OceanSide church of Christ

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DEALING WITH SIN

Hebrews 10:19-22

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The cause of all this discussion is sin.

 

B.      Hebrews 10 has a lot to say about sin. 

1.      We have entitled this chapter:  “Dealing with Sin.”

2.      Keep in mind that the writer is dealing with Jewish believers returning to Judaism.  There fore, he continues to make contrasts between the system of Judaism and the system of Christianity.

 

C.     In this chapter, the writer will end the doctrinal details of his discussion (See vs 18-19, 22-24) and begin to make some very practical admonitions to his readers.

 

D.    Outline:

 

i.                    SINS REMAINED (Heb. 10:1-4)  Remembrance of sins

ii.                  SINS ARE REMITTED (Heb. 10:5-14)  Remittance from sins

iii.                SINS REMEMBERED NO MORE (Heb. 10:15-18)  Remembered no more sins

iv.                NO SINS BRING RESPONSIBILITY (Heb. 10:19-25)  Responsibility after sins

v.                  SINS ARE RECOMPENSED (Heb. 10:26-31)  Recompense for sins

vi.                SIN:  NO RETURN (Heb. 10:32-39)  Resolution against sin

 

I.                   SINS REMAINED (Heb. 10:1-4)

 

II.                SINS ARE REMITTED (Heb. 10:5-14)

 

III.             SINS REMEMBERED NO MORE (Heb. 10:15-18)

 

IV.             NO SINS BRING RESPONSIBILITY (Heb. 10:19-25).

 

A.    We have now entered into the practical application section of Hebrews. 

1.      Based upon all that had been said, Christians have responsibilities that they are to fulfill.

2.      In this section, the writer will discuss:

a.      Three “let us” obligations (Heb. 10:22, 23, 24).

b.      One negative obligation (v. 25)

 

B.      Number 1:  Let us draw near (Heb. 10:19-22)

1.      A bold approach (Heb. 10:19-21)

 

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest…

 

a.      The place being entered:  “…to enter into the holiest…”

1)      We are now allowed to enter into the Holy of holies.

2)      We are able to enter directly into the presence of God.

3)      We do not need a human priest to do this for us.

b.      The property being displayed:  “Having therefore, boldness, brethren…”

1)      Boldness

a)      Strong (3954):  all out spokenness, frankness, bluntness

b)      Thayer:  freedom is speaking, unreservedness is speech, openly, frankly, without concealment, free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage

c)      Vine:  freedom of speech, absence of fear in speaking boldly

d)     LESSON:  You and I can speak openly and frankly to God.  This doesn’t indicate an attitude of disrespect.  It involves a freedom to speak the things that are truly on our hearts.

2)      There are three things that enable us to come boldly into the holiest of all before the presence of God.

a)      An agent:  the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19b)

 

…by the blood of Christ.

 

-          The power or virtue that enables us to enter into the presence of God is the blood of Jesus Christ.

-          Our filthy garments were cleansed by the blood of the Lamb and being cleansed we can enter into the holy presence of God (Rev. 7:13-15).

 

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes?  and whence come they?  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.  And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple:  and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

 

b)      An avenue:  a new and living way (Heb. 10:20)

 

By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh.

 

-          Jesus consecrated a new way to go through the vail and approach our heavenly Father.

-          He refers to it as both “new” and “living.”

+    It is new in that no human had ever gone this way before.

+    It is living because it involves the living Christ, a living testament, and a new life given to the believer.

-          It was consecrated by Jesus.

+    Strong (1457):  inaugurated

+    Thayer:  initiated, dedicated

+    Vine:  perfect, dedicate

-          Jesus consecrated this new and living way through “his flesh,” that is, His death on the cross of Calvary.

+    A sign of the opening up of this new way was given on the day Jesus was crucified (See Mark 15:37-38).

 

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.  And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

 

+    LESSON:  This is a privilege that we do not appreciate as we should.  You and I can immediately draw near the throne of God in heaven because of Jesus’ death on Calvary.

c)      An advocate (Heb. 10:21)

 

And having a high priest over the house of God.

-          We can also come boldly because Jesus is also standing between us and God as our high priest.

-          Having become a man, He can function in that position perfectly on our behalf

-          Hebrews 4:15-16

 

For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

2.      A believing approach (Heb. 10:22)

 

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

a.      A heart that is credible:  a true heart

1)      True

a)      Strong (228):  truthful

b)      Thayer:  that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name, real, true genuine

-          Opposite to what is fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended

-          Opposite to what is imperfect defective, frail, uncertain

-          True, veracious, sincere

2)      LESSON:  How we live our Christian lives is important to the effectiveness of our prayer lives.  We must be real and genuine.  We cannot be hypocritical in our manner of life.

b.      A faith that is confident:  in full assurance of faith

1)      Full assurance

a)      Strong (4136):  entire confidence

b)      Thayer:  most certain confidence

c)      Vine:  fullness, abundance of confidence

2)      When we come to God there must be complete, entire confidence in the prayers we submit to God. 

3)      James tells us:  “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering….a double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:6-8).

c.       A life that is cleansed

1)      Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.  This has been the subject of the previous verses.  It is the blood of Christ that cleanses and perfects the conscience.

2)      And our bodies washed with pure water

a)      This happens when we are baptized into Christ.

b)      This is the only aspect of conversion that deals with water (See Acts 8:36).

 

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:  and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

 

3)      LESSON:  We are often asked if God hears the prayers of sinners.  This passage ought to answer this question. 

a)      It is the person whose conscience has been sprinkled and whose body has been washed who can approach the Father in prayer.

b)      Note, not just any Christian is acceptable either.  The child of God must come with boldness, a true heart, and a full assurance of faith.

 

C.     Number 2:  Let us hold fast (Heb. 10:23)

 

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faifhful that promised.