Hebrews 12:14-29

Greeting

Good morning, church! It’s wonderful as always to see all your smiling faces this morning, and even more exciting to have the opportunity to step into the pulpit this morning.

We will be continuing our series through Hebrews this morning and will be wrapping up chapter 12. If you do not have a Bible, there are plenty in the pew backs, feel free to grab one of those, and if you need one, please feel free to hang on to it. We will be resuming chapter 12 this morning starting in verse 14. Please take a moment to flip over to it and we’ll read that in just a moment.

I remember many, many years ago, my great-grandmother, nana, as we called her, told me one afternoon “I would be so proud of you if you became a pastor one day.” She did of course go on to clarify that she would be proud of me no matter what. But that she would just be so happy if I was a pastor. And as a 10 year old boy, I just sort of gave her the courteous “yeah, that’d be something” but I was confident, in my own mind, that would never happen. And as I grew older, the sentiment never really changed, I just became more articulate in how I voiced it. I always loved serving in the church, but I would always say “I don’t like speaking in front of people. And unless the Lord specifically calls me to it, I’ll never be a pastor.”

Well. He certainly works in mysterious ways.

For whatever reason, the Lord saw fit to call me to this position, and although I still don’t think I’ll ever find myself among the likes of Spurgeon or Graham or Piper or countless others, what I have found in common with these brothers is a passion for the preaching of God’s Word and for each of you that I have this blessed opportunity to share with. So thank you all for being a part of this church body, and for being such a blessing and encouragement to us.

None of that really has anything to do with our message today, that was just for free.

But by now, you should have had time to find our passage. Again we are in Hebrews 12, starting in verse 14. Please follow along as I read.

Scripture

Hebrews 12:14–29 CSB

14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. 15 Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many. 16 And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. 17 For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance. 18 For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. 21 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear. 22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel. 25 See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven. 26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Prayer

Let’s pray

Lord I ask this morning that You would speak to Your people, through Your Word, by Your spirit, and for Your glory. And its in Christs’ name I pray. Amen.

Intro

Although our passage this morning starts in verse 14, and for many of you, your Bible may also divide the text up in such a way that verse 14 starts under a new section heading, but in order to adequately understand our passage this morning, we need to take a couple steps back into last week’s text before we walk into today’s text.

Now, recall that the latter half of last weeks passage talked about the Lord’s discipline in our lives. And let’s look at the end of this passage, starting in verse 11.

Hebrews 12:11 CSB

No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

If you’ll recall, just a couple verses previously, the author compared this discipline to the discipline of our Earthly fathers.

Show of hands, who liked getting swats as a kid? Or timeouts, or whatever your punishment may have been. None of us, right? By design, discipline is uncomfortable. It makes us reconsider the next time we’re about to do something thats going to get us in trouble.

And just as getting a swat made you reconsider mouthing off to mom, the conviction of the Lord by the Holy Spirit make us reconsider our actions - make us more Christlike. Train us, as the author says. And through that sanctification, we find the “peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

I don't know if you’ve noticed it or not, but the author of Hebrews writes with a rhythm that I find rather interesting which we see exhibited especially well in this text. Quite often, the author flips back and forth between encouragement and exhortation. And thats what we see here as we move on to verse 12 carrying into our passage for this morning.

Hebrews 12:12–13 CSB

Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.

So in light of the encouragement which the author has just given us regarding the discipline of the Lord, he gives us another “therefore” statement. So once again, launching us like a rocket from a platform of encouragement, into the next exhortation. And we’ll see this happen again within our specific text for this morning.

Now as we transition into our text for today, if you take away nothing else this morning, remember this;

Main Idea

The Christian life is one marked by faithful obedience to Christ.

So as we walk now into verse 14, keep in mind that we’re still squarely in the midst of the same discourse from last week. But whereas last week our text more so emphasized the “why” of the Christian walk, our text this morning emphasizes the “how.”

And we see in our passage, the same exhortation - encouragement - exhortation pattern I mentioned a moment ago. But in that, we also see three very distinct things that we are to do.

Firstly;

Pursue Holiness

As believers, we are to pursue holiness. And we are reminded of this in verses 14-17.

