'THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST'
"THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST"
HEBREWS 9:15-17
INTRO: The key word in the Hebrew letter is "better." The book is a series of
contrasts between the good things of Judaism and the better things of
Christ. Christ is "better" than the angels, than Moses, than Joshua,
than Aaron; and the New covenant than the Mosaic covenant (C. I.
Scofield. The Scofield Study Bible. p. 1291). The contrast between the
old and new covenants is what we have before us in Hebrews 9.
The writer of Hebrews refers to the covenants, old and new, as
"testaments." The word "testament" means "a disposition of property
by will or otherwise." The writer then using the image of a will and its
provisions will show us what Christ's death secured for all who
believe! I want to title the message, "The Last Will And Testament
Of Jesus Christ."
The new covenant is of grace and is final and unalterable. Ephesians
2:8-9 tells us, "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." The old covenant is of debt and the debt is one of which no
man can pay! Galatians 3:10-11, "For as many as are of the works of
the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that
continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to
do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it
is evident: for, the just shall live by faith."
The old covenant, the Mosaic law, the first testament was just our
teacher to show us our transgressions. Galatians 3:24-25 tells us—
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we
might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no
longer under a schoolmaster.” The Law, the first testament, could not
save anyone! Why? Because no man could keep its precepts! James
2:10 tells us, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend
in one point, he is guilty of all."
But when Christ came, He came to fulfill the old testament and
establish the second. Hebrews 10:9 says, "Then said he, Lo, I come
to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish
the second.” The second testament is Jesus' Last Will And
Testament. And right here His death and the shedding of His blood
became the unbreakable seal of the security of those who trust His
finished work! I would have you note several things this morning:
(1) THE PROVISIONS OF THE INSTRUMENT
HEBREWS 9:11-15—“But Christ being come a high priest of good things
to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with
hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of
goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the
holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the
blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the
unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works
to serve the living God?”
*NOTICE:
A. WHAT IS REQUIRED. In the old covenant, the first testament, the high
priest, once a year, would enter the holy of holies on the day of atonement
and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat for sins of the people. Hebrews 9:18-
22 tells us—“Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without
blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according
to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet
wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying,
This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of
the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and
without shedding of blood is no remission.” Throughout the WORD OF GOD
we see that for sin God requires a blood sacrifice. Why? Leviticus 17:11—
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the
altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an
atonement for the soul.” The blood of those animals provided a covering of
sin, but did not take away sin. But Christ, when He came, shed His own
blood and secured eternal redemption for us! Friends, no one will enter
Heaven unless they have been washed in the blood of Jesus! No one will
enter there who does not come by the way of the Cross!
ILLUS: A man dreamed that he stood beside the guarded gate of heaven.
The spirit of a rich man came and sought admittance on the
ground of his wealth and local fame. He was reminded that those
things belong to time only, and turned away in despair. Another
sought entrance on the ground of his integrity, but was repulsed
by the angel saying: "By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be
justified." A third pleaded his denominational zeal, fervent prayers,
and deep feeling, but was refused with the remark: "There is no
name given under heaven or among men whereby we must be
saved but the name of Jesus." At length, a spirit was seen winging
its way through the air, all the while crying, "The blood of Jesus
cleanseth from all sin." To it, the gates of heaven flew wide open
and the angel said: "An abundant entrance is ministered to you
into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ." --New Cyclopedia Of Illustrations (Bible Illustrator For
Windows. Version 3.0f. Copyright 1990-1998, by Parsons
Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved).
ILLUS: Blood is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible and is essential to
the doctrine of Christ's atonement. It lies at the very heart of the
Gospel, for it is through "the blood of his cross" that Jesus
reconciled us to God (see Colossians 1:20-23).
