Hebrews Study – Lesson 9 – May-August 2010 – Seacoast Community Church

Hebrews Study – Lesson 9

As we continue on through this section, the second part of the book of Hebrews, the writer of the Hebrews has brought us literally into the Presence of God. We walk through a DOORWAY. He WELCOMES US HERE. Telling us that we have the right to come here because of what Christ, our Brother, has done for us,.. And he tells us to come to this place with CONFIDENCE and ASSURANCE, telling us that this is a GOOD INVESTMENT of our TIME and EFFORT, and will PAY BIG DIVIDENS. Heb 6:11-2 tells us that this is a place that should not be the FOCUS of a select few, but that it should be the GOAL of EVERY believer. In Rev. 1:5-6 it makes reference to all believers as a Kingdom of Priests. In IPeter 2:5 and 11we, as believers, are CALLED PRIESTS. Christ of course is our High Priest. But, as called to the priestly office we are suppose labor to mature so that we can minister to the world around us. We are often an intermediary between God and men, showing those around us the “way to God”, bringing them to Christ. Examples of this are clearly seen in intercessory prayer and sharing the Gospel. These are but two examples. God’s GOAL is for EVERYONE OF US to SUCCEED at this, and not just the pastor. KNOWING that we are not perfect we are often intimidated by this calling, but HE going before us has made us fit for God’s presence and His calling and will prepare us for His work. Heb. 7:25.

In Heb. 6:11 it goes on to say that we can INVEST our life, our time, our attention, our FOCUS, to this HOPE with FULL ASSURANCE that it will PAY the intended BENEFIT, UNDERSTANDING in actuality that the LIFESTYLE that the writer of the Hebrews is calling us to IS VERY PRACTICAL.. It is NOT the life of that of a Pharisee which attempted to follow the letter of the OT Law, but in reality did not perform their intended duty as a priest, a representative, of God. They ended up serving themselves in an attempt to satisfy the law…instead of showing the people THE WAY TO GOD. By their lifestyle they excluded those that they were supposed to be showing the way. The NEW COVENANT is a more PRACTICAL APPROACH to God, REQUIRING and acknowledging that we have a fallen nature and because of our fallen nature we have a way to God through the DOOR provided by Christ. It is a FALSE message to give that once we come to Christ then we are suppose to make ourselves good enough to keep the law. We DO NOT NEED TO ACCENTUATE our fallen nature, but this section of Hebrews will remind us of our CONTINUAL NEED of the SAVIOR and that HE provides HOPE and a remedy for our condition. Heb. 4:16 IT IS OUR HOPE and FULL ASSURANCE that DRIVES OUR FAITH toward establishing the Christian Life, not our ability to keep the Law. (We will never get past this point, realizing our need for the Savior. In reality, knowing our need for the Savior, is our destination. We are called to LIVE HERE!)

He goes on to say in 6:11(READ) that we should not be CASUAL about this. He uses an interesting word here. He uses the word DILIGENCE, signifying focus, raising the bar on this one concerning our priorities.

· Define DILIGNECE

He goes on to say in v. 12 that by COMING TO THIS PLACE and by FAITH and PATIENCE we …. Inherit PROMISES, God’s Promises, His Promises to us. He is telling us to follow the example of those who have already paid the price by exercising faith and patients and had received the promises God made to them. Now it is our turn! Will we let those around us down?

Are you encouraged by others who have succeeded at something that you want to do or to obtain? The writer of the Hebrews’ gives us our first example, Christ. He will go on to give us other examples. Others just like us who have done it. We can too!

So the writer of the Hebrews brings us to this place. He brings us to the throne room of God. He brings us HERE not just for a visit, but will REMIND us that we are to LABOR to LIVE HERE. And, by LIVING HERE we INVITE THE WORLD to come and live here also. One of the best examples of this kind of lifestyle was Abraham. He walked with God and yet, interacted with the world around him. Christ also lived here and the world was drawn to Him. It is a very practical way of living and yet remain connected with the world around us.

As the writer of the Hebrews continues to make his case for this way of life he is calling us to, He will remind us that Christ is BETTER THAN all other options. As a matter of fact, he will remind us that He is the ONLY option.

