From Rituals to Redemption: The New Covenant in Christ

Sermon Summary

Hebrews 9:1-14 reveals the profound shift from the old covenant, with its elaborate rituals and restricted access to God, to the new and better covenant established by Jesus Christ. The old system, centered around the tabernacle and later the temple, was filled with symbolism—lampstands, bread of the presence, the Ark of the Covenant, and the mercy seat—all pointing forward to Christ. Yet, despite its beauty and detail, this system kept people at a distance from God. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year, offering sacrifices that could never truly cleanse the conscience or bring lasting peace.

Jesus, however, is the fulfillment of all these symbols. He is the true High Priest, not from the Levitical order but from a new and better order, prophesied centuries before. His sacrifice was not the blood of animals, but His own perfect, sinless, human blood—fully God and fully man—offered once for all in the true heavenly sanctuary. This act secured eternal redemption, not a temporary reprieve. The tearing of the temple veil at His death signified that the barrier between God and humanity was forever removed. Now, all who trust in Christ have direct access to God, not through a human priest, but through Jesus Himself, who intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father.

This new covenant does what the old could never do: it purifies our conscience. No longer do we live under the weight of guilt and shame, endlessly trying to atone for our failures. Instead, we are set free to serve the living God from the heart, not out of obligation or fear, but out of gratitude and love. Our good works are no longer attempts to earn God’s favor, but joyful responses to the grace we have received. Even when we stumble, we are invited to confess our sins directly to God, knowing that forgiveness is complete and condemnation is gone. Jesus opens the way; Jesus sets us free. This is the greatest news, the news that transforms lives and gives us hope, purpose, and peace.

The Power in The Blood of Christ!
 
An Understanding of The Old Covenant vs.1-10
The old covenant, with all its elaborate details and symbolism of Jesus, actually keeps us away from God and fails to bring a clear conscience to the worshipper.
 
An Understanding of the Superiority of the New Covenant vs.11-14
·         Superiority because of the location and offering of the sacrifice
·         Superiority because of the results of a pure conscience
Main Point: Through His perfect sacrifice, Jesus, our High Priest, gives us full access to God and frees our hearts to love and serve Him.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1–2, ESV)

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The old covenant, with its detailed rituals and sacred spaces, was designed to point us to Christ but ultimately kept people at a distance from God. Only the high priest could enter God’s presence, and only temporarily, highlighting humanity’s deep need for a better way to be reconciled to God. The system’s inability to cleanse the conscience left worshipers in a cycle of guilt and repeated sacrifice. [24:23]
• 2. Jesus’ sacrifice is utterly unique because He is both fully God and fully man—the hypostatic union. As God, He has the power to save; as man, He can truly represent us. His blood, not that of animals, was offered in the true heavenly sanctuary, securing eternal redemption and making a way for us to be fully reconciled to God. [26:12]
• 3. The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus’ death is a powerful symbol: the barrier between God and humanity is gone. We now have 24/7 access to God’s presence, not through rituals or human mediators, but through Christ Himself. This access is not just a theological truth, but a lived reality—God invites us to come to Him at any time, with any need. [19:31]
• 4. The new covenant purifies our conscience in a way the old never could. We are no longer bound by guilt, shame, or the endless striving of “dead works.” Instead, we are free to serve God from the heart, motivated by love and gratitude, not fear or obligation. This freedom is the foundation for a vibrant, joyful Christian life. [31:26]
• 5. Even as forgiven people, we still sin and face consequences in this world, but our standing before God is secure. There is no condemnation for those in Christ; our sins are remembered no more. We are invited to confess our sins directly to God, receive His mercy, and live each day in the freedom and assurance that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough. [34:14]

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 9:1-14 (ESV) — Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 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.

Observation Questions

1. What were some of the key features and objects inside the tabernacle, and what did they represent? ([10:23])
2. According to Hebrews 9, who was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place, and how often could they do it? ([17:28])
3. What does the author say about the effectiveness of the old covenant sacrifices in cleansing the conscience? ([21:09])
4. What is different about Jesus’ sacrifice compared to the sacrifices of animals under the old covenant? ([26:12])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why did God design the old covenant system to keep people at a distance, allowing only the high priest to enter His presence once a year? What does this reveal about humanity’s need for a better way to be reconciled to God? ([24:23])
2. The sermon mentions the “tearing of the temple veil” at Jesus’ death. What is the significance of this event for believers today? ([19:31])
3. The pastor described Jesus as both fully God and fully man (the “hypostatic union”). Why is it important that Jesus is both, and how does this impact our relationship with God? ([26:12])
4. The new covenant is said to “purify our conscience from dead works.” What are “dead works,” and how does a purified conscience change the way we serve God? ([31:26])

Application Questions

1. The old covenant left worshipers in a cycle of guilt and repeated sacrifice. Are there ways you find yourself stuck in cycles of guilt or trying to “earn” God’s favor today? What would it look like to break free from that cycle? ([24:23])
2. The sermon emphasized that Jesus’ sacrifice gives us 24/7 access to God. Do you take advantage of this open access in your daily life? If not, what holds you back from coming to God with your needs, struggles, or confessions? ([19:31])
3. The pastor encouraged confessing sins directly to God, knowing that forgiveness is complete. Is there a sin or area of shame you have trouble believing is truly forgiven? How can you remind yourself of the truth of Hebrews 9:14 and Romans 8:1? ([34:14])
4. The new covenant sets us free to serve God from the heart, not out of obligation or fear. Think about your current acts of service or “good works.” Are they motivated by love and gratitude, or by something else? How can you shift your motivation? ([31:26])
5. The sermon said, “Jesus opens the way; Jesus sets us free.” In what area of your life do you most need to experience this freedom right now? ([38:17])
6. The pastor mentioned that even as forgiven people, we still face consequences for our sins in this world. How do you balance living in the freedom of forgiveness while also taking responsibility for your actions? ([34:14])
7. The old system was full of symbolism pointing to Christ. Are there any religious habits or traditions in your life that have become empty rituals? How can you refocus them to point you to Jesus and the freedom He offers? ([12:47])