Some years ago a terrible railroad accident occurred, killing many
people. A commuter train had stalled on the tracks just a few
minutes before a fast freight was due to arrive. A conductor was
quickly sent to flag down the approaching "flier." Being assured
that all was well, the passengers relaxed. Suddenly, however, the
speeding freight came bearing down upon them. The crash left a
ghastly scene of horror. The engineer of the second train, who
escaped death by jumping from the cab, was called into court to
explain why he hadn't stopped. "I saw a man waving a warning
flag," he said, "but it was yellow, so I thought he just wanted me to
slow down." When the flag was examined, the mystery was
explained. It had been red, but because of long exposure to the
sun and weather it had become a dirty yellow. Dr. Harry Ironside
commented on this incident: "O the lives eternally wrecked by the
'yellow gospels' we are hearing today -- the bloodless theories of
unregenerate men that send their hearers to their doom instead of
stopping them on their downward road!"
Dear friend, only Christ and His sacrifice on the cross can redeem
your soul (see Romans 5:8, 9). Don't be deceived by an anemic
"yellow gospel" of works that is powerless to save you from
everlasting destruction (Bible Illustrator For Windows. Version 3.0f.
Copyright 1990-1998, by Parsons Technology, Inc. All Rights
Reserved).
B. WHAT IS REVEALED. V15 tells us, "For this cause he is the mediator of the
new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of transgressions
that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the
promise of eternal inheritance." Note those words, "by means of death...”.
No last will or testament is binding until sealed by death, for until death, it
can be altered, canceled, or destroyed, but once the testator "Maker" is
dead, his last will stands (M. R. DeHaan. Hebrews. p. 128). The Last Will
And Testament Of Jesus Christ provided two things:
➢ Eternal Redemption (John 3:16; 10:27-30; Romans 8:35-39).
➢ Eternal Inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5).
How are these two provisions secured by man? (Romans 10:9-10, 13).
(2) THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INSTRUMENT
HEBREWS 9:16-17—“For where a testament is, there must also of
necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force
after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the
testator liveth.”
A. THE INDISPENSABLE. Jesus Christ's last will and testament provided
eternal redemption and eternal inheritance for all who will trust Him! But
for a will to be performed, a man has to die as vv. 16-17 tells us. Hebrews
10:7-10, 12, 14 tells us—“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book
it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and
offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither
hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come
to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the
second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all…But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice
for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;… For by one offering he
hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” Christ came to this earth to
die for the sins of mankind! (Hebrews 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21). When He
uttered from the Cross, "Tetelestai!" "It is finished!", He finished the work
and He sealed it with His own perfect, sinless, incorruptible, precious,
eternal blood, and His Last Will And Testament now becomes effective to all
who believe (M. R. DeHaan. Hebrews. p. 129)!
ILLUS: In the Old Testament, the priest would enter the temple to minister,
burn incense, offer prayer and sacrifices. But, there was one piece
of furniture that was not in the Holy of Holies and that was a chair
for the priest to sit upon. Why? Because his work was never
finished. But when Jesus bowed His head upon that cross and
cried out, “It is finished!” He was finished and He sat down at the
right hand of God, the Father. The first words that are recorded
that Jesus said were: “I must be about My Father’s business.” And
His last words were: “It is finished.” He stayed until He finished His
Father’s work. Nothing that you can do will add one measure to His
completed work. It is finished! Hallelujah!--Adrian Rogers (Bible
Illustrator For Windows. Version 3.0f. Copyright 1990-1998, by
Parsons Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved).
B. THE INDISPUTABLE. Today, when a man dies, the administration of his
last will and testament is left to another. But many times, the
administrator misinterprets or misunderstands the wishes of the deceased.
Usually the will is contested! If the dead could rise up in many instances,
he would be appalled at how his will is being carried out! Jesus is not only
the testator, "maker of the will," but He is also the Executor, "administrator
of His will!' Jesus made His will and left us His testament and covenant of
grace. When He died He sealed it with His own blood. He Himself has
made the provision that the terms of the will shall be carried out to the
letter, for He has appointed Himself as the Administrator. After sealing the
will by His death, making it legal and effective, He arose to become the
Executor. Forty days after He ascended into Heaven to sit on the bench as
both Administrator and Judge, He sent His special agent, the Holy Spirit,
into the world with full authority to carry out the terms of His last will and
testament (M. R. DeHaan. Hebrews. p. 130). Jesus said in John 3:3, 5-7—
“…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God… Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except
a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the
Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
Someone has defined Salvation as, "The Father thought it, the Son Bought
it, The Holy Spirit Wrought it." D.H. Walters (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring
Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 174). Salvation is God's plan, The
Son paid for it, the Holy Spirit's power saves us!
