Introduction:

• We are partakers of a new covenant.
• We come into the kingdom of God by a new birth.
• We are new creatures in Christ.
• We have been given a new name.
• We live under the rule of a new commandment.
• We are citizens of the New Jerusalem.
• We sing a new song.
• We look for a new heavens and a new earth.

• Our hope in Christ is a living hope.
• We drink from the fountain of Living Water.
• We eat that Living Bread which came down from heaven.
• We are built upon Christ as living stones upon the Living Stone, the Living Foundation.

John 4:23-24 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. ---[24]--- God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Philippians 3:3 "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Proposition: True worship is a matter of the heart, altogether spiritual. -- We worship God by faith in Christ, upon the grounds of justice satisfied. – Hebrews 10:11-25 describes both the foundation and the exercise of grace.

Hebrews 10:11-25 "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: ---[12]--- But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; ---[13]--- From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. ---[14]--- For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. ---[15]--- Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, ---[16]--- This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; ---[17]--- And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. ---[18]--- Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. ---[19]--- Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, ---[20]--- By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; ---[21]--- And having an high priest over the house of God; ---[22]--- Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ---[23]--- Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) ---[24]--- And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ---[25]--- Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Divisions: These verses describe four things, to which I will direct your attention.

1. The Accomplishment of Redemption by Christ (vv. 11-14)
2. The Remission of Sins by the Grace of God (vv. 15-18)
3. The Blessedness of Reconciliation in Christ (vv. 19-21)
4. The Responsibilities We have in this World (vv. 22-25)

Redemption




1. First, in verses 11-14, the Holy Spirit assures us of the accomplishment of redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 11 -- "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins."

Verse 12 – "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God."

1. The Son of God became a man (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Matt. 1:21-23).

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Matthew 1:21-23 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ---[22]--- Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ---[23]--- Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

2. This almighty God-Man offered one sacrifice for sins forever.
3. Then he sat down in heaven.

John 16:8-11 "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ---[9]--- Of sin, because they believe not on me; ---[10]--- Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; ---[11]--- Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

All this is written to show us the excellence and superiority of Christ as our great High Priest.

• Those priests in Israel were many. -- Christ was one!
• They offered many sacrifices. -- He offered only one!
• They stood. -- He sat down!
• Their sacrifices were only types. -- His was effectual!

Verse 13 –"From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool."

Psalms 110:1 "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."

Isaiah 45:20-25 "Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. ---[21]--- Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. ---[22]--- Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. ---[23]--- I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. ---[24]--- Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. ---[25]--- In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory."

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. ---[25]--- For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. ---[26]--- The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. ---[27]--- For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. ---[28]--- And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."

Verse 14 -- "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

1. Second, in verses 15-18, the Spirit of God describes the remission of our sins by covenant grace.

Hebrews 10:15-18 "Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, ---[16]--- This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; ---[17]--- And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. ---[18]--- Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."

1. Regeneration – The God of all grace has put his laws, his Gospel, his Word into our hearts.
He has written his law in our hearts with the finger of his grace, causing us to love him, his will, his way, and his Word. His commandments are no longer grievous to us.

1 John 5:3 "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

2. Forgiveness – The God of Glory says, concerning you and me, "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."

Psalms 130 "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. ---[2]--- Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. ---[3]--- If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? ---[4]--- But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. ---[5]--- I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. ---[6]--- My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. ---[7]--- Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. ---[8]--- And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities."

• His name declares it.
• His glory demands it.
• His Son came to obtain it.
• All the prophets and apostles proclaim it.
• Multitudes have experienced it.
• He sent me to preach it.

Psalms 32:1-5 "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. ---[2]--- Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. ---[3]--- When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. ---[4]--- For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. ---[5]--- I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah."

Psalms 103:1-5 "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. ---[2]--- Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: ---[3]--- Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; ---[4]--- Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; ---[5]--- Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."

