Showing posts with label Hebrews - God's Better Way. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hebrews - God's Better Way. Show all posts
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Parallels Between Moses and Jesus
The Serving and
Sharing website has moved! Please look for this article (and all other
articles) here: https://serving-and-sharing.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
13 Hebrews 13 – Finishing Strong
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Let’s continue the race motif from Heb 12 as we approach Heb 13. In order
to win the race and cross the finish line, you must:
13:1-3 Help Your Teammates
13:4-7 Watch Your Relationships
13:8-14 Cling to the Christ
13:15-19 Check Your Bearings
13:20-25 Maintain Your Equipment
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Help Your Teammates Heb
13:1-3
To Saints: LOVE –
Heb 13:1
Heb 6:10 Love shown already in serving the saints
1 Pet 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere
brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart … (Is this a
“lesser” form of love?)
1 Thess 4:9-10 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you,
for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that
indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we
urge you, brothers, to do this more and more …
Church = family. 1 Tim 5:1-2
To Strangers:
SERVICE – Heb 13:2
From “love of brothers” (philadelphia) to “love of strangers” (philoxenias).
Xenophobia: fear of strangers.
Why reach out to newcomers, guests, and people we do not know?
Heb 13:2 … entertained angels unawares … Gen 18:1-8
Lev 19:33-34 Treat the alien as the native, for …
Ps 23:5 Host (God Himself) sets a table for the weary …
Luke 10:33-35 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed …
Luke 14:12-14 When you give a dinner …
Matt 25:35 I was a stranger, and you welcomed me …
Service can turn strangers into friends … and saints.
To Sufferers:
SYMPATHY
Heb 10:33-34 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and
sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on
those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property,
since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
“… all the members suffer with it …”
1 Cor 12:26
Simply the Golden Rule. Matt 7:12
‘Since you are in the body’ = because you can identify with pain and
sorrow.
Like Jesus, we learn to sympathize only by entering into the struggles,
suffering, and temptation of others. Heb
4:14-16; 2:14-18
When we do so, we visit Jesus in prison. Matt 25:39-40
Watch Your Relationships Heb 13:4-7
Four Heart Keys to
Victory
1. MARRIAGE:
Commitment
We are to honor marriage, as created and defined by God.
So we value, respect, reinforce, and support His design.
Marriage is the first building block of society, predating the community,
the government, and even the church.
When marriage thrives, so does … (1 Tim 3)
Any attack on marriage is an attack on God, its author.
Honoring marriage means … Eph 5:22-33
Honoring and protecting its fruit: the unborn child.
Honoring marriage means first honoring my marriage.
1 Pet 3:7 “Grant [your wife] honor as a fellow heir …”
The “marriage bed” is God’s idea. Heb 13:4; Gen 2:24f
That makes it holy, sacred, and pure.
Not dirty, ugly, or “unspiritual.” 1 Cor 7
As we would not bring anything evil before God …
We will not bring anything immoral to the “marriage bed!”
Same-sex acts. (How could this be called “marriage?”)
Fornication: sex acts involving unmarried people.
Adultery, which dishonors at least one existing marriage.
Other perversions: incest, bestiality, pedophilia.
“God will judge the sexually immoral (pornos) and the
adulterous.” Heb 13:4; 1 Cor 6:9-11 … pornos?
Gk., porneia – sexual immorality
Sexual relations outside of God’s design.
“Whoever divorces and remarries except for porneia …” Matt 19:1-9
Gk., pornos – one who practices such. Heb 13:4
Gk., porne – a prostitute, one hired for such. 1 Cor 6:16
Eng., pornography – the depiction of such, designed to stimulate
desire and encourage such.
Pornography dishonors marriage – and destroys it.
2. MONEY:
Contentment
From our view of marriage … to that of money.
From our love for people … to our non-love for money.
Love the brethren (13:1). Love the stranger (13:2). Do not love
money (13:5)! Hmmm …
Do we love people and use things …
Or do we use people and love things?
Money: a fine servant, but a wicked master. Matt 6:19-24
Loving money: a root of all kinds of evils. 1 Tim 6:6-12
Greed: equivalent to idolatry. Col 3:5
Contentment: a learned state of mind in which there is nothing I lack,
nothing I have to have, in order to feel satisfied. A sense of completeness and
sufficiency.
