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The Superiority of Christ's Priesthood in Hebrews 10
December 2, 2025 · 16 min
Explore Hebrews 10, focusing on Christ's eternal priesthood compared to earthly sacrifices.
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The Superiority of Christ's Sacrifice 0:10 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Thanks for joining me this morning as we read Hebrews chapter 10 verse 39. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving0:22 of the soul. Now chapter 10 has 2 primary emphasis. It, focuses on the continuation of the discussion of the superiority of the priesthood of Christ versus that of the earthly0:33 priesthood, which we've been reading about. Then there's the tabernacle or the temple, all of that actually being a shadow or a reflection of what is in heaven. Then we have a, a0:45 contrast is provided between both of them with the work of Jesus being permanent once and for all, whereas the work of the earthly priest is a little more than a salve on the conscience of man. Then in the0:57 latter portion of the chapter, another warning against falling away from Jesus Christ is is given. We read the the same thing in chapter 6. This is, frankly, a1:09 very pertinent warning, especially for us today as we are seeing the evidence of those falling away from Christ all around us. It's this, deconstructionism, this apostasy, and it's1:21 turning away from Jesus Christ. Alright. Verse 1 chapter 10. For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come and not the very image of the things, can never, with the same sacrifices, which1:33 they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then, would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers once purified would have had no more1:44 consciousness consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away1:56 sin. So the sacrifices of the Old Testament, the author is saying here, were not for the forgiveness of sin. If they were, those offerings would not have been required each year. Rather than2:08 forgiveness of sin, they were the sacrifices were a reminder of sin and the need of a redeemer. The blood of animals can never take away the2:20 sin of people. It only reminds them of the cost of their sin. Look at verse 9. Then he said, behold, I have come to do your will, oh god. He takes2:32 away the first that he may establish the second. By that will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands2:43 ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But this man, referring to Jesus, after he had offered 1 sacrifice2:56 for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Notice what it says here. Jesus came to do the will of God. What was that will? Well, we saw that in John 3 16.3:08 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world,3:19 but that the world through him might be saved. That was the will of God. The war the world stood condemned already. The will of God was to offer a covering for3:31 our sins, not for a year, but to take them away forever. Jesus offered himself according to the will of the father. Once, just once, and then he sat3:43 down at the father's side because his work was finished. Verse 16. This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the lord. I will3:55 put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds, I will write them. Then he adds, their sins and their lawless deeds, I will remember no more. Now where there is4:06 remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. Now, again, look at the superiority of Jesus Christ in Christianity. Under the new covenant, our sins are not just covered. They're4:18 remembered no more because there is a a remission or a a pardon that provides liberty. We're set free from our sin, from the bondage of sin and death. Therefore, the author states there is no4:30 need to return to the temporal offerings of the old covenant, but there's more. Equipped with this knowledge and understanding of what Jesus has accomplished for us,Bold Access to God and Christian Community 4:42 we can have confidence and boldness in the relationship with the 1 who created us. This puts us in right standing before God where we can come before him boldly. Look at verse 19. Therefore,4:54 brothers, brethren, having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, that is where the high priest could only go once a year. We can go now into the presence of5:06 God because of the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he consecrated for us through the veil that is his flesh. He went through that veil that separated the people from5:17 God. And having a high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed5:29 with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. So how do we best accomplish5:41 this goal of holding fast to our confession and not wavering. Well, verse 24, and let us consider 1 another in order to stir up love and good words, not5:53 forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some, but exhorting 1 another and so much more as you see the day approaching. Alright. Here it is. How do we6:05 hold fast? How do we how do we, not waver in our walk with the lord and in our faith? We need to be in the word. We need to be in prayer. We need to be in community with other believers,6:17 all of which are vital to the abundant life that Jesus has acquired for us. It is to walk in the Christian walk, filled with the holy spirit, strengthened by6:28 his presence. We need fellowship with other believers to encourage us, especially, he says, as you see the day of the lord's return drawing closer.6:40 The the author here continues emphasizing the why we need community, encouragement, and accountability to keep us from going off the rails. Look at verse 26. For if we sin willfully after we have6:52 received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.7:03 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses. We read that in the old testament. Of how much worse punishment do you suppose will he be thought7:15 worthy who has trampled the son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the spirit of grace.7:27 Alright. At this point, alarm bells should be going off. Now let's pause for just a moment and consider carefully what Hebrews 10 is and is not saying. When the writer speaks7:39 of sin sinning willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, he's not describing the occasional lapses or the struggles that common thatWarning Against Apostasy and Call to Endurance 7:51 are common to all believers. Alright? He's addressing apostasy. Now that word appears explicitly in, second Thessalonians chapter 2 where it talks about the8:03 falling away. Paul there warns that before Christ returns, there will be the great apostasy, a a a defection, a rebellion, a falling away, or turning from the faith.8:15 Now most scholars understand this as a decisive large scale rejection of god. What he's talking about in second Thessalonians, and that's what I think he's referring to here in Hebrews. But but