Christ's Sacrifice: The New Covenant and Community

Devotional

Day 1: The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice

The old covenant's sacrifices were temporary and insufficient, pointing to the need for a perfect sacrifice. Jesus' offering was once and for all, providing complete atonement and eternal redemption. This truth invites believers to rest in the assurance of their salvation and the sufficiency of Christ's work. The Day of Atonement in ancient Israel, with its rituals and sacrifices, was a temporary measure, a shadow pointing to the ultimate redemption through Christ. Understanding this, Christians are encouraged to embrace the completeness of Jesus' sacrifice, knowing that nothing more is needed for their salvation. [07:36]

Hebrews 9:12-14 (ESV): "He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you struggle to believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice? How can you remind yourself of His complete work today?

Day 2: Direct Access to God

The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' crucifixion symbolizes the new access believers have to God, no longer mediated by priests but open to all through faith in Christ. This access is a profound privilege, inviting Christians to live in constant communion with their Creator. No longer do they need a human mediator; Christ has opened the way for them to approach God with confidence. This new relationship with God is not just a theological concept but a daily reality that transforms how believers live and interact with the world. [19:16]

Ephesians 2:18-19 (ESV): "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence in your daily life, knowing you have direct access to Him through Christ?

Day 3: The Call to Community

Hebrews encourages believers not to forsake gathering together. The church is a community where they are called to serve and encourage one another. This gathering is not just for individual benefit but for the strengthening of the entire body of Christ. In a world filled with division and hopelessness, the church stands as a beacon of unity and support. Believers are reminded that their presence and participation in the church are vital, not just for their growth but for the encouragement and edification of others. [24:20]

1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (ESV): "That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."

Reflection: What is one way you can contribute to your church community this week, either through service or encouragement?

Day 4: Serving Others as a Reflection of God's Kingdom

Serving in the church is a tangible way to seek God's kingdom. By prioritizing the needs of others and contributing to the community, believers align themselves with God's purposes and experience His blessings in their lives. This service is not just a duty but a reflection of the love and grace they have received from Christ. It is an opportunity to embody the gospel and demonstrate the transformative power of God's love to those around them. [28:58]

Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Reflection: Identify one person in your church or community who could use your help or encouragement this week. How can you serve them in a way that reflects God's love?

Day 5: Unity and Hope in a Divided World

In a divided world, the church is called to be a place of unity and hope. By gathering together and supporting one another, believers resist the spirit of division and embody the love and grace of Christ. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. The church stands as a beacon of hope, offering a glimpse of God's kingdom where love, grace, and unity prevail over division and hopelessness. [30:51]

Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV): "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Reflection: In what ways can you promote unity and hope within your church or community, especially in areas where division is prevalent?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of Hebrews, we delved into the profound significance of Christ's sacrifice and the new covenant it established. The passage from Hebrews 10:11-14 and 19-25 serves as a powerful reminder of the inadequacy of the old sacrificial system and the completeness found in Jesus' single, perfect offering. The Day of Atonement in ancient Israel, with its rituals and sacrifices, was a temporary measure, a shadow pointing to the ultimate redemption through Christ. The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' crucifixion symbolizes the new access we have to God, no longer mediated by priests but open to all through faith in Christ.

The writer of Hebrews, addressing a Jewish audience, emphasizes that Jesus is superior to the prophets, angels, Moses, and the high priests of old. This superiority is not just in status but in the eternal and perfect nature of His priesthood and sacrifice. Jesus' sacrifice was not just a covering of sins but a complete cleansing, offering eternal redemption. This new covenant invites us to draw near to God with confidence, holding fast to our hope and encouraging one another in love and good works.

