Therefore it is understandable that the first treasure of the blood of Christ we come to in Hebrews 9:14 is …
I. Its Proportion “How much more shall…”
A. The Law and OT ceremonies pointed to the future better (and only) Way. Ga. 3:24, “… Being made so much better than the angels, as Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. “
B. The blood of animals was not sufficient.
II. Its Price “…the blood of Christ…”
A. The blood of God’s Anointed One!
B. Kingly, divine blood, yet . . .
C. Self-emptied of His rights as God – Php. 2:7 (Young’s Literal Translation) “ but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made,“
D. Denied immediate Kingship
E. Donned the form of a servant
F. His physical suffering
G. Spiritual suffering
H. The shedding of His blood for our salvation
I. The shedding of His blood for our healing
J. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST – not of our physical ancestors
K. The blood of the “last man”
III. It’s Perfection (completeness) “…Who, through the eternal Spirit…“
A. His very being, divine
B. All God, all man
C. Its scope, — eternal
D. God’s “spiritual interface” with us
IV. Its Passion – “…offered Himself…“
A. He offered Himself… nothing else – no animal, etc.
B. 4374 προσφερω prosphero pros-fer’-o
1) to bring to, lead to
1a) one to a person who can heal him or is ready to show him some kindness, one to a person who is to judge him
1b) to bring a present or a thing, to reach or hand a thing to one
1c) to put to
2) to be borne towards one, to attack, assail
2a) to behave one’s self towards one, deal with one
C. Selfless, despite tempted with satanic shortcuts numerous times
D. Without deviation from His goal…Heb. 12:2 -
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.“
E. Willingly, because of God’s agape love for us.
F. With total commitment
V. Its Purity “… without spot to God…“
A. 299 αμωμος amomos am’-o-mos
1) without blemish
1a) as a sacrifice without spot or blemish
2) morally: without blemish, faultless, unblameable
B. Unattainable by man
C. Fulfillment of the Law in Christ (Rom. 10:4)
D. Not one flaw within or without
E. without sin
All of the preceding results in the following two treasures.
VI. It’s Power “…purge your conscience from dead works…“
A. 2511 καθαριζω katharizo kath-ar-id’-zo
1) to make clean, cleanse
1a) from physical stains and dirt
1a1) utensils, food
1a2) a leper, to cleanse by curing
1a3) to remove by cleansing
1b) in a moral sense
1b1) to free from defilement of sin and from faults
1b2) to purify from wickedness
1b3) to free from guilt of sin, to purify
1b4) to consecrate by cleansing or purifying
1b5) to consecrate, dedicate
2) to pronounce clean in a levitical sense
B. The sin nature
C. Sinful motives
D. Generational curses and others
E. Lifeless works
F. Deadly works
G. Condemning works
As we continue in this cleansing we can enjoy the seventh treasure.
VII. Its Peace “…to serve the living God.“
A. Not satan’s[1] realm of death
B. Not the sinful world system
C. Joyous service – no longer “do I have to?”
D. Vibrant service
E. Meaningful service
F. Service with eternal purpose and reward
G. Service that brings peace
H. Peace that is evident to others
Notes:
Look for the audio for parts 1 and 2 of this message at http://www.sapphirestreams.com/life/audioM.html#M200 sometime on or after July 10, 2012.
[1] I prefer not to capitalize that name. Triond gives me the freedom to do that.
Definitions of Greek words came from an electronic version of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.
