Calvary

Temple Baptist Church 3-16-2008
Genesis 22:1-14; Hebrews 13:10-16

Introduction:

A. The Old Testament sacrifices simply pointed mankind to Calvary. In Genesis 3:15, the first messianic prophecy was set forth and from that time, all true believers look forward to the coming of the Son of God, the Seed of the woman.

B. In verse 8 of Genesis 22, Abraham’s faith in the coming of Christ was evident. Even in the days of the Mosaic Law, true believers knew that the blood of bulls and goats could never take away the sin of man and were simply an atonement until Christ had, in the end of the world, “appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

C. Over the years, this system of atonement, which was a substitutionary atonement or “covering” for the Jews, became a system of good works as their faith became misplaced.

D. In verse 14, Abraham prophesies, “In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.”

E. In John 1:29, John the Baptist—when seeing Christ—declared, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!”

F. I want to look at our text this morning in Hebrews 13:9-16 and reflect for a while upon Calvary.

1. The Right Of Calvary - Salvation – vs 10 “We have an altar…they have no right” (Those who work have no rights! Only those who come to Christ by faith in His finished work can be saved!)

a. Calvary Is A Place Of Privilege - Titus 3:4-5 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

b. Calvary Is A Place Of Propitiation – vs 11-12 “for sin…with his own blood” (Christ, in our place and for our sin, died on Calvary !)

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Isaiah 53:4-12 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

2. The Result Of Calvary - Sanctification – vs 12 “sanctify the people” (He has set apart His people for His glory!)

a. Calvary Is A Place Of Determination – 1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

b. Calvary Is A Place Of Direction - Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

3. The Reproach Of Calvary - Identification – vs 13 “without the camp” (Now, our obligation is to go where Christ is, outside of the camp!)

a. Calvary Is A Place Of Choice - Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt : for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

b. Calvary Is A Place Of Confession - 1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Matthew 10:24 The disciple is not above [his] master, nor the servant above his lord.

Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

4. The Reward Of Calvary – vs 14 “one to come” – Glorification (Eternal life in an eternal city.)

a. Calvary Is A Place Of Realization – Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

b. Calvary Is A Place Of Revelation - Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (This world is not my final home!)

5. The Responsibility Of Calvary – vs 15-16 – Declaration

a. Calvary Is A Place Of Worship – vs 15 - Psalms 107:21-22 Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

b. Calvary Is A Place Of Witness – vs 16 - Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?