[ Choir singing ]
>> Today we are blessed
with a wonderful gift from God,
the Bible.
This book is God's living word.
In its pages, we are told...
It is in this book of books
that we find the answers
to all of men's questions
and need.
This morning, your area
Churches of Christ
welcome you to a program
committed to that perfect
law of liberty.
[ Choir singing ]
As we present the living word.
[ Choir singing ]
Now, here is your host,
Ray Sullins.
>> In Ecclesiastes 7,
we read "A good name is better
than precious ointment."
Oh, what a privilege
it is this morning
to join together in the study
of God's living Word
as those who have
a good name.
And we're happy that you have
chosen to be with us today
and are excited
about the privilege
that we have to glorify
together our Creator and God.
May we therefore
each do our part
to make the things that
we do acceptable in his sight
and according to
his perfect will.
And as we begin our offering
to God on this the Lord's Day,
will you bow with me before
his mighty throne in prayer?
Our God and Father in Heaven.
We thank you this day,
for you are our God and a great
and wondrous and loving God.
We thank you for your love
and your mercy and your grace
and all that you have
done through Jesus
that we might be found
presentable today and eternally.
And Father, we ask that
you will bless us continually
in this life
that we might always be able
to have what we need
and that we might be able
to then use our energies
to your glory and praise.
And Father, give us the health
that we need as well,
that we might physically
be able to use our energy
to your glory and praise.
And when this life is over,
Father, please give us
that ultimate
and perfect reward of heaven,
the mansion that has been
prepared for the faithful.
And in Jesus' name, we pray.
Amen.
It's now time to join
our songs of praise.
So won't you join in with
the congregation at this time
as we sing our first
hymn of the morning?
The name of the song
"Only a Step."
>>  Hear the sweet voice of Jesus say 
 "Come unto me, I am the way" 
 Harken, the loving call obey,
Come, for He loves you so 
 Only a step, only a step 
 Come for He bled for you
and died 
 He's the same loving Savior yet, Jesus the Crucified 
 Casting your heavy burden
down 
 Come to the cross,
the world may frown 
 Yet you shall wear
a glorious crown 
 When He makes up
His own 
 Only a step, only a step 
 Come for He bled for you
and died 
 He's the same loving Savior yet, Jesus the Crucified 
 Open for you,
the pearly gate 
 Loved ones for you now watch and wait 
 Terrible tho't, to cry 'too late,' Jesus I come to thee 
 Only a step, only a step 
 Come for He bled for you and died 
 He's the same loving Savior yet, Jesus the Crucified 
>> When was the last time
you heard someone say,
I don't care what they think
or it doesn't matter
what they say about me.
In fact, the reality is we
probably have all either said
or thought this
from time to time,
but as we consider
this idea,
we begin to see
a contradiction in relationship
to what the Bible says.
The truth is, it does matter
what people say
and how people perceive us
in this world in which we live.
Our name is very important
because we either are seen
as godly and righteous people
in this life,
or we often are seen as wicked,
rude and even unlikable.
I like the way that Solomon
put these things
in the Proverbs.
There in 22:1,
we read
"A good name is to be chosen
rather than great riches."
There we have it from the
wisest man who ever lived.
The most important
thing in life
is that we live in such a way
to exemplify Christ
in all that we do so that those
that we come in contact with
will know that we are more
interested in Jesus and holy
and righteous things rather
than acting like the world.
The New Testament writers
also had a clear handle
on this idea of the morning.
You might recall with me
what Paul told Timothy
in 1 Timothy 4:12.
There we read,
"But be an example
to the believers in word,
in conduct, in love, in spirit,
in faith and impurity."
Notice the many ideas that here
Paul encourages Timothy
with -- to be a good example
in the world.
In fact, if you consider
the many areas
which are mentioned here,
he really almost covers
the entire spectrum
of what we would consider
our physical lives,
what we say, what we do,
how we treat others,
and even what our attitude is.
All these things
are very important.
Furthermore, he mentions
that faith and purity
are a part of what everyone
should see in us as Christians.
I also like the way that Paul
instructed the Corinthians
in 1 Corinthians 11:1.