2 Cor 12:7-10; Phil 4:11
3. The MASTER:
Confidence
I’m content with what I have, because I’m content with who
I have! And with what He has promised me!
From contentment to confidence!
Moses (at age 120) to Israel: Deut 31:1-8, esp. 31:6
God: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Ps 118:5-9, esp. 118:6
“The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Rom 8:31-39
4. MENTORS:
Concentration
First, “Remember your leaders, those who taught you.”
How did they influence? What did they teach? Study their character and
priorities. Record all you can.
Next, “Consider the outcome of their way of life.”
What is their “final destination?” What was their “way of life” that took
them there?
Want to go there, too? Then, “Imitate their faith.”
If you believe what they believed, and do what they did, you will arrive
where they have gone!
Ask to be mentored. Offer to mentor.
2 Tim 2:2
If we have the right
relationship to …
MARRIAGE: Commitment
MONEY: Contentment
The MASTER: Confidence
MENTORS: Concentration
By God’s grace we
will win this race!
Cling to the Christ Heb
13:8-14
Jesus Christ has
not, does not, and will not change!
Yesterday: Heb 5 - He suffered “in the days of his flesh …”
We must remember and reflect.
Today: Heb 7-9 - He reigns and ministers as high priest.
We must “hear his voice” and
obey.
Forever: Heb 10 - “In a little while he is coming.”
We must anticipate and
prepare.
So we must not get
“carried away!”
Warnings against “diverse and strange teachings.”
Predictions that Christians would fall away from the faith.
Acts 20:29-32; 1 Tim 4:1-5; 2 Pet 2:1-3; Jude 1:1-4; Rev 2:14-15, 20
In the NT period, emphasis on Jewish food laws.
Simon Peter’s triple vision of the sheet. Acts 10
It was hard to give up such deeply imbedded practices.
But food could not cleanse the conscience. Heb 9:9-10
It is grace, not food (restrictions), that truly nourishes.
Jesus: Man is defiled, not by what goes in (hands, food), but by what
comes out (of the heart). Mark 7:14-23
After the completion of the NT:
AD 150> Changes in church organization; “bishop” over other elders,
over the local church … “archbishops” …
AD 325> Council of Nicea, then other councils > “strange and
diverse teachings,” such as …
Holy water, sprinkling, for infants, celibacy, Purgatory, penance,
transubstantiation, indulgences, veneration of statues, prayers to Mary, candles
and bells and musical instruments, clerical clothing, confession to priests,
etc.
AD 606 Boniface III named as “Pope” (“Holy Father”)
AD 1870 Papal infallibility (“ex cathedra”)
AD 1950 Assumption (taking up) of Mary to heaven
We have a superior
altar.
In the OT, priests ate the meat sacrificed on the altar.
Lev 7:6-7; 1 Cor 10:18
But the tabernacle priests could not eat the sin offering from the Day of
Atonement. It was burned outside the camp. Lev 16:27
Like that goat, Jesus also had to suffer outside the gate.
So we must also go
outside the camp.
That’s where his blood was shed.
That’s where he sanctified us.
He was shamed and disgraced, led away to die.
We must bear his reproach with him.
Are we ashamed? We dare not be!
Are we trying to “fit in?” Or to “stand out?”
We have a lasting
city, but it’s not here.
If we go “outside the camp” to share Jesus’ reproach, what do we actually
lose?
Nothing! Because nothing we give up here will last.
“That man is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain
that which he cannot lose.” John Elliott
So we seek the city
that is to come.
Heb 11:8-10 Abraham was looking.
Heb 11:13-16 “All these” who died in faith were seeking.
Heb 12:22 The city of the living God, Mt. Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem.
Do you want to go?
Will you leave the camp, meet Jesus outside the gate, and bear the
reproach he endured?
Luke 9:23-26
Yesterday, today,
and forever.
Yesterday: Jesus suffered outside
the gate.
Today: We go to him there and
bear his reproach.
Forever: We seek the city that
is to come.
