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Spring 2025 Sacrifices Unit 2: Christ’s All-Sufficient Sacrifice
The themes of worship, sacrifices, and offerings run through the Scriptures. Grasping the sacrifices and offerings of the old covenant is essential to our understanding of the New Testament’s presentation of Christ’s sacrifice. This quarter will explore sacrifice and worship in the Old Testament and what the New Testament has to say about sacrifice and worship under the new covenant.
Christ’s All-Sufficient Sacrifice
The second unit turns to New Testament texts that explore the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. The book of Hebrews contrasts the annual sacrifices of the Law of Moses—a law that is “a shadow of the good things that are coming” (Hebrews 10:1)—with Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice (10:11-14; etc.; see lesson 6). The seventh lesson of the quarter comes from the epistles of John, where the author describes the love of God revealed by his sending of his Son “as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Christ’s resurrection on the third day confirms his sacrifice on the cross. Lesson 8 examines the details surrounding Christ’s death and resurrection as told by the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 27:39-40, 45-54; 28:1-10). Christ is the glorious Lamb who was slain and whose blood has “purchased” us for God (Revelation 5:9; see lesson 9). Therefore, even in the throne room of Heaven, the glorious Lamb is declared “worthy”!
Lesson 6 Christ’s Once-for-All Sacrifice Hebrews 9:23–10:4, 11-14, 19-25 273
The book of Hebrews clarifies the relationship between the old and new covenants. Its original intended audience seems to have been Christians of Jewish heritage who were in danger of slipping back into Judaism. To address this issue, the unnamed author demonstrates how the regulations of the Law of Moses pointed to Christ and his work. After identifying Christ as the high priest of the new covenant (Hebrews 4:14–5:10; 8:1-13), the author summarized the regulations for worship under the old covenant (9:1-7) and how those practices were not permanent (9:8-10). They have been superseded by the one-time sacrifice of Christ, the ultimate high priest (9:11-22). These details set the stage for the outstanding summary presented in chapters 9 and 10, the focus of today’s text.
Lesson 7 Christ, the Atoning Sacrifice 1 John 2:1-6; 4:9-17 281
Our text comes from two parallel sections of the New Testament epistle designated 1 John. It is one of three letters by John among the General Epistles. This is a section of the New Testament consisting of the eight letters: Hebrews; James; 1 and 2 Peter; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Jude. The epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John are not explicitly ascribed to the apostle John by name, yet the early church ascribed these epistles to him, just as they did with the Gospel of John.
Lesson 8 Christ Dies and Rises to New Life Matthew 27:39-40, 45-54; 28:1-10 289
Following Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah), Jesus began to warn his disciples of his coming death and resurrection (Matthew 16:13-23; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). His disciples, however, failed to comprehend (John 20:9). In a series of trials featuring biased testimonies, Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion Matthew 26:57-68; 27:11-26). Crucifixion was a brutal form of execution. Roman authorities reserved it to make an example of the most notorious criminals, striking fear in the population. Those condemned to it were tied
or nailed to a wood frame in a prominent public place. Left to the elements and loss of blood, the crucified person would die slowly of blood loss, respiratory failure, and exposure while being subjected to public ridicule. As today’s lesson opens, that is the state in which we find Jesus.
Lesson 9 The Lamb Is Worthy Revelation 5:1-10 297
Revelation 4 and 5 narrate the apostle John’s vision of the divine throne room. This vision immediately follows the appearance of “someone like a son of man” (Revelation 1:13; compare Daniel 7:13), who dictates letters to seven churches in the province of Asia Minor. These letters offered both encouragement and caution to churches that ranged from being faithful to unfaithful. Two good questions to ask in many life situations are “What’s so?” and “So what?” In answer to the first question, Revelation 1–3 establishes the facts regarding the status of seven churches; in answer to the second question, the visions of Revelation 4 and following describe rewards and consequences. This allows us to see God’s authority and power, the reality that he remains in charge even when earthly events would suggest otherwise (compare Psalm 47:8). John’s visions begin in Revelation 4:1 with a glimpse of God in his throne room (compare Isaiah 6:1). This is the location of the true and ultimate ruler of the universe. While “in the Spirit” (Revelation 4:2), John witnesses startling and glorious things: precious stones, elders with crowns, fiery lamps, creatures who worship God day and night, etc. After this broad look around the throne room, John’s vision zooms in to focus on a specific object.
BIBLE STUDY
Adult Bible Study | Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. To join virtual Bible Study please visit Zoom.us and enter Meeting ID: 802 973 031 To join by phone, dial 312-626-6799 and enter Meeting ID: 802-973-031
January 8th – April 2nd, 2025
We all long for a full, rich, satisfying life. But how do we fill up the empty places in our souls? How can we quench our thirst for something deeper, more lasting, more meaningful?
This 13-week study urges you to take a fresh look at Jesus. Here is the opportunity to establish — or renew — your faith in the One who offers true meaning, true belonging, and true life.
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