A New and Better Sacrifice
Psalm 40:1-8
Good morning,
Please open your Bibles to two places, first turn to Luke 16 and then turn to Psalm 40 as we continue surveying that book.
“Business Insider” had an article about things that are now obsolete, but I don’t know if I agree with their entire list.
They listed, floppy disks, phone booths, dial-up internet, landline phones, phonebooks, film cameras, VCRs, standalone GPS devices, paper maps, and newspaper classifieds.
If I asked a teenager today to help me with a floppy disc, they would think I was talking about my sore back. Not many people hang onto obsolete things unless they are a collector or a hoarder
The LORD allowed the OT Temple to be torn down, to teach us about a new and better way to access His presence and holiness.
How can we personally know that we have a perfect standing before God in order to access His presence and holiness?
In Christ, we are sanctified and have a perfect standing with God, confirmed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
The Temple is gone because sacrifice and offerings could not take away the guilt of our sin and satisfy God's judgment.
I. Wait on the LORD.
Read Psalm 40:1
There is a dual fulfillment, as well as personal application, in Psalm 40. This is considered a Messianic Psalm because it is quoted in the New Testament about Jesus, making it important.
I would describe the world we live in as a microwave society. We even hear some businesses promise in their advertising that they can cut the wait time for something by using their products.
I struggle with patience and waiting, especially when I know the wait time could have been avoided if someone had been paying attention and had done what they were supposed to do.
But when we think about the LORD, we are told that He is very patient. Why? Because waiting involves time, and the LORD Created time so, He is not limited by time.
When we are waiting on the LORD to act, we must remember, in His economy, He has already seen the thing come to pass.
2 Peter 3:8 beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. NKJV
See, “I waited patiently for the LORD, and He inclined to me.”
We read many passages where David was waiting on the LORD for deliverance, especially in the Book of Psalms.
But here, in Psalm 40:1, David follows the statement about waiting with the words, “He inclined to me, and heard my cry.”
For David waiting on the LORD showed trust in the LORD and His promises. When the LORD promises to keep us, provide for us, or meet our needs, waiting for Him says we believe Him.
When we get ahead of the LORD and His timing, we can get ourselves in a real mess, just ask Abraham and Sarah.
Notice, “He inclined to me, and heard my cry”
Guzik said, “The word inclined has the sense of God bending down to David in his affliction and removing any perceived distance between the LORD and His servant.”
“He inclined to me”, is like a father down on a knee to meet his child face to face, hearing their cry, and showing he is near.
As far as the Messianic fulfillment is concerned, Jesus was patient as He suffered the beatings and the crucifixion, dying as the sinless Lamb of God.
Jesus was never impatient; not while He was in agony in Gethsemane, while on the Cross, or during the six false trials.
Heard my cry: God the Father heard Jesus’ cry from the Cross.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last. NKJV
II. The LORD delivers His children.
Read Psalm 40:2-3
Do you remember the commercial from the 80’s and 90’s that said, “Help, I’ve fallen and can’t get up!”, which was a catchphrase from the life-alert commercials?
How about you, have you ever thought, “I’ve fallen, and I’ve sunk so low, I’m stuck?” Have you ever felt like you were in a pit and couldn’t see a way out?
David likens his present crisis to the miry clay in the pit, where the LORD picked him up and set his feet on solid ground.
The solid ground or rock here represents a secure foundation.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: NKJV
See, “He has put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God”
While David was trusting and waiting on the Lord, he was given a song from the LORD Himself and David broke into spontaneous praise.
Please turn to Luke 16
The result of God’s children rejoicing over what He has done is that “Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD”.
Living an authentic, obedient Christian life will be a witness and testimony to others.
Whether through rejoicing or how we behave, people want to see authentic walks with Jesus.
C.H. Spurgeon said, “Trusting in the Lord is the evidence nay the essence of salvation. He who is a true believer is evidently redeemed from the dominion of sin and Satan.” (Spurgeon)
Read Luke 16:19-31 and discuss how this applies to Messiah.
I did a teaching on the two compartments of Hades before so this teaching could be a review for some, and new for others.