Check Your Bearings Heb
13:15-19
Because of Jesus’ …
Past Cross – Heb 13:12
Present Call – Heb 13:13
Future City – Heb 13:14
“Therefore, let us!”
NORTH (Upward):
Praise and Confession
Our “sacrifice:” joyful, continual, thankful worship!
Declaring the power, majesty, glory, and grace of God!
Through Him (emphatic), Jesus as High Priest.
Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. 1 Thess 5:16-18
That’s the “true north” aim that directs ALL of life.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him …” Prov 3:5-6
Every problem we face – every problem – is the result of moving
the compass, even slightly.
The fruit of lips (Hos 14:2) – We cannot help speaking, sharing, and
singing. Acts 4:20; 2 Cor 4:13-14
“The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” Matt 12:34
EAST (Outward):
Doing Good and Sharing
These two are twins, born of the same spirit. “Sacrifices.”
Jesus “went about doing good.” Acts 10:38
“God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor 9:7
Paradox: givers get more pleasure than takers or keepers.
Sharing = “What’s mine is ours. You may use it freely. ”
Koinonia = partnership, fellowship, having in common.
Relieves stress. Brings joy, peace, and contentment …
For both of us!
More than that –
I am offering God a well-pleasing sacrifice.
Phil 4:17-18
When I am pointed upward, I will share outward.
SOUTH (Under):
Obedience and Submission
Not a suggestion, but a commandment. Reason given:
Only then can leaders watch over and give account.
That’s why you “associate” with a home cong’n. Acts 9:26
Leadership: church parallels family. 1 Tim 3:4, 5, 12
Same issues. Trust. Respect. Communication. Support.
Young people, we feel VERY responsible to God for you.
We are imperfect, yet entrusted with … accountable for …
Secret tip: you can have a much happier family, just by making your
parents’ job more pleasant!
Another secret tip: you can get better parents, just by encouraging and
helping the ones you now have!
Apply these principles to the church.
Let’s all improve, together, starting with me!
1 Pet 5:1-5 Elders, then younger ones, then all.
WEST (Beside):
Prayer and Fellowship
An inspired leader’s request: “Pray for us.” Perhaps Paul?
Col 4:2-4; 2 Thess 3:1-2; Rom 15:30-33
We are sure that our
conscience is clear …
because we wish to act
honorably in all things.
But I miss you and want to
see you! (“We” = “I.”)
So I urge you more
excessively to pray!
“Be restored” suggests he had been in their midst before.
Was he in prison, maybe with Timothy? Heb 13:23
Whatever his situation, think about yours.
If you were forced to be away from God’s people for any length of time …
And then you were able to come back …
Check Your Bearings!
NORTH (Upward):
Praise and Confession
EAST (Outward):
Doing Good and Sharing
SOUTH (Under):
Obedience and Submission
WEST (Beside):
Prayer and Fellowship
And Run to Win!
Maintain Your Equipment Heb 13:20-25
1. Prayer: May God
Equip You – 13:20-21
“Know God, know peace. No God, no peace.”
Proof: resurrection – If God did that, he can do this.
Matt 16:5-12; Rom 8:32; Eph 1:15-23
Power: blood – “May he … by the blood … equip you.”
Jesus as “mega” shepherd – for his own. John 10; 1 Pet 5
Nurturing. Caring. Leading. Defending.
Katartizo (< “artisan”): equip, mend nets (Matt 4:21),
restore (Gal 6:1; 1 Pet 5:10), complete (1 Thess 3:10).
Equip with what? Equip for what? 2 Tim 3:16-17
Threefold result:
He works in us. Phil
2:12-13
We do what pleases him. Col
1:10
He receives the glory. 1
Cor 10:31
Leaders equip saints for ministry. Eph 4:11-16
2. Exhortation: May
You Heed the Word – 13:22
The entire book of Hebrews: a “word of exhortation.”
Hang in there! Pay closer attention! Don’t be deceived by sin! Encourage
one another as the Day approaches! Prepare to enter the “promised land!”
Approach the throne with confidence! Go from milk to meat! Become teachers!
Don’t fall away! Don’t forsake the assembly! Imitate the heroes of faith! Run
the race with endurance! Learn from God’s discipline!
