Hebrews 9:11-15

When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance -- now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

God Will Cleanse Our Consciences

Please read Hebrews 9:11-15 in the left column

The theme of Hebrews is “The Priesthood of Christ.”

The purpose of Hebrews is:

A. To show that Old Testament Judaism had come to an end when Christ fulfilled the law.

B. To keep new Christians from falling back into Judaism. (For us, into any thing other than depending on Christ for our salvation.)

C. To teach true faith in Christ.

D. To point out the preeminence of Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament contains a lot of valuable teaching. It is more than mere history – it is a living document. But it is incomplete without the New Testament.

If you want to be a surgeon there are some basic things that you need to know. For instance, you need a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology, much, of which you learned in high school. To be a surgeon, you simply must understand how the body is put together and how it works! If you do not understand this you will do a lot of damage with your knife! That’s the Old Testament!

However, to be an outstanding surgeon you also need to understand modern anesthesia and disease processes. You need to know about antibiotics and rehabilitation. You will do well if you understand the way people think and react. And you really need to understand the value of paperwork! That’s the New Testament!

A good surgeon needs skilled teachers. Skill comes from experience. Experience comes from paying the price when you were in the learning process. Each new surgeon does not have to discover how to do an appendectomy all by himself or herself… it is learned from those who have perfected the technique. That also applies to brain surgery and sports medicine – the whole ball of wax. That’s the work of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS – HE MADE SALVATION POSSIBLE.

The HOLY SPIRIT fills us with His power and teaches us the way to God.

God the FATHER calls us to Himself and oversees the whole plan.

We are studying about Covenants. In my studies this week I learned that there are eight great covenants in scripture. Obviously we cannot go into detail because of our limited time, but let me quickly summarize them.

1. The Eden Covenant – (Genesis 2:15, 16) Adam and Eve were put in the garden to take care of it. But they couldn’t eat the fruit of one tree. The focus is on the innocence of man.

2. The Adamic Covenant – (Genesis 3:14) After Adam and Eve fell a curse was placed on Satan (the serpent) for his part. Mankind is banned from the Garden of Eden. However, a Redeemer was promised.

3. The Covenant with Noah – (Genesis 9:16) Established the principle of human government.

4. The Abrahamic Covenant – (Genesis 12:1) God told Abraham to establish a new nation.

5. The Mosaic Covenant – (Exodus 19:5) Condemns all men (“for all have sinned”) The 10 Commandments were given.

6. The Palestinian Covenant – (Deuteronomy 30) Secures the final restoration and conversion of Israel.

7. The Davidic Covenant – (2 Samuel 7:16) Establishes the perpetuity of the Davidic family (fulfilled in Christ) and of the Davidic kingdom over Israel and the whole earth, to be fulfilled in and by Christ.

8. The New Covenant – our covenant. The book of Hebrews describes it as “superior” over the Mosaic Covenant. Not morally superior, but efficaciously. I will have to admit that when I found the word “efficacious” in my studies I was stumped! The Webster’s New World Dictionary, College Edition, was of no help. So I turned to my theology book! Aha! This means that God selected you and you responded in faith and you have never been the same again.

We have a superior covenant with God, but if we do not understand it, we cannot enjoy it. We often read about people who live many years in abject poverty, yet when they die the family or the authorities will find thousands of dollars stuffed in a mattress or hidden in a closet or under the floor because they lived in fear or ignorance.

Ignorance leads to fear. Hebrews 9:14 “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Fear has torment. Ann Ayler writes, “On Halloween night my three-year-old grandson, Brian, couldn't sleep because he was convinced ghosts were in his room. ‘It's all in your head,’ his mother reassured him. ‘Now go to sleep.’

Before she got down the stairs, his voice called out again. ‘Mom, the ghosts have left my head and are running around my room!’ ”

Ann C. Ayler, North, Virginia. Christian Reader, "Kids of the Kingdom."

When fear is gone, we can overcome many things. During the Civil War, a chaplain asked a severely wounded youth if he was a Christian. The soldier gasped, "Yes." The chaplain said, "Then you have nothing to fear," and left the soldier, thinking that he was going to die. That promise made a big difference in the thinking of the solder. He recovered and became Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. --"The Untold Story of Christianity & The Civil War," Christian History, No. 33.

What is your fear today? Ruth Senter wrote, “Once you've faced the very thing you fear the most, it is no longer quite so fearful.” -- Ruth Senter, Christian Reader, Vol. 32, No. 2.

Henry Ward Beecher, a famous preacher of the past, stated, “God planted fear in the soul as truly as He planted hope or courage. It is a kind of bell or gong, which rings the mind into quick life on the approach of danger. It is the soul's signal for rallying.”
--Henry Ward Beecher, Christian Reader, Vol. 32, No. 4.

But if we do not face our fear, it becomes a chronic problem that drains us of physical, emotional, and spiritual strength. Thus we need to face our fears and deal with whatever is bothering us.

Jesus Christ offers us cleansing from a guilty consciousness, so we can walk in holy boldness with Him, knowing that we are forgiven and restored! Don’t let the devil tell you that you are worthless or hopelessly lost in sin! He is the father of lies, so do not believe him. Learn to trust God’s Word! Know that Jesus died to redeem you from the curse of the Law! You are a child of God if you have received Christ as your personal Savior! You are forgiven and restored! Enjoy it! Rejoice in your salvation today!

Hebrews 9:15 “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

How do you feel about yourself today? Are you comfortable in your relationship with the Lord, or are you still down on yourself for not being perfect? Fulton Oursler observed, “We crucify ourselves between two thieves: regret for yesterday and fear of tomorrow.” -- Fulton Oursler, Christian Reader, Vol. 32, No. 3.

If you haven’t, now is a good time to forgive yourself and learn to appreciate what you are through Jesus Christ, your Messiah - Redeemer!

James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

There is a pastor in Florida who used to have “count-it-all-joy parties” every now and then. He so believed this verse, that when he faced a difficult situation, he would call friends over to his house. He'd say, "I want you to come over to my house for a party." They'd say, "Oh, is it a birthday?" "No," he would say. "Uh, you got a promotion?" they'd continue. "No," he'd say. "What's the situation?" they would finally ask.

"Well," he'd say, "I'm going through this incredibly difficult crisis right now, and I'm having a count-it-all-joy party. We're going to celebrate the difficulty, because I know that this difficulty is going to bring something of special value to my life. I don't know what it is yet, but I want you to come and count it all joy with me."

Have any of you ever thrown a count-it-all-joy party? I haven't either. To tell you the truth, it's tough to consider it pure joy, because it hurts. Yet it's important to realize that unless we go through some test, we will never know what our faith is made of.

Mike Huckabee, "Practice of Patience," Preaching Today, Tape No. 78.

A friend recently forwarded the following on Psalm 23.

The Lord is my Shepherd – that's Relationship!

I shall not want – That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures – that's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters – that's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul – that's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness – that's Guidance!

For His name’s sake – that's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – that's Testing!

I will fear no evil – that's Protection!

For Thou art with me – that's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me – that's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies – that's Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil – that's Consecration!

My cup runneth over – that’s Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – that's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord – that's Security!

Forever – that's Eternity!

The author then commented, “Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.” And I believe that he or she is exactly right!

Enjoy your covenant with God! He is going to take care of you! Study His Word – memorize it – make it a part of your thinking, and you will be changed forever!

ENJOY!!!