We are told that after Jesus took the Cross, He went and preached freedom to the captives who were in Hades.
Before the Cross, no one could go to heaven because the innocent blood of Jesus Christ had not yet been spilled.
According to Hebrews 9:22 according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness of sin). NKJV
So, the Old Testament saints who had all the promises of God, when they physically died, could not enter into heaven because a perfect sacrifice was needed, but not yet offered.
The Old Testament sacrifices simply covered their sin but could not remove sin because they were simply shadows of the real sacrifice that would come through the perfect Lamb of God.
Heaven is a perfect place, and if God allowed any imperfection into heaven, it would stop being heaven.
Where did the Old Testament saints, before the Cross, go?
For a clear picture of what Hades looked like before the Cross, we need to know that there were two compartments in Hades.
a. Abraham’s Bosom, which is also known as Paradise.
Remember the thief on the Cross who repented and asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom…
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." NKJV
Throughout the Old Testament, there are teachings of a holding area for the faithful, as well as for the unfaithful, after death.
Abraham's Bosom is where all the righteous from the time of Adam forward, went, awaiting their redemption from Messiah.
But there was a second compartment of Hades…
b. The second compartment of Hades was the holding place for the unrepentant. Luke 16:23
• While in torment, the rich man was aware, he was not in soul sleep or unaware of his pain
• Once in Hades, there is not a second chance. The decision for Salvation is made before a person dies. Luke 16:26
• There are no excuses that the rich man didn’t know. Abraham told him that he had the books of the Bible, and he still would not believe. Luke 16:29
God has placed a God consciousness within every single person so, at death, the decision to accept Christ has already been made.
• Even if someone were to come back from the dead, they still would not believe. Luke 16:31
Jesus, foretelling His own resurrection said, even if someone were to come back from the dead, they would not believe.
This event, of Jesus descending to Hades, occurred between the time of Christ's death and His resurrection.
I want you to understand a doctrinal truth this morning, Jesus did not go to hell to suffer, as some false teachers claim!
The work of redemption was paid when Jesus willingly died on the Cross, nothing needed to be added to the sacrifice!
John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. NKJV
Why did Jesus descend to the lower parts and go to Hades?
Jesus went to announce to the Old Testament saints that He had fulfilled the righteous requirement for their sin, and because they died in Faith, Jesus informed them that they were now set free.
Then Jesus took those in paradise with Him to Heaven.
Matthew 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit.
Matthew 27:51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
Matthew 27:52 and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
Matthew 27:53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. NKJV
Jesus went to Abraham’s Bosom for a three-day proclamation and after the resurrection, some Old Testament saints were seen walking the streets before they went to heaven with Jesus.
Now, after the Cross, we have a victor on the throne. Jesus ascended to the Father as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
People throughout history have all been saved the same way we have, by believing in the Lord, which is called Faith.
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
Romans 4:4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. NKJV
The difference between the OT saints and us today is Jesus has now shed His innocent blood. So, when we die, we go instantly into His presence rather than having to wait in Paradise!
The people in Paradise were taken to heaven with Jesus so when a believer dies today, they are instantly with the Lord in heaven
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. NKJV
“Out of a horrible pit”: The Father pulled Jesus out of the pit of Hades and gave Him a firm foundation as LORD of all.
III. Our blessings cannot be numbered.
Read Psalm 40:4-5
Oh, how happy (blessed) is the man who makes the Lord his trust, because the Lord is faithful and will never fail you.
Notice proud people turn to lies in self-preservation, to protect their arrogance. When we die to self, we don’t need to lie.
Guzik said, “David connected trusting God with moral conduct — in this case, the ability to discern and judge the character of others and act appropriately toward them.”
The Lord’s thoughts are always favorable towards His people. David praised the Lord as the Miracle Worker with His innumerable thoughts toward His people.
Remember from Psalm 8:4, What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? NKJV
C.H. Spurgeon said, “Creation, providence, and redemption, teem with wonders as much as the sea with life.”