1. Satisfaction – "Where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."

"Where there is absolute remission, forgiveness and cancellation of penalty, there is no longer any offering or sacrifice to be made. If we are in Christ and redeemed by Christ, it is dishonoring to our Savior not to rest in his grace and his atonement (Rom. 8:1)." -- Henry Mahan

'Tis done, the great transaction's done,

I am my Lord's and he is mine.

1. Third, verses 19-21 describe the blessedness of reconciliation in Christ.
We are all by nature enemies to God. Our hearts, by nature, are enmity against God. But God has reconciled us to himself in Christ. And in the new birth, he brings us into the blessedness of that reconciliation.
Reconciliation is what Gospel preachers proclaim. – Reconciliation accomplished! And we seek to persuade rebel sinners to be reconciled to God. Now, all who come to God by Christ, finding peace with God in his dear Son, enjoy this blessedness!

Hebrews 10:19-21 "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, ---[20]--- By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; ---[21]--- And having an high priest over the house of God."

In Christ every believing sinner has full freedom and confidence to enter the very presence of God in the name of Christ, by the power and virtue of his blood (Heb. 4:14-16).

Hebrews 4:14-16 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ---[15]--- For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ---[16]--- Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

When our Savior died at Calvary the veil in the temple was rent in two, and the ceremonies and sacrifices were all fulfilled and forever ended by Christ's effectual sacrifice in the flesh (Gal. 5:1).
Christ is our eternal, great High Priest, who rules and reigns by virtue of his atonement and who is accepted and has absolute authority! And we are forever, immutably accepted in him!

Responsibility



2. Fourth, verses 22-25 describe the responsibilities we have in this world.

Hebrews 10:22-25 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ---[23]--- Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) ---[24]--- And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ---[25]--- Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

1. Let us draw near to God (v. 22).
Let us come to our God in prayer and praise with honest, open and sincere hearts. He will receive us, for our hearts have been sprinkled with the blood of Christ and our bodies have been washed or purified by his Spirit.

1. A True Heart –
A true heart, wrote old John Trapp, is "a heart truly and entirely given up to God, delighting to do his will, desirous rather that God’s will be done than our own, that he may be glorified though we be not gratified, acknowledging the kingdom, power, and glory to be his alone."
2. Full Assurance of Faith – Being confident of acceptance with God because of Christ’s finished work.


3. Having our Hearts Sprinkled from an Evil Conscience – Having the witness of the blood of Christ in our hearts!


4. Our Bodies Washed with Pure Water – Being Born Again by the Spirit of God.



2. Let us continue in the faith of the gospel, because God is faithful (v. 23).



Whatever the trial, the fear, the doubt, or the trouble, let us believe God. "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24).

3. Let us consider one another (v.24).
Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, let us ever consider and be considerate of one another, both as frail, fickle, sinful men and women, and as brothers and sisters in Christ, companions in the grace of God, companions in tribulation, and companions in this hostile world. If we make it our business in life to love one another and care for one another, we will have less time to complain of being neglected. If we will each consider one another, that will help to kindle and rekindle love and grace in others.
4. Let us never forsake the assembly of God’s saints in the worship of our God (v. 25).
It is the blessed duty and great privilege of believers to meet together for worship, praise and fellowship. We ought never take this for granted.

1. Our great God has appointed it, approves of it, is glorified in it and deserves to be worshipped.
2. We need to be edified, instructed, refreshed and comforted.
3. Others need to be convinced, converted and brought to a knowledge of Christ. – There are yet some sheep who must be called.
4. This is the place where our Lord has promised to meet with his people.

Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Psalms 122 "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. ---[2]--- Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. ---[3]--- Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: ---[4]--- Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. ---[5]--- For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. ---[6]--- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. ---[7]--- Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. ---[8]--- For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. ---[9]--- Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good."

Psalms 133 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ---[2]--- It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; ---[3]--- As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."