C+C Tennessee Discussion Guide
Text: Hebrews 9:24-28
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,
for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Summary
Hebrews 9:24–28 declares the finality and sufficiency of Christ’s priestly work in contrast to the repetitive sacrifices of the old covenant. Earthly tabernacles and temples were only copies of the true heavenly reality. Christ, as the true High Priest, has entered not an earthly sanctuary but heaven itself, appearing in the very presence of God on behalf of his people as their representative and advocate.
Unlike the Levitical priests who brought the blood of animals year after year, Jesus offered himself once for all. His single sacrifice at “the end of the ages” truly puts away sin, because the one offering is the sinless Son of God, and the place of offering is the true, heavenly presence of God. If his work were not sufficient, he would have to suffer repeatedly; instead, his once-for-all death fully satisfies God’s justice for all who are his.
The passage then confronts the universal realities of death and judgment. Every person dies once, and after death comes judgment before a holy and omniscient God. This judgment is not theoretical; Scripture teaches that God has fixed a day when he will judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ, to whom all judgment has been entrusted. Believers will stand before Christ for the evaluation of their works and rewards, while unbelievers will face the great white throne judgment, where those not written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire.
Into this sobering reality, the good news of the gospel shines brightly. The same Christ who will judge the living and the dead is the Christ who has already been offered once to bear the sins of many. The one who renders the verdict has also borne the penalty. For those united to Christ by faith, judgment day is not a day to dread but a day of salvation. When he appears a second time, he will not come to deal with sin again (because that work is finished) but to bring final, consummate salvation to those who eagerly wait for him.
Key Takeaways
Discussion Questions
Practical Applications
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,
for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Summary
Hebrews 9:24–28 declares the finality and sufficiency of Christ’s priestly work in contrast to the repetitive sacrifices of the old covenant. Earthly tabernacles and temples were only copies of the true heavenly reality. Christ, as the true High Priest, has entered not an earthly sanctuary but heaven itself, appearing in the very presence of God on behalf of his people as their representative and advocate.
Unlike the Levitical priests who brought the blood of animals year after year, Jesus offered himself once for all. His single sacrifice at “the end of the ages” truly puts away sin, because the one offering is the sinless Son of God, and the place of offering is the true, heavenly presence of God. If his work were not sufficient, he would have to suffer repeatedly; instead, his once-for-all death fully satisfies God’s justice for all who are his.
The passage then confronts the universal realities of death and judgment. Every person dies once, and after death comes judgment before a holy and omniscient God. This judgment is not theoretical; Scripture teaches that God has fixed a day when he will judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ, to whom all judgment has been entrusted. Believers will stand before Christ for the evaluation of their works and rewards, while unbelievers will face the great white throne judgment, where those not written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire.
Into this sobering reality, the good news of the gospel shines brightly. The same Christ who will judge the living and the dead is the Christ who has already been offered once to bear the sins of many. The one who renders the verdict has also borne the penalty. For those united to Christ by faith, judgment day is not a day to dread but a day of salvation. When he appears a second time, he will not come to deal with sin again (because that work is finished) but to bring final, consummate salvation to those who eagerly wait for him.
Key Takeaways
- Death is Universal - It has a 100% success rate and is immediately followed by judgment before a holy, omniscient, righteous Judge who misses nothing and compromises nothing.
- Two Judgments - The Great White Throne judgment separates believers and non-believers and the Judgment Seat of Christ is for rewards for believers
- Salvation through Christ Alone - Jesus offered himself as the once-for-all sacrifice that has fully dwelt with sin so believers do not need to have any fear of standing before God in judgment, we have been given the righteousness of Christ.
Discussion Questions
- Before this sermon, what was your understanding of what happens after we die?
- Why do you think the false views of death mentioned in the sermon (annihilationism, soul sleep, reincarnation, universalism) are appealing to people? What does scripture have to say about these views?
- What are the dangers of denying the reality of hell?
- What feelings are generated when you think of the return of Christ? Excitement? Fear? Uncertainty? Where do you think those feelings are coming from?
- Have you ever had conversations with nonbelievers about hell? As a group, discuss how we can balance the truth of the reality of hell with the offer of free forgiveness in conversations with nonbelievers.
- How would you respond to the objection "I don't believe a good God could send someone to hell." What does the bible have to say in response?
Practical Applications
- Practice the Gospel - Meet up with a friend this week and practice sharing the gospel using the Romans Road (refer to this week's sermon notes). Ask for honest feedback on how clear your explanation is, especially with regards to using "christianese" language that nonbelievers might not understand.
- Get Equipped - Share some bible passages and other resources so that you can be equipped and prepared to have conversations with nonbelievers about hell when the opportunity arises
- Pray - Spend time this week praying for someone in your life who doesn't know Jesus as their savior.