There he told them, imitate me
just as I also imitate Christ.
Again, in a nutshell,
we are to be Christ-like.
Those of the world
must see Christ in us
and everything that we do
and in everything that we say.
The final verse
I might mention is found
in 1 Peter 2:21.
There we read, "For to this
you were called
because Christ
also suffered for us,
leaving us an example that you
should follow in His steps."
You see, we are to follow
the example
and the steps
that Jesus left.
If we are to be those
who are to be Christ-like,
we wouldn't have it
any other way.
We wouldn't do anything else.
So let me encourage us all
to remember just how important
it is that our name shows forth
the praise of the one
who died for us,
so that in all things,
God and His Son
and the Spirit may be glorified
and that we might always do
His perfect will.
We are happy to have brother
Jerry Sullins with us today
as our guest speaker.
Brother Jerry is the director
of the Bible Institute
of Missouri
here in Springfield,
and we thank him
for joining us
to lead our main
thoughts of the day
at the appropriate time
in just a few minutes.
As far as our main
topic of the day,
we are continuing
our series entitled
"The Better Things
of the Book of Hebrews."
Our specific study
of the morning
concerns a better forgiveness.
So stay with us.
And in a few minutes,
Brother Jerry will return
and lead us in these words
from the from God this morning.
Now it's time to join in our
second song of the morning.
The name of the hymn,
"Seek Ye First."
 Seek ye first the kingdom of God And his righteousness 
 And all these things shall be added unto you 
 Signing allelu..alleluia! 
 (Alleluiah...alleluia!) Seek ye first the kingdom of God 
 And his righteousness 
 And all these things shall be added unto you 
 Singing allelu..alleluia! 
 Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find 
 Knock and the door shall be opened unto you 
 Singing allelu, alleluia 
 (Alleluiah...alleluia!) 
 Ask and it shall be given
unto you 
 Seek and ye shall find 
 Knock and the door
shall be opened unto you 
 Singing allelu..alleluia! 
 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word 
 That proceeds from the mouth of God 
 Singing allelu..alleluia! 
 (Alleluiah..alleluia!) 
 Man shall not live by bread alone 
 But by every word 
 That proceeds from the mouth
of God 
 Singing allelu...alleluia! 
>> As we approach the subject
of the old law
versus the new law --
that is the law of Moses --
and how superior
the Law of Christ
is above the law of Moses,
which is generally the theme
of the Book of Hebrews.
This morning we're going
to concentrate our thoughts
on Hebrews 10,
the first part of that chapter,
which deals with
forgiveness itself.
In this world today,
we have a tremendous problem,
as has been mentioned
on this program many times,
and that is the problem
of plague and the plague of sin.
Sin is something that is
a transgression of God's law.
Just yesterday,
it seems like, in my conversation with some
over Facebook, do not realize that there is a law of God
that can be violated.
And when it is violated,
that represents sin
because it is a transgression of
God's law or lawlessness itself.
The moral code
that is placed before us
as far as God is concerned,
is clearly defined
in the New Testament.
There is no way
to get around it.
If you believe in God,
you must believe
that the old law passed away
and a new law
has been put into effect.
Romans 3:23 says,
"For all have sinned and fallen
short of the glory of God."
This is the way it's been from
the very beginning of creation.
Romans 6:23 simply points out
that the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So today I want us to examine
the difference of forgiveness
in the Old Testament.
As far as forgiveness
in the New Testament,
for just a few moments, we're
going to read from Hebrews 10,
beginning with verse 1,
"For the law having a shadow
that is lesser time
of the good things to come
and not the very image
of the things
can never
with these same sacrifices
which they offer
continually year by year."
That's in the Old Testament.
"Make those who approach perfect."
And then it goes on to say,
in verse three,
"But in those sacrifices,
there is a reminder
of sins every year.
For it is not possible
that the blood of bulls
and goats could take away sins."
No doubt many people
considered the law of Moses
to be a law of bondage,
for was placed upon people,
the responsibility
and the priesthood
to offer
daily sacrifices for sin.
As you can read
for yourself in numbers
28:3-15.
So constantly,
every day, they were
reminded of their sins,
which basically
could not be forgiven.
