Joy in Forgiveness

 

If you weren't able to be with us in worship this morning, you can watch the entire sermon and service here.

Colossians 3 Tells us that forgiven people forgive. As we come to Hebrews Chapter 10 consider this question:

Do you live as someone who has been forgiven? What is the evidence of that? 

How is it seen and demonstrated in your life today?

This passage is the theological high point of Hebrews. 

Here’s the basic outline of the sermon: 

1. Understand Sin (vv. 1-6)

The OT sacrificial system did not bring change of heart. The law was merely shadow. If it had worked, it wouldn’t have gone on. The Israelites were still conscious of their sins - meaning they still felt the guilt. Their sin problem wasn’t fixed

God took no pleasure in their sacrifice because there were merely going through the motions.

They were openly worshiping idols then coming to offer sacrifices to God. 

(Do you think He didn’t notice?)

It’s often the same for us.

You can do all of the “serve God” things

And it not come from the heart.

You can look very spiritual outwardly and be living a sinful, disobedient life.

The ultimate question, the one that we must all deal with... 

The one that will haunt you and follow you and bear down on you and surround you…

How do I deal with my sin?

Just like the Old Testament system could not bring true sanctification. 

You cannot accomplish sanctification with your own efforts and in your own power. 

We get frustrated because we’re trying to do it on our own. What we need is:

2. Forgiveness (vv. 7-18)

Here’s where it gets good and captures our hearts: Christ’s offering brings the sanctification that our own efforts can’t. God had alway planned for Jesus to come and be the final, ultimate, effective sacrifice for sin. The blood of goats and bulls was never intended to truly take away sin.

A. Real Sanctification

Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we have been sanctified. This is our new position in Jesus.

B. He Sat Down

After the single, once-for-all offering, Jesus sat down because He has actually taken sin away. We certainly do have much in our salvation. BUT - there’s so much more to come!!!

C. The Ultimate Conclusion

The sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

He has done all that needs to be done.

There’s nothing else to do

No one else to turn to

No other sacrifice to be made

The concluding promise in verse 17 here is amazing:

their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more

In Christ - our sins and lawless deeds are forgotten!.

The Summary of Hebrews 

where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Meaning - when you have received forgiveness, you don’t need anything else

There’s no need for another offering

How do we experience freedom from guilt?

That’s the real question that this passage answers:

1. Understand and acknowledge the difference between 

Moral Guilt and Perceptional Guilt

   Moral = guilty before God. 

   Perceptional = knowing something is wrong. 

2. Remember Christ’s Sacrifice 

We need greater remembering. Remembering that God has forgotten our sins because of what Jesus did. 

3. ASK for Help

James tells us You do not have because you do not ask

It’s far too easy to just wallow in our own self-misery instead of asking and trusting in what He has done. 

4. Worship

Never underestimate the importance of gathering with your brothers and sisters in Christ to worship God together.

5. Discipleship

Are you involved in a Titus 2 Discipling relationship? 

Get in touch with me and I’ll help you get connected in a relationship that will help you think through your own spirituality in a deep way. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob

Out with the Old, in with the New

 

Click HERE to watch the entire sermon.

Read through Hebrews 9. then read  basic outline and application:

Hebrews 9 invites us to consider the differences between the old and new covenant, adding texture to the gospel, so that we can continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.

Guiding principle:
God will never ask you to give up something without having something better for you.

The Old Covenant

In Verses 1-10

The Tabernacle

Was a tent. Something inherently temporary,

Outside the Tabernacle - a fenced in courtyard. One large gate, one way in. Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. 

The Altar - a picture of Christ, the One who Himself was the sacrifice for our sin. 

The basin where the priests washed their hands, tells us Jesus will bring cleansing and give us clean hands. (Ephesians 2:10)

Lampstand - Jesus lights our path as the light of the world. He illuminates our mind and guides us through the world’s darkness.

The oil in the lampstand is the Spirit who enlightens our understanding of the Word.

The Bread - We are sustained daily by the His Word. We have an ongoing, constant need for Jesus

The Incense - He intercedes for us. His prayers go up to God on our behalf. For the priest, the smoke kept him from seeing God directly. He saw through the smoke, it protected him as he approached the Most High God.

