Highlighted Text: Hebrews 9:24-28

To understand any written document one must understand the purpose for which it was written.  Sometimes this is stated overtly, as in the Preamble to The Constitution; sometimes it is obvious from the title, as in John Wooden’s Call Me Coach; usually it is found in the body of the text itself. Hebrews 1:1-4 clearly states the author’s purpose for this letter which is the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all matters. This letter is about him and him alone. He is the final word. It is written primarily to Jewish believers who are undergoing persecution, possibly in Nero’s Rome, and are tempted to retreat to their old, established religion, Second Temple Judaism (Not unlike us older folk who long for the “good old days” of 1950s America).

The writer states, unequivocally, that there is no turning back.  What Christ has done surpasses and supplants all that had made up Jewish life for the last 1400 years. The old system, of law, sin, priest, temple, blood sacrifice, is erased by the perfect life, death, resurrection, and advocacy of Christ.

“Finality” would be a great title for this sermon; “Once and For All” is a close second.  Christ has completed what the ancient rituals of Temple sacrifice and priest leadership only hinted at. The old ways of atoning for sin were only weak copies of what God desired and planned in order to create a holy people for himself. Our five verses here clearly state this new reality.

Verses 24-25

Christ’s entrance into heaven after his resurrection underscores the death of the old rituals in two ways. First, he actually enters into the very presence of God on our behalf. It is not like entering the temple, a temporary, man-made structure in which God chose to dwell. (The reality of the Temple’s inadequacy was clearly seen at its destruction in 70 AD.)  

Second, Christ’s heavenly entrance was a one-time event, unlike the yearly priestly visitation to the Holy of Holies. A new paradigm in man’s relationship with God has begun.

Verses 26-28 

The word “once” summarizes Christ’s achievements. (v. 26) Once, he has done away with sin through his sacrificial death. (v. 27) Once we will all die to face judgement.  (v. 28a) Once, again, Christ took away the wrath of sin by his death. Humans are creature of habit, beings who enjoy repetition and ritual which often leads to comfort and complacency. The rut of religious rituals can deaden our awareness of our sin and separation from God, and the reality of death and judgement. Christ has shattered these rituals and covered over the ruts. 

(v. 28b) Christ will return again to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.  Eager anticipation should be the hallmark of the believer.  Maranatha (Come, our Lord)! 

Ideas and themes to be explored

• Develop the idea of how a “sacrificial system” for salvation could become ritualistic, devoid of meaning, and become “works” oriented. Perhaps we create our own 21st century versions of the temple system without Christ.  
• Develop the idea of how God, through Christ, interrupts history. People tend to see history as cyclical, not linear. Christ’s incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension are one-time events, never to be duplicated.
• All earthly religions, including modern secular humanism, become self-serving and ritualistic.  What does this look like in the Western world?  How is Christ the answer?

Contemporary angle to preaching

• In between Christ’s first and second coming, he is presently in God’s presence “for us” (v.24). How do you interpret this phrase? Why would he do this? Is there some need on our part? Develop the idea of an advocate, an attorney, a “corner-man”, a representative, an agent. 
• Build on the parallel lives lived by people and Christ. People are destined to die once and then face judgement. Christ was destined to die once and thereby bring redemption.

Bud Thoreen was raised in Southern California and has a BA from Wheaton College and an Mdiv. from Fuller Seminary.  He spent nearly 10 years as an Area Director for Young Life.   Retired after 37 years as a remodeling contractor, he now works for FaithQuest Missions, engaging believers in what God is doing around the world.   He spent 40+ years as an elder, teacher, part-time preacher at Irvine Presbyterian Church. You can contact Bud at [email protected] 

Call to Worship

Adapted from Micah 6:6-8

 Leader:  v6 With what shall I come before the Lord

                     And bow down before the exalted God?

People:   Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

                     With calves a year old?

Leader:  v7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams

                     With ten thousand rivers of oil?

People:   Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,

                     The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

Leader:  v8 He has showed  you, O man, what is goodl

                     And what does the Lord require of you?

People:   To act justly and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with your God.

Prayer of Confession

Even as we eagerly await your return, Lord Jesus, we must confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart, with our entire mind, nor with all of our strength. We have loved our rituals and our ruts more than you. Forgive us our complacency and our unwarranted fear of death. Your sacrifice has once and for all covered all our sins. We trust your salvation. Amen

Bud Thoreen

Assurance of Pardon

Micah 7:18-19. Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Amen

Benediction 

I bless you with the sure knowledge that Christ has paid the full price for your redemption, once and for all time. You are set free to be a blessing to all you meet this week, as you eagerly await Christ’s return. Amen

Bud Thoreen