Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All
[1] 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. ... [4] For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. [Heb 10:1, 4 LSB]
[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 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.'" [Heb 10:5-7 LSB]
[10] By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [Heb 10:10 LSB]
[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 UNTIL HIS ENEMIES ARE PUT AS A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. [Heb 10:12-13 LSB]
[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. [Heb 10:15-18 LSB]
[24] And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, [25] not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging [one another], and all the more as you see the day drawing near. [Heb 10:24-25 LSB]
A New and Living Way
[19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, [21] and since [we have] a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [Heb 10:19-22 LSB]
Warning Against Willful Sin
[36] For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. [37] FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. [38] BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH, AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. [39] But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. [Heb 36-39 LSB]
By Faith
[1] Now faith is the assurance of [things] hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [Heb 11:1 LSB]
[6] And without faith it is impossible to please [Him], for he who draws near to God must believe that He is and [that] He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. [Heb 11:6 LSB]
[16] But now, they aspire to a better [country], that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He prepared a city for them. [Heb 11:16 LSB]
[39] And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, [40] because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. [Heb 11:39-40 LSB]
Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith
[2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Heb 12:2 LSB]
The Father’s Discipline
[6] FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE FLOGS EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." [Heb 12:6 LSB]
[12] For whom Yahweh loves He reproves, Even as a father [reproves] the son in whom he delights. [Pro 3:12 LSB]
[11] And all discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, but to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. [Heb 12:11 LSB]
Contrast of Sinai and Zion
[18] For you have not come to [a mountain] that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, [Heb 12:18 LSB]
[22] But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, [23] to the festal gathering and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of [the] righteous made perfect, [24] and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than [the blood] of Abel. [Heb 12:22-24 LSB]
An Unshakable Kingdom
[25] See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned [them] on earth, much less [will] we [escape] who turn away from Him who [warns] from heaven. [Heb 12:25 LSB]
[28] Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; [29] for OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE. [Heb 12:28-29 LSB]
Sacrifices Pleasing to God
[1] Let love of the brothers continue. [Heb 13:1 LSB]
[8] Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday and today and forever. [Heb 13:8 LSB]
[12] Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. [13] So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. [14] For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking [the one] to come. [Heb 13:12-14 LSB]
[16] And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. [Heb 13:16 LSB]
Benediction
[20] Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, [21] equip you in every good thing to do His will, by doing in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] the glory forever and ever. Amen. [Heb 13:20-21 LSB]