Now he exhorts us to “bear with” that exhortation.
And he says, “I have written to you briefly.”
Question: What will we do with all this exhortation?
3. Reminder: May You
Greet the Saints – 13:23-24
When war veterans come home: honor, thanks, parade!
Wounded. Weary. Shell-shocked. Victims of PTSD.
Timothy released (from prison). Heb 10:32-34; 13:3
What a reunion! What a celebration!
The author (Paul?) calls Timothy “our brother.”
Remember the author’s prayer. Heb 13:19
Common to close a letter by sending greetings.
From the author to all the leaders and saints.
From the Italians who are now with the author.
(Maybe to Jewish Christians, persecuted in Rome.)
4. Closing: May
God’s Grace be With You – 13:25
Not “the Force!” Not “the odds!” Not “good luck!”
God’s grace purchases and offers the prize.
God’s grace energizes and enables the runner.
God’s grace lifts and restores the fallen.
God’s grace calls and invites the lost.
Let’s run to win!
Friday, November 16, 2018
12 Hebrews 12 – Running to Win
There are no more thrilling, motivating, energizing words in the entire
Bible than these: “Therefore let us run!” The fact is that God has something
better in store for us than anything the OT heroes ever experienced. If they walked by faith, how much more should we
rush by faith to reach the finish
line at heaven’s gate!
------------
These are lesson
notes, not written in a polished or finished manuscript form.
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all posts on this blog:
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For the other
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Determine to Finish Heb
12:1-3
“Race” renders the Greek word for conflict or contest: agon, from which we get the word “agony.”
To compete or struggle renders the Greek word, agonizomai, from which we get the word “agonize.” In
2 Tim 4:7-8 Paul writes, “I have fought (agonizomai)
the good fight (agon).”
The Christian Life
as a Race
Acts 20:24 – Finish my course.
Phil 3:10-14 – Press on … goal.
Gal 2:2 – Not having run in vain.
Gal 5:7 – Running well … hindered.
1 Cor 9:24-27 – Not without aim.
To be victorious in this heavenly marathon, we must keep in mind three “W’s.”
The Witnesses Who
Surround Us – The Race Can Be Won!
“Cloud” (Grk., nephos) = a
great mass of cloud covering the entire visible sky.
Witness = one who testifies to what he has seen; Grk. martyr. Term “martyr” came to be used of one who testified
even by (to the point of) death.
All the OT heroes in Heb 11 demonstrate that those who live by faith will
prevail.
Heb 11:13 “These all died in faith …”
Heb 11:32-38 “… chains, imprisonment … stoned, sawn in two, put to death
with the sword …”
2 Kgs 6:15-17 “Those who are with us are more than those who are with
them … Lord, open his eyes …”
Rev 6:9 “… I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain …”
Rev 7:9-10 “A multitude that no one could number …”
Acts 7:59-60 “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit …”
Who are the more recent witnesses in your own cloud?
Picture: we are in the arena, engaged in the battle of (for) our
lives. The encircling tiers above us are
full of previous contestants who have won.
In effect, they are shouting: “You can do it! We did!”
As we sweat, strain, and stretch, their voices ring in our ears.
The
Weights That Can Subdue Us – The Race Can Be Lost!
Why do athletes wear the very lightest clothes? Why do racing cars not
have back seats? What would you take, or not take, if you were climbing Mount
Everest? Why? If running is easier
without taking heavy luggage, why do we insist on carrying it?
“It’s not how heavy the object, but how long you hold it.”
A “weight” may not be evil, just cumbersome. If you’re carrying something
that slows you or wearies you, that does not benefit you or others in the race,
cut it loose! “Let it go!”
“Weighed down” or “burdened” with sins – 2 Tim 3:6
“Besetting” – attacking from all sides; harassing; persistently
troubling; hemming in; like a ring of wild beasts encircling the camp at night,
ready to pounce (Robertson)
1 Jn 2:16 – 1. lust of the flesh 2. lust of the eyes 3. pride of life
“But when [Simon Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink …”
Matt 14:30
Fact: either we will dispense with sin, or sin will dispense with
us. 1 Cor 9:24-27
Fact: spectators, squatters, and sideliners are not “in the running.”
