freedom: by the new and living way

David VanAcker, Pastor of Discipleship

Grace Church, Sunday Worship (4th of July Weekend)

Hebrews 10:19-25

July 3rd, 2011 

Hebrews 10:19-25  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  ²⁰ by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  ²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

introduction

This is July 4^th weekend.  As you know July 4^th, in our country, is a national holiday where we celebrate our declaration of independence from Brittan.  We still celebrate this day in spite of the fact that it happened more than 230 years ago.  Even though none of us were around back then, even though none of us (probably) know of any (long since deceased) family member or friend who fought in our war of independence, and, if we’re being really honest, even though many of us know relatively little about the events surrounding our declaration of independence, it’s pretty easy to feel a sense of pride and excitement, isn’t it—especially with all the flags and food and vacation and fireworks?

Further, the effects of our victory over Brittan are so significant that they’ve become a part of our collective conscience.  We all breathe the air of freedom.  It’s so familiar to us that most of us simply cannot imagine otherwise.  It’s all we’ve ever known.  We think a certain way because of this freedom, we feel a certain way because of this freedom, and we act a certain way because of this freedom—sometimes consciously, but most of the time without even realizing it.

I’m very thankful for this freedom—the freedom to believe, live, and feel as I see best.  I’m very thankful for the men and women who fought (and continue to fight) to gain and protect this freedom.  It certainly came, and continues to come, at a high cost.  It’s easy to feel this kind of thankfulness, I believe, because we all feel an intrinsic desire for freedom and, conversely, an intrinsic repulsion for the alternative, bondage or slavery.  It comes natural to feel patriotic towards a country that affords us such freedom, doesn’t it?

But there’s a reason that all things intrinsic are intrinsic. Our love of freedom and disdain for captivity is intrinsic because God made us that way.  We’re meant to be free.  We’re not meant to be slaves.  And, as great as the political, religious, and social freedoms that this country affords us are, Hebrews tells us that we’re made for an even greater freedom and that this freedom is also meant to effect the way we think, feel, and act.

This morning we’re going to look at the freedom described in Hebrews 10:19-25 and, what the author describes as, its appropriate response.

True freedom is only found in Christ

It would do us well here, if we want to appreciate the true significance of this first point, to realize that we will likely never fully understand the mindset of a first century Jew—one who had grown up breathing the air produced by more than 1500 years of being under the Law.  That is, we simply can’t understand what it must have been like to celebrate the Passover and the other feasts, to so highly esteem Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, to repeatedly offer the required sacrifices, or to wait eagerly for God’s promised Messiah to come (for the first time) all as part of an attempt to earn God’s favor or to find right standing with God. 

The weight of this system (which we find out in the NT was part of God’s plan to show the sinfulness of sin and the necessity of Christ) must have felt remarkably oppressive.  Being a Jew, under the Law, would have been hard.

The main passage for my sermon this morning is Hebrews 10:19-25.  Hebrews 10:19-25, however, begins with a “therefore”.  The “therefore” points us back to the previous verses.

After establishing the supremacy and superiority of Christ over all things (including Moses and Melchizedek, earthly rulers and angels, priests and holy places, and the Law and the prophets) the author of Hebrews also declares the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice over a universe full of slain bulls and goats.

God’s people wanted freedom.  They wanted freedom from their enemies, freedom from the difficulties that plagued their every day lives, and, most of all, freedom from their sins.  And so they did their best to keep the law that God had given through Moses, believing that was the way to freedom.  Year after year they offered the required sacrifices to atone for their guilt and honor their God.

In 10:1-18, however, we read that the law “can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near…but in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin every year.  For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (10:1-4).   We also learn from this passage that Jesus was most interested in doing the will of his Father “and by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (1:10, 14) and, therefore, “where there is forgiveness of these [sins], there is no longer any offering for sin” (10:18).

