Christ, The Way of Salvation
Hebrews 10:15-29
[15] Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
[16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
[17] And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
[18] Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
[20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
[21] And having an high priest over the house of God;
[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.
[23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
[26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
[27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
[28] He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
[29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Memory Verse: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
INTRODUCTION
Our memory Selection denotes the message of Jesus to a lost world. Although the statement was made to Thomas, the message is to all people everywhere. Today’s lesson reiterates the fact that works cannot purify the soul. Animal sacrifices can never obtain perfection. If the sin offerings had been sufficient, they would not have been repeated. However, they were repeated on a regular basis. Christ came to do the will of God and present Himself as the one and only perfect sacrifice.
SELF-JUSTIFICATION IS NOTHING NEW
For years men have tried to justify themselves in the eyes of God and justify their doctrines which they ignorantly teach to uphold the same. Salvation by works is no new doctrine. Cain tried to obtain righteousness through works without success. Since the fall of Adam, man has attempted to save himself.
The priests ministered to the people on a daily basis. They some times offered the same sacrifices. The carnal offerings were repeated to represent that the body cannot be purified through such sacrifices. Christ replaced the sacrifices by fulfilling the law.
SINS OF BELIEVERS BRING A GREATER JUDGMENT IN THIS LIFE
Our lesson tells us that if we sin after we have been enlightened there is no more offering to be made for us. The one time offering by Jesus is sufficient for all time. However, verse 26 of our lesson text tells us that if such disobedience occurs, we can expect God’s judgment to come upon us. We are told in our Lesson Text and in other scripture that sins committed after we are saved bring to us a much harsher judgment than sins committed while we were yet unbelievers. Hebrews 11:31 tells us, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
THE WAY
There is no other by whom or by which mankind can be saved. He is the only way and points to the only way. Any doctrine that teaches a way other than repentance and faith in Christ Jesus is not only an untruth but is also a deception that can destroy all who are taken by it.
THE TRUTH
Jesus said in John 8:32″And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Works are not a part of repentance and faith. The truth will set us free and we will be free indeed. Jesus also said in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” False doctrines insure dependence upon that which cannot save.
THE LIFE
He is the life. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” A person who is without Jesus is without life. He is the same as a dead man walking.
CONCLUSION
Jesus says that He is the door. No man can enter to rest except through him.
Jesus says in John 10:7, “-Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.” In verse 9 of the same chapter. He says, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The shepherds in the Middle East sometime take their sheep to a cave or other type of shelter for rest or protection. The shepherd lies at the opening of the shelter as he rests. The sheep cannot come or go without his knowledge, because they must pass by Him.
Questions:
1. Why is there only one way to salvation ?
2. Why is Christ called a shepherd ?
3. Why are works not part of salvation ?
Food for thought: “As the shepherd of the Middle East watches his sheep as he sits or lies at the door, so it is with the Lord Jesus Christ as the great Shepherd who watches and protects His sheep.” -bkv
Hebrews 11:17-31
[17] By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
[18] Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
[19] Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
[20] By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
[21] By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
[22] By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
[23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
[24] By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
[25] Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
[26] Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
[27] By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
[28] Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
[29] By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
[30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
[31] By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Memory Verse: “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better ressurection: And others had trial of cruel mosking and scourgings, yea, morover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy.) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, ahaving obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:35-40
Introduction
The writer of Hebrews uses several names to illustrate that the truth was perpetuated through the faith of followers of God. No doubt many were saved through the centuries, but the faith of a comparative few made possible the spreading of the gospel to millions and billions over many generations.
Just to Name a Few
By using the names of Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham in our Devotional and Background Study and Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses in our Lesson Text, the writer illustrates that the gospel of God’s word was passed from generation to generation by faith. Rahab the harlot is mentioned inverse 31 of today’s lesson.
In the verses following our Lesson Text, Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and prophets are mentioned as faithful men. Hebrews 11:33-34 says of them, “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.“
A Name is Not Necessary For Remembrance
Good lessons are often learned by those things we are not told when God is in the matter. Please notice that the parents of Moses are mentioned in verse 23 of today’s lesson, but their names are not mentioned.
We are told in Exodus 2:1-2″And ther went a man of the house of Le’vi, and took to wife a daughter of Le’vi. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly, she hid him three months.” How was the world changed through the life of Moses? How did Moses play into the plan of God for His truth to be perpetuated from generation to generation? The parents of Moses were very devout children of God who served Him under the heavy buden of Egyptian slavery. Without their faithfulness, the world would be a different place. Yes, God would have carried out His plan through somone, but He chose them because they were faithful, and through them world history was changed. Yet, we do not even know their names.
Matthew 26:13 and Mark 14:9 gave an account of a woman who came to Jesus and poured precious ointment on His head. Jesus declard that wherever the gospel would be preached that this would be told as a memorial to her. Two thousand years have passed and men of God are still telling her story wherever the gospel is preached. Yet, we don’t even know her name.
Our Memory Selection tell about the fate of many whose names are not mentioned, but whose faith is revealed. They will not see their total perfection in the Lord until that day when we, too, will see our glorification. The most important thing is what we are rather than who we are.
Conclusion
It will soon be Veterans Day. As we commemorate the heroes of our Christion faith, we must also honor those who have served our country to keep it free from enemies that with to destroy us and our faith. Some have given the supreme sacrifice to keep us free. Support our young men and women in uniform who so relentlessly strive to keep the war on foreign soil, rather than fighting it at home. Pray that God will touch the hearts of some of our leaders who wish to fold their hand and compromise rather than fight for this precious freedom and who are also striving to close the mouths of us who wish to speak out against the moral evils that plague our nation. Freedom isn’t free. If you meet a soldier in uniform, take a moment to say, “Thank you for your service to our country.”
Food for thought: “Will I be remembered by my name, or will I be remembered by my deeds——–or will I be remembered at all?” – bkv
