Show Gratitude

Hebrews 12:28–29 ESV

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Opening Prayer

Start at the top of the chapter and work our way back here!

Show Gratitude for Our Cloud of Witnesses.

Hebrews 12:1 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Show Gratitude for a Father’s Discipline.

Hebrews 12:5 ESV

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

Show Gratitude by Striving to Obtain God’s Grace.

Hebrews 12:15–16 ESV

15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.

Esau was the 1st born and therefore was entitled to blessings from their father. (Isaac)

Esau enjoyed the benefits of being the first born

But did live in a way that recognized it’s value.

He wanted to enjoy his father’s blessings

but didn’t want to honor it!!!

The most important thing you can ever receive is God’s grace.

But God’s Grace is NOT a commodity!!!

The following verse really point that out to us.

The Author has laid out our reasons FOR the gratitude that owe toward God.

And now we come to this warning concerning our response (to such a cloud of witnesses)

We Show Gratitude by Accepting Jesus as Our Savior.

Hebrews 12:25 ESV

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

Hebrews 12:28–29 ESV

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

If the reasons listed above are not enough to persuade you ...

“… let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

“and let us offer to God and acceptable worship

with reverence and awe (key component!!!!!)

Why reverence and awe and not simply gratitude?

Because “God is a consuming fire”

When Jesus died on the cross

He paid a tremendous price for us.

We were given the opportunity to avoid God’s wrath.

It’s not that we are offered a future in God presence

We are offered and opportunity to avoid a future in God’s wrath.

Closing Prayer