The West Hills Church Pulpit Podcast

THE SUPERIOR SANCTUARY

Hebrews 9

The Inferior Old Covenant Sanctuary (Heb. 9:1–10)

What was it, then, that made the tabernacle inferior?

It was an earthly sanctuary (v. 1).

It was a type of something greater (vv. 2–5).

It was inaccessible to the people (vv. 6–7).

It was temporary (v. 8).

Its ministry was external, not internal (vv. 9–10).

The Superior Heavenly Sanctuary (Heb. 9:11–28)

It is heavenly (v. 11).

Its ministry is effective to deal with sin (vv. 12–15).

John 1:29

Ceremonial cleansing and conscience cleansing (vv. 13–14).

2 Cor. 3:1–3

Temporary blessings and eternal blessings (v. 15).

Eph. 1:3

Its ministry is based on a costly sacrifice (vv. 16–23).

Luke 22:20

Its ministry represents fulfillment (v. 24).

Its ministry is final and complete (vv. 25–28).

 

So What?

The believer’s sanctuary is in heaven. His Father is in heaven and his Savior is in heaven. His citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20) and his treasures should be in heaven (Matt. 6:19ff). And his hope is in heaven. The true believer walks by faith, not by sight. No matter what may happen on earth, a believer can be confident because everything is settled in heaven.

 

Christ’s Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:1–13

Jesus’ Priestly Superiorities (Vv. 1–7)

Superior Service

Superior Reality

Superior Covenant

Romans 7:12, Romans 8:3, Romans 8:7, 8, Jeremiah 31:31–34,

The New Covenant’s Superiorities (Vv. 10–13)

Superior Inside

Exodus 32:15, 16 Deuteronomy 6:6–9, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Superior Relationship

Exodus 6:7

Superior Knowledge

John 17:3, Philippians 3:10

Superior Forgiveness

 

Hebrews

“Jesus Is Greater”

Sermon Series

Part 20

THERE IS ONE WHO KNOWS NO LIMITATIONS

Hebrews 7:20–28

Superior Due to a Divine Oath (Vv. 20–22)

      Matthew 1:21

Superior Due to Permanence (Vv. 23–25)

Numbers 20:28

Total Salvation

2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, Romans 1:16

Total Intercession

Romans 8:26-34

Superior Due to His Person (Vv. 26–28)

 

SO WHAT?

 

What have you done about God’s plan of salvation? Are you saved to the uttermost this morning? Do have the assurance that all is well within your soul today? If there is a need, there is a High Priest named Jesus Who can and will meet that need right now.

Hebrews

“Jesus Is Greater”

Sermon Series

Part 18

“Access to God…A Better Hope”

Hebrews 7:11-19

 

The Insufficiency of the Aaronic Priesthood (Vv. 11–14)

Romans 7:7, 8; 2 Corinthians 3:7ff; John 1:35; Galatians 3:24; Romans 8:3, 7

The Old Covenant’s Shortcomings

Galatians 3:21

The New Covenant’s Benefits

Jeremiah 31:33, 34; 1 Peter 2:24; John 11:25, 26, 9:14

Atonement, Life, Conscience, Access

Distancing the Covenants

Malachi 4:2; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5ff.; 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12; Revelation 22:16;

1 Timothy 2:5, 6

The Sufficiency of the Melchizedekian Priesthood (Vv. 15–19)

John 10:17, 18

 

SO WHAT…

Whatever our problem, Jesus is the answer! We must not sell our life short by looking to other places or persons for help.

Today, perfection—access—is ours through Jesus Christ. The veil has been severed, inviting us to the Holy of Holies.

 

Let us come with joyful boldness to our constant priest and Savior and Lord!

