Bible Text: Hebrews 9:16-28 |  

“Unblemished,” Hebrews 9:17-28

Open:  Of blemishes and touching up the family photos

I.        The Blood of Christ

          A.     (v14) “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,”

                  1.      “…so that we may serve the living God!”

                  2.      For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant—the old covenant condemned us, enslaved us.

                  3.      “…that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

          B.     1 John 2:1-2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.

                  1.      But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous

                  2.      He is the atoning sacrifice…not only for our sins but for the sins of the whole world.

                  3.      “…that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.”

II.       Moses, the Archetype

          A.     (v19) “When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law…he took the blood of calves…”

                  1.      Exodus 24:7, “Then he took the book of the Covenant and read it to the people.”

                  2.      “They responded, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.’”

          B.     Exodus 24:8, “Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.’”

                  1.      1 Corinthians 11:25, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood…Do this in remembrance of me.”

                  2.      Blood transfusions when red blood cells or platelets are low from disease.

III.      The Blood Seals

          A.     (v21) “In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used.”

                  1.      (v22) “Indeed the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,”

                  2.      “…and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

          B.     (v23) “The heavenly things, the reality of what earth shadows, requires a better sacrifice.

                  1.      (v24) “For Christ…entered heaven itself, now to appear in God’s presence.”

                  2.      (v25) He is not a repeated sacrifice [the mass], but a one-time sacrifice to do away with sin.

Conclusion:  The bronze snake and the cross.  Communion

            (v28) “Christ will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are waiting.