Inside the Holy of Holies was the Ark

The Mercy Seat, which was Jesus.

It was all a picture of how God came near to His people - the tabernacle went with them and was set up right in the middle. He was there with them. 

But it was also a reminder that they could not approach Him personally. 

Verse 6…

Daily Service

The never ending work of the priests, continually going in and out of the temple, points to both our ongoing need for forgiveness of sin and our need for a Savior that continually meets our needs - interceding and intervening all day, every day, in every situation and circumstance.

The Day of Atonement

The High Priest put on all the priestly garments.

The breastplate symbolizing carrying the people in his heart

The 12 Tribes on his shoulders representing them before God. 

The High Priest sacrifice an animal bought with his own money and offered it for his own sins wearing a simple white robe as a picture of Jesus, stepping out of His heavenly privileges becoming a man. 

After that sacrifice, he came out and two goats waited. One was killed - his blood taken into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the mercy seat for the people’s sins. Next,  placed his hands on the head of the other goat - the scapegoat - that was taken out into the wilderness to be lost and never return. 

That first goat - satisfied God’s wrath. It was a sacrifice for sin. 

The second goat - symbolized freedom from sin. It was carried far away. As Jesus carries our sins away, bringing a clean conscience before God.

Verses 11-28

The New Covenant

Has come with Christ’s appearance. Jesus entered by His own blood, not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood.

The endless work of the priests is over.

The ONE sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient for all

It has accomplished what it was intended to. 

Jesus is the Only Savior

Q: How were people saved in the OT?

A: The blood of Jesus 

verse 15 – …He is the  mediator of a new covenant.. for the redemption of the trespasses that were committed under the first covenant

What’s the Blood About?

Death is Necessary

The covenant is like a will. You don’t receive the benefits until the benefactor’s death.

In the Old Covenant the full sinfulness of sin was always front and center

There’s no such thing as a casual/minor sin.

No “little white lie”

You can’t compromise in one area here because of the situation or circumstances.

Leviticus 17:11 – the life of the flesh is in the blood,

If you lose too much blood, you’ll die. 

The gospel is vividly clear in all of this:

Sin brings the consequence of death

Blood is required as a consequence. 

You owe your life in exchange for your sin. 

Your blood is demanded as a covenantal consequence of your sin

Jesus on the cross is a vivid picture of  substitutionary sacrifice. It was the plan all along. He willingly gave up His own blood on our behalf.  By His substitutionary death, He became our Great High Priest.

The “Hand” of this passage:

The repetitiveness of the Old Covenant sacrificial system, shows the rhythm and pattern to life. Every day is the same. Get up, eat, go to work, come home, family time, sleep, repeat. God also designed new things to be part of the same-ness of life. 

There’s something in your life that you enjoy - some dimension of joy that didn’t exist a few years ago and might not exist a year from now.

Remember: God never takes away one thing without giving you something that’s ultimately better.

That’s the New Covenant replacing the Old.

Mark Dever points out: God works both slowly and dramatically. 

Sometimes - things never seems to change. that’s God’s design.

Sometimes - there’s a radical shift in everything. That’s God’s design.

While God Himself never changes, all of the change we experience is for our good.

While the Jews couldn’t handle the New Covenant, it brought the blessing of our sin being taken away forever, The freedom of forgiveness, and the confidence of security.

Enjoy the sameness in your life as a reminder of God’s unchanging purposes.

Embrace the changes - as a reminder that He brings new, FAR BETTER things!

Eagerly await Christ’s return not to bring salvation, but to bring you home.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in full knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and without fault until the day of Christ, ¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob

What "Jesus Sat Down" Means for Us

 

To watch the sermon on this passage click here.

The main point of Hebrews so far: Jesus is our Advocate

He sat down at the right hand of the Father - the place o honor - the seat of mercy - where He acts as our advocate without ceasing. He never stops.

He both intercedes AND intervenes. As John MacArthur puts it: He is seated as our Redeemer and standing as our Helper in time of need.

He ministers to us from His position in The Sanctuary - In heaven.

verse 3 – every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices;

The Gifts - meal offerings - they were about a commitment to serve the Lord. 

Being thankful to Him for all He has done. 

