2.  The Greek verb thuō means generally “to kill” and specifically “to offer as a sacrifice.” It may refer to a common meal or celebratory feast; it can describe the offerings of idolatry, or the sacrifices of the Mosaic Law.  The Greek noun thusia refers to “a sacrifice.” More specifically, it describes the act of offering a sacrifice, or that which is offered in sacrifice.

3.  Under the Mosaic Law, every high priest was appointed to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people, and also for himself (Heb. 5:1-3).  However, such service was never complete, being physical rather than spiritual, temporal rather than eternal, and – by itself – wholly ineffective (Heb. 9:6-10).  The Law, being shadow rather than substance, could never, by its endless animal sacrifices, make perfect those who would draw near unto God (Heb. 10:1-4).

4.  In contrast with the flawed service of sinful men, Jesus Christ – the Sinless Savior – offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 7:26-28).  Minister of the heavenly sanctuary and true tabernacle (Heb. 8:1-3), Jesus atoned for transgression, one-time-for-all-time, through the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:23- 28).

5.  Compared to external rituals of the Old Testament, the sacrifice of Christ was personal (Heb. 10:5-10).  Through this permanent and perpetually valid sacrifice, we are perfected for all time (Heb. 10:11-14).

6.  Life (Rom. 12:1-2)  Love (Eph. 5:1-2)  Faith (Phil. 2:14-18)  Resources (Phil. 4:15-20)  Obedience (Heb. 11:4)  Praise (Heb. 13:15)  Doing Good & Sharing (Heb. 13:16)

7.  Disobedience (Acts 7:35-43; 1 Sam. 15:20- 23)  Hypocrisy (Ps. 51:14-17; Isa. 1:10-17)  Haughtiness (Hos. 6:4-11; Matt. 9:10-13; 12:1-7)

8.  The sacrifice of Jesus requires purity (1 Cor. 5:6-8)  The sacrifice of Jesus requires penitence (Heb. 10:26-31)  The sacrifice of Jesus requires participation (1 Pet. 2:4-10)