In our time together, we have explored the profound achievements of Christ as outlined in Hebrews 9 and 10. We began by acknowledging the tendency in our world to co-opt the message of Christ for political or social causes, often overshadowing the central achievement of Christ. This achievement is the removal of guilt and the averting of God's wrath, which is foundational to all other accomplishments of Christ. Without this, nothing else He aimed to achieve would be possible.
The text from Hebrews highlights six manifestations of Christ's greatness, each pointing back to this central achievement. First, we considered the "great absence" of Christ in the Old Covenant, where the sacrificial system was a shadow of the true redemption to come. Despite the absence, Christ was present by anticipation, and forgiveness was available to those who looked forward to the Redeemer.
Next, we celebrated Christ's "great achievement" of eternal redemption through His sacrifice, which was a once-for-all act that removed guilt and averted wrath. This was not merely a ceremonial cleansing but a profound moral and spiritual liberation.
We then turned to Christ's "great accession," where He is enthroned at the right hand of God, signifying the completion of His sacrificial work. His seated position indicates the finality and sufficiency of His sacrifice, contrasting with the endless, ineffective sacrifices of the Old Covenant.
Christ's "great application" involves His ongoing work of sanctification, making His people holy. This is possible because of the definitive sanctification achieved through His sacrifice, which unleashes God's promises and power in our lives.
We also looked forward to Christ's "great arrival," His second coming, which will bring salvation to those eagerly waiting for Him. This event will be a culmination of His redemptive work, ensuring that His people are saved from judgment.
Finally, we anticipate the "great abundance" of our eternal inheritance, where God Himself is our ultimate reward. With guilt removed and wrath averted, we are assured of God's eternal kindness and the immeasurable riches of His grace.
Key Takeaways
- 1. The central achievement of Christ is the removal of guilt and the averting of God's wrath, which is foundational to all other accomplishments. This truth should be prominent in our preaching and living, as it is the basis for our salvation and hope. [02:36]
- 2. The Old Covenant's sacrificial system was a shadow pointing to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. While it provided provisional forgiveness, it highlighted the need for a Redeemer who would decisively deal with sin. [12:22]
- 3. Christ's enthronement at the right hand of God signifies the completion and sufficiency of His sacrificial work. His seated position contrasts with the endless sacrifices of the Old Covenant, emphasizing the finality of His achievement. [24:31]
- 4. The ongoing sanctification of believers is made possible by the definitive sanctification achieved through Christ's sacrifice. This unleashes God's promises and power, enabling us to live holy lives. [32:08]
- 5. Our eternal inheritance is secured through Christ's sacrifice, with God Himself as our ultimate reward. With guilt removed and wrath averted, we are assured of God's eternal kindness and the immeasurable riches of His grace. [47:13]
** [47:13]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Opening Prayer
- [01:03] - The Central Achievement of Christ
- [02:17] - The Importance of Christ's Achievements
- [03:19] - The Great Absence in the Old Covenant
- [05:09] - Christ's Presence in the Old Covenant
- [07:26] - The Need for a Redeemer
- [10:04] - Christ's Anticipated Work
- [12:22] - The Guilt-Removing Work of Christ
- [15:06] - Christ's Great Achievement
- [19:04] - The Meaning of Redemption
- [22:44] - Christ's Great Accession
- [26:11] - The War is Won
- [30:55] - Christ's Great Application
- [41:01] - Christ's Great Arrival
- [45:04] - Christ's Great Abundance