A New and Living Way
A Sermon on the New and Living Way from Hebrews 10:19-22
Originally preached Sept. 16, 1962
Scripture
19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let …
Sermon Description
Genuine Christians may lack joy in Christ if they lack certainty of their relationship with God. In this sermon on Hebrews 10:19–22 titled “A New and Living Way,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches of how the writer encourages the reader to have full assurance and draw near to Christ. He addresses the chief problem: the conscience condemns. In one’s own nature, no one is able to come before the throne of God in prayer because of sin. Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights the Old Testament temple practices of entering the Holiest of Holies and the work of the priest. This was the old way, one that required blood and priests. It was a kind of communion with God few would enter. This practice, however, paved the way to a new and better way. Through the blood of Christ, the vilest of sinners can enter the holiest of all. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Jesus washes and sanctifies the believer, clothing them in righteousness, and fitting them for the presence of God. As the High Priest, Jesus has gone before them and has prepared a way for believers to commune with God. Therefore, draw near to God with a true heart having full assurance of faith. Listen and experience the joy of the Christian life.
Sermon Breakdown
- The writer is addressing Christians who are unhappy and troubled in their faith.
- The central cause of their unhappiness is a lack of assurance and certainty in their faith.
- Prayer is essential to the Christian life but requires boldness and confidence before God.
- There are three difficulties that hinder prayer:
- Entering the holiest place (God's presence)
- The accusations of an evil conscience
- A sense of uncleanness and pollution
- Two things are needed to pray with confidence: a true heart (sincerity) and full assurance of faith.
- Full assurance of faith means understanding and trusting in Christ's work - His death, resurrection, and intercession.
- Christ's death (the shedding of His blood) opened the way to God by dealing with our sin and guilt. We must understand this.
- With full assurance of faith, we can answer the accusations of conscience by pointing to Christ's sacrifice. Our consciences are "sprinkled" by His blood.
- Though we are unworthy in ourselves, we are made clean through Christ's work and clothed in His righteousness. Our "bodies are washed with pure water."
- Christ, our High Priest, represents us before God and makes our prayers acceptable. We can pray with boldness because of Him.
- We must not call "unclean" what God has cleansed - we are made clean through Christ and can approach God with confidence.
- The hymns "There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood" and "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness" express these truths.
- We must pray with boldness, relying on Christ alone and not our own righteousness or humility. True Christians pray with confidence because of Christ.
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.