In other words, the author of Hebrews declares that the sacrifices demanded by the Law simply wouldn’t work.  They were never meant to.  Instead, the sacrifices were meant to point God’s people to God’s Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Simpler still, the first half of Hebrews 10 teaches that there is true freedom in Jesus Christ, and only in Jesus Christ.  Jesus uniquely could and did atone for the sins of all who would trust in him.  That is, Jesus Christ alone was able to accomplish forgiveness and freedom for the people of God at the cross.

In the introduction I noted that we think and feel and live in a certain way because of the freedoms that are ours as Americans.  We view the world in a certain way because of the results of the events surrounding July 4^th, 1776.  The second half of Hebrews 10, which we’ll spend the rest of our time on, talks about four significant ways that freedom in Christ is to be expressed in our every day lives.  Living in the freedom purchased by Christ, true freedom, Hebrews says, will also effect how we think, feel, and live, but in a much deeper and more profound way.  Specifically, true freedom in Christ results in confidence, good works, community, and encouragement.  First we’ll look at confidence. 

True freedom results in confidence

Hebrews 10:19-23  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  ²⁰ by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

This passage says that we, as Christians, because of the blood of Jesus, can enter the holy places with confidence!  In this context “the holy places” would have drawn the reader’s attention to the Holy of Holies, the place in the temple where God’s presence literally and uniquely dwelt.  The Holy of Holies was where the Arc of the Covenant was held.  Only the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies.  He was only allowed to enter once a year (on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur) and only to offer sacrifices as prescribed by God. 

Since the time of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, who offered “unauthorized fire” and were consequently struck down by God (Numbers 10:1-2), the high priests did not linger in the Holy of Holies and the idea of entering it with confidence would have been almost completely inconceivable. 

Nevertheless, the author of Hebrews declares that now “by the new and living way,” that is, through Jesus’ flesh and blood (his death on the cross rather than in trying to keep an impossible set of rules), the Holy of Holies is no more (the place where God uniquely dwells—the curtain dividing it from the rest of the temple was torn) and we can approach God himself with confidence and in “full assurance of faith”.  What a contrast!  Because Jesus has cleansed us, once for all, Christians, there is no reason for anxiety when we go to God.  God has promised us access in Christ (10:23) and so we should embrace his offer and go to him joyfully and confidently. 

Since coming to faith in Christ (and probably even before in one sense), I don’t remember ever lacking confidence in my salvation.  That is, I don’t ever recall wondering whether or not I was truly saved or whether or not God wanted me.  For quite a while I assumed that everyone else felt this way too. 

Concerning my own confidence, I’m sure that some of it results from ignorant pride…as in, there should have been fear and trembling but I didn’t realize it…and as in, I sinfully felt that God was lucky to have me on his side.  However, I’m also sure that part of this assurance was/is a gift from God.  It’s been remarkable to live my life in the grace of God and confident in my salvation.

Concerning my early assumption that everyone else shared my confidence, let’s just say that I’ve grown up a bit.  I’ve come to the realization that my confidence can make it difficult for some people to open up about their doubts (and so I’ve tried to be more careful in how I talk to people).  I’ve come to realize that there is a kind of fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) that’s healthy and good (and so I pray that God would help me see things as he sees them; in myself and others).  I’ve come to realize that some people lack confidence because they are not saved and therefore have no basis for confidence (and so I pray for them and do my best to share the gospel with them).  And I’ve come to realize that many Christians simply struggle to trust in the promises of God (and so I pray for them and do my best to point them to God’s Word). 

The main point here is that those of you who struggle to feel acceptable and accepted by God, if you are trusting in His Son, Jesus, believe this promise: God delights in your coming to him.  Here his words, “We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  ²⁰ by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Rest in Christ as you approach the Father.  Don’t just know that you have this freedom, live it, breath it, feel it, delight in it! 

Confidence in God’s acceptance of us as sons and daughters, then, is part of our freedom in Christ. 

