Sermon Notes for Sunday May 6

Living in the Reality of a

Word That Cannot Be Ignored and a Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

Hebrews 12: 25-29

            Kent Hughes says: “today’s church has shamefully trivialized worship, turning it into a self-assured farce.  God’s divine intention in creating Sinai is obvious because “a picture is worth a thousand words.”  Flaming Mount Sinai shows us God.”

           The other mountain of Hebrews 12, Mount Zion, also shows us God.  Here we see the joyful heavenly assembly that is the sure destination for those who finish the race of faith.   Here the message is not “stay away”, but “draw near”,  “come in!”  Come home with all the saints and celebrate together the great grace that has reconciled us to God.

        The writer of Hebrews understands our hearts.   He knows that as we run the race of faith we need to keep both mountains in view, the approachable Zion with its consuming love, and the unapproachable Sinai, with its consuming fire.  We need to be reminded we serve God who is a Holy consuming fire. He still speaks and His Word cannot be ignored without grave consequences.  To finish the race we must run with these truths guiding us.  Forgetting these truths means life is out of focus and in need of correction. That is what Hebrews 12: 25-29 does in the lives of God’s people.

This Text Confirms Truths About God:

He is Relational:  He speaks to us and expects obedience

           

He is Intentional: He is moving history toward final conclusion

           

He is Holy: a holy fire consuming his enemies and refining His people. 

This Text Confirms Truths About Us:

We need reminders – because we’re  prone to wander, grow dull & disobey

We need discipline – by it God loves and warns us

This Text Confirms Truths About This World:

It is temporary and scheduled for violent removal

What we build and invest here is temporary

What remains here is the unshakable kingdom God Builds here  

This Text Is Clear About How We Should Respond

Listen & Obey – it's a matter of life & death. 

Be thankful for grace – by it we have a certain unshakable future

Be aware of the heat of His holiness and live  accordingly