The Cost of Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:16-22

TITLE: The Cost of Forgiveness

TEXT: Hebrews 9: 16-22 THEME: The believer should find forgiveness through the cross of Christ.

The Cost of Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:16-22

“Why do Christians use such a gruesome image as the

crucifixion to visualize their faith?”

CONTEXTUAL SETTING:

1. The author has just told us that Christ’s blood was effective enough to give him and us access into God’s presence.

CONTEXTUAL SETTING:

1. The author has just told us that Christ’s blood was effective enough to give him and us access into God’s presence.2. He revealed that this shed blood cleanses the believer’s conscience because it removes the guilt and penalty of sin.

CONTEXTUAL SETTING:

1. The author has just told us that Christ’s blood was effective enough to give him and us access into God’s presence.2. He revealed that this shed blood cleanses the believer’s conscience because it removes the guilt and penalty of sin.3. He goes on to show that through the shedding of His blood the new covenant is introduced.

CONTEXTUAL SETTING:

1. The author has just told us that Christ’s blood was effective enough to give him and us access into God’s presence.2. He revealed that this shed blood cleanses the believer’s conscience because it removes the guilt and penalty of sin.3. He goes on to show that through the shedding of His blood the new covenant is introduced.4. Note vs. 15- the believer is now free from the condemnation of guilt or sin.

CONTEXTUAL SETTING:1. The author has just told us that Christ’s blood was effective enough to give him and us access into God’s presence.2. He revealed that this shed blood cleanses the believer’s conscience because it removes the guilt and penalty of sin.3. He goes on to show that through the shedding of His blood the new covenant is introduced.4. Note vs. 15- the believer is now free from the condemnation of guilt or sin.5. The author will now show why it was necessary for Jesus to die.

The Cost of Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:16-22

Why did Jesus have to die in order for us to have forgiveness?

I. He had to die in order for the new covenant to take effect. (16-17)

Hebrews 9:16-17

16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.

I. He had to die in order for the new covenant to take effect. (16-17)

A. The word “covenant” in Bible carries the same idea as the word “testament or will.”

I. He had to die in order for the new covenant to take effect. (16-17)

A. The word “covenant” in Bible carries the same idea as the word “testament or will.”

1. In a will a person must die- and the death must be proven- of the one who made the will.

I. He had to die in order for the new covenant to take effect. (16-17)

A. The word “covenant” in Bible carries the same idea as the word “testament or will.”

1. In a will a person must die- and the death must be proven- of the one who made the will.2. A will does not take effect until death. It is ineffective while the person is still living.

I. He had to die in order for the new covenant to take effect. (16-17)

A. The word “covenant” in Bible carries the same idea as the word “testament or will.”B. To receive the riches of an inheritance the

owner must die.

I. He had to die in order for the new covenant to take effect. (16-17)

A. The word “covenant” in Bible carries the same idea as the word “testament or will.”B. To receive the riches of an inheritance the owner must die.

1. Because Christ died we receive a rich inheritance.

Galatians 3:29-4:7

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father

Galatians 3:29-4:7

3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship

Galatians 3:29-4:7

6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

I. He had to die in order for the new covenant to take effect. (16-17)

A. The word “covenant” in Bible carries the same idea as the word “testament or will.”B. To receive the riches of an inheritance the owner must die. Since Christ owned the inheritance while He was alive. His death was required to make it effective.

1. Because Christ died we receive a rich inheritanceWhat do we inherit?2. We receive everything that Christ possessed.

We receive everything that Christ possessed.

a. We are heirs of eternal life (Titus 3:7) “so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

We receive everything that Christ possessed.

a. We are heirs of eternal life (Titus 3:7) “so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”b. We are joint heirs with Christ who share his glory (Romans 8:17) “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

We receive everything that Christ possessed.

a. We are heirs of eternal life (Titus 3:7) “so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”b. We are joint heirs with Christ who share his glory (Romans 8:17) “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.c. We are heirs of His Kingdom (James 2:5) “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?”

We receive everything that Christ possessed.

a. We are heirs of eternal life (Titus 3:7) “so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”b. We are joint heirs with Christ who share his glory (Romans 8:17) “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.c. We are heirs of His Kingdom (James 2:5) “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?”d. We are heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:4) “So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”

I. He had to die in order for the new covenant to take effect. (16-17)

A. The word “covenant” in Bible carries the same idea as the word “testament or will.”B. To receive the riches of an inheritance the owner must die. Since Christ owned the inheritance while He was alive. His death was required to make it effective.

