Hebrews 10-12

Hebrews 10

The Law pointed forward to Christ, but could not do what He did.

• Animal sacrifices were repeated continually.
• They could never fully remove sin.
• Instead, they continually reminded people of sin.

“It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” 

Psalm 40 Quoted

• Jesus came to obey the Father 
• Ended sacrifices once and for all

Through Christ:

• God’s will was accomplished
• Believers are sanctified

Levitical priests:

• Stand daily
• Offer repeated sacrifices

But Jesus:

• Offered one sacrifice
• Sat down at God’s right hand

Jeremiah 31 quoted

“I will remember their sins no more.”

Full Assurance of Faith

Because of Jesus, Believers can:

• Draw near to God confidently and with sincere hearts
• Have a clean conscience
• Hold fast their hope
• Encourage one another

Warning

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 

The danger is not occasional sin (we ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God). 

The warning concerns:

• Knowing the truth
• Then deliberately rejecting Christ

There is no other sacrifice available apart from Him.

If rejecting Moses brought judgment, how much more serious is rejecting Christ?

The readers of Hebrews had:

• Endured persecution
• Supported suffering believers

This suffering can give them strength for the future. 

“The righteous shall live by faith.”

Hebrews 11

What is faith? Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Faith trusts God’s promises before they are visible.

Believers understand:

• God created the universe
• By His word
• Not by existing materials

Examples of Faith

Abel

• Offered a better sacrifice
• Demonstrated faith, which still speaks after death 

Enoch

• Walked with God
• Pleased God

Noah

• Believed God’s warning
• Built the ark before seeing the flood

Abraham

• Left his homeland, not knowing where he was going 
• Lived in a foreign land as a sojourner 
• Offered Isaac

Sarah

• Trusted God for a child

Isaac

• Blessed Jacob

Jacob

• Blessed Joseph’s sons
• Worshipped God

Joseph

• Trusted he would be buried out of Egypt

Moses’ Parents

• Protected him by faith.

Moses

• Rejected Egypt’s pleasures and treasures
• Chose God’s people
• Kept the Passover
• Led Israel through the sea

Israelites

• Brought down walls of Jericho 

Rahab

• Protected the spies

More Heroes of Faith

The author lists more heroes:

• Gideon
• Barak
• Samson
• Jephthah
• David
• Samuel

Some conquered kingdoms. Others suffered imprisonment, torture, and death.

Faith does not guarantee earthly success.

All these believers:

• Received God’s commendation through faith
• Yet did not receive the promises on earth 

God planned something better through Christ

Hebrews 12

A “great cloud of witnesses” surround believers as witnesses to the race we run

• Could be referring to Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith-ers or those who have died before us

We are called to remove:

• Sin
• Anything that slows spiritual growth

Jesus is:

• Founder of our faith
• Perfecter of faith

He endured the cross and is now exalted.

Proverbs 3:11-12 quoted

God disciplines His children because He loves them.

• His discipline produces holiness and righteousness

We are called to pursue peace and holiness

Warning from Esau

• Esau traded lasting blessings for immediate gratification.
• Believers must not do the same.

Mount Sinai vs Mount Zion

Sinai represents:

• Fear (gloom, darkness)
• Judgment
• Distance from God (no trespassing)

Zion Represents:

• Grace and righteousness
• Access to God
• The heavenly Jerusalem

Israel was judged for refusing God’s voice at Sinai. How much more serious is refusing Christ?

Everything temporary will be shaken but God’s kingdom remains forever.

“Our God is a consuming fire.” 

Application

We are called to persevere in our faith.  Even the most faithful did not always see the outcomes of their faith or their promises fulfilled. We can continue onward because w know this earthly kingdom is only temporary, and His heavenly kingdom is forever.