The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

In the Hands of an Angry God

Hebrews 10:26-31 

Outline 

Our text is not the most popular in our Christian culture. We love the Grace and Mercy of our God (as we should) but some find the Wrath and Anger of our God repugnant.

However, Scripture utilizes both aspects of God as motivators:

Blessings / Glory Promised (10:14)

Wrath / Darkness Promised (2:3, 3:11-12, 6:4-6)

God’s Wrath (vs 26-27)

Judgment – Courtroom (Legal)

Fury of Fire – Anger (Emotional)

Consumes adversaries – Physical

God’s Punishment (vs 28-29)

Greater than death

Break the Law – put to death

Trample the Son of God – punishment greater than death

God’s Vengeance (vs30-31)

Terrifying thing

I WILL repay

When is God wrathful?

Vs 26 – When there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.

Two states of being:

1. Sacrifice for sins
2. Terrifying judgment

For whom is there no longer a sacrifice for sins?

1. Those who are willful in their sin.
2. Those who are adversaries of God.
   • Profane the Blood
   • Outrage the Spirit of Grace

From where did these people come?

They possessed the knowledge of Truth

The people of God (the visible Church)

The sanctified

LIFE APPLICATION:

The best definition of the love of God is… that God made escape from the wrath of God by the sacrifice of the Son of God for sin.

This is the main reason for joy in the Christian life.

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Faith that Draws Near

Hebrews 10:19-25 

Outline 

Life is all about relationships:

In one sense, it’s all about getting closer.

First, getting closer to God.

Second, getting closer to each other.

It is all achieved by FAITH!

CLOSENESS:

Let us draw near (vs 22)

Since we have a living way:

Opened by His Body

Paved by His Blood

With a True Heart

A Gift of the New Covenant

CONFIDENCE:

Let us hold fast (vs 23)

Since the Great High Priest is for us:

He is faithful

With a True Heart

In full assurance of Faith

CHARACTER:

Let us stir one another to love and good works (vs 24)

Since the Day draws near

Meet together

Encourage each other

Get excited about the future

LIFE APPLICATION:

How saving faith defeats sin in our lives:

Past – forgotten

Present – overcome

Future – No fear!

Faith = Assurance

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Perfected For All Time

Hebrews 10:1-18 

Outline 

Chapter 10 opens with another look at the Old Testament Law vs. New Covenant:

Main Point –

OT Law = Inadequate

(Verse 1-3) God meant for it to be inadequate

(Verse 4) System for handling sin is flawed

(Verse 5-8) Psalm 40 spoken by Messiah

(Verse 10) Transitions to New Covenant with comparison

(Verse 11-13) Standing Priest vs. Enthroned Messiah

New Covenant = Perfect

(Verse 14)       Offering – Christ’s death on the Cross

He – Jesus Christ

Has perfected…those being sanctified

Has perfected:

(Verse 15-18) Christ effectively puts away sin from His people.

1. In God’s courtroom there is no evidence of remembered sin.
2. We have a clean conscience in Christ.
3. We are able to approach God (Most Holy Place) in Christ.
4. We are inheritors of the New Covenant promises.

Those being sanctified:

(Verse 10) The finished work of Christ on the cross has a sanctifying effect on believers.

LIFE APPLICATION:

It all about Jesus, it’s really not about me.

We can only be perfect by faith, not works.