The Superior Blood of Christ - Bible Survey Part 12

Now there only four things about the book of Hebrews that people disagree about number one to the recipients were number two when it was written. Number three corroded and number four why he wrote it is a long does the whole block while I know it if they disagree on everything, but there are good answers to these questions and working to answer them together so let's begin number one. Who were the recipients of this book.

Well, it seems obvious that both from the title the letter to the Hebrews and from the subject matter that the recipients of this letter were Jewish people.

In fact, when we look in the book over and over. The letter refers to the sacrifices in the rituals surrounding the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, something that only Jewish people would understand or even be interested in. In the days of the apostle Paul, but the recipients were not just any Jewish people. They were Jewish believers. The book of Hebrews in chapter 3 verse 12 calls them brethren in chapter 6, verse nine calls them, beloved in chapter 3 verse one says they are partakers of the heavenly calling and so the recipients of this letter were Jewish believers. Most likely living in and around Jerusalem. Question number two then is when was this letter written well, we know that it was certainly written before 70 A.D., because in 70 A.D. the Roman army destroyed both the Temple in Jerusalem and the city of Jerusalem itself ending all the sacrifices in the rituals and everything and yet when the author here of Hebrews speaks about all the rituals and all the sacrifices in the temple.

He uses the present tense, indicating to us that all of these rituals were still going on when he wrote the book that we go to the other end, we find that in chapter 13 Timothy is mentioned in this book without any explanation being given of who Timothy is. So he was obviously well known to every body, and Timothy did not become a well-known person in the church until after 55 A.D. therefore the writing of this letter falls somewhere between 55 A.D. and 70 A.D. now question number three wrote the book of Hebrews. Well, I just need to tell you that I am utterly convinced the apostle Paul wrote it, not everybody agrees with that and this is not a mark of orthodoxy. Whether you agree or you don't. But I'm convinced Paul wrote it and I many give you five reasons why I'm convinced he wrote it number one first is ancient tradition if you read the King James version of the Bible.

It'll start by saying the epistle of Paul the apostle to the Hebrews in this superscription, attributing the authorship of this book. Paul goes all the way back to the earliest manuscript tradition we have of the New Testament. Now these superscriptions you understand are not part of the inspired biblical text, but they are old and they are well established and we at least need to pay some attention to the by the way, I will say interestingly in the Eastern churches I'm talking about the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Armenian Orthodox Church in these churches the authorship of the book of Hebrews by Paul has never been disputed. They have always believed that Paul wrote the book. Second, why did Paul write the book of Hebrews, I believe, because the writer was or had been recently in jail. Hebrews 10 $0.34 for you had compassion on me in my chains when I was in jail and chained up. Now we know that Paul was in jail, three times between the years of 55 and 70 A.D. he was in jail two years in Israel. 58 and 59 A.D. he was in jail two years in Rome waiting his first trial before Nero 61 and 62 A.D. and finally he was in jail one year in Rome in 66 A.D. when at the end of that year, Nero actually martyred and killed the apostle Paul, as far as we know, there is no other early church leader not Peter, not John, not Matthew. Not all of them who were in jail like this.

Between the years of 55 and 70 A.D., making the reference of the writer here to his being in jail fit very well with the life of Paul, but not the other apostles. Third reason I believe the apostle Paul wrote this book is because of Paul's proximity to Timothy during the years 55 to 70 A.D. when the book of Hebrews was written. Hebrews chapter 13 verse 23 says, take no that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom if he comes shortly. I hope to see you also friends Paul and Timothy were almost inseparable. Between the years of 55 and 66 A.D. when Paul was killed so the mention of Timothy as being president with the writer of the book of Hebrews certainly fits well with Paul being the author. The fourth reason I believe Paul's the author is because the letter to the Hebrews is still with many of the common theological themes that Paul uses in his other letters. If you read Hebrews chapter 1 and then you go read Colossians chapter 1 into their almost identical in what they say. Hebrews 2 is almost identical to Philippians 2 Hebrews 8 is almost identical to second Corinthians 3 Hebrews 11 is almost identical to Romans chapter 4 so unless someone plagiarized Paul in a massive way that it stands to reason that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, just like you wrote all these other letters. Philippians Romans Colossians 2nd Corinthians, and finally the fifth reason that I believe Paul is the author is because of the phenomenal grasp that the writer of the book of Hebrews had on the Old Testament on the operation of the temple and on Jewish religious rituals. I mean, the book of Hebrews has over 86 direct references to overall hundred different passages in the Old Testament and the theological arguments that the writer uses in the book of Hebrews are well there and I mean their masterful their magnificent no Gentile could've written the book of Hebrews. They didn't know enough about the temple or how it worked or Jewish ritual, no Gentile could've written this book so what about the other apostles, you know, like Peter and Andrew and Philip and Nathaniel friends. These guys were untrained fishermen.