True freedom results in good works

Hebrews 10:24  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

The second practical result of our freedom in Christ, Hebrews 10:24 says, is that we’re to use it for good works. 

If you’ve ever come across a larger sum of money (maybe a gift or a tax return or a bonus at work), what’s the first thing that goes through you mind?  Isn’t it so easy for your mind and heart to veer toward that new (albeit unnecessary) gadget or item of clothing or vacation or…?

If you’ve ever been surprised by a day off of work or school (maybe a holiday that you forgot about or a snow day or the boss being nice), what’s your first reaction?  Isn’t it a bit too easy to focus on extra sleep or television or…?

And if you’ve ever been let off the hook for some mistake that you made (maybe you were pulled over for speeding and the officer let you off or you were able to refinance on your house or someone forgave you more easily than you thought they would), what did you do?  Isn’t it easy to start speeding again or spending your money poorly again or engaging in the same sinful behavior again?

My point is this: In each of these three scenarios we experience a kind of freedom (in the form of extra money, time, and forgiveness), but our natural tendency is often to use that freedom in ways that might not be best.  To be clear, there’s not necessarily anything wrong with getting a gift for yourself or taking a vacation or sleeping in a bit longer on your day off.  However, when we use our new freedom primarily for selfish and even sinful things, we’re missing the point altogether.

We have true freedom in Christ.  We can and often do use it wrongly. The author of Hebrews suggests a few ways to use it rightly.  Among the right uses of our new freedom in Christ is spending our lives doing good works: sharing the gospel, feeding the homeless, visiting the imprisoned, worshiping God, building up the body of Christ, praying for the kingdom of God, studying and memorizing Scripture, etc.

Please also note that we’re not only to do good works; we’re also to encourage others to do them as well.  We have the privileged responsibility to care about the minds, hearts, and lives of other Christians.  One way in which we should express this love is encouraging others to do good.

I remember, shortly after coming to faith in Christ, my roommates and I encouraging one another to use our free time for evangelism.  We’d find ourselves with some down time and instead of wasting it on video games we’d go tell someone about how they could find forgiveness and joy in Christ.  We didn’t always do that, but when we did it was because we loved our freedom in Christ and, as a result, wanted to use it to do good works.  This leads well into the next section…

True freedom results in community

Hebrews 10:22-25  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  ²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

In addition to growing in confidence in our salvation and doing good works, our freedom in Christ is also meant to call us to greater and truer community.  Consider the fact that in these four verses the phrase “let us” is used three times.

“Let us draw near…” (10:22).

“Let us hold fast…” (10:23).

“Let us consider…” (10:24). 

Additionally the author uses phrases like, “with our hearts sprinkled clean…and our bodies washed with pure water” (10:22).  And again, “Not neglecting to meet together...” and “encouraging one another” (10:25).  

And earlier we read, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence…” (10:19) and “by the new and living way that he opened for us…” (10:20).

For the author of Hebrews, our freedom in Christ is not meant to be experienced in isolation.  There is a decidedly relational and communal feel to Christian freedom. 

Please don’t mentally gloss over this point.  Don’t miss it even though it can be awfully easy to do. 

We have a very shallow understanding of community in our culture.  The fact of the matter is that we really don’t need each other for much of anything.  We can survive on our own in ways that those in Biblical times simply couldn’t.  If you chose to follow Jesus at the time that this letter was written it was highly likely that you would be disowned by your family, friends, and employer.  Community was not optional for the early Christians.  They needed one another for their very survival.

It’s important to see, then, that when a first century Jew or gentile thought of community they automatically had a clearer vantage point than we do.  We must realize this and work hard to imagine and practice the kind of community that this passage intends to convey.

Two thoughts on the kind of biblical community described in Hebrews 10:22-25:

First, Christianity is an intrinsically communal religion.  You and I are not saved into isolation.  We are saved into the family of God.  By coming to faith in Christ we are brought into a family.  In a very real way, there’s no such thing as an individual Christian.