Hebrews 12:14–17 CSB

14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. 15 Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many. 16 And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. 17 For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.

I do find it quite interesting that the author chose to write this message in this way. Although, it shouldn’t be too surprising. We see quite often in Paul’s letters a similar message which basically comes down to “C’mon, guys. Would you please just get along!?”

As a matter of fact, Paul urges a very similar message in Romans 12 When he says;

Romans 12:18 CSB

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

In the case of Romans, we’re told this is a matter of the Christian ethic, and that this is part of the good which conquers evil.

And in our passage here in Hebrews, we see a similar weight applied. Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness - without it no one will see the Lord.

So without holiness, no one will see the Lord. And sitting right next to holiness is the pursuit of peace with everyone.

Now I would like to believe that all of us here understand that pursuing peace with one another is an obvious element of holiness. The author does not simply list them out here because they’re two separate things that we need to focus on. If we are pursuing holiness - Christlikeness - then we are necessarily pursing peace with others.

But why, then, does the author make a distinction here?

Because, as we continue on to verse 15, we are also given instruction to look after our other brothers and sisters. To ensure that not one falls short of the grace of God.

But look what else happens in this verse.

As believers watching out for other believers, we ensure that “no root of bitterness springs up” and does what? Defiles me? No. Defiles you? No. Defiles many.

The consequences of disunity spread like a disease far and wide.

Once again, revisiting Romans 12, Paul says in verses 4 and 5

Romans 12:4–5 CSB

Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

We collectively build one another up, but, likewise, if we’re not diligent, we can be responsible for tearing one another down. As a body of believers, we have a responsibility, not only to look after our own individual holiness, to ensure that we’re each living lives worthy of our calling, but again, to look after our brothers and sisters, ensuring that nothing gets in between in us and one another, and that nothing gets in between us and God.

But, the author also gives us a contrast here, of genuine holiness by way of Esau.

Hebrews 12:16–17 CSB

And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.

Remember, chapter 11 talked of all the faithful people who went before us, who make up the “cloud of witnesses” spoken about in the beginning of this chapter, and so we’re presented with these great examples of why to persevere in the faith. But here we are told how to persevere in the faith, by way of an example we should avoid.

Recall that, as the passage here tells us, Esau traded away his birthright for a single meal. He did not persevere, he did not walk in the path of the Lord, and as such, he was rejected. But importantly, the passage tells us that he “didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.” Even though “he sought it with tears.”

Through this example, we are shown the difference between genuine holiness and simple regret.

Esau regretted his actions because he disliked his consequences. He wasn’t broken over his actions, he was broken over the loss of his father’s blessing.

The regret from Esau, really parallels with those whom Jesus was speaking about in Matt 7:21-23

Matthew 7:21–23 CSB

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’

And this is what the author desires for us to understand about our own holiness. That its not merely a list of divine imperatives we’re trying to follow. It’s not a checklist we can complete each day. It’s a contrite and broken spirit, constantly seeking renewal and intimacy with the Lord.

I know you all are missing Stephen this morning, so allow me to include an obligatory Charles Spurgeon quote. He says this;

Where faith is genuine, through the Holy Spirit’s power, it works a cleansing from sin, a hatred of evil, an anxious desire after holiness and it leads the soul to aspire after the image of God. Faith and holiness are inseparable. Railings, Volume 52, Sermon #2999 - Deuteronomy 22:8

Charles Spurgeon

Alright. 20 minutes, and we got through 4 verses. At this rate, we might make it home in time for dinner.

Kidding. Our next two points will be a bit more condensed.

So against firstly, as believers we are to pursue holiness.

And next, we must;

Picture the Promise

We see this in verses 18-24;

Hebrews 12:18–24 CSB

18 For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. 21 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear. 22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.

A couple years ago, as I was at the tail end of my ordination process at Cherokee Hills, I was getting different opportunities to teach and lead in different capacities, and in the process, Stephen asked me one morning to lead the college group in his absence. They had been covering Biblical covenants, and I had the privilege of leading the lesson on the Mosaic covenant.