They they they were theologically taught and they had been theologically educated. Only a brilliant mind with a superlative knowledge of Judaism in the Old Testament could've written the book of Hebrews and that brings us to the apostle Paul. Paul said acts 22 verse three. I am a Jew brought up in Jerusalem and strictly educated under Gamaliel according to all the laws of our fathers, Gamaliel, Rabbi Gamaliel, the second is who Paul is referring to here was the he was the greatest rabbinic scholar of Paul's day and Paul said I was trained under him strictly in all the laws of the Jewish people listen to study under Gamaliel was not to have postdoctoral training. It was like to have post post doctoral training and this is the most compelling reason why I believe that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews is because there's not a single believer mentioned anywhere in the New Testament who had the theological training who had the grasp on Judaism and the grasp on the temple rituals and the grasp on the Old Testament that was needed to write this book except the apostle Paul. So you have to agree with me? But it's my opinion that the most likely author of this book is the apostle Paul and that brings us to our fourth and final question, which is why did Paul write this book well. He wrote it because the Jewish believers who were the recipients he calls them in Hebrews chapter 5 verse 13 babes spiritual babies. They were either brand-new in the faith, or they had grown in the faith, and they were wavering in their faith and thinking of returning to Judaism. So, look what Paul says to them.

Hebrews 414, he says, seeing then that we have a great high priest, Jesus the son of God. Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

He also said Hebrews 1023 let us hold fast to our confession without wavering and wise Paul saying this to them will because he's going to go on just a moment to show them and explain to them that what we have in Jesus is far superior than anything that we've got in Judaism or that you could get in Judaism. But before we look at that.

Let's summarize right ready to go. The recipients were Jewish believers, the date of the letter was 55 to 70 A.D. the author in my opinion was the apostle Paul and the subject matter was the superiority of Jesus versus Judaism or versus any other religious system, for that matter brought together so far. Okay now Paul goes on to say that Jesus is superior to Judaism in three way or any other religious system.

I want to show your those three things that he says to watch here we go number one. Paul says in Jesus we have a superior covenant with God, then Judaism or anybody else have Hebrews chapter 9 verse 15 says he Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant between God and sinners and then quoting the Old Testament. Hebrews 8 a for the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with Israel. Now here's Paul's argument watch Hebrews 87. Now he says if the first covenant, the Mosaic covenant, the covenant that was given at Mount Sinai, the covenant, the Jews are following in the temple with all their rituals and all their sacrifices. If the first covenant had been sufficient. There would be no reason for second covenant makes sense. I mean if the it what you got to begin with is completely sufficient. You don't need something new.

Paul's whole point is the reason God said in the Old Testament that I'm going to give a new covenant to people is because he knew that the old covenant was not sufficient. It was indeed efficient, which is why he provided a new one was superior provisions to it and what are some of these superior provisions will me just give you a couple Hebrews 810. I will put my laws in their minds and I will write them on their hearts.

Okay with that. Me, well, the way God does that is by putting the Holy Spirit inside of us pay in the old covenant people didn't have the Holy Spirit inside of them. Also Hebrews 810 and I will be there God and they shall be my people pay in the new covenant we become the adopted children of God through Jesus Christ in the old covenant people worn adopted into the family of God. They didn't become children of God. And here's another one.

Verse 11 and they shall not teach everyone. His fellow man, saying, know the Lord, for they shall all know me, everybody in the new covenant is going to know me, from the least to the greatest payer personal knowledge of God.

