Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:6–15
Introduction
A. The Old Testament law contains many shadows that point forward to greater things to come (Hebrews 8:1–6; 9:7–11).
B. Jesus came to be our perfect sacrifice––an offering for our sin––and yet there are many who refuse to apply His sacrifice to their lives.
Discussion
I. God has always demanded sacrifice for sins.
A. Even before the Levitical priesthood, God established requirements for sacrifice (Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:3–5).
B. Under the Law of Moses, God established a detailed sacrificial system (Leviticus 1–7).
II. Christ came to nullify the sin offering of the Old Testament.
A. This was predicted more than 400 years before Jesus was born in Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24–27).
B. Jesus did this when He offered Himself sacrificing for all (Hebrews 9:25–28; cf. Leviticus 6:12–13).
III. We must accept and apply the offering Christ made on our behalf.
A. Cain did not take advantage of the sacrifice God made available to him (Genesis 4:6–8; cf. Matthew 7:14).
B. Abraham was very willing to offer the sacrifice God provided for him (Genesis 22:1–13).
C. We can only offer what God has given us (1 Chronicles 29:14).
D. One applies the blood through immersion in water in Jesus’ name (Acts 22:16; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:3–4).
Conclusion
A. Because we had nothing of our own to offer, God gave us a sin offering in Jesus (Hebrews 10:5–22).
B. We should be ever grateful for the gift God has offered, and consider our need to accept and apply the sin offering provided in Jesus.