Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient once for all, and we are free from the requirements of sacrifices and the law.
Hebrews 10:1-18
SERMON OUTLINE
“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14)
Insufficiency and the Reminder of Sin (vv.1-4)
- Sacrifices repeated endlessly (v.1)
- Blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins (v.4)
- Day of atonement as an annual reminder of sins and insufficiency (v.3)
The Sufficiency of Christ’s Bodily Sacrifice (vv. 5-10)
- Psalm 40:6-8 read through the framework of the Messiah (vv.5-7)
- The Messiah recognized that lawful sacrifices were no longer desired by God (v.8)
- The Messiah came to do God’s will, setting aside the earlier covenant to bring a new covenant (v.9)
- The Messiah came to sacrifice His body once for all and make a new people holy (v.10)
The Sufficiency of Christ’s Complete Work (vv. 11-14)
- The priests of the old covenant offer sacrifices daily which cannot take away sins (v.11)
- The Priest of the new covenant offers one sacrifice that is effective for all time (v.12)
- This Priest has sat down because the work is complete (v.13)
- This Priest has made perfect/complete forever those who are being made holy (v.14)
People of the New Covenant and the Sufficiency of Christ (vv. 15-18)
- We are being made holy, or divinely cleansed from top to bottom (v.14)
- We are being changed by God’s instruction from the inside-out (10:15-16; 8:10)
- We can experience forgiveness of sins (10:17; 8:12)
- We can live free with no need for any further sacrifice (v.18)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What do you know about the sacrificial system of the Old Testament? Try to outline some basic points.
- As we continue our series “The Final Word: Knowing Christ through Hebrews,” this week we turn to Hebrews 10:1-18. Begin your study by praying that God would speak to you through His Word. Then, whether you’re alone or with a group, read that passage aloud.
- What does Hebrews 10:1-4 tell us about the sacrificial system of the Levitical priesthood?
- While the Day of Atonement would usually be considered a day that sin was removed, why do you think the author of Hebrews calls it “an annual reminder of sins” (10:3)?
- The background of 10:5-10 is Psalm 40:6-8, which the author interprets as spoken by Christ to God the Father. What do these verses say about the inability of sacrifices but also about the capability of Jesus’ bodily sacrifice?
- What is “God’s will” according to these verses and how did Jesus accomplish that?
- When we think of the church we may think of many different things. What does verse 10 tell us about the church?
- Verses 11-14 contrast the Levitical priests with Jesus’ priesthood. What are the main differences?
- What is the significance of Jesus sitting down at the Father’s right hand (see also Hebrews 1:3, 13; 8:1-2)?
- In what ways does the finality and completion of Jesus’ work speak to you today?
- The final verses, 10:15-18, return to the substance of the new covenant outlined in Jeremiah 31:31-34 (see also Hebrews 8:8-12). What do these particular verses address about the blessings we receive through Christ?
- How have you experienced God writing His law on your heart and mind? How have you experienced total forgiveness from God in your life?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study of Hebrews 10:1-18? If you are on your own, write that down. If you are in a small group, discuss your answers with one another. Close in prayer. Choose one person in your life with whom you will share something you learned through this study.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize part or all of Hebrews 10:11-14 this week
- Explore the background of the offerings and sacrifices of the Mosaic covenant by reading the following passages: Leviticus 5:14-7:21; Leviticus 16; and Numbers 28:1-29:40.
- Watch this video from The Bible Project on sacrifice and atonement to better understand this theme in the Bible.
- Go for a prayer walk on your own or with others around your neighborhood to pray for God’s hope in Christ to touch peoples’ lives. Pray for people by name if you know their names. Pray for elected officials in your area. Pray for God to change your own life that you might truly be a bearer of hope in the world.