Hebrews Part 3 - Why Jesus is so much better!

— Hebrews 7-10

sermons index at http://nlife.ca/audio

  • Andrew Fountain — May 11th, 2011

The problem then:

  • is this new way worth suffering for?
  • is it worth dying for?
  • how sure can I be that it is better than the old?
  • Does it give me better access to God?

The problem now:

  • There are huge forces active in this world
    • natural disasters, the whole economic system could collapse
    • more war and killing today than there has ever been
  • Plus emotional disasters, loved ones dying or leaving us
  • Does God care?
  • How do I get access to him?

The book of Hebrews is about:

  • persevering in trusting God, even in difficulty
  • but how can I be sure it is going to work?
  • If I am sure then I will persevere and not fall away
  • Faith always needs to based on a sure rock

The core message of Hebrews is that

  • Christ became human and in his weakness he overcame sin, so now we can relate to him and look to him as the ultimate sacrifice.
  • He has become the reality of the Old Testament picture of the promise.
    • In him there is the new tabernacle which is God’s direct presence—Jesus’ blood is the sacrifice.
    • This is the new promise and covenant.
  • And so we can live in the promise today
    • and rest in the promise
    • and hold on to Christ in the hard times
    • with faith that we will receive our inheritance in the things (promises) that are unseen,
    • and in this promise we can live a life of Christ and love one another.

What a priest is and why do we need one?

  • Vos: The Teaching of the Epistle to the Hebrews p.94-95
  • Who wrote Hebrews, how, when and why?

Hebrews 7-10

Link to Hebrews 7-10 notes.

(Heb 9:9) This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper.

(Heb 9:14) how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our18 consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

(Heb 10:22) let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings,25 because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience26 and our bodies washed in pure water.

(Heb 13:18) Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect.

Updated on 2011-05-11 by Andrew Fountain