The Sacrifices were about atoning for sin.

As Christians, we were saved for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

We didn’t save ourselves.

We cannot sanctify ourselves.

We still need the help of Jesus

We still need the ministry of Jesus

Our struggles as Christians are the result of trying to work in the flesh rather than lean into Jesus’ ongoing ministry on our behalf.

We NEED the ongoing present, active, right now ministry of Jesus to His people.

True Worship 

doesn’t happen without Jesus’ help

Serving God 

doesn’t happen without Jesus’ help

Sanctification 

doesn’t happen without Jesus’ help

You have to lean into Jesus’ ongoing work for you. 

Meaning: you actively, intentionally, look to Him all the time. 

Program yourself to think about that.

You have the resources

You have the tools

You have very specific instructions

And He Himself is ready to come to your aid.

You have but to ask.

How to "TAP IN" to the Advocate Ministry of Jesus:

1. Ask - meaning Pray

There needs to be far more prayer pouring

out of our hearts day in day out.

2. Obey

There are so many things we need to listen to and follow. 

There are over 1,000 commands to obey

There are sins to confess

There are promises you need to lean into

There are examples to follow

There are attitudes you need to change

Check everything you’re doing against the truth of God’s Word

Get a Topical Bible - helpful

Life Application Bible - also helpful

Bible on your phone - search tool

3. Create Margin

When there’s too much going on in your life, when there’s no margin - you very quickly shift into auto-pilot. More margin - more Drawing Near time

There are 168 hours in a week. 50 at work and 50 sleeping leaves 68 hours for God, family, etc.

How will you use those hours? If you "tithe your time" to the Lord, that's 16.8 hours. After church on Sunday morning, Home Group, etc., there are over 10 hours left. How will you lean into Jesus' intercession and intervention in your life in those remaining hours?

He stands ready to help you in whatever it is you come to Him with. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob

God's Purpose in Salvation

 

If you weren't able to be with us for the worship gathering, you can watch the service here: SERMON

Hebrews 7 is a great passage that helps us to know more about who Christ is as our Great High Priest. In verses 11-28, we see the amazing work of Jesus on our behalf, and tucked away in verses 19 and 25 are an amazing truth that's absolutely central to the Christian experience.

Perfection (11-12)

One of the main things Melchizedek teaches us is that the Priesthood Wasn’t Perfect

The word perfect in this passage refers to salvation. 

The priesthood system, necessary though it was, could not bring salvation.

Judaism has been replaced. The old priesthood is obsolete, done, finished.

All the rituals and requirements of the Old Covenant are meaningless!

Another Tribe (13-19)

Verse 15 – …if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,

Another priest
Still a priest - but one far better.

The central truth is in verse 19 - The hopelessness of the old system with it’s inability to bring true salvation, has been replaced with that which CAN!!

A priest through whom we draw near to God.

A Better Covenant (20-22)

The New Covenant brings that which the Old could not:

Freedom from guilt - 

Freedom from sin

        Grace and mercy

Drawing Near to God (19b)

Remember: OT - you couldn’t draw near

God is holy - you are not

The veil is there to prevent it

The whole vibe was “STAY BACK!!”

Our primary participation in Christianity

Our fundamental ambition

Is to draw near to God

John MacArthur says: The fullest expression of faith is to enter into the presence of God in His heavenly Holy of Holies and to fellowship with Him. 

We can boldly approach the throne of grace with confidence. 

Not only can we - we should - we must.

Steps to Drawing Near

• Disconnect - turn all the “noise” off. Go somewhere quiet. Turn off your phone. Get where there are no distractions. 

• Pray - we cannot draw near to anyone relationally without talking to them. 

• Listen - to God through His Word. We speak to God in prayer, He speaks to us through His Word.

• Write - whether writing prayers, thoughts in response to His Word, or other things of a spiritual nature, the difference between swirling thoughts in your head and real communion with God could be the discipline of Journaling.

• Worship (worth-ship) — whether it’s listening to worship music, singing along, marveling at His creation, or meditating on a passage of Scripture, worship is an emotional expression of praise to God. (Heart-value)

• Time - We cannot draw near in just a few minutes here or there. Extended, focused, intentional time spent purposefully drawing near is what we need in our frenetic, busy, fast-paced lives. 