Chapter 7 will remind us that Christ functioning as a Priest like that of Melchizedek functioned with much GREATER POWER and AUTHORITY than did Aaron and his descendants. As we have seen the function of the priest following the OT law was weak (WHY?) in that MAN WAS UNABLE TO KEEP his end of the DEAL. The OT arrangement was still a COVENANT between God and man, but was weak due to man’s inability. This inability still exists today. If man was going to be reconciled to God at all God needed to make changes in the arrangement. By the way, this NEW WAY is in reality NOT A NEW WAY AT ALL. This has always been the way to God. Rom. 4:1-8 (READ)gives us a good example of this mentioning two significant OT figures, Abraham and David. This is why Cain’s sacrifice did not cut the grade.

The next 3 ½ chapters of this book, Ch. 7 through the 1^st ½ of chapter 10, will explain the meaning of the Law and will create a COMPLETE PICTIURE giving us UNDERSTANDING of what it all means, how the Law of the O.T. relates to the New Covenant. Chapter 7:1-10 reminds us this New Covenant came in a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY. It came the GOD WAY, using a figure, king Melchizedek, as an example that contained better symbolism and gave a more accurate description of the ARRANGEMENT. If Christ had tweaked the old way and came through Aaron it would have still contained a FLAWED ARRANGEMENT, still depending on man to fulfill part of the deal. Ch. 7 v. 13-4 makes the point that the NEW COVENANT had to be delivered a whole new way, coming through this out of the way tribe. READ 7:11-22

This gives rise to the necessity to give brief discussion to the danger of ritual in religion during any era or time. As we will see again and again throughout scripture, the Law was not wrong, but it was meant to be a LIVING INSTRUMENT to A RELATIONSJHIP with God. Many religions have rules and practices that in and of themselves are not wrong, but have people performing them that have NO REAL IDEA WHAT THEY MEAN, or what they are doing. Good religious habits and practices should enhance our relationship with a Personal God and not alienate us through mechanical observances.

Heb. 7:22 is a CENTER FOUNDATIONAL THEME AND PREMISE to this section of Hebrews and to our faith in general. Could it get any better than this? In Jesus we find the end of our Journey. In Him it is NOW COMPLETE. V. 24 MAKES IT PLAIN that there is NO END to how He can help us. But he gives one requirement, and that is that we COME.

v. 27 Reminds us of the weakness of the OT Law. In v. 28 He uses a term that is significant. The word OATH and God put together makes the WAY SURE. DO YOU BELIEVE IT? This covenant is established on PROMISES and OATHS with GOD. V. 8:6

Chapter 8:1a Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the SUM. READ 8:1-5 Aaron’s service was but a shadow of HEAVENLY THINGS/THE KINGDOM, whereas, Christ is the RIGHT NOW REALITY of those things that are. V. 7-9 reminds them again why the old covenant was weak and v. 10 -3 gives further dimensions to the New Covenant. This is a reference to Jer. 31:27-34 and similar to Rom. 8:1-4 Heb. 8:12 deals with the issue not adequately dealt with in the Law. The New Covenant is FAR SUPERIOR in that it REMOVES COMPLETELY the PROBLEM, the thing that we keep pushing down and don’t know what to do with. It is IMPORTANT to see how this whole book fits so nicely together. V. 12 relates back to one of our key verses, Heb. 4:16 and to one of our future verses 10:19.

This is the ANCHOR WE SAW AT THE END OF CH. 6 Again, it is the simple Gospel. What are you using as an ANCHOR for your life? Are you trusting in yourself to establish your Christian life? It is like attempting to keep the Law for your salvation after coming to Christ by GRACE. Like Hebrews, the book of Galatians deals with this very thing.

Chapter 9 will begin by comparing the so called “Shadow” of the OT tabernacle and its rituals with the “Realities” and the actual enactment of “the Real Thing”. The Shadow or shell was initially a tent which in later years became a more so called permanent structure. We know from history that the Temple which Solomon had built was not permanent either. It was destroyed by the Babylonians/King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C., and another temple was built around 516 BC. The last temple was presumed still standing when these Hebrew Christians had received this letter. As we know from History this last temple was destroyed in 70 AD. by the Romans under Titus. The Shadow was just that. It was representative of a “shell” or a “shadow” of what was to come…the “REAL THING”. Read Heb. 9:1-8 What was the “REALITY” of the “REAL THING”, THE REAL TEMPLE that HAS come!