They didn't have that in the old covenant. If you remember when they were camped at Mount Sinai Moses was the only one allowed to go in and talk to God face-to-face everybody else was kept outside separated from God. But in the new covenant we can all go in and talk to God face-to-face if we know Christ. These are just a few of the great new provisions in this covenant, so much so that Hebrews 86 says Jesus is the mediator of a superior covenant that has been established on superior promises. So that's the first way in which Jesus is superior to Judaism and everything else is that Jesus offers us a superior covenant with God. Not a second way that Paul says here in Hebrews is that in Jesus we have a superior high priest, watch what he says. He says, in Judaism, the priests are many in number because they are prevented by death from continuing in office, but Jesus holds his priesthood say the next word permanently because why because he lives for ever and is seated at God's right hand. Consequently, gosh I love this look at this. Consequently, he Jesus is able to save to see what to the uttermost look those who come to God by him. Now the Bible doesn't say he saves to the uttermost people who come to God Barbuda is didn't say that or come to God by Confucius or come to God by Mohammed. It says he saves to the uttermost people come to God through Christ see it. I watch he can save us to the uttermost sins, he, Jesus, for ever lives to make intercession for those people who come to God through him pay a high priest seated at the right hand of God who lives forever and save sinners to the uttermost. I call that a superior high priest when you imagine I but there's one more yeah there's one more. Paul goes on to say, not only does Jesus offer us a superior covenant and a superior high priest to save sinners to the uttermost. But third, Jesus offers us superior forgiveness for our sins.

Watch this. Hebrews 1011 for every Jewish priest stands daily and offers the same animal sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sin.

But Jesus and how much I love the word, but in this letter. But Jesus, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time. Where did he do that on the one on the cross right.

Having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God. Why did he sit down.

He sat down because his work was finished in that what he said on the cross. It is finished. So when you finish with your work.

What you do surround yeah he sat down at the right hand of God. For by one sacrifice made on the cross he Jesus perfected for ever. Those who come to God by him because of Jesus's work on the cross. Hebrews 812, quoting God in the Old Testament, Paul says, for I will be merciful to their iniquities and their sins.

God says I will remember no more to remember our sins no more for the amazing thing.

How great would it be if we did something wrong and we went to our wife and we apologize. She said I will remember your sin no more. How great would that be that be awesome.

You don't have to clap fellas. I want to get in trouble or nothing, but I would be great to say it never comes up again. We never discussed it again. It's like I got amnesia about that sin it's done. I remember it no more praise God for that. How great that would be okay now listen, that's exactly what God does with our sin, see it now watch now where there is forgiveness like this total forgiveness full forgiveness for ever.

Forgiveness, amnesia, forgiveness where there is that kind of forgiveness watch no further offerings for sin are needed both why don't we bring bulls and goats here to McLean Bible church and lead them all down the aisle and slit their throats and burn their carcasses and take their blood and go put it on a mercy seat somewhere.

While we do that we don't do it because we have the kind of forgiveness that is so full, so complete, so permanent that no more sacrifices for sin are ever needed. Praise God for that. So let's summarize. Paul says to these Jewish believers, is that what was wrong with you guys. Why would you guys want to leave Jesus and go back to Judaism in Jesus we have a superior covenant with God in Jesus we have a superior high priest who can save sinners to the uttermost because he lives forever and in Jesus we have superior forgiveness of sin. We don't need any more sacrifices.

God remembers them no more praise Lord now, the reason Jesus can give us all the superior stuff superior covenant superior forgiveness, superior high priest is very simple, it's because his blood on which all of this is based is superior blood look at Paul's argument. Watch this Paul says, quoting love, the book of Leviticus Hebrews 922 without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. That's what the Old Testament says and why did God require the shedding of blood. In order for remission of sin to be granted very simple friends because God wants us to understand how serious sin is that it's so serious that it has to be paid for with the death. It might've been the death of an animal or then it was the death of the son of God himself.

But sin is serious. That's why God did this now was there blood used in the remission that was in the old arrangement in the temple sure animal blood watch the law, can never by the same sacrifices, which are offered up continually year by year, make perfect those who try to draw near to God that way for it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats is the counter blood they used in the temple sacrifices it's impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin, but as our pot Christ look at this, enter the holy place, not with the blood of bulls and goats, but with his own blood and thereby secured eternal redemption for us, say, the next four words once and for all pay praise God friends.