Those sins were rolled forward,
according to the Old Testament,
Every year, as they placed
the sins of the people
on the back of a scapegoat
and rolled it forward
till the time that a new system
of forgiveness
would be introduced through
and by Jesus Christ the Lord.
In fact, the Apostle Paul
said in Galatians 3:24,
that the law
was basically a tutor
to actually bring
in the new law.
It was a shadow indeed
of things to come.
That is the shadow of sins,
not really being forgiven
just for a short time
until they could
actually be forgiven
by the shedding of the blood
of Jesus Christ
on the cross of Calvary.
So this morning, I'd like for us
to consider that, actually.
He took away the old
that he might establish the new,
which is found in Hebrews 10:9,
and then goes on
to say in verse 10,
"By that will we have
been sanctified
through the offering
of the body of Christ.
Once for all,
where he shed his blood
on the cross of Calvary."
Let us consider what is said
in the New Testament.
That is the New Covenant,
which the writer of the Book
of Hebrews states here,
that he has established
a second covenant,
which is the covenant
that is found within
Jesus Christ.
Many of you may remember the
transfiguration of Jesus Christ,
as it is stated
in the Scriptures,
where before Christ
was transfigured
and with Christ,
Moses and Elijah
and actually the three most
we call the inner circle
of the Apostles, Peter,
James, and John were there.
And actually before them
was transfigured
Jesus and Moses and Elijah,
and a voice from heaven
came and said,
"This is my beloved son,
in whom I am well pleased.
Hear ye him."
Now the important message
of that is no longer
do we hear the prophets of old.
They had their time
and their place
to give their prophecies.
And no longer do we adhere
to the law of Moses.
But now God has spoken through
his Son,
Jesus Christ,
and through Him only.
And those apostles that
He endowed with the Holy Spirit
to speak forth his message
to the lost of this world,
as we find in Hebrews 1:1-3.
So forgiveness
is under the new law.
That is complete,
full forgiveness
based upon the blood
that Jesus shed on the cross.
Peter himself said,
"For Christ also suffered
once for sin,
the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God."
This message was actually
prophesied of old by prophets.
Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 31:34, said,
"Concerning the law of Christ,
their sins
I will remember no more."
This was a prophecy
concerning the law of Christ.
We know that this same Peter
one time denied the Lord.
He denied the Christ --
that he was --
that he was the Son of God,
that he even knew
Him as Jesus was preparing to be
crucified in a very short time.
Yet that sin could be forgiven
and was forgiven by God.
It was forgotten because
Jesus' blood
was shed on the cross of Calvary
and that sin was also forgiven.
Christ through the shedding
of his blood on the cross
brings us
the forgiveness of our sins.
I'll call your attention
to 1 Peter 1:18-19 here.
Peter said, "Knowing that
you were not redeemed
with corruptible things
like silver and gold
from your aimless conduct
received
by tradition from your fathers,
but with the precious blood
of Jesus Christ
as of a lamb without spot
and without blemish.
It was through the blood
of Christ
that we receive
the remission of our sins."
Paul well said in Romans 5:9,
"Much more then, having now
been justified by his blood,
we shall be saved
from wrath through him."
The apostle Paul also said
in Ephesians 1:7,
in whom we have redemption
through his blood.
Listen closely.
Even the forgiveness
of our sins.
And yes,
Jesus blots out our sins.
God said He will remember
those sins against us no more
because the blood of
Jesus Christ
will wash us from our own sins.
To Him who loved us
and washed us
from our sins in his own blood.
The Revelator said
in Revelation 1:5.
There's no mistake about it.
We are purchased
with the blood of Christ.
That is,
Jesus Christ purchased us
and we are added to the church.
And He saves us by the fact
that he died upon the cross
and shed his blood
for the forgiveness of our sins.
And it indeed washes
our sins away.
Those of us who have been
baptized
into Christ realize this,
and we actually have the feeling
when we're baptized,
because the promise is there
that our sins
have been washed away.
We are as clean as a baby
that had has been born
into this world in such a pure
and wonderful way.
We are clean from our sins.
They have been washed
from our souls.
