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Hebrews 10:9 - Sacrificial System or Old Covenant?
Sermonette by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)Hebrews 10:9 does not say that God's law or the Old Covenant has been done away, but that the system of animal sacrifices has been set aside for now.
Seeking God's Will (Part Four): Sacrifice
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the context of understanding sacrifice, animal sacrifices hold a significant place in the observance of the Day of Atonement as described in Leviticus. These sacrifices, involving bulls, goats, rams, or other allowable animals, were central to the ritual of covering over sin. The life blood of these animals was offered to atone for sins, symbolizing a temporary covering or hiding of transgressions under the Old Covenant. However, it is acknowledged that the blood of bulls and goats could not ultimately remove sin, as their value was lesser than that of a human life, rendering them insufficient to fully pay the penalty of sin. In the detailed ritual of Leviticus 16, the use of two goats illustrates the process of atonement. The first goat, designated as the Lord's goat, was killed as a sin offering, its blood used to cover the sins of the people, cleansing and sanctifying them. This act was performed by the high priest, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the sacrifice that addressed all forms of uncleanness, transgressions, and sins among the children of Israel. The second goat, known as the Azazel goat, bore the sins of the people on its head, symbolizing the removal of sin by being sent outside the camp, further signifying that sins were not only covered but also carried away, erased from consideration. This dual ritual underscores the complete atonement process, aiming to reconcile mankind with God by both paying for and removing sin entirely.
What the Sacrifices Mean
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughThe sacrificial system of Leviticus typifies spiritual sacrifices which we perform under the New Covenant. The animal sacrifices focused on total commitment.
Lessons From the Animals
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod was well pleased with Abel's animal sacrifice, as recorded in Hebrews 11, where it still witnesses to His approval. This act demonstrates that mankind's dominion over animals extended to taking their lives for sacrificial purposes. It is evident that they understood the concept of sacrificing, and some sacrifices, such as the sin offering and the peace offering, were required by God to be eaten, at least in part. This shows that God was not overly concerned about the killing of an animal for such purposes, affirming the responsibility and authority given to man over animal life within His creation.
Ezekiel's Temple and the Covenants
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeA future Millennial temple (described in Ezekiel 40—48) will contain some elements of the Old Covenant, including animal sacrifices and Levitical priests.
Christ, Our Passover
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAnimal sacrifices, as part of the broader theme of sacrifice, fall short in their ability to inspire true obedience to God. No animal life holds the same value as a human life, and though the loss of a pet may bring grief, an animal's sacrificial death lacks the profound impact needed to motivate meaningful change in the offerer. Unlike the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the sinless God-Man, animal sacrifices cannot produce a lasting desire to turn from sin or establish a deep, personal relationship with the Creator. Their inherent weakness lies in their inability to match the transformative power of a human sacrifice, specifically that of Jesus Christ, whose death carries the weight to cleanse sin and establish a New Covenant.
On This Side of Jordan
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)When the circumstance of sin ceases, what happens to the law? The concept of sin as a reality will be gone at a certain point in time.
Offerings and Sacrificing
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughAn offering is a gift given to God. The Bible clearly shows that the requirement for the offering was in force at the time of Adam and Eve.
Why Two Goats on Atonement? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIn Israel, sins were symbolically placed on the altar throughout the year. On Yom Kippur, one goat's blood cleansed the altar; the second took away the sins.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Book of Hebrews is a must-read for all members of God's church who seek the key for spiritual growth through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Two Goats of Leviticus 16
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe first goat is a blood sacrifice to cleanse the altar. The second goat—the 'azazel' or 'complete removal'—is led away and freed (not bound by a chain).
Clean and Unclean Meats
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Nothing about the clean and unclean food laws has changed from the beginning; those statutes continue to transcend the Old and New Covenants.
The Price of Atonement
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughA suitable sacrifice had to be offered so that the sins of mankind could not only be covered, but be completely paid for, forgiven, removed, and forgotten.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Nine): Conclusion (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThere must be something to prove we are one with Christ and in union with the Father and the Son. That something is the manner in which we conduct our life.
Death of a Lamb
Article by StaffSince the church no longer keeps the Passover with the slaughter of a lamb, we miss important and poignant details that could enhance our observance.
The Awesome Cost of Salvation
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe need to be sobered at the awesomeness of the cost to set us free from sin—what the Creator endured. We have been purchased, and are obliged to our Purchaser.
Passover (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSome believe in a late-14th Passover on the basis of II Chronicles 35:10-11, but this overlooks the context. The Passover was originally a home-based observance.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Much of Protestantism misconstrues the significance of the New Covenant as a 'free pass into Heaven' without paying attention to the Law within the Covenant.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Four): The Peace Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe peace (or thank) offering was the most commonly given in ancient Israel. It pictures God, the priest, and the offerer in satisfying fellowship.
Principled Living (Part Four): Giving of Ourselves
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs Christ sacrificed for us, we are called to sacrifice for others. Love is an action, a behavior, rather than an emotion, described in I Corinthians 13.
The Meaning of the Offering
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The New Covenant sacrifices are far more demanding than the Old Covenant sacrifices. But there are poignant lessons to be learned from animal sacrifices.
Elements of Judgment (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)None of God's law has been 'done away', though there is not always a literal application. Not every law of God has the same weight of importance.
Being a True Sweet Savor to God
Sermonette by Bill OnisickThe renewing of our minds is a daily sacrifice in which carnality is continuously put to death, replaced by God's Spirit, yielding an aroma desired by God.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Hebrews emphasizes that spiritual growth and glorification depends on an individual's relationship with Christ, the centerpiece of the Book of Hebrews.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews' audience consisted of converts from Judaism, suffering estrangement from family and community, excommunicated from the temple.
Elements of Judgment (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We dare not 'do away' anything that is part of God's mind, or we will not be in His image. Acts 15 did not give Gentiles exemption from keeping God's Law.
The Reality of the Feast
Sermon by Mark SchindlerUnless we anchor ourselves in God's precepts, we are in danger of succumbing to deadly deception. We must treat God's Holy Days as sanctified times.