Heb. 10:19-25

Introduction:

The book of Hebrews was written primarily to Jews who had become Christians. They believed in the imminent return of the Lord; that is, that He would return in their lifetime. Many of these believers had begun to lose their confidence in the message of Christ and His coming Kingdom. In addition to what they saw as a Kingdom delayed, they were suffering much persecution. This situation created serious concern in the early church that many of these discouraged Jewish believers would return to Judaism.

The Spirit Filled Life Bible introductory commentary on Hebrews states: "This Epistle was written to wavering Jewish believers, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith. The writer points out the overwhelming superiority of Christ over all that they had experienced under the Law. What is offered to them through Christ is so much better than that which is promised under the Mosiac economy they should never consider turning back. The author dwells on the incomparable glory of the person and work of Christ, showing His supremacy over Prophets (1:1-3), angels (1:4-12:18), Moses (3:1-19), Joshua (4:1-13), Aaron (4:14-7:18), and the whole ritual of Judaism (7:19-10:39)."

Like all of the Bible, this book spans the generations of time and cuts through the distinctions of culture and speaks to the believers of the 20^th century. We too, must fight against the spirit of discouragement; we too, need to be cheered on in the face of trials and persecutions; we too, must understand the superior position of Christ and the eternal (once and for all) sacrifice of His life - given that we may have access to the throne of God, having been cleansed by the precious blood of His own dear Son.

A. Our magnificent entrance into the presence of God, made possible by Jesus, is the pinnacle of our experience and the validating confirmation of our faith.

(Heb 10:19 KJV) "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"

(Heb 10:20 KJV) "By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"

(Heb 10:21 KJV) "And having an high priest over the house of God;"

B. Our godly living gives us unashamed and fearless right of entry into the presence of God.

(Heb 10:22 KJV) "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."

( Living Bible - let us go right in to God himself, with true hearts fully trusting him to receive us because we have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean and because our bodies have been washed with pure water.)

C. The consistency of our faith is testimony to our true relationship with Christ, who is the originator of our faith.

(Heb 10:23 KJV) "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"

4. The reality of Jesus in us will be manifested in our relationship and behavior toward other believers. We will value one another's fellowship and will thrive on our mutual love and encouragement.

(Heb 10:24 KJV) "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"

(Heb 10:25 KJV) "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."