The reason we've got a superior covenant and a superior forgiveness and a superior high priest saves to the uttermost is because all of that is based on the superior blood of the living reason Christ. Amen. Amen. You clap for that.

That's a good Isaac Watts, the great hymn writer wrote to him that came from the book of Hebrews and he sums it up about as well as I think it can be summed up.

Here's what he said.

He said not all the blood of beasts on Jewish altars slain could give my guilty conscience. Peace or wash away my staying when I want to stay there minute look at look what he said here again all those bulls and all those goats and I regard that they sacrificed. He says not all the blood of those beasts on all those Jewish altars at the temple slain none of that could give my guilty conscience, peace, or wash away my staying permanently but Christ, the heavenly lamp takes all our sins away. He is a sacrifice of nobler name and richer blood than today.

Man, you want the book of Hebrews summed up for you. There is right there, richer blood, richer blood and takes all our sins away. They say, praise the Lord for that amen are now that the stars were going to go in our exposition of the book of Hebrews. I mean, there's so much more. Here we could do but where to start now to ask our most important questions are you ready okay.

Are you guys on the Internet ready, here we go nice allowed 1203 Ray yeah so what you know Isaac Watts when he wrote that him wrote another verse that most people never even heard of. Here's what he said in the final verse. He said you know not all the blood of beast on Jewish altars slain the Christ took all my sin away and then he says this believing up. We rejoice to see the curse removed.

We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice and saying the his bleeding love one amazing friends. His bleeding love about that for second. What that means is that when Jesus Christ was on the cross, bleeding the reason he was doing that folks is not because he had to is not because he was obligated to, didn't he tell Pilate he's a pilot you could have no authority over me at all if it had been granted you didn't he say I could call 10 legions of angels to come deliver me if I wanted none ago.

He was on the cross bleeding for only one reason folks and that's because of his love for you and his love for me because he knew that the only way we can have a superior covenant with God. The only way we can have a high priest who saves to the auto most only way that our sins could be remembered no more by God was his blood had to be shared.

He knew that and so we did it for you.

We did for me bleeding love Mason. What is Isaac Watts say we should do with Jesus's bleeding love. He said we should rejoice. Look what he says and we should bless the Lamb with cheerful voice and we should saying his bleeding love. So I think we ought to take Isaac Watts's exhortation, we ought to do it going to say about his bleeding love. So sing with me. You ready there we go wide can wash away my sin. Nothing but the blood of Jesus ask about you know it. What can make me whole again nothing but the blood of GE's scum on all trash. This is a flow that makes me why did as all know all the profound time.

No, nothing but the blood of GE's same man amen our life looks pretty. You know, Lord Jesus. A lot of people who might be here today or might hear this sermon would say talk about somebody's blood like that.

That's prehistoric that's sophomoric. That's glory, but it's only because they don't understand the power of Jesus his blood, and that without that blood there is no remission of sin as we sit here with our heads bowed in our eyes closed.

Listen to what Robert Murray McShane, the great Scottish preacher said it sure but listen carefully. He setting yourself you can never stand righteous. He said God can see nothing in us but what he must condemn so the real issue chains is are you willing to see yourself as vile and held her serving in the sight of a holy God. Are you willing to let the blood of God's dear son. Be your own sheet you know some of us here, relying on our good works in our religious activity trying to keep the 10 Commandments $10 from God's awesome holiness when we meet friends. All of those things are going to be vaporized and instant presence of God's holiness. The only thing only the Lord Jesus can shield and protect us. So I want to ask are you friend 100% absolute glee search that you are washed in the blood of Jesus that you are shielded by the blood of Jesus and that you are covered with blood is not in this miserable to have a short prayer to ask God to do this for you. You pray silently on rail. One reason is more Jesus, I come to you today because in a new way. I understand what I need to face and survive holiness.

So today I renounce everything else I've ever trust to shield and protect me in that meeting and I embrace the blood of Christ is my one and only shield and protection. I repent of my sins today and I invite you into my life as my Lord and my sing, cover me with your blood. In Jesus name I