4 Charateristics of Renewal

Hebrews 12:28 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,

4 Characteristics of Renewal

Gratitude

Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,...

Our focal verse begins with the Greek conjunction “διὸ” or in English the word “Therefore”.

Simply put the word is letting us know that what we are about to read connects back to the previous three verses.

The context here is the inheritance or receiving of an “unshakable kingdom.”

So as we re-read the first portion of verse 28 we see this idea communicated.

The verse clearly communicates the purpose for which the reader should have gratefulness: since we are receiving a kingdom not able to be shaken, faltered or ended.

See the contrast here between what you and I can look at around us in this fallen world of creation and the promise of what is yet to come and is already here.

Let’s talk first about this verse as one of those “Now & Later” verses:

There is something for us right now in God’s promise & there is something, for those of us who believe, in the future.

Romans 8:31–39 ESV

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here is this promise in the unshakeable-ness of this relationship and kingdom of God.

God is for us who can be against

He gave Jesus…look at the grace who bestows

No-one has charge because He as already settled it

No-one condemns He paid the debts.

No-one can separate us from his love for all but He Himself is created and He will not separate us from Himself.

So we have received here and now: John10:10

John 10:10 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

But all the more in eternity:

Daniel 2:44 ESV

44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

2 Peter 3:10 ESV

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Revelation 21:1–2 ESV

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

See there is this here and now blessing in this unshakable kingdom relationship, but there is also the one is gone to prepare.

So the first characteristic of Renewal the gratitude of a grateful heart for what we have received and are receiving.

Gratitude because we see the fallen world, the brokenness of creation, death, disease, burdens, struggles, addictions, famine, poverty, perverseness, and the even worse things in our minds.

But God’s Word says, we are “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.”

The word translated grateful is χάριν (charin from charis) meaning grace.

The gratitude is a recognition of what is to be received set in contrast to what we deserve.

Characteristic 1 of Renewal is Gratitude.

Characteristic 2:

Worship/Service

Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)

28 Therefore... and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship,...

Paul tells us, over in the letter to the Romans, Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

The gratefulness is fleshed out in service/worship to the Lord.

Renewal has as an essential aspect “spiritual worship.”

So acceptable worship is the literal surrender of self…& taking on the yoke of Christ for the Glory of God which are well pleasing to God.

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Reverence

Hebrews 12:28 (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,

This word reverence can also be translated to mean discretion/caution.

So we have the characteristic of coming before the Lord with a desire to approach without offense.

But this word also means to approach with deep respect.

So in our respect for the Lord or utter worship of the Lord we approach Him with a desire to worship respectfully or in correct aspect with the honor/glory deserved by the object of our worship.

Psalm 46:10 ESV

10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Awe

Hebrews 12:28 (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,

Awe in worship is having a right understanding of who God is:

Deuteronomy 33:26 ESV

26 “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty.

Reverence and Awe seem similar as they each seek to have the right heart and attitude towards King Jesus, but Awe seems to point to the idea of approaching the Lord in abandonment. Because we not only see Him as the object of our affection, but as the Holy One we are responding in grateful worship towards.

Walking Away, But In...

Be Grateful

Be Faithful

Be Respectfully Unbridled