Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant chps. 8:1 - 10:18

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant  Remember a couple of points: >Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians just before the destruction of the Temple & Jerusalem in 70 A.D. >It is a book of showing the Superiority of Jesus through comparison & contrast. >Most comparisons are followed by a warning and exhortation.

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant  “We have such a high priest” 8:1-6 +as described previously in 7: as further described: -at the right hand of God, v.1 -minister in the true tabernacle, v.2 -having obtained a “more excellent ministry” v.6a -and “mediator of a better covenant” v.6b -enacted on “better promises” v.6c

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant  But as a changed Priesthood required a change of Law, 7:12ff  So also it required a New Covenant, vv.6 *Note: While covenant and Law are not always the same, they are used interchangeably. But more specifically, covenant is made up of two parts: -Law > the requirements on Man -Promises > the benefits from God

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant  The first covenant was faulted: -it made nothing perfect, 7:11  Therefore the people of it were likewise faulted, v.8 -they did not keep it, v.9b  All of which necessitates a “New Covenant”! It will be unlike the Old Covenant- it will make perfect those obedient to it!

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant  Key characteristics of the New Covenant: (vv.10-12) >will be in minds and upon hearts of adherents, v.10a >will make adherents God’s people, v.10b (cf. 1Pet.2:9 & Titus 2:14) >fellow citizens will not need teaching, v.11 >will include mercy for iniquities and no remembrance of sins, v.12

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant  But the main characteristic of the New Covenant being emphasized is: It makes the first one obsolete! v.13 This is the main point of the letter !!!

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant, chp.9  The comparison continued between new & old covenants: >the first covenant had regulations concerning worship and sacrifices, vv.1-7 >But, it was only a symbol of what was to come and would be replaced, vv.8-10 >The Law of the Old Covenant was removed by the new High Priest & replaced with His Law, vv >He did so by His sacrifice, vv.13-28

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant, chp.10  The inadequacies of the Law: >was just the shadow- not the form / image, v.1a >its yearly sacrifices, even continually offered, did not perfect, v.1b >there remained a reminder, vv.2 >its imperfect sacrifices, v.4  Therefore, it was predicted to be, and was taken away, vv.5-9  But Jesus’ sacrifice did what all the others could not do! vv.10-18

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant, chp.10  Now, the Exhortation- Since: we can now enter the holy place by Jesus’ perfect sacrifice which forgave rather than remembered sins(vv.19-21), “Let us...” >draw near- v.22. Get close to God! with sincere hearts, full faith, clean consciences, & washed bodies >hold fast- v.23. Stay close to God! >consider how to stimulate others! v.24 Think & work to help keep others saved.

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant, chp.10  The Warning: -Don’t forsake assembling together, v.25 How does one forsake? By choosing to be somewhere else doing something else! -Don’t keep sinning willfully, v.26 How does one sin willfully? By knowing but not doing better! -What if we keep on forsaking/sinning? terror, fury, severer than death, vengeance from God, vv.27-31

Hebrews, #5 Jesus is Superior to the Old Covenant, chp.10  Additional Exhortations: -Remember the former days when you did well! vv And “do not throw away” your reward! v.35 -Endure that you may receive what was promised, vv Otherwise, if you shrink back, God has no pleasure in you and you will be destroyed! vv Which will you do?