Hebrews 10 - Capitol Commission
Good Things that Have Come
1 October 2013
RON J. BIGALKE, PASTOR/MISSIONARY, CAPITOL COMMISSION, 912.659.4212
Bible Study Title
Ron J. Bigalke , PhD / PO Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326‐0244 / www.capitolcom.org / [email protected]
CAPITOL BIBLE STUDY monthly (interim) schedule st
*** always 1 st Tuesday of the month ***
The inability of the sacrificial system to secure forgiveness leads to the explanation of a better approach in Hebrews 10:5-6. The answer is derived from Psalm 40:6-8. The words of the psalm express Christ’s volitional commitment to accomplish God’s will. God did not take pleasure in the Old Testament sacrifices because they were inherently incapable to provide cleansing from sin (Heb 10:4). Although the Lord God ordained the sacrifices, they did not accomplish his purposes, and thus were ultimately not his desire.
TUESDAY, 1 OCTOBER @ 12 NOON in 123 CAP THE LIFE OF GOD’S JOYFUL PEOPLE IS EVIDENT IN THOSE WHO LIVE BY THE LORD’S GRACE AND FOR HIS GLORY.
Capitol Commission (Interim) Bible Study is Tuesday, 1 October 2013 Hebrews 10 – “Good Things that Have Come”
A Greek proverb states, “Camels never forget an injury.” Proverbial reference to an elephant’s memory is relatively more recent, and thus we are more familiar with the proverb, “An elephant never forgets.” The adjective “elephantine” can even be used in reference to someone with a memory that is virtually limitless. Are you forgetful, or do you have a memory similar to an elephant? Hebrews 10 begins with a contrast between forgetting and remembering. Whereas an elephantine memory may be helpful in many dimensions of life, I think we can all agree that “a reminder of sins year by year” is not a desirable aspect of remembrance. As a result of the Lord Jesus coming to atone for sin, those who believe (trust) in Him are blessed by an experience with God because no longer does He remember their sins (Heb 8:12).
FORGETTING AND REMEMBERING Chapter 5, verse 11 begins the third major division of the book of Hebrews, and this section concludes with chapter 10. The emphasis of the division is Christ’s priesthood, and the section is composed of three units: (1) an introduction (5:11—6:20); (2) doctrinal teaching (chs. 7—9); and, (3) an application (10:1-39). (Heb 10:1-18) The Old Testament sacrificial system provided an awareness of God’s holiness and revealed the need for atonement. Nevertheless, the repetition of the rituals and sacrifices never brought the worshippers into a permanent relationship with God. The sacrifices of the Old Testament provided a continual reminder of sin but could not remove it (vv. 1-4). The value of the sacrificial system is that is foreshadowed the reality to come: the true sacrifice of Christ’s atoning death, and the true cleansing from sin as a result.
Wholehearted obedience is always the sacrifice that God desires, and thus being broken and contrite is what it means to be a Christian (Ps 51:17). The life of God’s joyful people is evident in those who live by the Lord’s grace and for his glory. Being joyfully broken and contrite is the Christian’s praise and witness. All gracious affections, which are a sweet odour to Christ, filling the soul of a Christian with a heavenly sweetness and fragrancy, are broken-hearted affections. A truly Christian love, either to God or men, is a humble broken-hearted love. The desires of the saints, however earnest, are humble desires: their hope is a humble hope; and their joy, even when it is unspeakable and full of glory, is an humble, brokenhearted joy. . . . [Jonathan Edwards, A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (Philadelphia: James Crissy, 1821) 293]
God takes delight in those who desire to accomplish his will, and they are able to do so because the Lord’s Word is inherent in their heart and mind. The greatest example of this attitude is the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to earth with the passion of accomplishing the will of God (Heb 10:7). Faithfulness is always the duty of God’s people; it is the Lord’s part to decide (in his good providence) how He will accomplish the consequences of our faithfulness. When you truly believe that God has tremendous concern for his people, then you can stop worrying with regard to the events of life, because your focus—the priority of your life—is upon the God who you trust and who loves and cares for his people. A persevering faith in God will manifest itself in a persevering faithfulness to God. Hebrews 10:8-9 contrast the primary ideas of verses 5-7. Christ came to perfectly obey the divine will. Consequently, the Lord abolished the first covenant in order to establish the new covenant. Those who trust in Christ Jesus for salvation are identified in Him,
Capitol Commission (Interim) Bible Study 1st Tuesdays (monthly) @ 12 Noon – 12:45pm, 123 CAP (lunch will be provided by Capitol Commission donor)
Georgia Good Things that Have Come are made acceptable and holy in God’s estimation — not and thus on the basis of one’s own effort or merit — but through the finality of Christ’s work upon the cross (Heb 10:10; cf. Tit 3:5). The sacrifice of Christ endured because it secured forgiveness (Heb 10:11-18). Whereas the work of the Old Testament priest was ineffective, the single offering of Christ “perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (10:11-14). Christ’s enthronement “AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD” not only proves the completion of his work, but also demonstrates that God exalted Him to the highest position of honor (1:13; 10:13; cf. Ps 110:1; 1 Cor 15:22-28). By grace through faith in the Lord Jesus, believers have access to limitless grace and power.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT FOCUSED SOLELY UPON INDIVIDUAL SALVATION. BELIEVERS ARE OBLIGATED TO “STIMULATE” ONE ANOTHER, AND TO HELP ONE ANOTHER IN LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. . . .
