Return to Series

Sermon Introduction

The author discussed the rooms in the tabernacle: there was the holy place and most holy place. The author did not mention the outer court. He mentioned furniture and items. It is essential to note the position of the altar of incense, which is brought inside the most holy place once a year (9:1-5). The author explained the role of the high priest to enter the most holy place once a year. He would offer blood for his own sins and the sins of the people. The most holy place was exclusive for the high priest in the old way (9:6-8). The old system could not cleanse the people's conscience because it dealt with food and cleansing ceremonies (9:9-10). Christ offers a better way.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Hebrews 9 NASB

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was equipped, the outer sanctuary, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Most Holy Place, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, Aaron’s staff which budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle, performing the divine worship, 7 but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food, drink, and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things having come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands, that is, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all time, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a covenant, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when people are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. 18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Notes

The author discussed the rooms in the tabernacle: there was the holy place and most holy place. The author did not mention the outer court. He mentioned furniture and items. It is essential to note the position of the altar of incense, which is brought inside the most holy place once a year (1-5). The author explained the role of the high priest to enter the most holy place once a year. He would offer blood for his own sins and the sins of the people. The most holy place was exclusive for the high priest in the old way (6-8). The old system could not cleanse the people's conscience because it dealt with food and cleansing ceremonies (9-10). Christ offers a better way.  

1. Christ is the high priest who entered the heavenly tabernacle not made with human hands. He entered offering His own blood, which is superior to the blood of animals used for ceremonial cleansing. His unblemished blood can cleanse the conscience from dead works through the Holy Spirit (11-14).

2. Christ is the mediator of the new covenant through His death. Death is necessary for a covenant to be enforced. In the Old, it was the death of animals. In the New, the death of Christ enforced it. Blood needs to be shed for forgiveness to take effect (15-22).

3. Christ offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice once and for all time. Unlike the earthly sacrifices that were valid for one year. Christ’s sacrifice puts away the sin of many (not all). When He returns, He will not come to judge those who are in Him, but He will offer complete salvation (23-28).

Application

1. Believe in the sufficiency of Christ’s offering, His unblemished blood. Through His blood, the Holy Spirit cleanses our conscience from dead works. In Christ, our belief results in a clear conscience.

2. Believe that His death led to forgiveness. There is no forgiveness without an innocent replacement. His sinless life that was sacrificed led to the forgiveness of those who would repent.

3. Believe that His sacrifice is enough. There is no need to repeat the process of sacrificing animals. There is no need for dead works. His single sacrifice is powerful to forgive through the generations.

Discussion / Reflection

1. Explain the ceremonial rituals of the Old Covenant, especially the High Priest.

2. Explain the significance of the blood of Christ in the New Covenant.

3. Explain the necessity of death in the Old and New Covenants.

4. What do these truths mean to you?