HEBREWS 12:18-29

Hebrews 12: You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”

22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.

Theme of Hebrews: Press on toward spiritual maturity!

The Law is better: 1.Clear expectations 2.Established consequences 3.Less intrusive into daily life 4.Maintains order 5.Frees people to be as good or as bad as they like 6.Potentially rewards those who obey

Exodus Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

The Law is brings death: 1.People cannot keep the whole law 2.Threat of punishment does not work 3.Leads to false righteousness 4.Causes people to judge / condemn others 5.Controls every aspect of life 6.Kills hope, since all break the law (Romans 3:23)

Jesus brings life: 1.We have already come to Mt. Zion 2.Joyful party going on 3.You are a co-heir with Christ, as a firstborn child 4.Come without condemnation to God himself 5.Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant 6.Brings hope, because his blood cries for forgiveness

Consider Jesus: He is the mediator of a new and better covenant - Jesus is higher than prophets (CH 1) - Jesus is higher than Moses and the Law (CH 2) - These things are confirmed by God himself

Mark 9:2-8 2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

What will you choose: - Will you depend on following laws you cannot keep? - Will you hold others to standards you cannot meet? - Will you refuse to listen to Jesus, who offers forgiveness? OR - Will you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? - Will you trust him for forgiveness of sin? - Will you seek to follow God with all of your heart soul, mind, and strength? - Will you love others the way God loves you?

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