Fact: one who runs with the world cannot be crowned with the saints.
Matt 13:21-22 – Jesus spoke of these obstacles as thorns that can choke
and kill us: 1. affliction 2. persecution 3. the worry of the world 4. the
deceitfulness of riches.
What ball and chain are you carrying today? What sin is most likely to sink you?
The
Winner Who Sustains Us – The Key is Focus!
“Fixing our eyes” implies, not just looking at, but looking to. Big difference!
Why Jesus? Because he is the founder and perfecter of faith.
Henry Ford: “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take
your eyes off your goal.”
Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is our Standard. Jesus is our Source.
Jesus endured the pain because He envisioned the prize. So can and must
we.
July 4, 1952. Florence Chadwick swimming the English Channel.
“Despise:” to disregard, discount, devalue.
What was the joy set before Him?
“Despising” does not mean hating or loathing (trying to avoid), but
disregarding.
What will you “despise” for the sake of finishing this race?
What have you suffered, what would you suffer, in light of the cross?
Considering His suffering puts everything in perspective … keeps me from
fainting or quitting … and quickens my pace!
Guarantee: one who concentrates on Jesus will not ultimately grow weary,
faint, or quit running.
With all these faith heroes as witnesses around us, and with Jesus as our
forerunner ahead of us, we are ready to run the race that is set before us!
Gain from the Pain Heb
12:4-13
Resist! Heb 12:4
Keys to running to win: determination, coaching, confidence, training,
practice, weight loss, stamina … and the will to resist.
To resist: to set oneself / stand against, contend with, oppose.
Wind. Heat or cold. Gravity. Distance. Fatigue. Pain. Age. Slope.
External / internal conditions. Memories of past failures.
The harder and faster you run, the more there is to resist.
The more you have to resist, the harder it is to run … but the healthier,
more muscular, and more resistant you become.
“When the going gets tough …”
To avoid resistance, runners slow down, quit, and “spectate.”
They become lethargic on the sidelines. Their fire dies.
To avoid the pain they forfeit the victory. The less they do …
Jesus’ resistance required His blood.
Now, what did you say was too much for you?
Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand (resist) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you.
1 Pet 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith,
knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your
brotherhood throughout the world.
How is your resistance? Against what tactics?
To resist we
must strive … against sin. Heb 12:4
From the Greek word for “strive” – “agonize” and “antagonize.”
The “race” (agon) (Heb 12:1) is also a conflict, a
fight-to-the-finish contest between two “antagonists” who “agonize” against
each other. Only one will win.
(God to Cain) Gen 4:6-7 “Why are you angry? And why has your
countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not
do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must
rule over it.”
(Jesus) Lk 13:22-24 “Strive to enter by the narrow door …”
Rom 7:23 “Waging war … making me a prisoner …”
Gal 5:17 “The flesh … the Spirit … opposition …”
Jas 4:1 “… your passions are at war within you …”
J.B. Coats wrote: “Striving alone to face temptations sore, where could I
go but to the Lord?”
Remember! Heb 12:5-9
When you resist and strive, you will feel the burn.
You’re out of breath. It’s steep ahead. Your knees are weak.
How could your coach allow such conditions?
How could he expect you to keep going? It hurts!
Key: your coach loves you as a father loves his son.
Discipline, not permissiveness, is the proof of a father’s love.
Earthly fathers reflect the heavenly Father. Dads, discipline!
TV show (1954-1960): “Father Knows Best.” God does.
He will “whip you into shape” so you can go the distance.
“Not pleasant at the moment, but painful.”
The pain leads to the gain.
“For our good … that we may share His holiness.”
Run After; Run From Heb
12:14-17
In the Windshield – If we take our eyes off these …
Peace
Rom 12:18; 14:13-21
Holiness
Initial (at baptism; Rom 6:2-11); continuing (Rom 6:12-23)
2 Cor 7:1
Grace
1 Cor 15:10
How might we “come short?”
2 Cor 6:1-10
In the Rear-View Mirror – We will head instead toward these
…
Bitter Roots
Deut 29:18 … lest there shall be
among you a root bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood.
