Hebrews 8 - Jesus: A Better Sacrifice Hebrews 10:1-18 (Reading Hebrews 10:1-7; 15-18) Pr Chris Kam | 18 September 2021 ================================ “What does God want?” “What doesn’t God want?” (Heb 10:5) ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire …’ (Heb 10:6) ‘… with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.’ They are not acceptable for two reasons: i) If they are used as a means to gain _____________ from God. ii) If they are used as a means of gaining _____________ from God. ## Big Idea: None of us can save ourselves. Only Jesus can. ## (Heb 10:1-4) 1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshippers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ## What does God want? (Heb 10:7) ‘Then I said, “Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.”’ (Heb 10:14)  For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. ## God knows you cannot do two things: i) You cannot pay the penalty and save yourself through sacrifices or good works because they are not good enough. ii) You cannot stop sinning because of your sinful nature. ## 1. He wants to _____________ you. (Psalm 103:8–10) 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. ## 2. God wants to give you a new _____________. (Heb 10:15,16) 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”  (Heb 10:10)  And by that will, we have been made holy* through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. * sanctified (ESV) ## 3. God wants _____________ from this heart. (Heb 10:8,9) 8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” (1 Sam 15:22) “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. Application Questions: ====================== 1. How many times did the writer of Hebrews use the word “sacrifice” or “sacrifices” in Heb 10:1-18? In today’s context, what would that word mean since “sacrifices and offerings” are no longer required. 2. Are there times you think by doing more, you will gain acceptance and favour from God? Give examples. Doing more for God in itself is a good thing but when does it become unacceptable to God? Discuss this in the light of our motives and obedience. 3. On what basis are you forgiven based on Heb 10:11-14? Are there times you feel you are not totally forgiven, and you keep carrying the burden of guilt from your sins? Why? How can you assure yourself you are forgiven based on this passage? (You may want to break into smaller groups to discuss a personal application.) 4. What does Heb 10:16 “… I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds” mean? In what ways does the Holy Spirit help us in our journey of faith?