The Better Mountain

Hebrews 12:14–24 CSB

Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. 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. 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. For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear. Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 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, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Introduction

Last week we looked at the discipline of the Lord and how the struggles we face in this life are how God trains us to be holy and righteous, shaping and molding us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. The author is starting to work toward the closing of his book and giving his readers instructions on how they are to apply the information he has given them to their lives. However, in these instructions, he goes on to tell his readers why these instructions matter. He gives the context, the “WHY” connected to living out these instructions.

We will see how we pursue peace and holiness at the same time, why accountability in the church matters, and not chasing the temporary pleasures of life. But the author will also show us why we live like that.

Big Idea: If you belong to Christ, you belong to the better mountain — now live like it.

Movement 1: The Commands We Are Given (vv. 14-17)

Hebrews 12:14  "Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness — without it no one will see the Lord."

The author gives us two commands held together — peace and holiness. Neither one is optional. Because of this, you cannot replace one with the other. Let’s start with peace.

The way the author tells his readers to pursue peace mirrors Romans 12:18, where the apostle Paul is working through his instructions to the Roman church about how they are to apply all that he has taught them in his letter to that church.

Romans 12:18 CSB

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

Notice that the passage does not say, “If there is no peace between you and others it is your fault.” That is not what it says. While it could be true, it may not be the case. The author states that peace might not be possible between you and someone else. However, these readers are still instructed to pursue peace. Just as the author of Hebrews tells his audience, Paul tells the Romans that they should do everything in their power to be at peace with others, even with their persecutors. They should pursue peace even with those who oppose the faith.

This would have been extremely hard to read for Christians who were being beaten, persecuted, and killed for their belief in Jesus. Remember, the author of Hebrews admitted that some of his readers had their possessions confiscated for their belief, or for standing up for other Christians. But this call to peace is not just an instruction from Paul, or the author of Hebrews. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is giving these “Blessed” statements called “Beatitudes.” One of these statements says this:

Matthew 5:9 CSB

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Notice that Jesus did not say “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” Peacekeeping and Peacemaking are not the same thing. Peacekeeping is going along to get along. Peacekeeping does not deal with a problem, but just puts the problem on the shelf and hopes it does not come up again.

Peacemaking requires you to address the issues. Peacemaking requires you to get into the muck of the problem and work out how to move forward.

Forget about making peace with enemies, let’s bring this close to home, literally. Husbands, if you subscribe to the mantras “Happy wife, happy life,” and just saying “Yes, dear,” so that your wife does not get upset with you, you are a peacekeeper, not a peacemaker.

Wives, if you know that your husband is badmouthing you to his buddies but you excuse it as, “He was just having a bad day,” or “That’s just guy talk,” you are peacekeeper, not a peace maker.

Peacemaking, especially within marriage requires addressing the situation, listening, understanding, humility, admitting fault when you are at fault, and forgiving when repentance is genuine.

Marriages are broken up all of the time because people are not willing to be peacemakers. Churches split and fall apart because human’s struggle to live at peace with each other.

Luke 6:35 CSB

But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.

The author also calls his readers to holiness. Holiness comes through the Lord's discipline and training (vv. 10-11). God’s discipline and training is to make us holy like Him. It is God's work in us, but it requires our active pursuit. In quoting from the Old Testament, Peter told his readers in 1 Peter 1 to pursue holiness as well.

1 Peter 1:15–16 CSB

But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.

We pursue holiness through prayer, reading God’s Word, allowing God to shape and mold us according to His will, applying His law to our hearts, and acting in a way that reflects the love and grace He has given to us in how we show that love and grace to others.

When pursuing peace and holiness are put together, they look like kindness and disagreement held in the same hand. Firm on truth, gentle in posture. (Story of Mike Pence)

If you pursue peace without holiness, you become a peacekeeper instead of a peace maker and you compromise truth. You allow every wind of doctrine and teaching to infect your life because you won’t stand up for what is true. If you pursue holiness without peace, you become a jerk for Jesus. Neither of those stances does any good for anyone. Pursue peace, but do it in holiness. Pursue holiness, but do so, as best as you can, with peace.