Immorality
1 Thess 4:3 For this is the will
of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.
Godlessness
“Godless” (bebelos): Common, profane, unholy, unsanctified
Denying God by disbelief or by disobedience.
Tit 1:16 … by their deeds they
deny Him …
In the End – And we will wind up where Esau did.
Without the
Birthright
Gen 25:21-34
“Let’s Make a Deal”
Without the Blessing
Gen 27:30–40
Why did he do it? Why might we?
Esau chose instant gratification over long-term reward.
Esau satisfied personal needs apart from the Father’s will.
Esau ignored the permanence and final regret of his choice.
Result: He found “no place for repentance.”
Never Look Back Heb
12:18-29
A ten-year-old boy, with his father and two brothers at Mt. Rainier.
Would he try to reach base camp with them, or wait in the comfortable visitors’
center? He wrote years later: “I went on the trip, but I missed the
adventure.” Gary Haugen, Just Courage, 2008
Heb 12 – from running … to fighting … to climbing.
Physical items in OT were mere copies of real things. Heb 8:5
Gist of Heb 12:18-29:
“Mt. Sinai was awesome, but Mt. Zion … WOW!”
“Having come to Zion, why would you ever look back?”
Here is another “how much more” argument, like …
Heb 2:1-4 Heb
10:26-31
We will never look
back if we see clearly …
1. A Greater
Mountain – 12:18-22a
Ex 19:12-25; 20:18-21
Forty years later Moses remembered and reminded Israel.
Deut 4:11-12; 5:22-17; 9:19; 18:16
“But you have come to Mt. Zion …” Zion: Jebusite fortress on SE hill of
Jerusalem > “City of David” > temple area > Jerusalem > Judah >
all Israel > city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem.
Gal 4:26 “Jerusalem above.”
Rev 14:1-5 Lamb on Mt. Zion.
We will never look
back if we see clearly …
2. A Greater
Assembly – 12:22b-23
“Who else is going to be there?”
“Myriads” (ten thousands) of angels. Deut 33:2; Heb 1:6
Festal gathering – festive occasion, feasting, celebration
Assembly (ekklesia) of the firstborn ones plural …
Enrolled – Book of Life. Phil 4:3; Rev 20:12-15
God as Judge of all – heed the warnings and prepare!
Spirits of the righteous, perfected – witnesses of Heb 11
What a congregation! And we have (already) come into it!
We will never look
back if we see clearly …
3. A Greater
Salvation – 12:24
Because Jesus is our mediator.
Because His new covenant is superior. Heb 8:6-13
Because His “sprinkled blood” speaks better than Abel’s.
Heb 9:18-20 Blood sprinkled to begin old covenant.
Gen 4:10 Abel’s blood cried for justice for the sinner.
Jesus’ blood cries for grace for the sinner.
We will never look
back if we see clearly …
4. A Greater Danger
– 12:25-27
It is still possible to “refuse Him who is speaking!”
Then the warning came on earth. Disobedience
>> death.
Now the warning comes from heaven. Stakes much
“higher.”
Then His voice shook the earth.
Next He will shake both heaven and earth. Hag 2:6
Removal of things that have been made – the created order.
Survival of things that cannot be shaken – the heavenly
order.
We will never look
back if we see clearly …
5. A Greater Kingdom
– 12:28-29
Kingdom: God’s invincible rule in people’s hearts. Dan 2:44
Kingdom: Jesus’ promise. Matt 4:17
Kingdom: not of this world. John 18:36
Kingdom: what the thief anticipated. Luke 23:42
Kingdom: the realm in which we live. Col 1:13
Therefore …
Gratitude!
Worship!
Reverence and awe!
“for our God is a
consuming fire.” Heb 12:29
Deut 4:23-24 re: idolatry.
Heb 12:18 noted the “blazing fire” at Mt. Sinai.
OT describes Sinai as if it were an erupting volcano.
Ex 19:18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had
descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln …
Ex 24:17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring
fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
Deut 4:11 And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while
the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven …
In the fire of God’s
glory, power, and judgment …
What must you do?
What will you do?
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