in Hebrews8:27 here, he goes a little bit deeper. The warning here is not about choosing to send in contradiction to god's word. Alright? That's sin. That's wrong. But this is about coming to a clear knowledge of the gospel8:39 and then willfully abandoning the atoning work of Jesus Christ, having tasted of it, and then rejected it. Now if someone rejects Christ, they reject the only8:51 sacrifice that god has provided. There is no alternative. There's no plan b. This is it. So returning to the old testament sacrificial system of animal sacrifices and rituals cannot take away9:03 sin. And that's what, in part, the author was writing about where those who were going back to the the sacrifices. But if a person walks away from Christ, they walk away9:15 from the only hope of forgiveness and eternal life. Now let me repeat. I am I am simply your trail guide here. Okay? The holy spirit is your teacher, so pray over these difficult passages. There9:27 is a a debate to be very candid, there's a vigorous debate over this passage and the question of eternal security. Now some see this text9:39 as evidence that a believer can lose their salvation because the warning is directed to those who have received the knowledge of the truth. Now others argue9:52 that those who ultimately reject Christ were never truly saved, and their falling away reveals their true state. But whichever theological framework 1 holds to, the author of Hebrews is10:04 not talking about backsliding. He's not talking about struggling or falling into sin and then repenting. He is describing a settled, deliberate rejection of Jesus,10:16 turning away from him, his word, his salvation with no intent of returning. I believe that's why the New Testament repeatedly urges believers to encourage 110:28 another to hold fast and to restore those who wander away from the truth. A person who fears that they have committed what might be described as the unpardonable10:39 sin has not done so because the very concern reveals a heart that still cares. But we we've gotta be careful that our heart doesn't become calloused and and10:51 that we don't drift away and reject the very grace that god has extended to us and the knowledge of the truth that the holy spirit has led us to. Here's how I understand this warning,11:03 you know, this warning here. I used to enjoy roller coasters. Yeah. Not so much anymore. I don't have time to do it. But I I really like the older ones. Okay? They would they would strap you in, remind you to keep your11:15 arms and legs and body parts in the car. And if you follow those instructions, you would get a little shaken up. Some people would get sick occasionally, but you were safe. But the older coasters11:26 sometimes had simple lap belts that fastened you in. If someone unbuckle that belt and insisted on standing up, well, guess what? They placed themselves in real danger. Scripture teaches that believers are11:38 sealed by the holy spirit until the day of redemption, Ephesians 4 31. But I also know from scripture that god does not override the human will. And the warning of Hebrews makes clear that a11:50 person can, by willful and persistence, by by and persistent acts of rejection, turning away from Christ. This is not stumbling. It is abandoning12:01 the safety of the car altogether. It is walking away from from god, from the truth. Now the point of this passage is not to terrify12:13 the tenderhearted, but to sober the wavering, strengthen the weary, and call the community to persevere. It reminds us that salvation12:26 is found in Christ alone at the safest place in the world to be is to remain steadfast in him. And how do we do that? We do that with encouraging 1 another,12:37 by being in the word of God, by being in fellowship with other believers. Because look what it says in verse 31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a live of the living god.12:51 Yes. God is love. God is love. But god is also a god of judgment when time runs out. Now there's a backstory here. The tribulation and the persecution were actually causing13:03 some to walk away. And and the writer states that despite trial and tribulation, 1 should stay the course, keep on believing. Do not allow yourself to fall13:14 away. Verse 32. But recall the former days in which after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings, partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and13:26 partly while you became companions of those who were so treated. For you had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and13:38 an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Now just know this is why some believe that this is written by Paul as he talked about being in chains. Therefore, verse 35, therefore, do not cast away your13:50 confidence, which has great reward for you have need of endurance. So that after you have done the will of god, you may receive the promise endurance again. For yet a little while, and he14:02 who is coming will come and not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw14:14 back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Father, we thank you for your word, and we thank you for the Holy Spirit, our teacher. And we pray and ask that our14:26 minds would be enlightened. But, lord, that we would not just gain a head knowledge, but, lord, a heart conviction and that the holy spirit within us would we would be filled14:38 with the power of the holy spirit and that we would walk in obedience to your word. And, lord, that we would encourage others. We would look for those who are stumbling, those who are weak, those who are wavering, that14:49 we would strengthen them, lord, with your words and encourage them. And, lord, may we may we be encouraged in our walk with you. So we thank you, father, for your word. Use us in this15:01 day to reach those who are lost and, lord, to reach those who are believers but struggling. And we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks so15:12 much for, joining me this morning. And, let me encourage you again. We're going to, we're gonna be starting this journey again in January, and I wanna encourage you to to sign up but15:24 also to invite someone else to join you. And we've got some resources that have been rolling out some more, but right now, you can text the word bible to 6 7 7 4 2. That's bible to 6 7 715:36 4 2. You'll get a link. You can sign up, but there's also a share button. You can share it with family and friends and get them to sign up and be a part of our journey that begins January first in 2015:47 26. Until next time, keep standing on the word.15:55 Today's study comes from the Stand on the Word Bible Reading Plan available for free at f r c dot o r g slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you16:07 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 The Superiority of Christ's Sacrifice4:35 Bold Access to God and Christian Community7:43 Warning Against Apostasy and Call to EnduranceComments No comments yet. Start the conversation.
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