Second, even though we don’t generally need one another for survival in the way the first century Christians did, we still need each other for survival in a way that, even though less tangible, is far more important.  That is, we need each other to experience God in the way that he intends.  God has chosen to use the Church, the people of God, as a means of grace.  Simply put, we will miss out on large chunks of grace apart from true, biblical community.

Practically, this means caring about the soul of the person next to you as you do your own. 

Practically, this means taking on the burdens of those around you.  Do you truly grieve with others at Grace?  Do you look to meet the needs of others at Grace?  I love that God has already used Grace’s List in this way.

Practically, this means that your gifts aren’t meant primarily for your own gain.  Are you blessing others, outside of your immediate family, with the talents and gifts that God has given you?  Is the church truly strengthened by your presence (or are you mainly or strictly a consumer)?

Again, our freedom in Christ is meant, in part, to allow us to live in true, real community with other Christians.

True freedom results in encouragement

Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The final implication listed of our freedom in Christ listed in this passage is encouragement.   We see it especially in the final two verses and flowing directly from our call to community. 

Because your are free in Christ, stir up (or encourage) others to do good works. 

Because you are free in Christ, build (or encourage) one another up.

I don’t think that this requires a lot of explanation, but I do want to say three quick things:

First, real encouragement needs to be based on truth.  If someone were to come up to me fawning all over me, telling me how good of a singer I am, that’s not encouraging because it’s not true.  

Second, our ability to encourage others is directly proportional to the quality of our relationship with them.  That is, we can say true things about people, but if we don’t really know them, our encouragement has pretty limited power.  On the other hand, the more that we know someone, the greater the potential we have to be truly encouraging.  Get to know one another, Grace.  Don’t be content to know your brothers and sisters in Christ on a shallow level. 

Incidentally, perhaps you’ve noticed that these points flow directly from one to another.  Apart from real freedom we can’t have real community and apart from real community we can’t have real relationships and apart from real relationships we can’t have real encouragement. 

Third, real encouragement is always grounded in the gospel.  This is related to the first point in that in order to be truly grounded in truth you must recognize the inherent unworthiness of the individual that you’re seeking to encourage.  I’ll say it plainly, no one has anything independently praiseworthy about them.  Anything that we have that’s worth praising is a gift from God.  If someone is a good cook—it’s from God.  If someone is a good athlete—it’s from God.  If someone is a good thinker or musician or father or wife or welder or farmer or whatever—it’s from God. 

This means that as we seek to encourage others (and we must seek to do this) it needs to have a gospel flavor, “I’ve noticed that God has gifted you remarkably at ...” or “I praise God because He has blessed you with …” or “The Spirit’s work is very evident in your …”.

So, as free men and women in Christ we need to be encouragers and our encouragement must always be based in truth, flow from real relationships, and have a gospel flavor.

Conclusion

True freedom is found only in Jesus Christ.  This freedom, the author of Hebrews tells us, is meant to change the way we think, feel, and live.  Specifically, we’re to have confidence in God’s approachability, we’re to do good works (and encourage others to do the same), we’re to grow in community, and we’re to be real encouragers.

I want to close by making mention of the fact that when we are confident in the gospel, doing good works, doing life together in significant ways, and living in a culture of encouragement, non-Christians, are going to notice.  This type of freedom expression will be (God promises this) attractive; even to outsiders.

My point is, the bible describes (fairly regularly) the Holy Spirit induced attractiveness of Christians living like Christians.  It gives credibility to our claims and weight to our evangelism.  When we make big claims but our lives don’t reflect it, it’s easy to dismiss us as naive or delusional or weak.

So, on this Fourth of July weekend, let’s be thankful for our freedom as Americans—many (maybe most) Christians throughout history have never know this 1 Timothy 2:2 kind of peaceful and quiet political freedom—but let’s be more thankful for our freedom in Christ, and examine ourselves to see if we’re truly living in Christian freedom.

Amen.