INTRODUCTION:

1. In our series in the epistle to the Hebrews, we have noted the emphasis on "one offering" (10:14; cf. 10:10, 12).
2. We have also noted the contrast between the new covenant and the old covenant (cf. 10:9).
3. Hebrews 10:15 reminds us that the Holy Spirit is the author of Scripture -- "for after that he had said before..."
4. The Holy Spirit had said before, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
5. This is from Jeremiah 31:31-34 (cf. Heb. 8:10-12).
6. The new covenant includes the restoration of Israel because Hebrews 8:10 says, "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days..."
7. Jeremiah 31:31 says, "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah."
8. Hebrews 10:16 says, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days..."  Therefore, the new covenant is for all believers -- both Jews and Gentiles.
9. The new covenant applies to all believers today, and it will be for restored Israel in the millennial kingdom.
10. When our Lord instituted the Lord's Supper, He said to His disciples, "For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God" (Luke 22:16).
11. Our Lord went on to say, "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Luke 22:29, 30).
12. Here we have a clear reference to the millennial kingdom, with the apostles sitting on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
13. In Hebrews 8:10-12, the emphasis is on the superiority of the new covenant.
14. But here in Hebrews 10, the emphasis is on the permanency of the new covenant.  "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin" (10:18).
15. God has graciously decided to remember our sins no more (10:17).
16. God is omniscient and knows all things.  God cannot forget the way men forget; however, in His grace He forgets them in the sense that He will not hold them against us.
17. "There is no more offering for sin" because the Levitical system is no longer in operation, either in Judaism or in Christianity. It has been fulfilled at the cross.
18. Hebrews 10:17 concludes this doctrinal section and is followed by exhortations and warnings.  Tonight, we will look at the exhortations, and we will look at the warnings next week, Lord willing.
19. Since the Lord has done so much for us, we are urged to "draw near" to Him (10:22).
20. Three times in this passage, we see these words, "Let us…" So tonight let us look at this threefold exhortation from Hebrews 10.

 

I. LET US DRAW NEAR (10:22).

1. Beloved, we must draw near to God "with a true heart" (10:22). Do you have "a true heart," or are you just faking it?
2. Some people draw near, but unfortunately they do not stay near.
3. Everyone now and then, certain Christians get out of their seats and come down to the front at the invitation.  Hearts have been stirred. Prayers have been said. Decisions have been made.
4. It is great to see God working in the hearts of His people, but oftentimes some of these same people will not come back out on Sunday night or on Wednesday night. And they still will not go out knocking on doors. And they still will not tithe, etc.
5. God wants us to draw near to Him with a "true heart," not a fickle heart or an insincere heart.

                       Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,

                       To the cross where Thou hast died;

                       Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,

                       To Thy precious bleeding side – Fanny Crosby.

6. When we think of our Lord dying on the cross for our wicked sins, how could we be insincere?
7. Furthermore, we are to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…" (10:22).  This "full assurance of faith" comes from the Word of God.
8. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).
9. "Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (10:22).  This is symbolic language. Getting washed and getting baptized will not do any good if the person is not born again.
10. The "sprinkling" (10:22) here refers to the blood of Christ, not to water. The Bible says nothing about sprinkling babies (or anyone for that matter) with water, but it does say much about the sprinkling of blood (cf. Heb.9:11-14; 11:28; 12:24; I Peter 1:2).
11. To sprinkle the blood means to apply the blood by faith. There to my heart was the blood applied. Glory to His name.
12. The word "sprinkle" is used many times in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and it always describes the application of the blood of sacrifice.
13. The Lord Jesus Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for us when He died on the cross for our sins. Have you received Him as your Substitute? As your Saviour? As your Redeemer?
14. The Bible uses symbolic language. Just as we are not literally "sprinkled with blood" when we get saved, "pure water" cannot wash sin off of our bodies (10:22b; cf. I Peter 3:21).
15. This refers, not to baptism, but to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the new birth. So let us draw near with a true heart. Secondly…

 

II. LET US HOLD FAST (10:23).

1. Most people assembled here have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. One cannot join our church without making such a profession (10:23a).
2. But unfortunately, for some people that’s all it is – a profession, and nothing more – simply an empty profession.
3. If you are truly saved, then you ought to live like you are truly saved. Some church people are just as worldly as the devil’s crowd. You cannot tell them apart.
4. And if you’re saved, you need to "hold fast" your profession of faith "without wavering" (10:23). There are too many waverers in our churches!
5. Some Christians need to make up their minds whether or not they are going to get serious about their profession (cf. Heb.10:25).
6. We need to "hold fast" (10:23). Too many Christians are not holding fast – they’re laying down, they’re goofing off, and they’re giving up! But they’re not "holding fast."
7. Why should we hold fast? Because God is faithful (10:23b).

 

III. LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER (10:24).

1. I am afraid many believers do not consider their fellow Christians.  They are rather inconsiderate in many ways.
2. For example, a man gets saved on Sunday morning and is all excited about serving God. He comes back on Sunday night and sees a lot of empty seats. He starts to get discouraged because he does not understand why so many Christians do not return for the evening service (10:25).
3. It is sad to say but I have seen many older believers hinder new believers.
4. Notice that in the first exhortation, we are told to consider our relationship to God – we are to "draw near" to Him (10:22). In the second exhortation, we are to consider our own personal responsibility – we are to "hold fast" (10:23).
5. And now, in the third exhortation, we are to consider our responsibility to others. You and I have an important responsibility to those around us. We need to "provoke" (stimulate) one another "unto love and to good works" (10:24).
6. This word, "consider," means to strengthen zeal, to excite unto godly living, and to provoke one another by means of a good example.
7. Therefore, when Christians skip Sunday School, or skip church or skip prayer meeting, they are not being considerate because they are not setting a good example. They are not strengthening zeal.
8. In fact, they could actually be hindering the Lord’s work (10:25).

 

CONCLUSION:

1. We are living in perilous times. The exhortation to Christian steadfastness was never more needed than at the present hour.
2. This is what the Bible means when it says, "so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (10:25b).