In response to this incredible gift, we are called to not forsake gathering together. The church is not just a place to receive but a community where we serve one another, reflecting the love and grace we've received. In a world filled with division and hopelessness, the church stands as a beacon of unity and support. We are reminded that our presence and participation in the church are vital, not just for our growth but for the encouragement and edification of others.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ's Perfect Sacrifice: The old covenant's sacrifices were temporary and insufficient, pointing to the need for a perfect sacrifice. Jesus' offering was once and for all, providing complete atonement and eternal redemption. This truth invites us to rest in the assurance of our salvation and the sufficiency of Christ's work. [07:36]
2. Access to God Through Christ: The tearing of the temple veil signifies the new access we have to God through Jesus. No longer do we need a human mediator; Christ has opened the way for us to approach God with confidence. This access is a profound privilege, inviting us to live in constant communion with our Creator. [19:16]
3. The Call to Community: Hebrews encourages us not to forsake gathering together. The church is a community where we are called to serve and encourage one another. Our presence is not just for our benefit but for the strengthening of the entire body of Christ. [24:20]
4. The Importance of Serving Others: Serving in the church is a tangible way to seek God's kingdom. By prioritizing the needs of others and contributing to the community, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience His blessings in our lives. [28:58]
5. Overcoming Division and Hopelessness: In a divided world, the church is called to be a place of unity and hope. By gathering together and supporting one another, we resist the spirit of division and embody the love and grace of Christ. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. [30:51]
** [30:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Introduction to Hebrews
[03:25] - The Day of Atonement Explained
[04:56] - The Significance of the Temple Veil
[06:17] - Old Testament Sacrifices and Jesus
[07:36] - Jesus: The Perfect Sacrifice
[10:59] - Understanding the Jewish Context
[12:24] - Jesus Greater Than Prophets and Angels
[14:29] - Jesus: The Eternal High Priest
[16:21] - Jesus: The Perfect Temple
[17:20] - The Shadow of the Old Covenant
[18:12] - The New Covenant in Christ
[19:16] - The Tearing of the Veil
[22:57] - Access to God's Presence
[24:20] - The Call to Gather and Serve
[28:58] - Serving the Church Community
[30:51] - Overcoming Division and Hopelessness
[33:11] - Personal Testimony and Encouragement
[37:18] - The Gift of the Church Community

Sermon Clips

I'm so grateful to be here. I know Dave isn't here, so there's no rules and I can just do whatever I want to do. I'm joking. No, I wouldn't. But I've been tasked to talk through Hebrews. Hebrews. I'm one of the elders here, and I'm just so thankful for this church. And I'll kind of go more into that later on today. [00:00:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Let's skip down to verse 19. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain. Remember that the curtain that is through his flesh. And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with true hearts and full assurance of faith with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil. Conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful. [00:01:30] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

The purpose of the tabernacle and the Old Covenant was to explain. Explain our own weaknesses and foreshadow the coming of the one who would offer a single, perfect, permanent payment. That's for Dave. I think I said the P word, yeah, three times. That's for Dave. If he's watching online. A perfect, permanent payment. And all those who are online, God bless you. We love you. That's what Jesus offered for human sin. This is incredible. This is incredible. This is incredible. And again, this is writer of Hebrews is anonymous. Whoever wrote Hebrews went through excruciating lengths to make it clear that what is found in Christ is far greater and more complete than any and everything that was foreshadowed in the Old Covenant. [00:07:49] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Jesus is better than the high priest. You know, the only person in Israel who was able to go into the holies of holies, that if you were to go back there and be unclean or full of sin, you would die at me. That's how important that arc was. This one. One guy was able to go back there. And he was an important figure in the Jewish community. And Jesus is far greater because the high priest of the past eventually would die and have to pass it off to the next priest. But Jesus is alive forever more. [00:15:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

The veil tearing opened up the holies of holies to all people, both Jewish and Gentile. Praise God for that. And remove the need for the priest to act as an intermediary, right? The veil's tearing signifies. The start of Christ's ministry as high priest and that he has entered the most holy place to offer not other blood, his own blood. [00:20:32] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And let us consider, let us consider how to stir up, this is the response to all that good news, chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and now 10, how Christ is the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. And he says, now that you know all this, and the veil has been torn, let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as in the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and in all the more as we see the day approaching. [00:23:48] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

What I was trying to explain to that young lady was, we come to church because we get a chance to serve one another. I get a chance to serve Keith. Keith gets a chance to serve me. [00:28:51] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Tim, I get a chance to serve Mark and the many others here. That's why I come. I don't pick a church because of the amenities. This is not a country club. I'm picking the church, and I'm assembling together with my church family because I want to be used by God for their benefit. And imagine, just for a moment, if everybody when they came to church had the same mindset. That I'm not coming there to get, get, get. But I'm coming there to serve and take care of those who are around me. Because we're always like, God, what's your will? I want to hear your audible voice. I want to hear the audible voice of God too. I ain't heard it yet. [00:29:12] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And you ask yourself, well, how do I do that? How do I seek the kingdom of God? Here's one way to start, by serving your local church and serving the individuals in there. This ain't about money. We ain't talking about giving. No, stay focused with me here. I'm talking about serving the person who is sitting next to you. [00:29:57] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

But God says, come together. Do not forsake the gathering together. Jesus said, and you know what? There were so many people who sent me messages recently, and I'll get to that in a second, but there was a verse that was sent to me, and I should just kind of summarize it, but [00:31:58] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

I can't even look at it. He will not leave you nor forsake you. So if Jesus will not leave you nor forsake you, you don't have the right to leave and forsake your brothers and sisters in Christ. We need you. We need you. [00:32:44] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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