Lesson 31: Motivated by Mount Zion Nothing Better Lesson 31: Motivated by Mount Zion

INTRODUCTION: Motivation One: What God has given us (vs. 18-24). Motivation Two: What is at stake (vs. 25-27). Motivation Three: Who God is (vs. 28-29).

Hebrews 12:18-21 18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (for they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

Hebrews 12:22-24 22 But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Hebrews 12:25-27 25 See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven: 26 whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Hebrews 12:28-29 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: 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

What Drives Us to Press On? What has pulled you through and kept you going through the hard spots and difficult situations in your life? The sense of God’s Fatherly providence and protection. The sense of how much God has given you in His grace, especially in forgiveness.

Motivation One: What God has given us (Heb. 12:18-24) 18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (for they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

Motivation One: What God has given us (Heb. 12:18-24) The Terrors of Mount Sinai

Motivation One: What God has given us (Heb. 12:18-24) The Terrors of Mount Sinai

Motivation One: What God has given us (Heb. 12:18-24) The Blessings of Mount Zion 22 But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

The Blessings of Mount Zion God has brought us to Mt. Zion, “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.”

The Blessings of Mount Zion God has brought us to an “innumerable company of angels.”

The Blessings of Mount Zion God has brought us to “the assembly of the firstborn.”

The Blessings of Mount Zion God has brought us to “a judge who is God of all.”

The Blessings of Mount Zion God has brought us to “the spirits of just men made perfect.”

The Blessings of Mount Zion God has brought us to “to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant.”

The Blessings of Mount Zion God has brought us to “the sprinkled blood.”

Motivation One: What God has given us (Heb. 12:18-24) We ought to live the Christian life with passion, hope, and endurance because of all God is doing to bring us into the culminating experience of His grace and glory.

Motivation Two: What’s at stake (Heb. 12:25-27) 25 See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven: 26 whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Motivation Two: What’s at stake (Heb. 12:25-27) Life is short; the consequences are huge; and eternity lasts forever.

Motivation Three: Who God Is (Heb. 12:28-29) 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: 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Motivation Three: Who God Is (Heb. 12:28-29) The fact that our God is a consuming fire should motivate us toward two things: (1) gratitude; and (2) the fear of the Lord.

Motivation Three: Who God Is (Heb. 12:28-29) The person who realizes that God is a consuming fire who has shown us grace in Jesus Christ, will look at God with a childlike love and respect the way a child looks at a father who they adore and respect.

Conclusion: Live your life with a passion for God, a hope based on His promises, and endurance for the long-haul; because our God is not only a consuming fire, He is good beyond our wildest dreams and He is at work.