(3) THE PROMISE OF THE INHERITANCE
Hebrews 9:15b—“that…they which are called might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance"
A. THE PROMISE MADE. The provisions of JESUS Christ's last will and
testament are for "they which are called..". The Bible makes it clear that
Jesus came to call all men unto Him! Jesus said in Matthew 9:12b-13—
“They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye
and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am
not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” All of us are sin-
sick (Romans 3:10, 23) and deserve death for our sins! (Romans 6:23a),
but the Testator "Jesus Christ" has died and left provisions in His will that
ALL who "are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." The
problem is that many today are rejecting their inheritance by rejecting the
call of God! (Matthew 22:14).
B. THE PROMISE FULFILLED. Yes, many reject the call of God to be saved,
but all who accept His call receive His promises! Not just for eternity, but
for this life also! This includes:
➢ Forgiveness of Our Sins (v26). (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:6; Hebrews 10:16-17).
➢ Fellowship With God (v24). Because we still have the "old man," "the flesh," we sin and lose fellowship with God! That is why it is so important that we have a living Redeemer! (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 7:25; 10:19-23).
➢ Future Glory (v28). The apostle Paul said in Romans 8:18—“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
All of us, who are saved, have an EXPECTATION, a HOPE, and an
UNFILLED PROMISE awaiting us! (Titus 2:11-14; John 14:1-3). Jesus is
coming again for us soon! When I don't know, but He is coming! Jesus
promised in Revelation 22:12—“And, behold, I come quickly; and my
reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” While
we are in this old body, we sin and from time to time lose fellowship with
God. We are saved, yet we await full salvation when He comes for us! We
earnestly await our home-going day! Philippians 3:20-21 tells us—“For
our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned
like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even
to subdue all things unto himself.”
ILLUS: Someone has said, "it is proper for a Christian to say, 'I have been
saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved.' The Christian is like
the sailor who has fallen overboard, has caught a line thrown to
him by his shipmates, and is being pulled through the water to the
safety of his ship. He can say, 'I was saved when they threw me
the line.' He can also say, 'I am being saved as they pull me
through the water.' And he can say, 'I will be saved when I stand
on the deck of the ship again.'” --Carl Bridge, Jr. (Albert M. Wells,
Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 173).
I am saved right now! My soul belongs to God! Satan has no claims on
me! Yet, even now, I am being saved, in the sense, that God is performing
the work of Salvation on me, transforming me daily, as I walk with Him,
into the image of His dear Son! Finally, when He comes, I will be completed
and I will fully enjoy His Salvation, for I will be like Him! 1 John 3:2 tells
us—“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what
we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him;
for we shall see him as he is.”
CLOSING: Friend, Are you a child of God? Then you should be interested in
what the LORD Jesus has left for you in His Will! You are a
beneficiary in His Will. When men die on this earth, their heirs lose
no time before they open the will to see what it contains. They can
hardly wait for the funeral services to be over (M. R. DeHaan.
Hebrews. p. 130).
Yet, how little do we seem to care about our inheritance! Some of
us hardly have time to read HIS Book containing exceeding great
and precious promises. If we would stop and study His Word, we
could then enjoy His Provision! The SCRIPTURE says, "Eye hath
not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things, which God hath prepared for them that love Him." (1
Corinthians 2:9). Why then are we so concerned with earthly
things, instead of spiritual things (Colossians 3:1-2, 4).
Are you a child of God? If not, I want you to know, Jesus has
provided for you in His Will! His provisions are for all! He is calling
today, but if you reject His Call, just as men here who miss out on
the reading of an earthly will, you will lose your promised
inheritance!
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