The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

7.2.4. FOCUS ON THE REALISATION OF THE TEACHING EXPERIENTIALLY - cont.

Christ's Sacrifice Proves Perfectly Sufficient (Hebrews 10:4-10)
What the blood of animals could not do, that is, take away sins (Hebrews 10:4 ) Christ's willing, perfect sacrifice did. The teaching of Hebrews 10:5-10 emphasised this great truth.

That Christ's Sacrifice Was A Willing Fulfilment of the Perfect Will of God
Jesus was,

Revelation 13:8 "... the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (KJV)

1 Peter 1:20 "He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (NKJV)

He came to shed His blood as an atoning sacrifice, and He was willing to do so before the creation of the world. His complete willingness to sacrifice Himself for our sins is expressed in the word of Psalm 40:6-8. That prophesied what would be His very declaration on coming into the world (Hebrews 10:5 ). We learn from this utterance of Christ

That Which Pleases the Father is Willing, Sacrificial Obedience

Hebrews 10:5 "Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.'" (NKJV)

The knowledge that obedience is more desirable to God than sacrifices, is clear from the repetition of this truth in Scripture (1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:11-14; Amos 5:21-22 ). Today's application is that routine performance, nor ritual service, will be acceptable or pleasing to God.

That the Body of His Incarnation Was Prepared for Willing Obedient Sacrifice
Hebrews 10:5 is quoted from the rendering of the Septuagint:

"The major difference between the Septuagint and Hebrew versions lies in the term "a body You have prepared for Me" found in the Septuagint, and the words "but my ears you have pierced" in the Hebrew text. The Hebrew may be read as "my ears you have digged", that is "hollowed out" which would describe the creation of that part of the body. Thus the body prepared by God is symbolized by the creating of the ears, and is given back to Him in obedient service." F.F. Bruce. The Epistle to the Hebrews. NIV commentary on the N.T. Grand rapids, Michigan. Eerdman's

In putting the two versions together we have the heart expression of Jesus Christ. "A body you have prepared me which includes ears prepared to hear and do your will." Christ Jesus came to satisfy the desires of the Father by delighting Him in perfect obedience, as the Son given, and "Son of man" (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 16:15-16 ).

That the Father Would Find Pleasure and Satisfaction in His Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:6 "In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure." (NKJV)

That His Coming Was Fulfilment of Scripture and for Accomplishing the Divine Will

Hebrews 10:7 "Then I said, 'Behold, I have come; In the volume of the book it is written of Me; To do Your will, O God.'" (NKJV)

The doing of the Father's will was the consuming concern of the Son.

That by Christ's Sacrifice the First Covenant is Taken Away and the Second Established
(Hebrews 10:8-9 ).

Hebrews 10:9 "... I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second." (KJV)

That His Sacrifice Results in the Sanctification of Those Who Accept Him

Hebrews 10:10 "... we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (KJV)

The thought here is that we are made holy the moment we are born again, and the more that faith reckons it to be true, the more will be the realising of holiness experientially.

Christ's Sacrifice Is Demonstrated To Be Permanent (Hebrews 10:11-13)
The tabernacle had no seats provided indicating that continual sacrifices had to be made "which can never take away sins." (Hebrews 10:11 ). Christ, however,

Hebrews 10:12 "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (KJV)

indicating that His work was finished, perfect, eternal. Having demonstrated the permanence of Calvary work, He awaits the complete triumph that will result.

Hebrews 10:13 "From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." (KJV)

(Psalm 110:1 ). Every knee shall bow - He shall reign - He will see the travail of His soul - He shall be satisfied (Isaiah 53:11 ).

Christ's Sacrifice Guarantees Our Final Perfection (Hebrews 10:14-18)

Hebrews 10:14 "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." (NKJV)

Our being holy is an accomplished fact (Hebrews 10:10 ) and is also as far as our daily experience is concerned, a continuing process (Hebrews 10:14 ). So efficacious is His sacrifice that our standing in Him is perfect - and is powerfully working godliness in our behaviour. The Holy Spirit testifies to this fact - by inspiring Jeremiah 31:33-34. He is supernaturally working His new life inwardly and fleshing it out in our daily experience, as 10:16 teaches. The forgiveness of our sins is indeed total - they can never confront us again - His blood cancelled them:

Hebrews 10:17 "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. " (KJV)

The logical deduction being where sins have been forgiven, no further sacrifice is needed because of remission.

Hebrews 10:18 "Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin." (NKJV)

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

What did the animal sacrifices fail to do, that Christ perfectly accomplished (Hebrews 10:5-10 )?
How would you explain the truth that obedience is more desirable than sacrifice (Hebrews 10:5; 1 Samuel 15:22 )?
Do you believe that the forgiveness of your sins is indeed total? Have you any right to remember them (Hebrews 10:17 )?