Bible Text: Hebrews 10:11-25 | Preacher: Lieutenant Rob Westwood-Payne | Series: Thank God! | In this once and for all sermon, we are reminded Jesus’ saving work on the cross was once and for all. The letter to the Hebrews encourages a response.

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A world of disposable products

This once and for all sermon reminds us we live in a world of disposable products which make our lives easier. Nappies. Paper plates. Rubbish bags. Polystyrene cups and so on.

A possible EU ban on single-use plastics

The EU is considering a ban on single use plastics such as straws, plates, cutlery, cotton buds, drink stirrers, drink containers, etc. They may be banned where there are readily available, cheap alternatives from more sustainable materials.

Jesus’ once and for all work

Jesus acted as our high priest. This once and for all sermon challenges us to remember he offered himself as a sacrifice – once and for all. Never before, never again.

Hebrews 10:11-25, p.1208

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

16 ‘This is the covenant I will make with them

    after that time, says the Lord.

I will put my laws in their hearts,

    and I will write them on their minds.’[a]

17 Then he adds:

‘Their sins and lawless acts

    I will remember no more.’[b]

18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

A call to persevere in faith

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The once and for all sacrifice made by Jesus

Hebrews 10:11–12 ESV

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

To stand in presence of a king and especially of God is an honour. But the fact that priests stand daily at their service demonstrates the ineffectiveness of priesthood. Priests continued to stand because they had not finished their work. They stood day after day, again and again. They continually perform their religious duties/outward ceremonial rites. Made same sacrifices to no effect:

These sacrifices, no matter how many times they are offered, cannot definitively deal with sins. (G.L. Cockerill)

Jesus, the new priest, made a single sacrifice, and then he sat down at the right hand of God. His sitting signifies his sacrifice was once and for all time – forever, eternity. Christ’s sacrifice is valid for all time and eternity.

What his sacrifice means for us

Hebrews 10:14 ESV

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are...