This is an exposition of Hebrews 10:1-18. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Easter Sunday morning, April 1, 2018.
Intro:
It’s what stirred the heart of the old sea captain as he wrote, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” It was the thing that broke the shackles that bound the sin-laden heart of Martin Luther.
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It is that which loosed the pen of the apostle Paul as he wrote to a world held captive by ritual and superstition, “...by grace are you saved through faith” and “...it is not to the one who works but to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” The Gospel. God’s gift of forgiveness, life and righteousness to all who believe. It is an amazing message. One that seems too good to be true, in fact it seems foolish to those who are perishing but it is life to those who believe. How can sinful men be made right with God? How is it that those who are deserving of God’s judgment and wrath can be loved and accepted? The answer is found in the gospel.
Today is Easter. Churches are filled as people gather for the annual celebration. But why are we here? What are we celebrating? Central to our faith is the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear, Jesus is uniquely the Son of God (John 1:1-4, 14). As Jesus enter into public ministry (around the age of 30) John the Baptist pointed to Him and declared, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” For three years Jesus lived and ministered in Palestine. The Gospels record His teachings and miracles. After years of mounting threats and increased hostility He is finally arrested, charged and executed. Three days later He rose triumphantly from the grave. Easter is the celebration of the resurrection.
Okay, we are celebrating the resurrection. Christ rose from the dead. But why does it matter? Is it worth celebrating? In answer to that I invite you to turn to our text this morning found in the 10th chapter of the book of Hebrews.
Text: Hebrews 10:1-18
Their world was crashing down around them.
Rejected by their families and targeted by the government - they struggled to believe.
Their faith was costly - But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one (10:32-34).
The writer says to these frightened believers, “Hold on. Christ is better than the best Rome or Judaism has to offer.” He sets forth the Lord Jesus as superior to angels, to Abraham, to the high priest and the whole sacrificial system. As God’s final word he is unsurpassed in revealing God and in guaranteeing our acceptance before a holy God.
In this text the writer leaves no doubt...
Thesis: The sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone enables cleansing and forgiveness.
This is our greatest need. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of our sin is death. The death I’m speaking of is separation from God now and forever. Left to ourselves, to our own devices, we are without hope. But, the Gospel is the good news that God has not left it to us. He has redeemed us. He has saved us. There are three things about this salvation I want to point out from this text.
- The biblical writer makes clear the weakness and ineffectiveness of the Old Covenant. (10:1-4)
- The biblical writer declares the power of Christ to save. (10:5-10)
- The biblical writer glories in what Christ has accomplished for us. (10:11-18)
Conclusion:
Yes, today is Easter Sunday. A day for thanksgiving and celebration. A day for rejoicing. It has nothing to do with bunnies, eggs or candy. It is the joyous celebration of the fact that Christ died and rose again to make you and me perfect, forgiving us completely and renewing our hearts. Heaven has been laid at our sinful feet. There is no greater folly than to turn away from such a glorious salvation.
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