The Beautiful promise from Hebrews 4:16 – Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 


Intercession (23-25)

After accomplishing our salvation, Jesus ascended back to Heaven

And sat down at the right hand of the Father where He is actively, intentionally, purposefully praying for you TO DRAW NEAR

The chapter concludes by turning our thoughts back to Jesus:

The Perfect One (26-28)

Te whole point of Melchizedek was that there has always been a plan for something greater than the Levitical priesthood.

Jesus is

holy - incapable fo sin

innocent - never harmed, wronged, or slighted anyone.

undefiled - not a single blemish

separated from sinners - around people but not influenced by them. 

            (We can’t spend time with anyone w/o influence)

exalted - God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is 

    above every name.

Jesus is Our Great High Priest

The One who brings us to God

I pray you draw near to Him in a powerful way this week!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob

The Mystery Man

  

 WATCH THE SERVICE HERE

There are several things that make this a difficult passage to understand and apply to your daily life. 

Two of them:

• The Mysteriousness of Melchizedek

• The Priest System - we’re unfamiliar with it

This chapter doesn’t tickle your ears

It comes hard and fast to the mind

But when it gets in, it will feed your soul.

Hebrews 12:2 – fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith,

Melchizedek helps us understand Jesus as our great and perfect High Priest.

About Melchizedek

1. He was both King and Priest. 

He’s on a different level than the typical priest.

Zechariah 6:13 – He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices

Priests weren’t allowed to be King.

Kings weren’t priests.

So being both gets our attention right away.

2. He Blessed Abraham

The one through whom everyone on earth will be blessed is being blessed by Melchizedek.

Verse 7 – without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.

No one could possibly be greater than Abraham, yet Melchizedek shows his superiority to not just Abraham, but to the entire Levitical priesthood by blessing Abraham.

3. Righteousness and Peace

In the middle of the wickedness and depravity of the times - Melchizedek stood out as a righteous man. A man at peace with God.

Melchizedek is an example of what it looks like to be without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

He shows us that it is possible to live an upright life in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. 

(Philippians 2 gives detailed instructions.)

4. Permanence

Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.

Levitical priests had to not only be in the Tribe of Levi, but also able to trace their lineage back to Aaron. Melchizedek was superior to the Aaronic priesthood with no genealogy. No records. 

Also: all priests were imperfect men, so their sacrificial work was imperfect. Because their priesthood was a limited time frame, it didn’t last. Melchizedek was superior in that his priesthood didn’t have a start/stop timeframe.

The Levitical priesthood was never meant to be perfect or permanent. It always pointed to something greater. Melchizedek's priesthood was a demonstration of something greater while also pointing to something greater still.

It’s not about ancestry or origin. This was a product of divine designation. 

Jesus wasn’t from the line of Levi either.

He was from the line of Judah.

5. Melchizedek is Superior

The offering made to Melchizedek is quite significant. It was always the lesser, giving the greater, the blessing of an offering. 

The tenth of the spoils was significant amount.

Abraham the patriarch - To be a patriarch was to be at the top of the food chain so to speak. This offering placed Melchizedek higher than even Abraham.

Also, Levitical priests only served the people of Israel while Melchizedek was a priest of the Most High God. This is the Universal name for God. Melchizedek is a priest not just for the people of Israel, but for everyone.

What does all this mean?

Jesus is: 

Our King and Priest

The Savior of the world. 

The Royal One who sits on the throne.

Jesus also brings ultimate 

Blessing

As Melchizedek blessed Abraham

Jesus blesses us - in salvation and in daily life.

Righteousness and Peace

Jesus imparts His perfect righteousness to us, bringing peace with God.

His work is:

Permanent!

He made One Sacrifice for all time

His work does not need to be repeated

All that’s left is for us to repent and trust in Him and receive that forgiveness.

Superiority - Jesus is Better

No matter what system, plan or structure you’ve got in place, Jesus is better. 

Don’t rely on your own efforts - look to Him.

This week the Hand is really about what you’re putting into the head that will affect the heart.  

