WE ARE FULLY FORGIVEN
Last week in our bible study we discussed being fully forgiven. In most cases we do not understand what that means or do not accept the fact that God loves us that much. Our minds cannot comprehend unconditional love. We cannot understand how or why God could possibly love us that much.
In a recent Peanuts cartoon, Lucy approaches Charlie Brown with a paper and pen and says, “Here, sign this. It absolves me from all blame”. Then she goes to Shroeder with the same paper and says, “Here, sign this. It absolves me from all blame”. Finally she comes to Linus: “Here, sign this. It absolves me from all blame”. As she walks away Linus says, “Gee, that must be a nice document to have”.
We don’t have a document, but we do have a savior that committed the most unselfish loving act in the history of mankind. Jesus Christ went to the cross at Calvary so that we would be absolved of all blame and would be fully forgiven.
Let’s pray.
Hebrews 10:1-18
For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME; 6 IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLEASURE. 7 "THEN I SAID, `BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD." 8 After saying above, "SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS AND WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, NOR HAVE YOU TAKEN PLEASURE in them" (which are offered according to the Law), 9 then He said, "BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL." He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, 13 waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16 "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM," He then says, 17 "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE”. 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.
I. Verses 1 & 2 are part prophecy
A. “..Only a shadow of good things to come and not in the very form….”
1. Not an animal sacrifice, it will be Jesus
B. “..can never by the same sacrifices which they offer…”
1. Repeated animal sacrifice not sufficient
2. They repeated ritual each year
3. Could not make any clear of sin
4. If That were the case they would not continually return
C. If it were sufficient they would not have to return for atonement
1. They would not longer be conscious of the sin
II. Verse 3 tells of reminders and 4 the fact it was not sufficient
A. There is a reminder each year of the sin
B. The blood of animals was not sufficient for sin remission
1. Sin must be removed by a permanent blood sacrifice
2. Hebrews 9:12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
3. Jesus died once for all our sin
III. Verses 5 – 9 again are part prophecy and explanation of what it takes
A. “Therefore when He comes in to the world…”
1. Jesus what else is there to say
B. “…You have not desired..prepared for me…..for sin you have taken no pleasure…”
1. God took no pleasure in preparing Hi sonly son for the ultimate sacrifice
2. Could you have pleasure in sending you r son?
C. “Then I said, I have come…(In the scroll it is written of me)..too do your will
1. Jesus saying I have come to do the will of the father
2. It is written in the old law
D. God took no pleasure in the old sacrifices according to the law
E. “I have come to do you will..He takes away the first to establish the second…”
1. Jesus comes for God to allow the taking of His life for our eternal
2. Because of His sacrifice He establishes our eternal life
3. 1 Corinthians 6:11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
F. We are sanctified and justified once and for all
1. Hebrews 10:10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
a. We no longer need any type of sacrifice
b. ONCE FOR ALL
1. Past
2. Present
3. Future
IV. Verses 11-14 “Every priest stand daily…offering time after time…can never take away
A. The priest continued to offer the same sacrifice daily time and time again
1. Nothing changed it became a ritual with no point
2. A ritual that could never take away sin
B. 12 “But he offered one time for all…sat down at the right hand….”
1. We know that Jesus sets at the right hand of the Father today
2. He intervenes for us today
C. 13 “waiting for….enemies made footstool for His feet”.
1. Psalms 8:6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,
a. The Psalmist had it right centuries ahead of time
D. We were sanctified for all time one time
1. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
a. Animal sacrifice would not sanctify us ever no matter how may time
V. Verses 15 – 18 “And the Holy Spirit testifies…
A. The Holy Spirit that lives within us testifies to us
1. He fills our hearts with faith and confidence
2. He is our constant companion
B. 16 “This is my covenant I will make…with them after those day…”
1. The coming of Jesus Christ was the new covenant
2. It replaced the old law of animal sacrifice
C. “..I will put my laws upon their hearts and their minds…”
1. Once we become a child of god we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts
a. The reminder of sin is gone
b. The love of God is within us
c. The guilt is gone
D. “..their sins and lawlessness I will remember no more..”
1. The perfect sacrifice was total atonement for our sins
2. Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.
3. Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from u
a. That’s all, past, present, and future
b. They are no more
VI. Verse 18 last but not least, “Now where there is forgiveness of sin……”
A. There no longer needs to be a sacrifice
1. The one perfect sinless one
2. The spotless lamb
3. We can now go before the throne of grace alone
a. We don’t need a middle man
b. The old style priest is no longer needed
c. Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Many times we seem to doubt the power of the blood. We doubt that it can wash us clean. That we have been too bad, or we will never bee good enough. We have the power, the right, andf the ability to go to God throne ourselves. We even have a tendency to judge people. If I’m stepping on toes just pull your feet back. I’m preaching to myself here. So hang on. I want to share a story with you.
There was a church that had a young lady that had started attending the church. She had more than a checkered past to say the least. She had turned her life over to the Lord and had dedicated the rest of her life to serving and following Jesus. She had worked very hard to not let her past get in the way of her new found salvation and life. It seemed everywhere she went people could not forget her past.
The Pastor’s son noticed her and their relationship began to grow. As the relationship grew so did the rumors, gossip, and dissatisfaction among the church members. They felt as if the pastor’s son needed to find some one of a better background and family background. As the relationship continued to grow so did the dissension in the church. When there was a wedding planned, the church members planned a meeting to see what they could do to stop it. During the meeting the pastor’s son and the young lady showed up. The pastor’s soon boldly walked to the front of the group and addressed them with the following.
I feel very sorry for all of you today. I will pray for each and every one of you that is in attendance. It appears that you are somewhat confused about the issue, the ability, and the power of the total redemption power and forgiveness of the blood of Jesus. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No sin is greater or smaller than another. The same precious blood cleanses all manner of sin.
If you doubt that the blood of Jesus is not strong enough to wash away the sins of my fiancée, then you doubt the power of that same blood to wash away your sins. I will pray that you will realize that the same blood that has washed away your sins is the same blood that has washed away her sins. It is the same redeeming blood that has cleansed all the sins of the world.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Do you doubt the power of the blood to wash away your sins? Do you think that you can never be good enough for such an awesome powerful God? Stop trying to earn your salvation because you cannot do it. You can never buy it, earn it, or work for it.