Application (believers): Where have you sacrificed holiness for the sake of being liked? Where have you sacrificed peace for the sake of being right?

Application (non-believers and believers): The Christian life is not about picking one — it's about being shaped by a God who holds both together.

Hebrews 12:15 CSB

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.

"Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God." This is a community command, not an individual one. The author does not say make sure that “you” do not fall short of God’s grace. He does not say to make sure a certain person does not fall short. He is giving a general instruction to all who read this passage that Christians have an obligation to look out for each other, to protect each other and keep each other from falling into sin. We already saw the author address this in Hebrews 10 where he said:

Hebrews 10:24–25 CSB

And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

This is why we have men’s ministry and women’s ministry meetings. When the men of this church get together and discuss our book, Disciplines of a Godly Man, we talk about how we struggle to apply the various disciplines within the book to our own lives. At the same time, we are encouraging each other to keep going, to keep following after the Lord, to seek discipline in our own lives. The author of Hebrews is calling his readers to hold each other accountable.

When he writes of falling short of grace, he means drifting from what God freely gives. God’s grace is free. It is a gift. When we start to drift from His grace, we start relying on self-effort, we refuse forgiveness, or refusing to extend it.

The root of bitterness that the author is referring to is an illustration pulled from Deuteronomy 29:18

Deuteronomy 29:18 CSB

Be sure there is no man, woman, clan, or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations. Be sure there is no root among you bearing poisonous and bitter fruit.

The bitter root is a person who walks away from God. When someone in the church turns away from the Lord, it does not impact just that person, it can be devastating to others within the church. I can tell you the affect on my own faith when someone decides to leave the church - from former youth leaders to pastors that I have looked up to.

One of he biggest reasons given for people who “deconstruct” or walk away from the faith is being hurt by someone else in the church. This is why the author encourages his readers to point each other toward peace and holiness.

(The falling of others in the faith does not mean God failed. If you lose your faith over the failing of others, where was your faith—in God or in man?)(G3, Prays Mill Baptist)

C. Don't Trade Eternal Things for Temporary Ones

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.

The author goes on to warn about the “bitter root” of unbelief that can be found in the church by telling his readers to guard against immoral or irreverent people like Esau when he gave up his birthright. The word for “immoral” here is:

pornos - πόρνος

a sexually immoral person

This is where we get our modern day word “pornography.” It is interesting that he uses that word to relate to Esau since we do not see any sexual sin from Esau in Genesis (unless you count his having two wives).

The other word that he uses is:

bebelos - βέβηλος

pointless, worthless, worldly, irreverent

Now, if we look at these two words together, we can see how Esau was irreverent toward his birthright. He gave up his inheritance for a bowl of soup. He cared more about the temporary feeling of satisfying an empty belly than his inheritance. That irreverence is also being illustrated as sexual immorality. Esau sold the eternal for the temporary.

Throughout the Old Testament, when the people of Israel wandered from God to begin worshipping the gods of the pagans, the prophets would describe it as the people prostituting themselves out to the gods of the other people groups. Israel was to be God’s people and they were committing adultery against Him. This is how Esau is being described.

Application (believers): Do you understand what you are trading away just for something temporary? What eternal thing are you devaluing for a moment of comfort or pleasure? Name it. Ask God to work in your heart to rip that sin or desire out by the roots.

I believe it was the English Puritan, John Owen, who said:

“Be killing sin or it will be killing you.”

John Owen

But when we get to Esau later in the story, when he wanted the blessing back, he was rejected — not because God is unwilling to forgive, but because Esau's "repentance" was regret over consequences, not grief over sin. He sought the blessing with tears. He begged his father to give him a blessing, but he didn't find an opportunity for repentance — the kind that actually changes direction.

Esau did not say to his father Isaac, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you,” like we see in the parable of the prodigal son.

Application: When you realize you are wrong and have made a mistake, or sinned against someone, are you actually repentant in a way that shows you are sorry for what you did or are you only sorry for resulting consequences of your actions?

Application (non-believers): The choices you make now have weight. Don't assume there will always be time to undo what you've done.

Movement 2: The Mountain You Have Not Come To

Hebrews 12:18–21 CSB

For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear.