Now, it could be due to the fact that I’ve read Exodus 100 times as a result of 100 different failed “Bible in a year attempts”, but genuinely, Exodus 19 and 20 is one of my favorite sections of scripture. I feel that these two chapters capture the magnitude of God’s glory more than any other passage in scripture. For the sake of time, I’ll spare you the second mini-sermon I was tempted to write on that passage, but suffice it to say, that if you are not already sufficiently awestruck by the glory of our God, a deep and proper reading of that passage will impress it upon you.

But, back to the passage at hand - here the author of Hebrews, again a well studied Old Testament scholar himself, recalls this story of Moses and Israel at Sinai. He recalls the scene with the same vivid and awe-inspiring language used in Exodus, and reminds us of the scene there - that the holiness of the Lord was terrifying. That it was unapproachable. That even Moses trembled. But yet, if we recall, this scene of the Lords terrifying glory, was also the scene of hope for Israel. Where they were given the law - the only way to be justified before the same terrifyingly holy God.

But, the author says, “you have not come to what could be touched”

In other words, we have not come to that same fearful mountain, mount Sinai. Instead, where have we come? Mount Zion, to the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. To Jesus the mediator of a new covenant.

And this is the encouragement in the chain I mentioned at the beginning. We’ll see exhortation - encouragement - exhortation. Here the author is encouraging the reader. Reminding us to keep our eyes fixed, as he says back in verse 2, “on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” In order that we would “run with endurance the race that lies before [us]”

It’s important for us as believers to picture this promise - to be reminded and encouraged by this new and better covenant of Christ. By this blessed assurance that we have in Him. And the author paints a beautiful and deeply contrasting image of the magnificence and splendor of this place, as a way to, again, encourage us, especially as we move into the next exhortation.

And that brings us to our final point this morning. And that is, that as believers, we must;

Pay Attention

We see this in verses 25-29

Hebrews 12:25–29 CSB

25 See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven. 26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Once again, the author uses some strong contrasts to emphasize the importance of the message being spoken to us.

Those who rejected the Lord in His old covenant were not capable of escape from the wrath and judgement of the Lord, and so we should be considerate, then, that we face the same fate, should we choose to reject the “new and better” covenant given to us.

And He assures us that He will bring forth His judgement “once more.” Verses 26 and 27 assure us of this. He will “shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

Listen.

This is the most important part of anything that I have said or will say this morning - the wrath of God is certain.

He guarantees us here, that He will remove what can be shaken.

This isn’t just bold imagery. This is certain. this is a promise. These are the words spoken by God in Haggai 2:6 and repeated here and elsewhere as a reminder that His judgement is imminent, and we must live like it.

Now, I don’t even pretend to be an expert on eschatology. Thats a doctrinal minefield that I am careful to engage others in. If you want to discuss it sometime, I’m always happy to nerd out with you over theological matters, and even share my own convictions on secondary and tertiary matters.

But, that being said, regardless of your eschatological view, we know that the return of the Lord is certain. It’s a promise made to us in scripture. We can argue the details, but we can’t argue that the Lord does return.

And we also can’t argue that each and every one of us is guilty. Stained with sin. And in desperate need of a savior.

But, if we are in Christ, here’s the promise - verse 28 - we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Challenge

Here’s the challenge this morning; It’s not enough to simply wear the “Christian” nametag.

We have to live the life.

And a life of holiness is the fruit of repentance.

It’s a sign of an intimate walk with the Lord. People know us by our fruit, not by our nametag.

So if you’re sitting here this morning, and you’re already a believer, take a moment to consider - am I serving God acceptably with reverence and awe?

Do I pursue holiness faithfully?

Do I pursue peace with everyone?

Do I consider the needs of my fellow believers?

And do I rest comfortably on the promises of Christ, His finished work, and His unshakeable kingdom?

And if you’re here this morning, and you don’t know Christ - Just simply come. I’ll be sitting here at the front, Darrell and Justin will both be around. As well as plenty of other faithful brothers and sisters who would love to lead you to the Lord.

As we conclude this time, as we always do, I just ask that you spend a few moments reflecting on these questions. And then, as you feel the time is appropriate, we’ll have the Lords Supper elements available over here, please come up and grab those and in just a few minutes we will partake of that together.

Please pray with me;

Closing Prayer