Preparing to Live in God’s Presence Nothing Better Lesson 30: Preparing to Live in God’s Presence

INTRODUCTION: As we learned last week, Hebrews 12 begins by comparing the Christian life to a long distance race. The preacher has emphasized that in order to live the Christian life we need to accept God’s Fatherly discipline in our lives (vs. 1-11). In today’s passage, the Christian life will be compared to a difficult journey and he asks us to do something along the way (vs. 12-17).

Hebrews 12:12-15 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 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 12:16-17 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

INTRODUCTION: We need one another’s encouragement, sympathy, example, understanding, and care.

BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE CHALLENGES ON YOUR JOURNEY (Heb. 12:12-13) 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE CHALLENGES ON YOUR JOURNEY (Heb. 12:12-13) The day is coming in your Christian life when you are going to be winded, when you are going to be tired, when you think that you can’t take another step forward.

BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE CHALLENGES ON YOUR JOURNEY (Heb. 12:12-13) Be prepared to fight through the discouragement.

BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE CHALLENGES ON YOUR JOURNEY (Heb. 12:12-13) There is also an exhortation to the whole congregation to encourage one another.

BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE CHALLENGES ON YOUR JOURNEY (Heb. 12:12-13) One of the great ways we can encourage one another in the Christian life is to keep on believing, keep on trusting, and keep on going when we hit the hard places.

BE AT PEACE WITH THOSE AROUND YOU & PURSUE HOLINESS (Heb. 12:14) 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: To do this we must deliberately exert ourselves.

BE AT PEACE WITH THOSE AROUND YOU & PURSUE HOLINESS (Heb. 12:14) If you want to live the Christian life, not only do you have to be prepared for discouragements along the way; you also must put forth the effort to live at peace with everyone; and you must be fighting sin, pursuing holiness, and growing in grace.

BE YOUR BROTHER’S KEEPER (Heb. 12:15-17) 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; 16 lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

BE YOUR BROTHER’S KEEPER (Heb. 12:15-17) The preacher emphasizes three things we are to do for one another: Long for one another’s appropriation of grace.

BE YOUR BROTHER’S KEEPER (Heb. 12:15-17) The preacher emphasizes three things we are to do for one another: Long for one another’s appropriation of grace. Be on guard against bitterness.

BE YOUR BROTHER’S KEEPER (Heb. 12:15-17) Long for one another’s appropriation of grace. Be on guard against bitterness. Exhort one another to flee from immorality.

BE YOUR BROTHER’S KEEPER (Heb. 12:15-17) Long for one another’s appropriation of grace. Be on guard against bitterness. Exhort one another to flee from immorality. All of this is a warning to us that the Christian life is to be lived with a repentant heart.