Hebrews studies series

Hebrews 9:1-14

THE BETTER SANCTUARY

HEBREWS STUDY #16 - A COMPLETE LESSON

· Tell us about the nicest sanctuary in which you have worshipped.

· Tell us about the nicest group of Christians with whom you have worshipped.

· Which is more important today, the building or the people? Why?

· Does any of the furniture we use have any significance?

The Old Testament Building called the Tabernacle and its furniture had much significance. It was, most importantly, a picture of the better sanctuary or the tabernacle that is in Heaven.

REVIEW OF HEBREWS 8

WE HAVE A BETTER PRIEST WHO MINISTERS IN A BETTER PLACE WITH A BETTER PERFORMANCE OF A BETTER PROGRAM.

Vss. 10-12 - According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary, there are four ways that the New Covenant is superior.

1. “An inner inclination to obey God” - I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:

2. “A firm relationship with God” - and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

3. “The Knowledge of God” - And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (Note – You don’t need to teach a Christian to know God. He already does. You need to teach him to grow in that knowledge. 2 Peter 3:18)

4. “The Forgiveness of sins” - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck, editors, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, (Wheaton, Illinois, Victor Books, 1983) p.800

1. THE FURNITURE OF THE TABERNACLE – Vss. 1-6

V Vs. 1 – There was an order of service under the first covenant by which animal sacrifices were offered for sin.

V There was also a worldly or an earthly sanctuary. This was the tabernacle and later the temple.

V What do you think the word “worldly” means here in verse 1?

V What were some of the physical limitations of the worldly tabernacle?

V Outside of the tabernacle was a courtyard which only had one entrance. Of what does that remind you?

V In the courtyard was a bronze overlaid altar. It had a bronze grate to which the sacrifice was tied down. Coals were placed under the grate to burn the sacrifice. How does this remind you of Christ’s sacrifice?

V There was also a laver or basin in the courtyard where the priests washed their hands and sometimes their feet. What does this remind you of concerning Christians?

V Inside of the first veil inside the tabernacle was a lamp stand or candlestick. It had seven branches and burned pure olive oil.

V There was also a table of showbread on which there were twelve loaves.

V There was an altar on which incense was burned.

V How do each of the three pieces of furniture remind you of Christ?

V Vs. 3 – There was another veil. This veil was between the “Holy Place” and the “holiest of all” or “Holy of Holies”. This was the place God was present in a special way.

V Vs. 4 – The golden censer was actually the altar on which incense was burned. This was just outside the veil to the holy of holies. The priests would burn incense whose fragrance would travel into the holy of holies.

V The only piece of furniture in the holy of holies was the Ark of the Covenant. It was 3 feet, 9 inches long and two feet, 3 inches high and two feet, 3 inches wide. Inside the were the tables of the law, Aaron’s rod that budded, and a golden pot of manna.

V Vs. 5 – On top of this was the “mercy seat” made of pure gold. This was the throne of God in the tabernacle and there were two golden cherubs on it. Exodus 25:22.

V How do the mercy seat, the ark and the ark’s contents picture Christ?

2. FRUSTRATION UNDER THE OLD COVENANT – Vss. 6-10

ü The service in this sanctuary was not adequate. There was something missing. This leads to frustration.

ü The word “ordained” in verse 6 means “furnished or equipped”. The tabernacle being furnished as just described, the priests went about their business. What were some of the things that had to be done on a continual basis?

ü Vs. 7 – What did the priest do every year and when did he do it?

ü Vs. 8 – What did the existence of the tabernacle indicate?

ü Vs. 9-10 – How was tabernacle worship limited, and therefore frustrating?

ü Vs. 10 – What was the time of reformation?

3. FULFILLMENT UNDER THE NEW COVENANT – Vss. 11-12

v Vs. 11 – Where is the tabernacle today, and how is it superior?

v Vs. 12 – How is Christ’s sacrifice superior?

v What event at the crucifixion indicated that the Old Covenant was no longer necessary? Mark 15:38

4. FORGIVENESS THROUGH THE BLOOD OF CHRIST – Vss. 13-14

ê Vs. 13 - How did the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant serve their purpose?

ê Vs 14 – What did Christ’s sacrifice accomplish that the old sacrifices did not accomplish?

ê How are you “free to serve the living God”?