'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!

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download