Hebrews 9 and 10 — Hold Fast Your Confession of Faith
Introduction: Christ's perfect and final sacrifice replaces the earthly tabernacle service. Believers are called to hold fast their confession of faith in Christ, approach God with boldness through his blood, and encourage one another as the day of the Lord approaches.
Note: Bible passages are from the American King James Version.
A — Christ Entered the Heavenly Tabernacle by His Perfect Sacrifice
“Hebrews 9:11-14 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
B — Without Shedding of Blood Is No Remission
“Hebrews 9:15-22 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
Comments: Christ's death was necessary to redeem transgressions under the first covenant. The shedding of blood is essential for remission of sins, and Christ's blood provides eternal redemption.
C — One Sacrifice for Sins Forever
“Hebrews 10:11-18 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
Comments: Unlike earthly priests who offer repeated sacrifices, Christ's one perfect sacrifice perfects believers forever. His sacrifice accomplished what no animal sacrifice ever could.
D — Hold Fast Your Confession Without Wavering
“Hebrews 10:23-39 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised. And let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back to perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
Comments: Believers must hold fast to their faith without wavering because God is faithful. They are encouraged to gather together, exhort one another, and persevere with patience. Drawing back leads to perdition; faith leads to salvation of the soul.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, thank you for the message about Christ's perfect sacrifice replacing all earthly tabernacle service. The heavenly tabernacle is now open to those who believe in Christ's all-sufficient sacrifice. Thank you that you shed your own blood for the remission of my sin, and you are forever my faithful high priest and mediator of the new covenant. Help me to hold fast to my confession of faith without wavering, knowing you are faithful. Strengthen me to encourage others in love and good works as we see the day of the Lord approaching. Remind me often to consider my role in encouraging fellow believers. Amen.
Published 29 January 2020
Comments: Christ entered the heavenly tabernacle through his own blood, not through repeated animal sacrifices. His blood purges the conscience from dead works, enabling believers to serve the living God.