Jesus opened the way to eternal salvation.

1. Israel's worship was carefully regulated by God.

• Heb 9:1 even the first had regulations…

  1. Genesis 3:24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

  2. God chose the place and means for his worship with care.

• Heb 9:2-5

  1. God directed Israel's acts of worship so sinners could approach Him on His holy terms.

• Heb 9:6-7.

• The fulfillment of Israel's worship came through Jesus Christ.

  1. God designed Israel's worship to point to Messiah, who would fulfill its hopes.

• Heb 9:8-10.

  1. The time of reformation: "new order"

• Heb 7:11, Hebrews 8:1-2, Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 8:13, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 13:10

  1. Hebrews 1:3 [Christ], who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

• Revelation 22:1-2

• The ministry of Christ opens the way for eternal life in the presence of God.

  1. The Person of Christ opens the way to God.

     1. The High Priest of the good things to come

     2. The perfect sacrifice: v. 14 "without spot", Heb 1:3

     3. Offered once, to bear the sins of many: v. 28

     4. V. 24 "In the presence of God for us."

  2. The Ministry of Christ provides the way to God.

     1. It is heavenly, for the benefit of those on earth.

• Christ entered the true tabernacle, "the Holiest of All" (v. 8) "tabernacle not of this creation" (v. 11), "heaven itself" (v. 24), "for us."

  1. It is eternal, v. 12, for the benefit of those who are called in time past, present, future

• To receive "redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant" v. 15, past., "since the foundation of the world," v. 26
• To those "who eagerly wait for him" present, future, v. 28
• Those "who are called" v. 15 God's election is the criterion, not time, place, circumstance.

  1. It is personal, v.12, He performed it himself in every way.

• "Through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God" (v.14)

  1. Who has greater love than this for you?

• John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

  1. The Sacrifice of Christ cleanses the conscience, not merely the flesh.

     1. Contrast Heb 9:13-14

     2. Dead works: also Heb 6:1

     3. Christ's fulfillment allows purification not merely of the body, but of the conscience.

     4. The goal of Biblical religion:

• Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.