Christ's Complete Sacrifice: Our Journey to Holiness
Summary
In Hebrews 10, we are reminded of the profound truth that the law is merely a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. The sacrifices of old, repeated year after year, could never make perfect those who draw near to worship. They served as an annual reminder of sins, highlighting the impossibility of the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. However, when Christ came into the world, He declared, "Here I am, I have come to do your will, O God." Through His sacrifice, we have been made holy once for all. This singular act of Christ's priestly work is completely sufficient, achieving all that God desires and all that we need.
Christ's sacrifice is not only sufficient in relation to sin but also in relation to God, Satan, and us. He has done all that is necessary concerning sin, rendering the old sacrifices obsolete. His work is completed, and He sits at the right hand of God, signifying acceptance and completion. In relation to Satan, Christ's death has broken the power of the devil, freeing us from the fear of death. For us, His sacrifice has made us perfect forever, even as we are being made holy.
This paradox of being perfected while still being sanctified is a profound mystery. We are called to live out this holiness, not through external constraints but through the transformation of our hearts. Our lives should reflect the reality of our new identity in Christ, marked by holy devotion. This devotion is not an isolated pursuit but one that draws us closer to our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is grounded in feeding on the Word of God, living in the fear of God, and resting in the grace of God.
As we reflect on these truths, let us be reminded that holiness of life is the evidence of our saving faith. We are justified, sanctified, and glorified in Christ. Our journey is one of becoming what we already are in Him. Let us strive to live lives of holy devotion, grounded in the finished work of Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- Christ's Complete Sacrifice: The sacrifices of the Old Testament were insufficient to take away sins, serving only as reminders of our need for a Savior. Christ's sacrifice, however, is complete and sufficient, achieving all that God desires and all that we need. This truth should ground our faith and inspire our devotion. [11:00]
- Holiness and Identity: Our holiness is both a completed work in Christ and an ongoing process. We are called to live out our identity in Christ, becoming what we already are. This involves a transformation of the heart, not just external adherence to rules. [22:04]
- Living in Holy Devotion: True holy devotion is not isolated but draws us closer to the community of believers. It is marked by a life transformed by the Word of God, lived in the fear of God, and resting in the grace of God. [44:21]
- The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit testifies to the truth of our new identity in Christ, enabling us to live lives of holy devotion. This involves a continual renewal of our hearts and minds, aligning our lives with the truth of the gospel. [22:52]
- The Paradox of Sanctification: We are both perfected in Christ and being made holy. This paradox calls us to live out our faith with humility and dependence on God's grace, recognizing that our sanctification is both a completed work and an ongoing journey. [21:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction and Context
- [05:07] - The Insufficiency of Old Sacrifices
- [06:44] - Christ's Complete Sacrifice
- [09:12] - Holiness Grounded in Christ
- [10:24] - Christ's Work in Relation to Sin
- [13:48] - Christ's Work in Relation to God
- [15:00] - The Necessity of Divine Wrath
- [18:42] - The Call to Holy Devotion
- [20:24] - Christ's Work in Relation to Satan
- [21:28] - Christ's Work in Relation to Us
- [22:39] - The Paradox of Sanctification
- [29:34] - Living Out Our New Identity
- [33:31] - The Mortification of the Flesh
- [44:21] - The Evidence of Saving Faith
- [49:48] - Resting in God's Promises
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 10:1-18
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 10:1-4 say about the limitations of the Old Testament sacrifices? How does this contrast with the sacrifice of Christ? [05:07]
2. According to Hebrews 10:10, what has been achieved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? [08:53]
3. How does the sermon describe the significance of Christ sitting at the right hand of God after His sacrifice? [12:14]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in affirming our new identity in Christ, according to the sermon? [22:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the paradox of being "made perfect forever" while "being made holy"? What does this mean for believers? [21:47]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient in relation to God, Satan, and us? [21:28]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation of our hearts in relation to living a life of holy devotion? [20:10]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between holiness and community among believers? [42:36]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea that Christ's sacrifice is complete and sufficient. How does this truth ground your faith and inspire your devotion? [10:24]
2. The sermon discusses the transformation of the heart rather than mere external adherence to rules. What specific areas of your life need heart transformation rather than just behavior modification? [22:04]
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more attentive to the Spirit's guidance in affirming your identity in Christ? [22:52]
4. The sermon emphasizes living in holy devotion within a community. How can you actively engage with your church community to encourage mutual growth in holiness? [42:36]
5. Reflect on the paradox of being perfected in Christ while still being sanctified. How does this understanding affect your daily walk with God? [21:47]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of feeding on the Word of God. What specific steps can you take to ensure that you are regularly engaging with Scripture in a transformative way? [45:50]
7. How can you rest in the grace of God while also taking seriously the call to live a holy life? What practical steps can you take to balance these aspects in your spiritual journey? [48:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ's Sacrifice: The Fulfillment of God's Will
Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate fulfillment of God's will, rendering the old sacrifices obsolete. The law, with its repeated sacrifices, was only a shadow of the good things to come. It could never make perfect those who drew near to worship. However, Christ's singular act of sacrifice has made us holy once for all. This complete and sufficient work of Christ achieves all that God desires and all that we need. It signifies acceptance and completion, as Christ now sits at the right hand of God. This truth should ground our faith and inspire our devotion, knowing that Christ has done all that is necessary concerning sin. [11:00]
Hebrews 10:11-14 (ESV): "And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
Reflection: In what ways can you ground your faith in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice today, allowing it to inspire your daily devotion and actions?