Verse 18 begins with "For.” The author is explaining that this is the reason for the commands. The warnings aren't arbitrary. The author is about to show them why these commands matter.  

He's building toward a contrast.

B. Sinai: The Mountain of Terror (vv. 18-21)

The author gives a description of an event his readers would have been well aware of, recalling Exodus 19-20. This is when God descended on Mount Sinai to give the Law. 

The author describes a physical mountain, blazing fire, darkness, a storm, a trumpet blast, and the voice of God speaking words the people could not bear. We can see the people’s reaction to this in Exodus 20:18-19:

Exodus 20:18–19 CSB

All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance. “You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.”

The people were so afraid of God’s voice that they told Moses to speak to them from God, otherwise, they thought they would have died from the terror of hearing God’s voice.

Now, Moses was not immune to fearing the presence of the Lord. In Deuteronomy, he recalled that he trembled with fear before the Lord, as the author of Hebrews noted.

This mountain is an illustration of the old covenant in its raw form: God's holiness on display, and humanity's inability to stand before it. The Law reveals God's standard — and it terrifies, because we cannot meet it.

Romans 3:23 CSB

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

But the way that the people responded was much like how Isaiah would respond to his vision of the throne room of God, understanding his sinfulness before a holy God. This is where each person will come to as God takes out their heart of stone and puts in a heart of flesh.

But this mountain is not the only one mentioned in this passage of Hebrews. The author is making a lesser-to-greater argument, like the one in verses 9-10 about earthly fathers and our heavenly Father.

Application: Sinai is what religion looks like without a mediator. Its God's holiness at a distance, and our terror at the gap. Many people still live at the foot of that mountain, trying to earn their way to God.

Hebrews 12:22–24 CSB

Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 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, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.

A. Mount Zion: The Mountain of Joy (v. 22)

The contrast between these two mountains is total. Sinai was fire and fear. Storms and darkness. The people were told at Sinai that if even the animals walked up the the mountain and touched it, they would die.

But this other mountain, Zion, is a city, a festival, a gathering. The author calls this the city of the living God — the heavenly Jerusalem. This is not a mountain you approach with dread. This is a city you are welcomed into. It is a city not only for humans, but the author says there are myriads of angels. This is a festive gathering. The word for "festive gathering" (panēgyris,) carries the idea of a celebration, a holiday crowd. Heaven is not silent and terrifying. It is joyful.

B. The Assembly of the Firstborn (v. 23)

"The assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven.” These are believers who share in the inheritance of Christ, the true firstborn. This is not just Old Testament saints who are now in heaven with the Lord. When we repent of our sins and submit our lives to Jesus, we become coheirs with him in glory.

Ephesians 2:4–6 CSB

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus…

When your name is written in the book of life, you are not approaching God as a stranger. You belong to this assembly. You are already seated in the heavens with Jesus.

T”he author says his readers have not only come to a city, but “to a Judge, who is God of all.” Yes, God is judge. But for those in Christ, the judge is also Father. This is not Sinai's terrifying verdict. This is the verdict of grace.

"To the spirits of righteous people made perfect" — the Old Testament saints, now perfected. You are joining a company that has already arrived.

C. Jesus, the Mediator of a Better Covenant (v. 24)

At the center of everything is Jesus. He is the mediator of a new covenant.

At Sinai, there was no mediator who could bridge the gap. Though Moses would speak to the people for God, he acted more as a prophet than a mediator. Moses was still a sinful man who trembled at the sight of God. The people begged for silence from God because his voice was so terrifying to their sinfulness. But Jesus came to be that mediator for us.

Hebrews 7:23–25 CSB

Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. But because he remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.

Jesus lives to be the mediator, the interceder for us. He is the one who can reconcile us to God.

On this greater mountain, the heavenly Jerusalem, Jesus stands as mediator for us, and it is because of His blood.

The author of Hebrews has told his readers that Jesus is the better high priest than those of the Old Covenant because the old priests would bring the sacrifices of bulls and goats. But in describing Jesus as a high priest, he says that Jesus was different.

