Sanctification Lesson 11 Series

A. INTRODUCTION: HEBREWS 10:1-39

The whole Levitical dispensation was unable to give anyone perfect access to God. It was evident because the worshipers had to continually repeat the sacrifices. The worshipers had not attained full acceptance by God. In fact, the Old Testament itself showed the insufficiency of animal sacrifices, which pointed to the true Lamb of God who would eventually die for the sins of the world (John 1:29).

1. What were the Levitical ceremonies? A shadow of things to come (v. 1: Colossians 2:16-17).

2. What was demonstrated by the very necessity of constantly repeating these sacrifices and ceremonies? They were never able to provide perfect cleansing (v. 1).

3. If animal sacrifices could have once for all purified the worshiper, how would it have been known? If sacrifices provided perfect cleansing, they would have stopped (v. 2).

4. While animal sacrifices answered their purpose figuratively, what was their limitation? They reminded the sinner of his/her sin (vv. 3-4).

5. Did God get any satisfaction out of seeing animals killed for ritual purposes, unless it meant the worshiper was brought into vital relation with himself? The only thing that pleased God was it reminded the sinner of his/her sin (vv. 5-6).

6. Since the animals used for ritual were not voluntary sacrifices and since the true Sacrifice must be one capable of consenting to take the sinner’s place, what was necessary for God to do? Christ became our sacrifice for our sin (v. 5; cf. v. 10).

7. What did Jesus Himself, the Second Person of the Trinity do? He took on a body to become our sacrifice (Philippians 2:7).

8. When the Baby Jesus came into this world, what did He say back to the Father? “I have come to do Your will” (vv. 5-7).

9. What was the primary purpose in Jesus taking this body? To do the Father’s will (v. 10; cf. Galatians 4:45).

10. Through the divine will, what does the acceptance of this final offering accomplish for the believer? It made believers (v. 10). The world “sanctified” means “set apart for a special purpose.” Instantaneously, the person born again through faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ is set apart for God. Since the Lamb of God has taken all his sins, perfect standing in Christ is imputed to him.

11. What has Christ obtained for us through His sacrificial death? He offered Himself as a single act for all time (9:12).

12. Was there a chair in the Holy Place where the high priest could sit down? Not on earth (v. 11).

13. Was the priest’s work ever finished? No (v. 11; 7:27).

14. How was all this changed? Christ did it once (v. 12).

15. What did our Redeemer do upon His entrance into Heaven? He sat down in the place of honor (1:3).

16. What does this signify? Jesus forever made us holy (v. 14).

17. For how long a time will the perfections of Christ be reckoned to the one who has really trusted in the work of Calvary? Forever (v. 14).

18. If our sins are under the blood, is the impossible for God to do? Never remember them again (v. 17).

19. Was there any more need for Jewish believers to have anything to do with the sin offerings? No (v. 17).

20. Having such a Sacrifice and such a High Priest (vv. 19-21), what responsibility is placed upon the believer? We go into the presence of God with sincere hearts (v. 22).

21. Why is this new way of salvation a “living way” – a way possessing spiritual vitality? A new and better way into God’s presence (v. 20; cf. John 14:6).

22. What did the rending of the veil of the temple typify? A new and better way into God’s presence (v. 20; cf. v. 10). As the veil concealed the glory of Jehovah from sight, the body of Jesus shrouded His original glory. As God dwelt behind the veil in the earthly temple, so He dwells behind the veil of human flesh in the person of the Incarnate Son. The rending of the veil at His death (Matthew 27:51), attested the fact that His death gave right of free access to the presence of God without priest or sacrifice.

23. With such provision made for us, how should we approach God? Let us go right into God’s presence (v. 22).

24. How can we have full assurance? Our guilty conscience is cleansed (v. 22; cf. Ephesians 3:12).

25. In place of the ceremonial purifications of the old dispensation, what should we now seek in our approach to God? We go through Jesus to the Father (v. 21, Jon 17:17; cf. Exodus 29:21; Leviticus 8:30; Ezekiel 36:25, etc.)

26. Being assured of His continuous faithfulness to us, what should we do? Hold tightly without wavering (v. 23).