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Sermon #5671

Therefore Jesus ... Suffered

A Sermon on Hebrews 13:11-12

Originally preached April 20, 1962

Scripture

Hebrews 13:11-12 ESV KJV
For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. (ESV)

Sermon Description

In this sermon on Hebrews 13:11–12 titled “Therefore Jesus…Suffered,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on the meaning of the cross. The world believes that the cross was not historical or possible. Dr. Lloyd-Jones directs the listener’s attention to this epistle and the entire Bible, reminding listeners that Calvary was not an accident or tragedy but it was a decisive act of God and the means to save and bring His people back to His presence. The cross also fulfills all the Old Testament prophecies and promises.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon is based on Hebrews 13:11-12 which contrasts the old covenant sacrifices with Christ's sacrifice.
  2. The word "wherefore" in verse 12 connects Christ's sacrifice to the old covenant sacrifices. It shows that Christ's sacrifice fulfilled and ended the old covenant sacrifices.
  3. The old covenant sacrifices were prophetic types that pointed forward to Christ's sacrifice. They had no inherent value or merit in themselves. They were meant to prepare Israel for Christ's sacrifice.
  4. The old covenant sacrifices show that Christ's sacrifice was always part of God's eternal plan. It was not an accident or tragedy. God ordained the old covenant sacrifices to point to Christ's sacrifice.
  5. "Jesus also" in verse 12 refers to Jesus as the Son of God. We are looking at God the Son on the cross, not just a man.
  6. The word "suffered" refers to Christ enduring the punishment for sin required by God's law. He bore the wrath of God against sin.
  7. Christ "suffered without the gate" which means he was rejected and accursed. He was counted as unclean and unfit to be in the camp, like a leper. He endured disgrace, shame, and reproach.
  8. Christ was the sin offering, the antitype of the old covenant animal sacrifices. Our sins were laid on him, and he bore the punishment for them.
  9. Christ was also the high priest. He entered the heavenly tabernacle and offered his own blood to make atonement for our sins.
  10. Christ's sacrifice "sanctified" us, meaning it set us apart as God's people. It gives us access to God and makes us citizens of the heavenly kingdom.

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.