Hebrews 9:11–12 CSB

But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

This is called substitutionary atonement. This is the center of everything the author of Hebrews is trying to tell his readers. The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, but could only provide a temporary covering, and they needed to be sacrificed every year. Instead of animals dying in the place of sinful humanity every year, Jesus came and offered his own life, having lived perfectly according to the law, dying in the place of everyone who would believe in him for salvation. He offered the greatest sacrifice, the sacrifice that obtained salvation for humanity, his own blood. In doing so, God tore the curtain in the temple from top to bottom that separated us from His presence.

Earlier, the author encouraged his readers to draw close to Jesus because of this sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:22 CSB

…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.

When he says that Christians have come to the sprinkling of blood, that is the sprinkling of blood that the author is referring to. It is Jesus’ blood sprinkled on the “mercy seat” in heaven, God’s throne, like the high priest would sprinkle the blood of bulls and goats on the “mercy seat”, or the lid of the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle or temple.

The author stated that Jesus’ blood says greater things than Abel’s blood.

Genesis 4:8–10 CSB

Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” Then he said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!”

The blood of Abel cried out for justice. But the blood of Jesus says, “Justice is fulfilled.” It pronounces mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation to those who trust in Him. Abel’s blood cries out, “Something must be done!” Jesus’ blood says, “It is finished.”

This is the center of Christianity. In the 90’s there was this craze of wearing bracelets that said “WWJD” which stands for “What Would Jesus Do?” They were meant to be a reminder of how Jesus responded to things and reminding us to act as Jesus acted. But that isn’t Christianity. Those bracelets often served as a guilt trip device instead of an encouragement. Because if you sinned, you were faced with knowing Jesus would not have done that.

Being a Christian is not about doing the right things. Pagans can do the right things and not be followers of Jesus. A a broken clock is still correct twice a day. It is good to live by a set of rules. God does have commands for his people to follow. But we must understand the “Why” behind the rules. Living by a set of rules is moralism.

What those bracelets should have said was “WHJD”—”What Has Jesus Done?” Living in the knowledge that Christ has saved you from your sin because of his sacrifice, shedding his blood for you, knowing that you have no hope in this world without his grace, no hope for eternity without him taking your place, taking your death sentence, receiving the punishment of the wrath of God for your sins, knowing that Jesus meant it when he said “It is finished,” the debt of your sins is paid, and loving Him with your whole heart, wanting to serve Him by sharing His love with others in the way that he loved you—THAT is Christianity.

Application: The blood of Jesus is not just the reason you can pursue peace and holiness — it is the power that makes it possible. That is why the author told his readers to keep their eyes on Jesus. You don't pursue these things in your own strength. You pursue them from the place where you already stand — Mount Zion, in the presence of Jesus, by the strength of Him who has already defeated sin and death!

Conclusion: Live Like You Belong to the Better Mountain

Our passage today is telling us that if we truly are Christians, we should live like we belong to the better mountain.

The commands in verses 14-17 are not how you earn your place on Mount Zion. They are how you live from that place.

Pursue peace — because you belong to a city of celebration, not a mountain of fear.

Pursue holiness — because you have been made part of the assembly of the firstborn, and your name is written in heaven.

Watch out for each other — because bitterness and immorality are what people do when they forget where they belong.

Don't trade eternal things for temporary ones — because you have come to Jesus, the mediator of a better covenant, and His blood speaks a better word than anything this world offers.

Call to Response:

What would you ask the Lord to change in you this this week if you really believed you belong to the better mountain? If you call yourself a Christian, what changes do you need the Lord to make in you? It is not about trying harder on your own, but asking the Lord to work in your heart and mind, transforming you through the working of the Holy Spirit.

If you've been pursuing peace without holiness, or holiness without peace — the better mountain holds both together. Let the blood of Jesus reshape how you live this week.

If you've been living at the foot of Sinai — trying to earn God's approval, terrified of falling short — hear this: you can come to Mount Zion. Jesus has already mediated the covenant. His blood has already been shed. You can come home. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not “DO” it is “DONE.” You cannot earn God’s love. You can only receive it. Stop striving and start submitting.

Next Step: I will repent and ask for Jesus’ finished work to transform me.