When you look at the construction or the design of the Temple you will notice that it was designed in a particular way. The design was not man’s design. As we know, the design was given to Moses directly by God. We know this not only by the account given to us by Scripture, but also, BY THE TEMPLE’S VERY DESIGN. If man had come up with the design of the Temple by his own it would not have looked and functioned like this. (Put in picture of the Temple. See below) It would have been different. For one thing, it would have been a lot more elaborate, having many more bells and whistles. Notice the simple design of the Temple given to Moses. It’s design is extremely SIMPLE and BASIC. It is basic and is set up to function “only one way”.

Religion today as we see is often cluttered with way to much of “man’s” stuff mixed in, making it hard to see “God’s” intended purpose. The interesting thing is, when this happens God gets the blame for the confusion and lack of practical use when it is not His fault at all. The Pharisees were excellent examples of this. My I say that we are not that much better. We need to be careful not to add or subtract from the “simplicity” and “truth” of God’s Word. We do extreme harm to both those outside and inside the faith by “adding our spin” to what God is saying making it our version, and not necessarily God’s.

Another reason that we know that man did not come up with this design of the temple is that he would have changed the layout, or changed the order of the rooms. It is man’s habit to recreate the Temple to function on his terms. We do this on a daily basis. This was the problem, or the trap that these Hebrew Christians were falling into. And, It is the Habit that WE continually fall into. Because of this, we like them, HAVE NO JOY and DO NOT ENTER INTO HIS REST”.

The Temple essentially had two rooms. After entering into the Temple, the first room that you came to was the Holy Place. In it were the lamp stand and the table and the showbread. This room was also known as the first tabernacle or the sanctuary. Heb. 9:6 and Num 28:3 tells us that this was where the daily requirements of the law were preformed. The Second room in the Temple was called the Holiest of All or the “Holy of Holies”. This was the Chamber of God. If God came down to meet with man, this is where He met him. This room contained the “ark of the covenant” which contained the golden pot containing manna, Aaron’s rod that budded and the tablets containing the Ten Commandments. On the top of the Ark was what was called “the Mercy Seat”. This is where the blood sacrifice was spilled out from the perfect lamb sacrificed once a year by the High Priest only. And, on each end of this top were fashioned two gold figures called Cherubim. Each room had few articles and simple arrangements. Nothing else cluttered these rooms. Each room and the items contained in each room had a specific function and purpose. It was laid out in the Law. Hebrews chapter 9 tells us that this procedure was a shadow of the truth concerning our relationship with a Personal God.

Only two rooms. It should be easy. God had given instructions as to how this functioned. He gave us a cheat sheet, the answers to the test. He laid out the procedure. The entire book of Hebrews hinges on the meaning of these two rooms depicting two types of lifestyles. Two options, but only one right answer. Our relationship with God depends on getting it right. Hebrews 4:14-6 calls us to one of these two rooms. Which one? Hebrews 10:19-23 does the same. (READ these passages)

We took a look earlier in our study at the lives of two different individuals, Cain and Able, and the offerings they brought to God. These offerings represented their heart attitude toward God. Cain brought an offering which represented his own, man’s, efforts. Gen. 3:4-7. Able brought a Blood sacrifice. It is my belief that these two rooms are represented by these two lifestyles. At least, Hebrews chapter 7 through chapter 10+ makes it plain that the rituals of the Law CANNOT save man or please God, but “the Holiest Place”, making ATTOINMENT for man’s sins, does please or satisfy God. Salvation is NOT of works…this is made clear in Ephesians. But, the Book of Hebrews goes one step further, COMPLETING THE PICTURE…Our Salvation is not maintained by keeping the Law either.