 

Hebrews

“Jesus Is Greater”

Sermon Series

Part 18

“The Mystery of Melchizedek”

Hebrews 7:1-10

 

The Significance of Melchizedek (1–3)

Foreshadowing Christ’s Character

 Revelation 19:16; Zechariah 6:13; Psalm 110:1, 4; Psalm 85:10

 

Foreshadowing Christ’s Qualifications

No Genealogy

No Beginning/end

The Superiority of Melchizedek (4-10)

Tithing and Superiority

 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23

Blessing and Superiority

1 John 2:1, Romans 3:21, 22; Romans 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 3:9

 

So What?

An eternal Melchizedekian king/priest has both secured our righteousness and peace and now devotes continual prayer for the working out of both qualities in our lives. This means we will survive the tides.

Hebrews

“Jesus Is Greater”

Sermon Series

Part 17

The True Anchor for our souls

Hebrews 6:13-20

oaths (13-15)

We Have God’s Word for It (Vv. 16–18)

Deuteronomy 5:11, John 17:17, Titus 1:2, John 14:3, 1 John 3:2

 

We Have God’s Anchor for It (Vv. 19, 20)

Hebrews 1:3, Matthew 27:50, 51, John 14:2–4, 2 Timothy 3:12

 

 

SO WHAT?

We have a hope—a hope outside ourselves.

• It is anchored in Heaven. We have continual access to God’s presence, not just once a year through a fallible man, but always—at every moment—through our high priest, Jesus Christ.
• It is sure, for it is doubly impossible for God to lie.

So we have reason to be optimistic—we have an anchor for the soul.

Hebrews

“Jesus Is Greater”

Sermon Series

Part 16

Make Your Hope Sure

Hebrews 6:9–12

Instilling Confidence (Vv. 9, 10)

Inner Life

Romans 8:15,16. John 14:27

Lifestyle

John 13:34, 35, Matthew 25:37–40

Insuring Confidence (Vv. 11, 12)

Avoid Sloth

Matthew 25:26

Work!

Ephesians 2:4–10, Philippians 2:12,13

Imitate!

2 Corinthians 12:1–6, Colossians 3:1–4, Matthew 24:13

So What?

We must not be lazy but apply ourselves to the spiritual resources God has given us. We have the promises from God. We should exercise faith and patience and claim these promises for ourselves! Confidence is the possession of all whose inner and outer lives have been changed by Christ so that their lifestyle reaches out to their brothers and sisters. This great confidence is doubly insured by a heart that is so graced that it works, persevering in sure hope to the end in imitation of the faith and patience of those who have gone before.

 

Danger Ahead!

Hebrews 6:1-8

 

A Call To Spiritual Progress (VV. 1-3)

 (repentance and faith) are Godward and mark the initiation of the spiritual life.

(baptisms and laying on of hands) have to do with a person’s relationship to the local assembly of believers.

(resurrection of the dead (Acts 24:14–15) and the final judgment (Acts 17:30–31)), have to do with the future.

No Second Beginning (Vv. 4–6)

Matthew 13:20, Philippians 1:6, Luke 14:28–32, Romans 8:38, 39

 

A Warning with Hope (VV. 7-8)

Matthew 13:23

 

So What?

Christ’s call is to plow the fields of our lives and to make the soil tender to the sweet rain of divine grace.

 

Hebrews

“Jesus Is Greater”

Sermon Series

Part 14

Slow to Learn

Hebrews 5:11–14

The Problem of Spiritual Immaturity (Vv. 11, 12)

Matthew 13:12, 14, 15,  1 Corinthians 2:16

The Cause of Spiritual Immaturity (Vv. 12b, 13)

Romans 3:22, Romans 1:17, Philippians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Cure for Spiritual Immaturity (V. 14)

1 Corinthians 2:14-15, Ephesians 4:13

SO WHAT?

Spiritual maturity—being full-grown—is possible if we simply take God’s Word seriously:

• By listening with all we have.
• By becoming fully acquainted with its “teaching about righteousness” and living it out.
• By constantly applying God’s Word to the decisions of life.