Key Idea

When life pressures you to drift or “go back” to what’s safe and familiar, remember: Jesus is the better High Priest with the better covenant and the better sacrifice. He truly cleanses the conscience, grants real access to God, and will appear a second time to save those who eagerly wait for Him (Hebrews 9:28).

Message Overview

1) The Temptation to Turn Back (9:1–10)

• Hebrews addresses believers tempted to return to their old ways for comfort or safety.
• The old covenant worship was limited (only the high priest, once a year) and external (rituals “cannot perfect the conscience”).

2) Jesus, Our Better High Priest (9:11–14)

• Christ entered the greater, heavenly sanctuary once for all, by His own blood, securing eternal redemption.
• His sacrifice purifies the conscience so we can serve the living God.

3) The New Covenant Benefits (9:15–22)

• Jesus is the Mediator of a new covenant—so the called receive the promised eternal inheritance.
• “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” His blood accomplishes what animal sacrifices never could.

4) Once-for-All and the Coming Return (9:23–28)

• Christ appeared in heaven itself on our behalf—not repeatedly—but once for all “to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”

• “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.” (Hebrews 9:28)

How We Respond

• Hold fast. Don’t drift to what’s easy, safe, or familiar—cling to Jesus.
• Live for the eternal. Let eternal promises shape your daily choices.
• Draw near. Because the veil is torn, come to God with confidence—anytime, anywhere.
• Wait eagerly. Let the promise of His return fuel perseverance and hope.

Lifegroup Guide

Warm-Up

• Share a time you were tempted to “turn back” to something comfortable or familiar. What pulled you forward instead?

Read Together

• Hebrews 9:1–14, 15–22, 23–28 (three readers).

Observation

• List the limitations of the old covenant in vv.1–10. What could it not do?
• List the “betters” of Jesus’ work in vv.11–14, 15–22, 23–28.

Interpretation

• What does it mean that Jesus purifies our conscience (v.14)? How is that different from external cleansing?
• Why is “once for all” central to Hebrews 9? What does it tell us about assurance and access?

Application

• Where are you most tempted to drift back to self-reliance or old patterns? What’s one concrete step of obedience this week that moves you forward?
• How will you practice “eager waiting” (v.28) in your schedule, prayers, or relationships?

Prayer

• Thank Jesus for His once-for-all sacrifice and real access to the Father.
• Ask the Spirit to strengthen your group to resist drift and to serve the living God with a cleansed conscience.

Memory Verse

Hebrews 9:28 — “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time… to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.”

Full Transcript

Zane Risser: Well, hey, good morning. If we haven’t had the chance to meet, I’m Zane Risser. I have the privilege of serving here at Life Point as the youth director. If you are a student between sixth and twelfth grade, I’d love to help you get connected with our student ministry—or if you are the parent or grandparent of one of those students, we have youth group here at the church every Sunday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

And then one more announcement. If you like numbers and are interested, we have our 2026 proposed budget summaries out at the info center. They’re available for you; you can get one as you go if you would like.

Well, this morning we will continue in the letter to the Hebrews. And this letter was written because the church—get this—the church was tempted to turn back to their old ways. The church was tempted to turn back to their old ways. Because you see, the church at this time was made up of many Jewish Christians, right? Christians that were formerly Jews; they met Jesus. And so, because of persecution, these Jewish Christians were tempted to turn back. They were tempted to turn back to what they had always known, which is Judaism, because life would have been so much easier for these people. They could have just blended in. If they’re a Christian, they’re persecuted and people are wondering what they’re doing. But if they stay with Judaism, life is easier; they blend in.

And so this letter—it’s an encouraging letter. And I love that because I think it’s important to be encouraged. This letter is written to encourage believers to hold firmly to the faith and to not drift away. And so back then it was a good word for them, and I believe it’s also a great word for us this morning. For all you believers: hold firmly to the faith and don’t drift away.

So let me ask you: have you ever been tempted in your life to turn back? Let’s think. Have you been tempted? Maybe you want to be a better father, and so you’re doing what it takes to be a better father and you’re more present. Or a better mother, and you realize it would be a lot easier just to be the so-so father or the so-so mother. Or maybe you want to be a better husband or a better wife, and so you’re doing what that takes and you’re going out of your way to treat your spouse with love—and you realize it’d be easier just to go back to your old self and have it just be “okay.”

Or maybe at the beginning of the new year—I’m told that a lot of people go to the gym. I don’t know, because I’m not there, but I’m told a lot of people go to the gym, super excited: “I’m going to lose the weight, lose the dad bod, become this amazing figure.” And two weeks in, apparently it gets pretty lonely in there. Or as Pastor Adam said, you want to read your Bible, and you say you’re going to read your Bible in a year, and then—well—you get to Leviticus.

This can apply to anything in your life: have you been tempted to turn back? But let’s think spiritually—we’re in church. Have you been tempted, after Jesus has brought you from death to life, to turn back? Maybe long ago when you were young in your faith; maybe just a little while ago; maybe today you’re feeling a temptation to turn back to your old ways, to your old self. You’re tempted to settle for what is easy. It’s easier just to go with the flow. It’s not easy to be obedient. You’re tempted to do what’s safe. For the Jewish Christians, what’s “safe” wasn’t being a Christian. You’re tempted to do what’s comfortable—we love comfort. I was at the Penn State–Ohio State game last week, sitting on a cold bleacher, and on the jumbotron they showed two people in recliners. I love recliners. I’ve got three at home. They were watching the game in the stadium from a recliner. And I thought, “Man, that would be a lot nicer than this cold bleacher.” We love comfort. Are you tempted to turn back because of comfort?