1. Because Christ died we receive a rich inheritance2. We receive everything that Christ possessed.3. The inheritance is not earned- it is granted to us.

The Cost of Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:16-22

Why did Jesus have to die in order for us to have forgiveness?

II. The old covenant required the blood of animals to be shed. (18-20)

Hebrews 9:18-20

18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”

II. The old covenant required the blood of animals to be shed. (18-20)

A. Death also implied the idea of atonement

II. The old covenant required the blood of animals to be shed. (18-20)

A. Death also implied the idea of atonement. B. The idea of sprinkling of blood is of cleansing and purification.

II. The old covenant required the blood of animals to be shed. (18-20)

A. Death also implied the idea of atonement. B. The idea of sprinkling of blood is of cleansing and purification. C. When the animal died the priest and person laid hands on it.

II. The old covenant required the blood of animals to be shed. (18-20)

A. Death also implied the idea of atonement. B. The idea of sprinkling of blood is of cleansing and purification. C. When the animal died the priest and person laid hands on it.

1. Providing atonement. Atonement covers the sin of the guilty party who merits the penalty of death.

II. The old covenant required the blood of animals to be shed. (18-20)

A. Death also implied the idea of atonement. B. The idea of sprinkling of blood is of cleansing and purification. C. When the animal died the priest and person laid hands on it.

1. Providing atonement. Atonement covers the sin of the guilty party who merits the penalty of death. 2. Providing substitution. The sacrificial animal acted as a substitute in place of the real offender.

Jerry Cook, “Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness”

“They were terribly upset that our accepting him would be interpreted as license for what he had done. I suppose that is possible. Perhaps some people would be so blind. But they would be wrong to make that assumption. We were neither countenancing his sin nor trying to be noble and heroic in bucking the tide of sentiment against him. We were simply and plainly loving him.”

Jerry Cook, “Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness

“If people can't be healed in our congregation, where should we send them? Someone has to be the end of the line for messed-up humanity. We are not in a popularity contest." Jesus was crucified at the end of His ministry, and it was the equivalent of the local ministerial association that put Him on the cross. The religious community may put you on the cross too. If so, pray that God will forgive them, for they know not what they do.

The Cost of Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:16-22

Why did Jesus have to die in order for us to have forgiveness?

III. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. (21-22).

Hebrews 9:21-22

In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

III. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. (21-22).

A. The act was intended to messy and gruesome.

III. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. (21-22).

A. The act was intended to messy and gruesome.B. Sin is a messy business and every aspect of our lives is tainted by it.

Tozer

“The only reason that man does not see himself as totally depraved is because he is totally depraved.”

Tozer

“The only reason that man does not see himself as totally depraved is because he is totally depraved.”

His point is that man has become so desensitized to the nature and effect of sin is because his sin has blinded him to it.

III. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. (21-22).

A. The act was intended to messy and gruesome.B. Sin is a messy business and every aspect of our lives is tainted by it.C. God takes sin seriously and requires a serious compensation.

III. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. (21-22).

A. The act was intended to messy and gruesome.B. Sin is a messy business and every aspect of our lives is tainted by it.C. God takes sin seriously and requires a serious compensation. D. Because sin is against God the offence must be addressed on His terms.

COMMENT

Those who are turned off by Christianity’s focus on the blood of Christ have a point. It is gruesome and distasteful. But that is the point. The finality and messiness of death in the act of the sacrifice was intended to reveal to us the price required to atone for sin.

The Cost of Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:16-22

APPLICATION

1. We should right be sickened at the messy and gruesome nature of the death of Jesus- it is meant to be repulsive.

APPLICATION

1. We should right be sickened at the messy and gruesome nature of the death of Jesus- it is meant to be repulsive.2. It should remind us how offensive our sin is before God and that only a dramatic costly response can appease a Holy God. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.

APPLICATION1. We should right be sickened at the messy and gruesome nature of the death of Jesus- it is meant to be repulsive.2. It should remind us how offensive our sin is before God and that only a dramatic costly response can appease a Holy God. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.3. Because of your sin against God you have no other recourse than to accept that his gruesome death on the cross is your only means to find forgiveness- soft, warm, fluffy bunnies won’t do it.

The Cost of Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:16-22

God Wants Justice

Our Heavenly Father is motivated by love and justice. If God didn't want "real justice," what kind of Father would he be? Of course there are two important differences in this story and the gospel story. First, we aren't just victims; we're also participants in the cosmic calamity of sin. Second, God himself can bring about "real justice." For instance, his love and justice met perfectly at the cross of Jesus.

The Cost of Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:16-22