- Hebrews 9:1-14
- We need to distinguish between the internal and external.
- To set the stage, sacrifices were still being carried out in the temple after Jesus had died.
The writer is trying to show the difference between war and grace. The people were only looking at the external.
- Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the inward heart (see Samuel).
- You cannot tell the condition of someone’s heart. We cannot see like God sees. All we want to look at is the external, when we should be trying to look at the internal side.
- God is interested in the internal parts of our life. The condition of our heart.
- Our conscience can be a powerful unseen force, if it has been trained in the right way.
- Every conscience needs instruction.
- Every conscience needs to be aligned with God’s word.
- You can only be guided by your conscience when your conscience is guided by the word of God.
- We may not understand everything in the word, but are you doing what you do know?
- Your conscience may be telling you one thing, but does it line up with the word of God?
- Activities. The Hebrews were trying to put conscience to rest by performing religious activities.
Activities will not help your life with God, they do not last.
It’s only the power of Jesus that can change us, the internal part not the external part.
- Symbols. A symbol is just a symbol, they don’t lead anyone to Jesus. It was not a cross that saved us, it was the ever lasting and living God. Symbols are not the be all and end all. Are we showing Jesus? It is the power of Jesus in us that will change us and save us, not these symbols.
- Rituals. You must learn to take Communion in different ways.
- Activites, rituals and symbols can never change a conscience. They can never bring us real peace. Only Jesus can.
- The more time you spend with on external, the less time you will spend on the internal.
- To stand before God with a clear conscience, you’re going to have to go through Jesus.
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