The Cross, the miracle of life, the LORD’s provision, His peace, His thoughts towards us, and His promise of a sure future, do not begin to describe all that the LORD has in store for us.
1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." NKJV
IV. The Promised Servant.
Read Psalm 40:6-8
David was speaking of the Old Testament sacrifices that were to be offered for the sin of the priests as well as the nation of Israel.
Instead of asking David for sacrifices and offerings, the Lord asked him for obedience and opened David’s ears to hear Him.
Neither David, nor any other person, can fully obey the Lord.
Ultimately this was fulfilled by the Son of David, Jesus the Messiah, Who was perfectly obedient to the Father. Because of His love for us, Jesus’ sacrifice was then credited to us by faith.
We have said before that the Old Testament points forward to the Cross and the New Testament illuminates the Old Testament
Psalm 40:6-8 speaks of God the Son fulfilling the Father’s will.
Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
Hebrews 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Hebrews 10:5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.
Hebrews 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.
Hebrews 10:7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come — In the volume of the book it is written of Me — To do Your will, O God.'"
Hebrews 10:8 Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them (which are offered according to the law),
Hebrews 10:9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
Hebrews 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. NKJV
Animal sacrifices can’t please the LORD, they were used to remind people of their sin. The only sacrifice that could satisfy sin’s judgment was the death of the Lamb of God.
Before His death, Jesus assembled the Disciples overlooking the Temple and they were anxious about the future because Jesus had cleansed the Temple and stopped the sacrifices.
Jesus denounced the Pharisees, made a whip of cords, and chased the money changers out of the Temple.
The Disciples began talking about the beauty of the Temple and Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple.
Both the Temple and the City of Jerusalem were destroyed by four Legions, ruled by Titus the Roman General in A.D. 70.
Why would the Lord allow this evil to happen to His Temple?
Jesus obeyed the Father and His death on the Cross was the fulfillment of the real sacrifice for sin. So now, there is no longer a need for animal sacrifices.
The Jews were so consumed with rituals and religion they didn’t realize their offerings were no longer accepted by God.
Hebrews 10:9 He takes away the first that He may establish the second. Jesus is the new and better sacrifice.
Matthew Henry said, “In the days of the Messiah, burnt-offering and sin-offering will be no longer required,
Sacrifice and offering could not take away the guilt of sin by satisfying God's justice.”
The Lord allowed the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. which stopped the Jews from sacrificing there any longer.
Today, when Jews observe religious holidays, they can’t offer sacrifices because they can only be offered in the Temple.
The Lord wanted to stop these rituals to show that He didn’t want Sacrifice and offerings, He wanted human hearts submitted to Jesus Christ, who paid sin’s penalty for Salvation!
“Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God” The Cross was never plan “B”, it was planned before the creation of the world.
1 Peter 1:20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. NKJV
But even though the Cross was planned before the foundation of the world, it still was an act of Jesus submitting to the Father.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before His crucifixion, Matthew 26:39 "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." NKJV
Because of Jesus’ submission to the Father, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ.
Our being acceptable to God is granted to us because of the sacrifice and offering of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 6:11 you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. NKJV
V. Conclusion.
“Business Insider” had an article about things that are now obsolete, but I don’t know if I agree with their entire list.
They listed, floppy disks, phone booths, dial-up internet, landline phones, phonebooks, film cameras, VCRs, standalone GPS devices, paper maps, and newspaper classifieds.
The LORD allowed the OT Temple to be torn down, to teach us about a new and better way to access His presence and holiness.
How can we personally know that we have a perfect standing before God in order to access His presence and holiness?
In Christ, we are sanctified and have a perfect standing with God, confirmed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
The Temple is gone because sacrifice and offerings could not take away the guilt of our sin and satisfy God's judgment.
If you have Jesus, you are accepted, without Jesus, you are not.
Someday every person will stand before the Holy God of heaven and have to answer for their life. If you have accepted Jesus’ free gift of salvation, you will be accepted and saved.
Sacrifice and burnt offerings only temporarily covered our sins, but the shed blood of Jesus Christ paid the penalty due for all of our sins if we accepted His free gift of salvation.
