Hebrews 10

Verses 1-18

• The Old Covenant sacrifices, because they had to be made continually, kept people in a state of guilt for their sins. And the fact that they continued in their sins (Hebrews 8:9) demonstrated that the sacrifices could not save them from the power of sin either.

• Jesus came to do God's ultimate will, which was to take away the sacrifices by replacing them with the one-time sacrifice of His own body.

  • Similarly, God's will is for us to give our own bodies in obedience to Him. He does not desire for us to stay in sin and then try to make amends for it later. Sacrifice the wants of the flesh by giving your body to God in obedience to Him.

• Now, because of Jesus' sacrifice, we are “perfected forever”. Perfect means complete.

  • This means that we are completely free from the guilt of the sin (“perfect in regard to the conscience” and having “no more consciousness of sins”) (Hebrews 9:9, 10:2). It also means that the work needed to forgive our sin and to free us from the control of sin is complete and permanent.

    • Therefore, God does not remember our old sins anymore!

  • Since the work is finished, there is nothing else that's needed to deal with our sins. As such, we have no reason or excuse to continue in sin, nor can we make up for continued sin with our own religious services.

    • Let God's Word be written on your heart by reading the Word continually. You will learn that you have been cleansed of your sins (2 Peter 1:9-10). In response, walk in obedience to God (1 Peter 1:14-15,18-19).

Verses 19-22

• Christ has dealt with sin once and for all and have given us access to God (Ephesians 2:18). He suffered and died, in fact, so that we could be close with God! Now, we can actually be intimate with Him, and enjoy a true relationship. 

  • This is something that the masses in the Old Testament could never imagine.

• Knowing this, draw near to God! Deep relationship with God is a privilege that cost Jesus His life! Honor His sacrifice by pursuing what He paid for (Philippians 3:12). Seek Him, pray to Him, enjoy Him. 

  • Because Jesus made the way for us to be close with God, it is promised, that if you draw near to God, He will surely draw near to you. We no longer have to worry about making atonement for sin or fearing death if we don't do everything right. Jesus did all that work. No it's much more simple.

  • So how do we draw near to God and enter His Most Holy Place? Such speaks to a close relationship with God. To have a close relationship with God...

    • 1. Seek moments of prayer to be close with God, to hear His voice, and to speak with Him.

      • In the tabernacle of Moses, the priests entered the Most Holy Place to meet with and hear from God, who spoke from above the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:22, 26:33).

    • 2. Put your confidence in Jesus' blood, not in yourself. It is by Him that we have a way to the Father (John 14:6).

      • The priest could only enter because of the blood that made atonement for them.

    • 3. Be holy in your conduct. Do not be continuing in known sin (James 4:8, Psalm 24:3-4). Because Christ has cleansed you from sin, you can be truly holy (1 Peter 1:15).

      • The priests had to be consecrated—anointed, washed, and clothed in special garments, representing that they could only enter in a holy, spotless state (Exodus 28-30).

    • 4. Have an attitude to love and serve God and His people.

      • The priests entered the Holy Place to serve God (Hebrews 9:6-7,9), and to serve others by atoning for their sins.

Verses 23-25

• Knowing that God is faithful to you, don't waver in your faith! You have the power from God to stay strong! Wavering, therefore, is never God's fault.

  • To make sure that you do not waver, stay close with fellow believers, and be with them very often. The church is a grace of God to help you be strong in your faith.

  • Also stir up or provoke other believers. What does this mean? Live obediently, and your life will encourage others to also be obedient. Ask your fellow believers about their state. Be confrontational but loving. Don't let anyone get lazy! 

Verses 26-31

• If we forsake fellowship with believers, it leads to forsaking Christ.

• Be careful! Do not fall back into sin. Now that we have knowledge of the truth, if we fall back into sin, there is an increasing danger.

  • The more that we know and experience, and yet choose to practice sin, the more we endanger ourselves (Hebrews 6:4-6).

    • As we gain knowledge, we lose grace. There is not much grace for those who have knowledge, and then choose to sin (Luke 12:47, Numbers 15:30).

• Even so, there is a point when a believer becomes knowledgeable and experienced enough that falling back into sin will result in a loss of salvation (2 Peter 2:20) because he/she renounces Christ in so doing. These will suffer great punishment.

  • Do not be this kind of person! Stay away from sin!

Verses 32-34

• No amount of persecution or physical loss can take away the joy of someone who is focused on heaven—their eternity with Christ. 

  • Keep your eyes fixed on the eternal worth of God's kingdom, and you will have joy in all circumstances.

Verses 35-39

• Time, patience, and labor are all part of keeping one's faith. There are things here on earth that we have to do before we will enter the kingdom. Some of these things will be hard, but they are necessary. 

  • Work at enduring through hard situations without giving up, and you will do well. Christ will come again! Don't fall back into sin, and be patient!