Hebrews 10

TVCC Students,
We love getting to worship with each of you on Wednesday evenings. It refreshes out hearts to see you engaging the Lord and spending time encouraging each other. Last night Sonny went through Hebrews 10 and how the offering of Christ was complete and gives us access to the Lord with confidence. Here is a recap...

Hebrews 10

10:1-11- Jesus offered Himself and then sat down. Where the sacrificial system failed to perfect people, Jesus came to the rescue. His offering was complete and final. He offered Himself once and this offering cleansed completely and forever all who believe in Him!

Q: Have you ever sat down and contemplated the reality that Jesus took YOUR place on the cross? Not just that He died for the sins of the world but that He was sacrificed for YOU personally? How should this affect the way you view the One who sacrificed Himself for YOU?

~10:1-13- During the time that this book was written two worlds were colliding. There were those who were holding fast to the Jewish law (sacrificial system needed to approach God and avoid his wrath) and the NEW covenant.  Jesus brought this New Covenant when He came as a sinless man who died in our place. Because He was sinless and completely filled the law, He could take our sin on His body so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him.

Q: Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. What life implications should this have for us when we live DAILY in light of this reality? No sacrificial system is needed anymore. Jesus gives us access to the LORD who spun the galaxies into existence.

~10:14: Jesus’ blood was so rich, powerful and EFFECTIVE!! It paid for the sin of mankind forever. Sonny spoke about the liquid drug that was given to His grandfather that healed his heart for a time. He was given a powerful drug that was effective. Again... Jesus’ blood was rich, powerful and EFFECTIVE!!The sacrificial system just appeased the wrath of God for a time but Jesus was OFFERED once and for ALL and then SAT DOWN... it is FINISHED!!

Q: Read John 19:30. Are there any changes that you feel the Lord calling you to make to live a more thankful lives in light of this verse and the knowledge that Jesus gave His blood so that we could be righteous?

~10:14-16: Jesus has perfected those who are being sanctified.  Jesus makes us perfect positionally and then His Spirit works on us daily in order for us to mirror Him more each day (sanctification). We are children of the Lord through Christ (nothing can change that) and are being made to look more like Him through His spirit.

Q: In what ways have you seen the Spirit working in you this week? ****If you cannot think of anything, we encourage you to really think about your relationship with the Lord. When we have a relationship with someone, there WILL BE things we can call to mind regarding that relationship. If there is nothing that we can think of that is "happening" in the relationship, maybe we are deceived in thinking that we are actually in a relationship.

~10:14-16: The new covenant is supposed to do so much more than just make us begrudgingly follow the rules of the Lord. Jesus died to change our hearts to where we will long for Him and obey Him out of a love for Him. He creates in us a longing for Him. His Spirit is within us constantly drawing us to Him.

Q: In what ways have you felt His Spirit drawing you to Him this week? If you haven't felt Him drawing you this week, are there any things in your life that are maybe preventing you from being able to hear Him? We encourage you to remove any hindrances that are keeping you from the Lord.

~10:17-18: Our sins are remembered no more in Christ. Wow. This is the NEW COVENANT through Christ. Complete forgiveness!! Blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven (Psalm 32:1)!!! Praise Jesus!! This should cause an extreme amount of love to flow from us. Yes there are earthly consequences that might come because of our sins but God is not against us once we have become His in Christ. Yes, He does discipline us (as any good Father does... Hebrews 12) but this does not change His love for us. There is no offering that we have to give to cleanse us- Jesus cleansed us!

Q: What has your attitude towards Christ been like lately? Read Psalm 32:1. What should your attitude look like in light of this verse and the forgiveness that is yours through the blood of Jesus?

~10:19: In Christ, we have confidence and have a great High Priest who intercedes for us. Knowing that Jesus stands between us and the wrath of God, let us...

1. Draw near to the Lord God of heaven and earth! God wants us to draw near to Him through the blood of Jesus with confidence!! Our lives matter to the Lord and He wants to be involved in our daily lives! We do not need to shrink away from Him in shame. All of our sins are forgiven. Period.

2. Hold fast to the confession of our hope...  Jesus' life, death, & resurrection on our behalf. This is our hope. Philippians 3 calls us to put no confidence in the flesh. If anyone could put confidence in the flesh, Paul (the author of Philippians) could. He knew that was not his call in Christ. His whole confidence (after he was spiritually wrecked by the Lord in Acts 9) was in Christ. Our salvation and sanctification does not depend on us but on God who has mercy (Romans 9). Let us hold fast to Jesus! Plead for His mercy to continually be on us and to make us more like Him. We are the faithless ones but He is faithful. He will never disappoint. Let us remember this and hold fast to Him.

3. Stimulate one another to love and good deeds. We were saved by grace for a purpose- to declare His glory to this world and to accomplish the good works that He has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10). Our DAILY lives should be leading others to Christ. Let us encourage one another to meet together to push each other to Christ. Encourage each other to the finish line!

Q: Which of the previous three bullet points "hits home" the hardest with you? Are there any areas of your life that you feel the Spirit calling you to change as you think about these three truths?

Dear Students,

We are so thankful for each one of you. So often we speak of how grateful we are to be a part of the work that the Lord is doing in your lives. You all encourage us so much. We pray that this week you will think often on the forgiveness that is yours in Jesus. He paid the penalty for our sins so that we could enjoy a relationship with the Father without fear or shame. What a great salvation we have in Christ! We pray that you will enjoy the sweetness of the presence of the Lord this week. We love you!

With hope,

~Sonny and Casi