But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
Like the detail in how to build the tabernacle, the work of the priest on the day of atonement was very specific. What he wore, when he washed, what he sacrificed and when. It must all be done exactly as God had commanded or the High Priest would be stricken dead. He would offer the sacrifice once a year and only once a year. The rest of the year the priests would be busy in the holy place with priestly duties and would be in and out daily but the presence of God behind the curtain could only be entered that one day each year.
As the sacrifices would cleanse them from their intentional and unintentional sins they would be made clean once again.
30 Atonement will be made for you on this day to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord.
They would be made clean but they would immediately start to become soiled again as they would continue to sin each and every day as they lived out their lives. So the ministry of the priests never ended. But there was significance to the old sanctuary.
8 The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience. 10 They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order.
The Tabernacle was set up to teach to make it clear that the way into the most holy place was not available under the old covenant. There are these different layers of separation. You have the outer court that separates the Tabernacle from the community. Any could enter it to bring sacrifices but there was only one way to enter. Then only the priests could enter the holy place and then only the high priest could enter the holy of holies on time a year.
The presence of God is not available to anyone but the high priest and that is only for a specific purpose on a specific day. The Holy Spirit is making it clear that a way has not been made for men to be in the most holy place with God.
These were a symbol. The word translated as symbol is the same word we get parable from. The ministry and the earthly sanctuary were a parable a symbol of the better sanctuary and ministry.
They were a symbol because in the end a worshiper’s conscience were not perfected. Even though they performed the sacrifice they were always in debt to God. No matter how often they sacrificed for their sin they were still aware of the mess they were in. Because they dealt with the physical regulations dealing with food, drink, and various washings.
1 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year.
These were temporary until the time of the new order. The ESV translates this as reformation. until the time of reforming. The word means to make straight to rework. The temporary activities of the old covenant would happen until the time of reforming. The Old covenant focus’ on controlling external behaviors, and performing physical regulations that cannot perfect the conscience.
The Perfect Sanctuary
The Perfect Sanctuary
11 But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation),
The Old was good. God’s presence was in the center of it. But it was the parable the shadow of the coming substance. When Christ appeared as a high priest. A high priest of the good things that have come. He has appeared in the greater and more perfect tabernacle. Not the earthly symbol but the true heavenly dwelling place of God.
48 but the Most High does not dwell in sanctuaries made with hands, as the prophet says: 49 Heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool. What sort of house will you build for me? says the Lord, or what will be my resting place? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?
24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands.
Heaven is the dwelling place of God. And Jesus has entered it as high priest to perform his ministry before the most Holy God.
The Perfect Ministry
The Perfect Ministry
12 he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
The old covenant did not have the ability to provide eternal redemption or eternal salvation. The sacrifices had to continue to come because even though sins had been atoned, the old covenant did not bring eternal redemption. It could atone for sin but not redeem man.
4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
11 Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins.
It is through the ministry of Jesus, eternal redemption is possible.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?
The perfect blameless and spotless lamb of God offered Himself up to God. He didn’t give power, money, or anything else he gave himself up to cleanse the consciences of those who believe in him. So that we can serve God. To worship, minister and serve the living God. To free Man from dead works.
14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
There is a purpose to the people that God saves. They are redeemed and cleansed as his own possession to do good works. To serve and worship the God who saved your soul from despair.
Unlike the first tabernacle that showed the separation between man and God’s presence. Jesus has torn the vail and entered into that most holy heavenly place and when he entered he brought his possession with him into the dwelling place of God.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The saving grace of God is available to any who call on the name of Jesus to be saved. The New covenant brought down the vail and brought men into the presence of the perfect God. Where we get to experience him and to worship him in truth and spirit. for we have been made new.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Has your conscience been cleansed? Do you come humbly forward knowing that even though you did not merit any favor that the Lord has come and saved you from that miserable place. That place of guilt and despair attempting to do everything right and constantly falling and failing to hold that standard. Can I say to you that you do not have to live there anymore?
That though we may stumble we have the assurance that we have been eternally redeemed before God. We will never be perfect but we are perfect before God.
The advent of the incarnation of God. The appearing of the 2nd person of the godhead, Jesus, as he took on a 2nd nature, a human nature. Was born in a manger. Fulfilling prophecy and promise. He will save his people from their sins. He grew in strength, knowledge and stature and he performed many miracles validating his claims as the Son of God.
He lived a perfect and blameless life, obeying all aspects of the Law. He was falsely accused and sentenced to death, death on a cross. There he died as the sacrifice which brings eternal redemption for men and women who put their faith and trust in him as their savior. And bringing forth the New Covenant.
All of this was done because our God is Love.
It is because of the willing sacrifice of himself that brings us Joy for the forgiveness of our sins.
It is by His work that we are at peace with God. No longer enemies of the most Holy God.
And this where we have Hope. That the little baby who came that day in the manger lived and died and was raised again to save a wretch like me.
1 Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. 4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. 6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment, and who considered his fate? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully. 10 Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely. When you make him a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished. 11 After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him the many as a portion, and he will receive the mighty as spoil, because he willingly submitted to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet he bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.
Willingly submitted, counted among the rebels and bore the sins of many to save rebels like you and me.
As we come to the table
Let us pray.
Let us pray.
Prayer
Communion
Warning
Children, Lost, Sin
19 And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Prayer
Song
Closing
Blessing/Benediction
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.