Hebrews 10:26-27 recalls the warning of 6:4-6. Neglecting to fellowship with other believers may result in a rejection of Christ’s sacrifice for sin (cf. Numb 15:30; Matt 12:31; 1 John 1:9-10). The one who deliberately sins is a person who has abandoned the effort to subject himself or herself to God, either because they never truly intended to do so, or because his or her initial confession of faith was an act of prideful self-righteousness and thus he or she was unable to sustain the charade (cf. Matt 7:15-23; 12:33; Rom 8:7; 2 Pet 2:22). A terrible day of reckoning awaits those who will not submit to God (Heb 10:26-31; cf. Luke 12:4-5).
The believer is saved from the penalty of sin (justification), and thus is holy in terms of position in Christ (Heb 10:10). Nevertheless, the believer is also being saved from the power of sin (sanctification), and thus is to continue to mature in holiness of character and life (10:14). Eventually, all believers will be saved from the presence of sin (glorification). The Holy Spirit “testifies” to these truths (10:15-18).
INSTRUCTION AND APPLICATION The conclusion of the third major division of the book of Hebrews (5:11—10:39) begins with verse 19. Hebrews 10:19-39 provides a series of exhortations and warnings, which are instructional (didactic) and that are alternated with appeals to personal application.
The author of Hebrews hoped that his readers — including you and me — will make a commitment to God and then demonstrate that faith by enduring to accomplish God’s will. Hebrews 10:32-39 can be divided into two parts: (1) a reminder of persevering faith in earlier times (vv. 32-35); and, (2) an anticipation of the future, and thus encouragement to maintain the same faithful endurance in the coming days (vv. 36-39).
(Heb 10:19-39) The sacrifice of Christ has the power to transform people; therefore, verses 19-25 contain three appeals. First, believers are urged to “draw near” to God. The conditions for approaching God are fourfold: (1) “with a sincere heart” (i.e. genuine devotion rather than hypocrisy); (2) “in full assurance of faith” (i.e bold confidence that God has provided access to his power and presence); (3) “having hearts sprinkled . . . from an evil conscience” (i.e. confession of sins, and transparency with God and others); and, (4) “bodies washed with pure water” (i.e. a righteous lifestyle).
God will honor the faithfulness of his people. Believers need stamina to endure with commitment to the will of God (despite adversity and maltreatment). Only the Lord God can provide struggling believers with the grace and strength to persevere in stalwart service to Him. Trust the faithfulness of God, and maintain commitment to Christ Jesus. Claim the stamina from God to endure!
SPIRITUAL STEADFASTNESS IS THE RESULT OF GOD’S FAITHFUL CHARACTER AND PROVISION. . . .
Second, we are to “hold fast the confession of our hope.” The exhortation concerns spiritual consistency based upon God’s faithfulness to provide enduring stamina and strength. Spiritual steadfastness is the result of God’s faithful character and provision, as evident in the heroic examples of Hebrews 11. Third, believers are “to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” We either motivate others to good or bad works. Hebrews
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About Capitol Commission
Capitol Commission state ministers teach ongoing verse-by-verse Bible studies for the entire Capitol community, and also meet personally with many government leaders to proclaim God’s grace in salvation, to encourage our leaders, pray with them, and provide biblical counsel. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Capitol Commission is supported by the generous gifts of businesses, churches, and individuals. Capitol Commission is not state-funded; rather, those with a heart for the Capitol community fund it. Please join us in this ministry!
N EXT CAPITOL COMMISSION (I NTERIM ) BIBLE STUDY: T UESDAY , 5 NOVEMBER @ 12 N OON in 123 CAP
Bible study luncheon sponsored by: donors to Capitol Commission who have a passion for the capitol community
(every 1 st Tuesday of the month)
reminds us that the Christian life is not focused solely upon individual salvation. Believers are obligated to “stimulate” one another, and to help one another in living the Christian life (cf. Col 3:16; 1 Thess 5:11; Heb 3:13). The command herein requires consideration (i.e. careful attention and thought).
