Judgment Despite Our Motivation
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
“Pressed Out”, poem by Walter B Knight
Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length,
Pressed so intensely it seems beyond strength;
Pressed in the body and pressed in the soul,
Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll;
Pressure by foes, and pressure by friends,
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends,
Pressed into loving the staff and the rod;
Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings,
Pressed into faith for impossible things;
Pressed into living a life in the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured!
This poem provides a great introductory reminder of what is taking place in the lives of the readers of Hebrews.
The trials and persecution that they were experiencing were part of the discipline of the Lord to
bring them to Christlikeness (cf. Hebrews 12:7, it is for discipline you have to endure).
According to Hebrews 10:32, they were facing public affliction, imprisonment, and plundering of their property.
Since they were to endure these trials, the author instructs them to lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet (Hebrews 12:12-13).
Basically, don’t give up and stay focused!
The challenge is aptly put to us: even though you are exhausted and want to give up, don’t!
You may be mentally defeated, emotionally drained, and physically spent, but don’t give in.
Rather, continue to run with endurance.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who endured to the very end.
Though you are worn out, keep running in faith.
Strive for peace with all people.
Strive for the holiness that we are called to by our Savior.
Don’t let the lost person in the assembly be content without faith in Christ.
Don’t let a malcontent stay in the church.
Deal with sin, specifically. Don’t let it linger.
Sexual immorality was prevalent in the church at the very beginning, and still has a stronghold on God’s people today, especially through the medium of pornography.
The race we run has many obstacles, but we need to keep pushing forward.
The reason that we are to continue to strive for holiness and live in righteousness is because we have a different motivation than those who received the Old Covenant.
Read Hebrews 12:18-21
THE COVENANT OF SINAI HAD A MOTIVATION OF FEAR
THE COVENANT OF SINAI HAD A MOTIVATION OF FEAR
The mountain was so charged with the holiness of the God who manifested himself there, that for man or beast to touch it meant certain death.
Exodus 19:12, 18
Exodus 19:18 (ESV)
And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death…Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.
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
The covenant that was received there was a covenant of law…it was a covenant of judgment and of fear.
It said, “Do this, or do not do that, or you will be judged.”
In some cases it said, “Do not do this, or you will die.”
The motivation for obedience was fear.
Moses’ words, “I tremble with fear,” are not recorded in the Pentateuch.
The closest Old Testament parallel is in Deuteronomy, where Moses reminds the people of his supplication for them after the incident of the golden calf:
For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the Lord bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you. But the Lord listened to me that time also.
Another parallel appears in Stephen’s speech in Acts 7, where in face of the theophany at the burning bush he says “Moses trembled, and did not dare to look” (Acts 7:32).
Thus, this reference to Moses trembling could very well be from Jewish tradition.
But in either case, it rightly points to the fear factor that drove the people’s acceptance and obedience to the Law.
Christians have not come to a sacred mountain which can be touched physically, but to the heavenly dwelling-place of God.
Read Hebrews 12:22-24
THE COVENANT OF ZION HAS A MOTIVATION OF LOVE
THE COVENANT OF ZION HAS A MOTIVATION OF LOVE
Christians have not come to a sacred mountain which we must be afraid to touch, but to the heavenly dwelling-place of God.
We do not have, as Spurgeon puts it, “the impenetrable cloud of apprehension” resting over us.
Rather, we have access to God in a way that was not permitted before.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Sinai symbolizes law and Zion symbolizes grace.
No man can be saved by the law, but any man can be saved by grace.
The law confronts us with commandments, judgment, and condemnation.
Grace presents us with forgiveness, atonement, and salvation.
That salvation was accomplished through a tremendous act of love.
John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Salvation through the Son of God gives us the expectation of heaven, which is beautifully described in this passage:
Heavenly Jerusalem (with the heavenly temple)
Numerous angels in festal garb
Assembly of the firstborn (i.e. the Church)
God, the judge of all
Spirits of the righteous made perfect (most likely OT saints)
Jesus, the mediator
Blood of Jesus
The blood of Jesus is so precious, and rightfully a major presence in heaven.
Ephesians 1:7 - it is the means of our redemption
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Ephesians 2:13 - it is how we are brought near
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Colossians 1:19-20 - it is the source of peace made with God
Colossians 1:19–20 (ESV)
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
1 John 1:7 - it is what cleanses us from sin
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Revelation 1:5 - it is what frees us from sin
and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
All of this is because of God’s love for us, shown through the offering of Jesus on the cross on our behalf.
Because of this love toward us, we can rightly love toward God and others.
1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.
The proper motivation in the life of a Believer is not fear of judgment in disobeying God.
Rather, it is the love of God that has filled our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Consider what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:7-14
Knowing Jesus goes far beyond any perceived advantage this world can offer.
And His love for us is what fuels our love for God and others.
But that does not mean our wrong response to God’s love will go unpunished.
Read Hebrews 12:25-29
DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD REQUIRES JUDGMENT
DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD REQUIRES JUDGMENT
If men were held accountable for listening and obeying God when He warned them on earth, from Mount Sinai, how much more will they be held accountable now that He warns from heaven, from Mount Zion?
The unbelieving Israelites who did not heed the warnings of God on Mount Sinai, did not enter the earthly Promised Land.
Unbelievers today who do not heed the warning of God from Mount Zion, will not enter the heavenly promised land.
And no matter where God speaks from, any man who refuses Him will not escape judgment.
While the blessings of the New Covenant are far greater than the Old, so is the punishment.
Hebrews 10:28-29
From Mount Sinai, God merely shook the ground.
From Mount Zion, God will shake the heavens and earth.
And only the eternal things will last.
2 Peter 3:10-13
Revelation 6:12-14
While it can be a little scary to consider these facts, there is hope beyond the judgment of God.
Revelation 21:1-4
There will be a new heaven, new earth, and a new Jerusalem where we will dwell with God forever.
These truths have been made known to us, and we are responsible for what we do with what we have been given.
And it is not as simple as, “you have your truth and I have mine.”
Truth is truth, and anything else is a lie.
Read Hebrews 12:28-29, again.
CONCLUSION
For every man and woman, the choice is the same.
To try to approach God by our works, or what we believe is right, is to come to Sinai and to discover that our best effort falls short and cannot save us.
To trust in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ is to come to Zion, where our heavenly High Priest will mediate for us and bring us to the Father, and where we find reconciliation, peace, and eternal life.
An eternal kingdom that will not be shaken or consumed in judgment.
