Hebrews 12:18-29 January 15, 22, 2012 Hebrews Series #32

 We are challenged to NOT be flash-in-the-pan Christians, but to run the race with endurance looking at the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are to see suffering as a vital part of God’s discipline. It is necessary, so let us bear up under our Father’s discipline.  We are to help weak ones along in the race, crave peace and holiness, and be on guard against destructive bitterness in our church.

 …of the mountain peak that we are approaching.  We no longer camp under fearful Mt. Sinai with Moses.  But we are headed for awesome Mt. Zion because of Jesus’ blood.  Hear and heed the voice of God today.  Please listen and respond in obedience.

 Near the Terrors of Sinai? (vs ) (from Matthew Henry)  External dispensation  Dark dispensation  Dreadful dispensation  Limited dispensation- “stay away!”  Dangerous dispensation

 Might be touched- physical and material matters of the Mosaic System.  Burned with fire- sight and sound of flames  Blackness/darkness- from the smoke (Ex. 20:21)  Tempest- wind currents caused by mighty flames  Sound ( Ekos = ECHO) of trumpet- (Ex.19:19)  Voice of words- (Ex. 19:19)  They entreated or begged (Ex. 20:19)  They couldn’t endure - the commands or regulations around the mountain.  If a beast...- a gap is pictured here. No retrieving the animal- don’t touch it (stone or darts)  I exceedingly fear (one word “ ekphobos ”- I am scared out of my wits) and quake ( entromos - “tremor”) - Moses was affected by God’s character. (Deut. 9:19; Acts 7:32; Ex. 19:16)  ***Any relationship with God without Christ is terrifying!

 Or nearing the Glories of Zion? (vs )  Zion - One of the hills on which Jerusalem sits; the site of the fort David captured (II. Sam. 5:6-9)  Spoken of lovingly in the Psalms.  Used symbolically of the heavenly city, the city of the loving God. (11:10, 16)  The final grace and blessing of salvation, not in types and shadows, but reality.  “Are come”- Christians are said to have arrived here- even though our full enjoyment of it is yet future. (Rev. 21:2, 22, 23)  This city will be inhabited by  God, The Church, Redeemed Israel, All redeemed of other ages, Unfallen angels  Innumerable (“myriad”- thousands upon thousands) company (a festive gathering of angels)

 General assembly- (group or church) restating the church idea.  Church of the firstborn- we are firstborn ones- enjoying this right because of our union with the firstborn one. (Col. 1:15)  God, Judge of all- one and only!  Spirits- O.T. saints- not united with bodies yet.  Made perfect- what Christ’s sacrifice has done.  Jesus, the Mediator- a new Mediator, the middle man of the new relationship!  New in time instead of new in character- fresh and recent covenant  The blood (this blood pacifies God and purifies man) of the sprinkling- Jesus’ blood certifies the N.C.  Speaketh  Speaks to God on behalf of sinners “Mercy”.  Speaks to sinners in the name of God “Peace”, Pardon”) better…than…Abel’s (blood). Abel’s blood was crying for vengeance; Christ’s blood promised pardon and cleansing.

 Psalm 48:1,2  Psalm 125  Psalm 126  Joel 2:32

 The religions of this world are characterized by sight and touch. They are material, fearful, partial, incapable.  It is our tendency to emphasize the external, fearful, physical, the lawful - even in the church.  Some serve out of fear or restraint- not willingly and not through God’s grace.  That type of service or worship is worthless!  Come to God through Christ – escape the fear and dread of eternity, and cross the gap to God by His blood.  What a contrast! Better in every respect. We don’t realize what we have.

 (vs. 25) If you are an unbeliever  Have you never heard from the Lord?  Have you heard and rejected?  See that ye refuse not Him that speaks.  Listen up buddy! Obey the heavenly voice! (Acts 26:19)  (Vs. 26) Shook the earth  earthquake. (Ex. 19:18) Prophecy - (Haggai 2:6)*  NOT the political, religious shaking of Christ’s first coming,  BUT the great physical upheavals of “Christ’s 2 nd coming”  (Rev. 6:12-17; 8:12; 11:13; Rev. 21:1)  Yet once more- a final shaking.  Things that are shaken will be removed (1:10-12)  The material world and all of its things;  I John 2: World, lusts, and things;  Things that are not shaken will remain.  A kingdom which cannot be moved (see vs. 28a)  He that doeth the will of God abides forever.

 Matthew 7: ¶ " Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

 If you are a believer  We, receiving- present tense- in process! Not complete. We are heirs and citizens but inheritance and dwelling is not complete.  Let us have grace for service  7 + times used in Hebrews  With reverence (caution, discretion) and fear (awe; not phobos ) Healthy respect- “Wholesome regard for a holy God and His requirements.” from Wuest.  Why? God is a consuming fire- Same God!  The Old Testament God  Or the New Testament God?

 Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man  Hebrews 4:16 6 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 10:29 …and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

 Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;  Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

 Is this a warning only to unbelievers?  As I have believed all along- I don’t think so.  It is addressed to the group.  The group includes believers and unbelievers. All are challenged to continue.  Believers continue! (Jn. 1:12)  The others are not believers. (Mt. 7)  Isaiah saw … (Isa. 6)  The World will see … (Rev. 6:12-17)