The Once for All Sacrifice: Sermon on Hebrews 10

Date: 5 March 2025

Preacher: Benedict

Place: Trinity Baptist Church, Charlesworth, near Glossop

Text: Hebrews 10:1-18

Listen below:

Once For All

37:54

The Once for All Sacrifice: Sermon on Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10 reveals the sufficiency of Jesus Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice, showing that the old covenant offerings of bulls, goats, and other sacrifices were never able to remove sin. In Christ, God’s will is perfectly fulfilled, forgiveness is secured, and the indwelling of the holy spirit is guaranteed for all who believe.

Introduction

The letter to the Hebrews addresses a people tempted to return to the Old Covenant system. They were reminded that the sacrifices of bulls and goats could never fully remove sin. Today, we explore how Jesus Christ, the doer of God’s will, brings final redemption and sanctification through a single, once-for-all sacrifice.

1. The Insufficient Sacrifices (Hebrews 10:1-4)

The old covenant sacrifices were insufficient to cleanse from sin. Bulls and goats could never truly pay for humanity’s transgressions. The writer of Hebrews addresses Jewish believers, urging them not to revert to the mosaic code:

• They were tempted to rely on works, thinking these could justify them before God

• The world offers its own “sacrifices” – good deeds, moral achievements, intellectual pursuits, or religious observances – but none remove sin

  
  

Consider ourselves:

• Do we trust in our intelligence or learning to earn God’s favour?

• Do we rely on knowing the truth, attending church, or being morally upright?

• Do we idolize spiritual leaders, even those who faithfully preached the gospel?

• Do we perform evangelism or good deeds hoping to secure salvation?

  
  

All these efforts, even those that are commendable, cannot bring forgiveness. Hebrews 10:2 reminds us that repeated sacrifices highlight their insufficiency. What we truly need is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, the one who alone can cleanse from sin.

Application

• Unbelievers: salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. No ritual, good deed, or moral standard can suffice.

• Christians: salvation is by grace through Christ. Good works, learning, and service are fruits of faith, not means of salvation. Rest in Christ, and be assured that he is enough.

  
  

2. The Doer of God’s Will (Hebrews 10:5-7, Psalm 40:6-8)

Hebrews 10:5-7 quotes Psalm 40, proclaiming that Christ came to do God’s will:

• In Psalm 40:6-8, the psalmist contrasts the insufficiency of sacrifices with the Saviour’s readiness to obey God

• The NT writer shows that Jesus became a servant in human nature to fulfil God’s covenant love through sacrifice

  
  

Throughout scripture, God expresses his desire to save his people:

• Genesis 3:15 – the first promise of redemption

• Genesis 22:11-14,18 – the sacrifice of Isaac

• Joseph – sold into slavery to save many during famine

• Exodus 12:23-27 – the Passover Lamb sacrificed for the salvation of the first-born sons of Israel

• 1 Chronicles 21:26-27 – David’s offers a sacrifice to end God’s judgment upon Israel

• Isaiah 53:3-6 – the suffering servant would be bruised for ‘our’ iniquities

• Jeremiah 31:10-11,31-32 – God’s covenant love for his people

• Hosea 11:1-2,8 – God’s mercy and desire to redeem

• Jonah 1:11,15 – the sailors were saved through Jonah being cast into the raging sea

  
  

Jesus Christ fulfilled God’s will perfectly, offering himself as an atoning sacrifice, satisfying divine justice while providing forgiveness for his people.

3. The Once-for-All Sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10,14-17)

Hebrews 10:10 declares the finality of Christ’s sacrifice – once for all. Unlike repeated rituals or changing human systems, Jesus’ offering is complete and sufficient.

The old covenant priests offered daily sacrifices. None could truly remove sin. Jesus’ sacrifice supersedes them all. Salvation in the past, present, and future rests on Christ’s work, retroactively applied or presently applied.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, believers are not only forgiven but sanctified and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Adam’s fall brought depravity; Christ’s sacrifice restores us, making us fitting recipients of God’s power to transform and perfect.

• Forgiveness accomplished

• Cleansing complete

• Indwelling by the Holy Spirit assured

• Promise of perfection in Christ secured

  
  

This is God’s covenant love: his Son came as a servant, yet his work is final, sufficient, and eternal.

Conclusion

Hebrews 10 calls us to embrace the sufficiency of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice. The bulls and goats of old cannot cleanse; only Christ can forgive, sanctify, and empower us through the Holy Spirit.

Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ? Do you trust in his sacrifice and receive the promise of perfection?

Key Takeaways:

• Jesus Christ is the once-for-all sacrifice

• Forgiveness is complete in him

• Believers are sanctified and indwelt by the Holy Spirit

• Nothing else is required for salvation

Related Sermons on the Sacrifice of Christ

• A Person to Remember (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

• Life-Giving Death (2 Kings 13:20-21)

We gather each Sunday in Charlesworth, near Glossop. Visitors are welcome at Sunday worship or midweek bible study – see our Events Page