Day 2: Our Identity in Christ: A Journey of Transformation
Our holiness is both a completed work in Christ and an ongoing process. We are called to live out our identity in Christ, becoming what we already are. This involves a transformation of the heart, not just external adherence to rules. The paradox of being perfected while still being sanctified is a profound mystery. We are justified, sanctified, and glorified in Christ. Our journey is one of becoming what we already are in Him. This transformation is a continual renewal of our hearts and minds, aligning our lives with the truth of the gospel. [22:04]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What specific area of your life needs transformation to align more closely with your identity in Christ? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in this area today?
Day 3: Holy Devotion: A Community Pursuit
True holy devotion is not isolated but draws us closer to the community of believers. It is marked by a life transformed by the Word of God, lived in the fear of God, and resting in the grace of God. Our lives should reflect the reality of our new identity in Christ, marked by holy devotion. This devotion is grounded in feeding on the Word of God, living in the fear of God, and resting in the grace of God. It is a communal journey, drawing us closer to our brothers and sisters in Christ. [44:21]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you actively engage with your community of believers this week to encourage and be encouraged in holy devotion?
Day 4: The Holy Spirit: Testifying to Our New Identity
The Holy Spirit testifies to the truth of our new identity in Christ, enabling us to live lives of holy devotion. This involves a continual renewal of our hearts and minds, aligning our lives with the truth of the gospel. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith, transforming our hearts and guiding us in our journey of sanctification. As we rest in the grace of God, the Holy Spirit works within us, testifying to our new identity and enabling us to live lives that reflect the reality of who we are in Christ. [22:52]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: In what ways can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life today, allowing Him to testify to your new identity in Christ?
Day 5: The Paradox of Sanctification: Perfected Yet Being Made Holy
We are both perfected in Christ and being made holy. This paradox calls us to live out our faith with humility and dependence on God's grace, recognizing that our sanctification is both a completed work and an ongoing journey. As we reflect on these truths, let us be reminded that holiness of life is the evidence of our saving faith. Our journey is one of becoming what we already are in Him. Let us strive to live lives of holy devotion, grounded in the finished work of Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. [21:47]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: How can you embrace the paradox of being perfected yet being made holy in your daily walk with Christ, allowing it to shape your actions and attitudes today?
Quotes
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming, not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? [00:05:17]
By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. That is almost a reiteration of what he has said in verse 10: we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [00:08:41]
The Holiness of a Believer is both achieved by and grounded in the saving work of Christ. In fact, calls to holy living and yearnings after Holiness that fail to give that fact due consideration lead ultimately only to futility. [00:09:09]
Jesus has done all that is necessary in relation to sin. The contrast between what is said about the impossibility in verse four of the blood of bulls and goats taking away sin and what we have now read in verse 12 concerning this sacrifice that has been offered once for all. [00:10:39]
Jesus has done all in relationship to God. Notice where we're told he sits down on in verse 12: he sat down at the right hand of God. Sitting as a declaration of completion and sitting in this position as an indication of his acceptance. [00:13:48]
The power of Satan is broken as to its ultimate effect. It's not yet wiped out of existence, but it is broken, and Christ waits contentedly for the inevitable submission of this defeated foe. [00:21:04]
How can it be that we are at the one time instantaneously perfected in God's sight, clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and yet at the same time progressing in our knowledge of Jesus and in our growing like him? [00:21:47]
The Holy Spirit Bears witness to what is true concerning us, namely that we have been changed inwardly, that we have been given a new heart. If you like, we have been given a new heart that is the same shape as the law of God. [00:22:52]
Holiness of life is the only sound evidence that we have a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. To suppose that a man may be justified without being Sanctified is to separate what God has joined together. [00:44:21]
It is imperative that we are feeding on the word of God. Sin will keep you from this book, or this book will keep you from sin. Not just in a cerebral fashion but in a life-transforming fashion. [00:45:57]
We are not only to be feeding on the word of God and living in the fear of God, but we are to be resting in the grace of God. In other words, we learn not only to heed the warnings but also to trust the promises. [00:48:57]
When God hits the delete key, there is no computer genius that can go dig in the midst of that and pull that material up again. Some of you as believers are pummeled by and riddled by the insinuations and the accusations of the evil one. [00:49:48]
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