Or maybe for many of us, we are tempted to go back to where we previously were because it’s familiar, right? Familiar doesn’t mean it’s good, and yet because we’ve been there so long, we think maybe that would be better. We get anxious when we do new things, go new places, meet new people. “This Christian idea is new to me; it’s not familiar.” Have you been tempted to turn back in your faith?

I can say for myself—whether my faith or really anything—I’ve been tempted to turn back: to what’s comfortable, what’s safe, what’s easy, what’s familiar.

Last summer we went on a family vacation to Colorado. I had never been out west, so I was amped. I grew up in mountains in Pennsylvania—in Appalachia—so I was used to a little incline pushing deer up and down the mountains, but I’d never seen these peaks out west. We get there, and how much bigger can these mountains be? Well, I was surprised. It’s June and the peaks still have snow. I wasn’t prepared for that.

All week I keep hearing about “14ers.” At first I didn’t care. Eventually I ask, “What’s a 14er?” The guy lights up: “You’ve never heard of a 14er? Mountains here that are at least 14,000 feet in elevation.” He’s acting like it’s the biggest deal on earth. As a Midwest boy, I still wasn’t impressed. He’s trying to sell it: “You have to prepare, train, control your breathing, special socks, layers.” I’m thinking, “These Walmart socks will do.”

That evening I tell Colton: “We’re gonna hike a 14er.” He’s always in for my schemes. We Google “14ers near us” and one catches our eye—Mount Democrat. “Tomorrow’s the morning. We’ll conquer Mount Democrat.” At dinner I announce it. My father-in-law doesn’t even look up—just disappointed. My wife: “Absolutely not.” My brother-in-law Nate: “I’m in.”

Alarm goes off early—too early. I roll over: “Babe, do you think we can? Is it a good idea?” She opens one eye: “You can’t do it. Bad idea. But I love you. Be safe.” It sounded a lot better last night.

We get to the trailhead. As we pull in, wipers turn on—it’s sprinkling, then raining, cold, beautiful peaks with snow. We’re not dressed for this. Walmart socks; I can already feel blisters. My brother-in-law has socks on his hands. “My hands are cold.” I say, “It’s not too late; we can turn back.” But we go. We even head the wrong way for a while, come back, start late. The higher we get, the hungrier and thirstier we get. I hate heights. Every time I look back: “Oh my word.” Then the trail crosses snow that’s turned to ice. Slip there and you’re sliding a long way—broken bones, rocks… “Guys, I’m married, I want children, I have a bright future—let’s turn around.” They don’t. I’m not going to be the coward alone, so I go across. First thought after crossing: “We have to cross it again later.”

Then we see some guys coming down—huge, Texas accents, look like they lift weights and drink protein for a living—but they look terrified. “Did you make it?” “No.” “Why?” “Snow covered the trail; had to go off-trail and climb almost straight up. We thought we were going to die.” And in that moment, all my “maybe we should turn back” turned into “we’re going back.”

This morning, we’re in Hebrews 9. Let’s pray. “Father in heaven, we give you thanks that we can gather in your house. You are a good and gracious Father. As we open your word, reveal to us what you want us to see. I pray for salvation today, and for believers who are tempted to turn back—by your Spirit, make us more like Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen.”

Hebrews 9:1–10. The first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. A tent was prepared: the first section—the holy place—with lampstand, table, bread of the presence. Behind the second curtain—the most holy place—with the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered in gold; inside were a golden urn holding the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; above it the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. The priests go regularly into the first section performing their duties; into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is standing—symbolic for the present age. According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper; they deal only with food, drink, and various washings—regulations for the body—imposed until the time of reformation.

The author paints this picture for Jewish Christians tempted to turn back. He’s saying: remember what you’re returning to—limited access to God, repeated rituals, and no true cleansing of the conscience. Going back might feel familiar, but it isn’t better.

Hebrews 9:11–14. “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.” If the blood of animals sanctified for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

This is the better reality: Jesus gives real access to God and real cleansing within. Not a yearly reminder of guilt, but a once-for-all sacrifice that purifies the inside.

Hebrews 9:15–22. Therefore Jesus is the Mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from transgressions committed under the first covenant. The first covenant was inaugurated with blood; without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Hebrews 9:23–28. Christ entered not into holy places made with hands—copies of the true things—but into heaven itself, to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. He didn’t offer Himself repeatedly; He appeared once for all 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.”

So the thing you’re tempted to return to—Jesus has fulfilled and replaced with something eternally better. Why go back to the copy when the reality has come? Why return to external rituals when Christ cleanses the conscience? Why choose limited access when the veil is torn and you can draw near anytime?

Are you living for what is temporary or eternal? Are your goals shaped by temporary wins, or by the promise that Christ will return for those who eagerly wait for Him?

On that mountain I thought, “If there were a promise at the top—some guaranteed reward—it would keep me going.” Hebrews gives you that promise: Jesus will appear again to save those who eagerly wait for Him. That’s your anchor when comfort calls you back. That’s your courage when obedience is costly.

So don’t turn back. Hold fast to the promise. Because of His death, burial, and resurrection—because of His blood shed for all who believe—you have true access, true cleansing, and a true hope that will not fade.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank you for your love and your mercy. I pray for everyone here today—you know where they’re at. For anyone tempted to turn back, help them hold fast to your promise that you will indeed return for them. I pray for professions of faith today, and thank you that by your Spirit you make us more like your Son, Jesus. Would we live for you today. In your name we pray. Amen.