But let’s go one step further, God is TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY PLEASED WHEN WE ARE IN HIS PRESENCE EVEN WITHOUT ANY WORKS AT ALL. This is a TOUGH PILL for us to SWOLLOW. We always want to be bringing something to God, when in reality what He really wants is for us to JUST come!!!, Usually with NOTHING, nothing at all. It appears that He enjoys our time together BETTER when we come to him EMPTY HANDED. Prior to our salvation, empty handed is THE ONLY way we can come.

The writer of the Hebrews is making a BIG point of this. He has written quite a volume basically saying the same thing, coming back to this same point. Appling the truth of this book does not come natural for us. It does not come easy, without a struggle,…LABOR. Mary and Martha had the same struggle. Today we have long debates and dissertations as to which one was right in their approach to God. Martha often wins out in our debates…but how did Christ see it? Luke 10:38-42 (READ)

This is not to say that God is not pleased with our works. He requires them, and we will receive rewards according to our works. But, all to often, the works we offer Him may be our invention, and not His. Cain’s works profited him nothing. As a matter of fact, he was JUDGED because of his works. Sobering thought. King Saul also made the mistake of offering his works to God. J. Vernon McGee made a good point in his study on the Book of Hebrews commenting on the first part of chapter 9. He said,

“’Accomplishing the service of God’ should be ‘accomplishing the worship of God.’ This was the ultimate goal of it all, that God’s people might worship Him. This is speaking of real worship, not just a church service where an order of service is followed. When real worship takes place it is a worship that draws us into the presence of Christ where we can adore Him.

“The word worship comes from the same Anglo-Saxon root word as worth. To worship is to give someone something of which they are worthy. The Lord Jesus Christ is worthy to receive our praise and our adoration. That is worship, and from that follows service. Real worship will always lead to service. In the midst of His temptation in the wilderness, the Lord Jesus answered Satan, ‘For it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.’ You will not have to beg and coax and goad people into doing something, if they are participating in real worship of Christ—because real worship leads to service. Many ministers spend a great deal of time urging people to do something—urging them to give, urging them to do visitation, urging them to teach, or urging them to sing. Real worship will lead to service. Such worship is possible only through Jesus Christ.”

“The ritual of the tabernacle never brought the people into the presence of God. The high priest alone went into the holy of holies.”

Two last points. First… This performing works to please God is much more prevalent than we might let on, even in evangelical Christian circles. I am no way minimizing James’ point that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS is dead. But, believing that somehow we can impress God or improve our standing with God by what and how much we do is vain. His requirement is WORSHIP and OBECIENCE. WE ARE COMPLETELY SECURE AND ACCEPTED BY GOD ONLY BECAUSE OF WHAT CHRIST DID FOR US. The high priest was required to only bring blood into the Holies of Holy to be applied to the MERCY seat for his sins and for the sins of the people. If the high priest had brought into this holiest place more than what was required he would have come out other than how he went in. He knew that he would have been struck down dead and pulled out of the Holies of Holies by the rope tied to his ankle. He knew this was serious business. Cain in bringing his own works in essence was rejecting Christ, Christ’s work. One of my daughters, in one of their Sunday School classes was told that the reason that Cain’s offering was rejected was that he brought an inferior offering, and this is why it was rejected. I believe that Cain brought his very best. Many bring their Best works to God instead of trusting completely in Christ’s work. This is true even after we have trusted in Christ for salvation. Cain could never have brought an offering good enough to pay his debt, no matter how good the offering. We need to stop trying to pay back God and fully receive His gift and start serving Him with JOY! Mary chose that which was right. We need to follow her example and begin worshiping Him. Worshiping Him with a thankful heart leads to service. He already PAID the price. Lk. 10:41-2

The second point comes in the form of a question:

If the OT Temple is a SHADOW then what and where is the REALITY of this shadow? Is it in HEAVEN, or is it somewhere on earth? Where is it? Where is the Temple today? IT IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. Remember, the writer of the Hebrews tells us that the New Covenant is a vast improvement on the previous covenant. As a matter of fact, the New Covenant is now COMPLETE and cannot be improved on. It will NEVER need an upgrade. And, the Temple, the meeting place of God, the Holiest place is easy to get to. It is the heart of man. I Cor. 6:19-20 The Kingdom of God in REALITY is VERY near! Boldness in our FAITH and REST for our soul is found in meeting God here. Rom. 8:1