Assignment this week:

Read these passages and meditate on the five qualities and how they apply to your own life: 

Ultimately - this passage is one explanation & applications of

Hebrews 3:1 – … consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession—Jesus

May meditating on these passages deepen your affection for your awesome Savior!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob

Orange Juice & the Glory of God

 

After pouring out a significant amount of ink on his rebuke and warning, the author of Hebrews turns to bring significant encouragement to his audience. As we walk through this passage, we can come to a great confidence in what Christ has done for those of us who are trusting in His name!

Watch the sermon here.

Hebrews 6:9-20

Speaking to the Saved

The shift is distinct and obvious - he's now speaking to believers in using the term, "beloved." Additionally, he's speaking from a point of being convinced because of the characteristics people are showing that "belong to salvation."

He Sees Real Fruit

There are two elements here:

1. You're all about the Glory of God

2. You serve other Christians. 

Drinking Orange Juice for the Glory of God

This article, written by a pastor years ago, frames out a pattern for glorifying God in every detail of your daily life. 

1. I will affirm, joyfully, from the word of God, that the color yellow is a gift of God. The sweet taste is a gift of God. The nourishment and the way my body uses it is a gift of God. The sun and the rain that grew the oranges is a gift of God. The trucking and the grocery chain that brought it to me is a gift of God. And the list could go on and on. I will gladly, joyfully, say that out loud. I will feel that.

2. I will lift my heart and voice in prayer, thanking God. And I will do this often so that others can know where all this came from, and how wise and strong and good God is.

3. I will remind myself that I do not deserve this juice. I deserve to be in hell today. And so, I will give thanks that my sins are forgiven and that this pleasure is, in fact, bought for me. This orange-juice pleasure is a blood-bought gift for this child of God on the way to heaven.

4. I will remind myself that this particular pleasure, this taste, this coolness on my tongue, this nourishment, reveals something of God to my senses and my soul that could not be known any other way. That’s why the world was created, because all of it is like a prism, giving us some new sight of the glory of God.

5. Then, I will share this juice, in love, with others at the table; I won’t horde it all.

6. And finally, I will use the strength that it gives me to live for the glory of God.

Whatever you do, you can take this framework and apply it.

Driving to work

Making dinner for the family

Mowing your lawn

Studying your Bible

Changing a diaper

From the most mundane work task

To the most exciting life event

You can glorify Him. 

You love the glory of His name. 

This is head, heart, & hand in one sentence

Ministering to others: CHALLENGE: Be intentional to minister to someone in some way every day this week. 

Do Something specific.

Maybe pray for them (ask how can I…)

Maybe you know of a need they have

Maybe you encourage them intentionally

Maybe do something to relieve pressure

Mow their lawn

Give them a Chick-fil-A gift card

Take them to lunch - buy them coffee

Watch their kids for an evening

Send them a Scripture passage text

Maybe sign up to help in preschool

Maybe offer to teach in SS

Join the choir

Serve in Trail Life

Pray for our students at Camp daily

There are 1,000 other things you can to to minister to someone in the body this week. 

Decide to do something daily!!

Capturing and Clinging to Confidence

Biblical discipleship leads to assurance of salvation. Serving others leads to assurance.

Read 2 Peter 1:5-13 and Titus 2:2-13. One of the central elements of the Christian life is to be involved in a biblical, Titus 2 model of discipleship.

God designed the church with the intent that we would be helping one another follow Jesus better. 

Contractual Obligation

Abraham was promised that his spiritual children would be as numerous as the stars

That’s us!!
And what an incredible promise it was and is.

God made the promise - and He guaranteed it with the authority and solid assurance of His name. 

It doesn’t get better than that.

Two Unchangeable Things

Jesus Christ is our Anchor

His virgin birth

sinless life

miraculous Scripture fulfilling ministry

substitutionary death

victorious resurrection

And the fact that He suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, so that He might bring you to God

Is the anchor that will keep you from being tossed and back and forth in the storms of life.

Jesus is the forerunner

He enters now for us - so that when the

Time comes - we’ll be ushered in. He is seated at the right hand of God ready to bring us into heaven andante the Father's presence.

Reject being dull of hearing

Reject thorns and thistles

Press on to maturity

And you can enter into a deep confidence in Christ

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob