An Unshakable Kingdom

Sermon Title: "An Unshakable Kingdom"

Hebrews 12:25–29 “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”

Introduction: "An Unshakable Kingdom"

Good morning, church. Today, we live in a world that feels increasingly unstable. Turn on the news, and you’ll hear about natural disasters, political turmoil, financial uncertainty, and personal crises that can shake even the most confident among us. Whether it’s an earthquake literally shaking the ground, a storm destroying a home, or the emotional shockwaves of loss and uncertainty, life has a way of revealing just how fragile and temporary things truly are.

But amid the chaos and uncertainty, there is a truth that gives us hope: God offers us an unshakable kingdom. This kingdom is not tied to the rise and fall of nations or the fleeting comforts of this world. It is eternal, steadfast, and grounded in the unchanging character of God Himself.

Hebrews 12:25–29 challenges us to think about what truly lasts. It calls us to listen to God's voice, to recognize His power and authority, and to build our lives on what is eternal. It reminds us that while everything around us may be shaken, God's kingdom cannot be moved.

Today, as we explore this passage, we will see the contrast between what is temporary and what is eternal. We'll ask ourselves: Are we listening to God’s voice? Are we standing firm in His unshakable kingdom? And are we serving Him with the reverence and awe He deserves?

I invite you to journey with me as we unpack these powerful truths, looking not just at the words of Hebrews 12 but at the reality of how these truths apply to our lives today. Together, we will examine how to live as citizens of this unshakable kingdom in a world that so often feels like it's crumbling beneath our feet.

Let’s dive into the Word and find the stability, grace, and hope we need to stand firm, no matter what comes our way.

Point 1: Listen to the Voice of God (v. 25)

Key Verse: “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh...”

Illustration: Imagine a GPS system guiding you through unfamiliar terrain. Ignoring its directions often leads to being lost or delayed. Similarly, refusing to listen to God's voice can leave us spiritually lost.

Real-life Example: A hiker who ignored weather warnings and ventured out into a storm only to face dire consequences. This mirrors the danger of ignoring God's warnings and guidance.

Proverbs 8:34 — "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."

Isaiah 55:3 — "Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you."

Hebrews 3:7-8 — "Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts."

Illustration: The story of Jonah demonstrates what happens when we refuse to listen to God's voice. Jonah initially fled, but his eventual obedience brought salvation to Nineveh.

Application: Are we attentive to God's voice in His Word, through prayer, and in life's circumstances? Turning away from His voice leads to spiritual peril.

Supporting Scripture:

John 10:27 — "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

Point 2: God Speaks from Heaven (v. 25b)

Key Verse: “Much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.”

Illustration: A courtroom scene where the judge speaks from an elevated bench, and everyone listens intently because of the judge's authority. God, speaking from heaven, carries infinitely greater authority, and His words demand our respect and obedience.

Real-life Example: During Apollo 8’s mission to the moon, the astronauts read Genesis 1 to the world from space, reminding us that God's voice is universal and reaches from heaven to earth.

Hebrews 1:1-2 — "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son."

Psalm 33:11 — "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

Matthew 28:18-20 — "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations."

Illustration: The Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-5) where God affirmed Jesus' identity: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

Application: God's Word is clear and authoritative. Ignoring Him has eternal consequences.

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 19:1 — "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."

Point 3: God’s Voice Shakes Earth and Heaven (v. 26)

Key Verse: “Whose voice then shook the earth...”

Illustration: Think of a powerful earthquake that leaves people humbled and in awe of nature’s might. God's voice, which shook Sinai and will shake both heaven and earth, demonstrates His power over all creation.

Real-life Example: The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 shook the surrounding region, reminding us how small and powerless we are before such forces, just as we are before God’s voice.

Exodus 19:18-19 — "And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke...and the whole mount quaked greatly."

Psalm 104:32 — "He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke."

Revelation 16:18 — "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake."

Illustration: At Mount Sinai (Exodus 19), God's voice caused the earth to quake, demonstrating His overwhelming power.

Application: God's power is not limited. He has the ability to move both physical and spiritual realms.

Supporting Scripture:

Haggai 2:6-7 — "Yet once more, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea, and the dry land."

Point 4: Shaking Reveals the Eternal (v. 27)

Key Verse: “That those things which cannot be shaken may remain.”

Illustration: Consider a snow globe. When shaken, the temporary snowflakes settle, but the solid structures inside remain unmoved. God’s shaking in our lives removes the temporary distractions, leaving what is eternal.

Real-life Example: After Hurricane Katrina, many realized that material possessions could be lost in an instant, but relationships, faith, and eternal values stood firm.

Matthew 7:24-25 — "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them...the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not."

2 Corinthians 4:18 — "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

1 Peter 1:7 — "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth...might be found unto praise and honour and glory."

Illustration: A refining process: Just as gold is purified through fire, God’s shaking removes the temporary, leaving only what is eternal.

Application: Evaluate your life—are you building on eternal truths or on fleeting worldly things?

Point 5: An Unshakable Kingdom (v. 28)

Key Verse: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved...”

Illustration: A lighthouse standing firm during a violent storm symbolizes God’s unshakable kingdom. No matter how the waves crash or the winds howl, the lighthouse remains a beacon of safety and guidance.

Real-life Example: During World War II, the underground church thrived in secret despite persecution, showing the unshakable nature of God's kingdom amidst the "storms" of history.

Daniel 2:44 — "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed."

Luke 1:33 — "And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

Revelation 11:15 — "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."

Illustration: A lighthouse standing firm during a storm symbolizes God's kingdom, which remains steady despite the chaos of the world.

Application: Rejoice and live confidently, knowing you are part of a kingdom that cannot be destroyed.

Point 6: Serving God with Reverence (v. 28b)

Key Verse: “Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

Illustration: Imagine an Olympic athlete dedicating years of discipline and training to compete, showing reverence for their sport. Similarly, serving God requires discipline, dedication, and a recognition of His greatness.

Real-life Example: Eric Liddell, a Christian athlete from Chariots of Fire, refused to run on Sunday because of his reverence for God. His faithfulness inspired millions.

Romans 12:1 — "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Psalm 2:11 — "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling."

Philippians 2:12 — "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Illustration: The reverence shown by the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with costly perfume (Luke 7:37-38).

Application: Serving God requires humility, gratitude, and a recognition of His holiness.

Point 7: Our God is a Consuming Fire (v. 29)

Key Verse: “For our God is a consuming fire.”

Illustration: A forest fire burns away dead and unhealthy trees, allowing new growth to emerge. God’s consuming fire refines and purifies, burning away sin and what is unholy.

Real-life Example: The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 devastated the city but also cleared the way for its transformation into a modern architectural marvel. Similarly, God’s refining fire transforms us into something greater.

Malachi 3:2-3 — "For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

Isaiah 33:14 — "The sinners in Zion are afraid...Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?"

1 Corinthians 3:13-15 — "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire."

Illustration: A forest fire consumes everything in its path, illustrating the purifying and refining nature of God's holiness and judgment.

Application: Acknowledge His holiness and live in awe, allowing His fire to purify and refine your life.

Supporting Scripture:

Deuteronomy 4:24 — "For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God."

Real-Life Conclusion & Closing Prayer

Conclusion: A Real-Life Story to Bring the Message Home A few years ago, a man named William was caught in the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti. In a matter of minutes, the world he knew crumbled around him—buildings collapsed, lives were lost, and everything seemed shaken beyond repair. But amidst the rubble, William clung to his faith in God. Though his home and material possessions were gone, his hope remained unshaken.

Later, William shared his story, saying, "The earthquake shook everything I had, but it couldn’t shake the foundation of my faith. God was my refuge, and I realized that the things I lost were temporary, but His kingdom is eternal."

This story reminds us of the central truth in Hebrews 12: God's kingdom is unshakable. When life’s storms rage and everything around us feels unstable, we can trust in the One who remains constant. His promises are sure, His kingdom is eternal, and His love for us never fails.

As we reflect on today’s message, let us ask ourselves: Are we clinging to what can be shaken, or are we standing firm in God’s unshakable kingdom? Let us choose to listen to His voice, serve Him with reverence and awe, and trust Him as our foundation.

Closing Prayer Let us bow our heads in prayer:

Heavenly Father, We come before You with gratitude for Your unshakable kingdom. In a world that often feels uncertain and chaotic, we thank You for being our solid rock and firm foundation. Help us to listen to Your voice, to trust in Your promises, and to serve You with reverence and awe.

Lord, we surrender the temporary things in our lives that distract us from You. Refine us with Your consuming fire, purify our hearts, and align our lives with Your eternal purposes. May we stand firm in Your grace, knowing that Your kingdom cannot be moved.

As we leave this place, let us carry Your peace and hope into the world. Strengthen us to face life’s challenges with confidence in You. May our lives reflect the glory of Your unshakable kingdom, drawing others to Your love and truth.

In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Final Encouragement: Go out this week knowing that no matter what you face, you are part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken, ruled by a God whose love for you is eternal. Stand firm, and live with hope and boldness!