Sermons on Hebrews 10:19-22
The various sermons below interpret Hebrews 10:19-22 by focusing on the transformative access believers have to God through Jesus. Both sermons highlight the tearing of the temple veil as a pivotal event that symbolizes this newfound access, emphasizing the privilege of entering the "Most Holy Place" with confidence. This access, once reserved for the high priest, is now available to all believers, underscoring the boldness and assurance they can have in approaching God. The sermons use vivid analogies, such as being invited into an exclusive space, to illustrate the privilege and grace of entering God's presence, despite human unworthiness. This shared emphasis on Jesus' sacrifice as the key to this access reflects a common theological understanding of the passage.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their thematic focus. One sermon emphasizes Jesus as the superior Son and eternal high priest, highlighting His role as the ultimate mediator who surpasses the old covenant and its temporary priesthood. This interpretation underscores the eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood and the complete access it grants believers to God. Meanwhile, another sermon focuses on the importance of life-changing relationships for spiritual growth, suggesting that faith thrives in community rather than isolation. This approach highlights the collective aspect of the gospel, where relationships play a crucial role in moving individuals from unbelief to belief, offering accountability and encouragement in their faith journey.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Interpretation:
Jesus: The Ultimate Revelation and Mediator of God (The NC) interprets Hebrews 10:19-22 by emphasizing the superiority of Jesus over angels and the old covenant. The sermon highlights the tearing of the temple veil as a significant event that symbolizes the new access believers have to God through Jesus. This interpretation underscores the idea that Jesus' sacrifice allows believers to enter the "Most Holy Place" with confidence, a privilege previously reserved for the high priest alone. The sermon uses the Greek term "parrhesia" (confidence) to stress the boldness and assurance believers can have in approaching God.
Drawing Near: Embracing God's Invitation and Relationships (FC Newburgh) interprets Hebrews 10:19-22 by using the analogy of being invited into an exclusive space, like a sports locker room, to illustrate the privilege of entering the Holy of Holies. The sermon emphasizes that believers are invited into God's presence despite not deserving it, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament's exclusive access to the Holy of Holies. The preacher highlights that Jesus' sacrifice opens this access, making it both a collective and individual experience for believers.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Theological Themes:
Jesus: The Ultimate Revelation and Mediator of God (The NC) presents the theme of Jesus as the superior Son and mediator, contrasting Him with angels and the old covenant. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus' role as the high priest is eternal and surpasses the temporary and limited roles of the priests in the old covenant. This theme is distinct in its focus on the eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood and the complete access it grants believers to God.
Drawing Near: Embracing God's Invitation and Relationships (FC Newburgh) presents the theme of life-changing relationships as essential for spiritual growth. The sermon suggests that moving from unbelief to belief is facilitated by relationships that hold individuals accountable and encourage their faith journey. It emphasizes that faith does not thrive in isolation but through community, which mirrors the collective aspect of the gospel.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Jesus: The Ultimate Revelation and Mediator of God (The NC) provides historical context by explaining the role of the high priest in the Old Testament, who could enter the Most Holy Place only once a year. The sermon details the significance of the temple veil, which separated the holy place from the Most Holy Place, and how its tearing at Jesus' death symbolized the removal of barriers between God and humanity.
Drawing Near: Embracing God's Invitation and Relationships (FC Newburgh) provides historical context by explaining the Old Testament practice of only the high priest entering the Holy of Holies once a year. This context is used to highlight the radical nature of the access believers now have to God through Jesus, contrasting the exclusivity of the past with the inclusivity of the present.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Cross-References in the Bible:
Jesus: The Ultimate Revelation and Mediator of God (The NC) references Philippians 2:10-11 to support the idea of Jesus' superiority, stating that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This passage is used to emphasize the authority and divinity of Jesus, reinforcing the message of Hebrews 10:19-22 about the confidence believers have in approaching God through Jesus.
Drawing Near: Embracing God's Invitation and Relationships (FC Newburgh) references Acts 2:39 to support the idea of the gospel being collective and inclusive, stating that God's call is for all people. This cross-reference is used to emphasize the universal invitation to draw near to God, reinforcing the sermon's message of inclusivity and community.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Christian References outside the Bible:
Jesus: The Ultimate Revelation and Mediator of God (The NC) mentions a song by Duff Rowden titled "Let Us Draw Near," which is inspired by Hebrews 10:19-22. The song is used to illustrate the theme of entering God's presence with confidence and the personal relationship believers can have with God through Jesus.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Jesus: The Ultimate Revelation and Mediator of God (The NC) uses an analogy of watching a fireplace online to describe the difference between experiencing church online versus in person. This analogy is used to emphasize the warmth and presence felt when believers gather together, paralleling the access to God's presence described in Hebrews 10:19-22.