B.D. Broughman
TEXT: HEBREWS 9:11-14,28; 10:3-4
I. INTRODUCTION
A. CALVARY
1. Of all the history-changing events that affected people throughout the world at one time or another, none has affected the world near as much as Calvary.
*** This one event changed the entire world forever!!!
2. One man, one very small country, and one minority race of people effectively changed world history – even to the point of giving us a brand new date-line.
NOTE: When we talk about world events in history before this man came on the scene we speak of a time in B.C. (or Before Christ). When we speak of events in world history since He has come, and gone, we speak of a time in A.D. (or Anno Domini, meaning “In the year of our Lord”).
3. Calvary. The Cross. The death, burial, and resurrection. Paul called it all “The core of the gospel.”
ITS BOTTOM LINE IS SOBERING: IF THE ACCOUNT IS TRUE, IT IS HISTORY’S HINGE. PERIOD! IF NOT, IT’S HISTORY’S HOAX.
*** Josephus, the Jewish historian, who was alive at the time of Jesus, said of Jesus in his writings:
“Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works – a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principle men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day. (Aprx. 100 A.D.).
*** THIS IS WHY PREACHING ABOUT THE CROSS IS SO IMPORTANT. CALVARY IS THE VERY FOUNDATION AND REASON OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH!
II. BODY
A. OLD TESTAMENT SACRIFICE
1. Once every year there was a “Day of Atonement,” on which the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrificial blood for sins.
a. Only the High Priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, and then, only once a year.
1. The blood was offered both for his sins and for those of his people.
*** The sacrificial animals had to be bulls and goats – the firstborn (or firstfruits), being without spot or blemish.
NOTE: This sacrifice sanctified the Israelite in an external way – rendering them ceremonially pure, and enabling them to take their place in Israel and function as a normal member of the chosen nation.
Remember, though, this gave only a temporary reprieve from guilt and condemnation. Never a permanent one. But, this Old Testament Law of sacrifice was a type and shadow of what was to come.
READ: HEBREWS 10:3-4
NOTE: Since the blood of bulls and goats could not completely take away sins, there had to be another way!
B. NEW TESTAMENT SACRIFICE
1. READ: HEBREWS 9:11-14
— In keeping with the Old Testament Law, there had to be a “Day of Atonement” in which the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrificial blood for sins.
*** JESUS DID THIS VERY THING FOR US – HE BECAME THE HIGH PRIEST, ENTERED INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES, AND OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US.
2. Let’s take a look at the contrasts between O.T. sacrifice and the New Testament Sacrifice—
a. The Levitical priests entered an earthly tabernacle; JESUS AN HEAVENLY ONE.
b. The Levitical priests brought the blood of bulls and goats; JESUS BROUGHT HIS OWN BLOOD. [THE BLOOD WASIN HIS NAME!].
c. They entered once every year; JESUS ENTERED ONCE FOR ALL ETERNITY.
d. They could bring NO permanent cure for mans spiritual ills; JESUS “OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION!”
e. The Levitical priests were imperfect, therefore they had to have a sacrifice for themselves; JESUS WAS SINLESS, THEREFORE HE COULD BECOME THE SACRIFICE.
f. Their sacrifice only ROLLED their sins ahead for one year, causing a constant remembrance of sins;
JESUS’ SACRIFICE COMPLETELY DELIVERED THE REPENTANT MAN FROM HIS SINS, AND THERE IS NO MEMORY OF THOSESINS! (READ HEBREWS 10:16-17).
3. The very thing that brought this on for us was the DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION of Christ.
READ: ROMANS 6:1-4
a. Just as Jesus died FOR our sins, OUR OLD WAYS MUST DIE, WE MUST BE DEAD TO SIN, (REPENTANCE).
b. Just as Jesus was buried AFTER His death, SO MUST WE BE BURIED OR BAPTIZED, IN JESUS NAME, AFTER THE “DEATH,” OR CHANGE, OF THE OLD LIFE THROUGH REPENTANCE.
c. Just as Jesus rose again from death, SO MUST WE RISE AGAIN TO LIVE A NEW AND CHANGED LIFE.
III. CLOSE
A. ILLUSTRATION – SAMMY AYON
1. Street gang member who, after being shot and stabbed many times, was jailed for murder.
a. After many fights he would retreat to an ally-way and cry bitter tears, wishing for a better way.
2. Somebody told him about Jesus, and today Sammy is preaching this gospel on the same Los Angelos streets that he used to fight on.
*** BECAUSE OF WHAT ONE MAN PRAYED IN A GARDEN PRAYED, THE ENTIRE WORLD HAS BEEN AFFECTED!
B. JESUS IN THE GARDEN
1. READ: LUKE 22:39-42
NOTE: The reason Jesus prayed for the cup to pass was because in His perfect and sinless condition He knew that He would have to BECOME THE SINNER!!!
>>>>> HE WOULD BECOME THE: <<<<<
** ALCOHOLIC ** DRUG ADDICT ** DRUG PUSHER ** CHEATER ** LIAR ** EXTORTIONER
** ADULTERER ** WHOREMONGER ** HOMOSEXUAL ** WIFE ABUSER ** CHILD ABUSER ** PREJUDICED ** MURDERER ** RAPIST ** PEDOPHELIAC
— HE HAD TO BECOME WHAT YOUR WERE AND MAYBE STILL ARE – BUT HE DID IT SO THAT YOU COULD BECOME WHAT HE IS – REDEEMED!
*** No matter what the sin is, if you’ll repent, He’ll put it under the blood, blotting those sins out – never to be remembered against you!
>>> He stands with open arms ready to forgive you and give you a new life.
C. ILLUSTRATION – THE BOY CRAWLED FORWARD
Rev. Marshall Craig, preaching at the Southern University, pleaded for young men & women to place their all upon the altar. They came – the president of the student body, football players, cheerleaders, campus leaders – sincerely, honestly giving themselves to the Lord’s service. And then, a young man far back in the auditorium began to make his way up – crawling on his hands & knees.
This young man was a hopeless cripple, and the only way he could get around was on his hands and knees.
When he finally made his way to the front he spoke to Rev. Craig saying, “Sir, you said God had a place for a man. I know God has a place for these athletes, and these campus leaders. But tell me, sir, does God have a place for a wreck like me?”
Through tears, Rev. Craig told him, “Son, god has just been waiting for a wreck like you.”
*************** ALTAR CALL ***************
— Do you sometimes feel like a wreck that nobody wants?
— Has your life been falling apart at the seams?
— Do you feel as though there is no hope?
REMEMBER – JESUS DIED FOR THE SAMMY AYONS, HE DIED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MADE A WRECK OF THEIR LIVES——–
————— HE DIED FOR YOU! —————