The question is,
my friend, this morning,
have you taken advantage
of the forgiveness of your sins
through proper obedience
to the will of Christ?
In Romans 6:3-4,
it says,
"Or do you not know that
you are baptized into Christ?
That Jesus died upon the cross?"
Yes, He did. For our sins.
We were buried, therefore,
by baptism into his death
that like as Christ
was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
we shall be raised
to walk in newness of life.
Have you obeyed
the plan of salvation,
repenting of your sins
after saying
that you believe
that Jesus is the Christ?
Do you honestly believe that
He was the Christ the Savior
who came to this world?
And have you been
baptized into Christ
for the remission of your sins?
It doesn't matter
what your preacher might say,
those people of your church
or your conference
or whatever you might call the
leaders of your denominations,
it matters what Jesus said.
And Jesus said
he who believes
and is baptized shall be saved.
For we are all the sons of God
through faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ,
have put on Christ.
Are you ready to make that step,
my friend?
To do what Jesus
has asked you to do?
No> There's no longer
those sacrifices,
which were good for that time,
because God said,
you must do these things
to have your sins move forward
till the time that I will send
my son through prophecy
that is told
when he will cleanse a nation
of all of his sins --
of all of their sins.
Are you willing, my friend,
to do what
Jesus has asked you to do?
No doubt. We understand
in a very clear way
what the writer of the Book
of Hebrews
was saying, that Jesus,
that is God himself,
will in every way
completely blot out our sins
and remember them
against us no more.
We need to recognize
our condition before God.
This time of our life
is very short.
We will soon pass
from this life.
Where will you spend an eternity
is the question
that you need to ask yourself.
You need to do
what God has said to to believe
that Jesus is the Son of God
and to obey his commands
so that you can truly say
when you stand
before the father there,
"O, God, I have done your will.
I have obeyed the gospel
of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ,
and thank God for that
wonderful opportunity to receive
indeed the full forgiveness
of our sins
through the blood of Christ."
>>  Sing Hallelujah to the Lord! 
 Sing Hallelujah to the Lord! 
 Sing Hallelujah
to the Lord! 
 Sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah, sing to the Lord! 
 Jesus is risen from the dead, Jesus is risen from the dead 
 Jesus is risen, Jesus is risen Jesus is risen from the dead 
 Jesus is living in His church,
Jesus is living in His church 
 Jesus is living,
Jesus is living 
 Jesus is living
in His church 
 Jesus is Lord of heav'n and earth 
 Jesus is Lord of heav'n
and earth 
 Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord 
 Jesus is Lord of heav'n and earth 
 He's coming back to claim
His own 
 He's coming back
to claim His own 
 He's coming back,
He's coming back 
 He's coming back to claim
His own 
 Sing hallelujah to the Lord,
Sing hallelujah to the Lord 
 Sing hallelujah,
sing hallelujah, 
 Sing hallelujah to the Lord 
>> Let me thank you again
for choosing to be
with us this day
for the "Living Word" program,
a program committed
to our Lord and a program
committed to giving us
the opportunity to gather
and to give service to our God.
I invite you every
Lord's Day morning at 7:30
to join us as we give this time
to our creator.
But for now, let me ask you
if you have any questions
or comments
about today's lesson,
maybe like a free transcript or
a free CD or DVD of the program,
or possibly we could assist you
with free Bible materials
or free
Bible correspondence courses.
No matter what your need is,
please feel free to contact us
at the following address...
Many of these items are also
available on our website.
That address,
TheLivingWordProgram.com.
Or if you prefer, you may
call us at (417) 869-2284.
How blessed we are to have a God
that offers total forgiveness
of our sins
despite the fact
that we often let him down
and sin more than we ought to.
That we might therefore know
that God loves us and that
He has given us such
great gifts like forgiveness,
even blotting out
our transgressions.
Therefore, brethren,
may we be those who love him
and always do his will
and put him first in all things.
>> Our prayer is to help
the world know more about
God through this
television program.
"The Living Word"
has been brought to you
under the oversight
of the elders of the Kansas
Expressway Church of Christ
in Springfield, Missouri,
with the assistance
of the following area
Churches of Christ.
[ Choir singing ]