July 13, 2021: SOAP #4240:  Isaiah 15-18; Hebrews 10

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 10:11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again, and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy.

OBSERVATION:  Animal sacrifices must be repeated.  They could be an indication of remorse for sin, but they never could remove sin and clear a guilty conscience.  But, it was the best they had.  God accepted the insufficient animal sacrifice because it was made in obedience and faith.  Obedience to God’s command and faith that God would provide a sacrifice that could take away sin. 

When Jesus made that sacrifice, the Sinless dying for the sinful, it made an end of all the repeated sacrifices!  It was ONE sacrifice for all time.  It covered all the animal sacrifices of the past, all the way back to the garden where an animal was sacrificed to cover Adam and Eve. 

AND it covers all the sins up to this very day in July of 2021!!!  The faith of those in the Old Testament was that God WOULD PROVIDE the acceptable, sinless sacrifice.  The faith of Christians since the cross is that God HAS PROVIDED the acceptable, sinless sacrifice. 

APPLICATION:  Just knowing about Jesus’ death for sin is not enough.  By faith, His death must be personally accepted as the payment for my sins.  I must acknowledge that I have sinned.  I request His forgiveness available to me because of His death on the cross.  I invite Him into my life and acknowledge His presence with gratitude and living a life that honors Him. 

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  I accept the forgiveness you offer.  I invite you to be the Lord of my life.  I am going to need your help in living my life in a way that is best for me and pleases you.  May my life bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!