See to it...Hebrews 12:12-29
Notes
Transcript
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 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. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
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. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 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.
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Good morning Cornerstone,
For those that don’t know me, my name is Nic Schroeder and I’m the youth pastor here.
We’re going to be taking a break from John this morning and will be looking at a section in Hebrews 12. This section fits right in with launching our graduated seniors as well as reminds us all of the required diligence in our faith journey as well as the vitality of the Gospel in our lives.
We’ve been going through Hebrews with the students at ONE SM since January and have just a little bit in chapter 13 left so some of this will be familiar to what they heard a couple weeks ago. But as I was praying about this morning and how to address both students and adults, I felt this was a lesson worth repeating.
As I was preparing for this message originally, it seemed as though it was somewhat scattered. I had read through the passage several times, studied some of the original language and translations, read several passage commentaries, and listened to a couple sermons. I was still somewhat aloof as to how to best organize my thoughts. Then, I listened to one particular sermon from a theologian named Alistair Begg and it all made sense. It was kind of like I had been trying to solve a Rubick’s cube (which I can’t do, by the way) and I suddenly realized the algorithm.
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PRAY
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I don’t know about you, but I like lists. Whenever Brandi sends me to get something from the store, I need a list. And not just a list of what to pick up, I really need a list of what size, how many, what brand, sometimes even what color and where it’s at. Grocery pick up is the best thing ever…I don’t need a list…but she still gets questions texted to her. She’s a very patient wife.
But, for me, lists keep me on task. I have a list of specific, daily things that I have to do. I’m lost without my list.
So this morning, we’re going to look at a list of sorts that the writer of Hebrews is giving his readers, one that still applies today.
I’m going to borrow a list of sorts from Alistair Begg.
Now, let me preface this with by saying, please don’t hear me saying that I’m reducing faith down to a checklist because I’m not in the least. But when I have a rubric for my faith journey, I can at least look at milestones as a litmus test.
Now, as we get to this section, as we often see in scripture, we have a “therefore” which means we must know what the “therefore” is there for. The writer of Hebrews is trying to make a point.
Hebrews 12:12–29 ESV
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
—What is there “Therefore” there for? Looking back to verses 7-11 in chapter we, we see the writer is referencing that Discipline as a gift to endure.
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
If you look at this discipline as a gift of God, then you have to know that even when you are weary, God provides the strength to endure.
And you’re going to get weary...
As we are strengthened by God’s discipline, we gain endurance.
There’s a change in posture as we make the transition from the preceeding verses to verse 12 and forward.
When we get to verse 12 we can begin to look at our list this morning.
As Alistair Begg put it, it’s our “see to it list”
This comes from verse 12:15 and the word in greek is
ἐπισκοποῦντες (episkopountes) and only occurs 2 places in scripture, once here
Hebrews 12:15 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ἐπισκοποῦντες μή τις
NAS: See to it that no one
KJV: Looking diligently lest any man
INT: looking earnestly lest any
1 Peter 5:2 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπισκοποῦντες μὴ ἀναγκαστῶς
INT: of God exercising oversight not by constraint
This verb is a present-tense participle, indicating this action is to be continuous. The word expresses that careful regard of those who occupy a position of responsibility, such as a physician or a superintendent. However, as brothers in sisters in Christ, are we not to first apply to ourselves and then come along our brothers and sisters to do the same? No excuses here.
Though not all of them actually have the command “see to it” preceeding it, it’s inferred by the context of the passages.
As believers, I believe that we have an obligation to use this as a litmus test of our role in strengthening and advancing the kingdom.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
#1- See to it you stay strong in your faith and stay on the straight path.
One way to do this is to be immersed in God’s Word, wisdom, and the saints that have gone before us.
Proverbs 4:1-7
We shouldn’t surround ourselves with those that bring us down but rather build us up in the faith.
It’s easier to walk a straight and level path instead of one that is crooked and unleveled. Don’t believe me, Go out to Pinnacle Mountain and compare leisurely Kingfisher trail (1/2 mile) verses the West Summit trail (1 1/2 miles). in the same amount of time.
3 Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who have an anxious heart,
“Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.”
26 Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
It is a challenge to abandon fear and despair and not become exhausted in the race of faith (cf. Is. 35:3–4). The quotation from Pr. 4:26 (‘Make level paths for your feet’) is a warning about following the way that God has provided, not swerving to the right or left. It is particularly important to help those who are spiritually lame to keep to the right pathway, so that they may not be tripped up and permanently disabled, but rather healed.
Peterson, David G. “Hebrews.” New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Ed. D. A. Carson et al. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994. 1350. Print.
If you have questions if you’re doing this ask someone to be boldly honest with you. (how strong and straight am i? compared to last year). Not where you want to be, ask for help, accountability, partnerships that help guide you. “…so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather healed.”
In other words, Christians have a responsibility to care for one another and to encourage one another not to fall by the wayside.
Peterson, David G. “Hebrews.” New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Ed. D. A. Carson et al. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994. 1350. Print.
That leads us to the next item;
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14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
#2- See to it that you strive for peace, harmony and holiness
We can read strive as “make every effort” or the greek is translated as “do something with an intense effort to a goal” or chase after.
Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 1997 : n. page. Print.
This is striving with with passion. Think of a horse running. It’s all or nothing.
You may not know this but I grew up riding horses and competing in horse shows from time to time. We had a horse that was an appendix registered quarter horse/ thoroughbred named Lunk. I used to love running him. Though he was retired, he loved to run. I remember seeing his neck and leg muscles becoming solid rocks beneath me as he ran. It was quite fascinating.
Also, a hound in chase of an animal, they don’t stop until they have tree or caught the animal. It’s a relentless pursuit.
This is how we should strive when it comes to living in peace and holiness. We have to apply ourself to harmony and holiness.
It’s not mere toleration but a passion to live out. If we as believers aren’t first following after peace, then we cannot be right with God.
A lost man must get right with God first and then with his fellow man but a Christian can’t be right with God if he’s not right with his brother or sister.
Shepherds notes pg. 78
Holiness is drawing near to God with a cleansed conscience.
We need holiness because
God commands it (Lev 20:7; 1 Pet 1:16)
Our nature is such that we can never be at rest until we are at rest in God who is holy.
Holiness in the lives of believers is the only thing to which the lost world has ever paid attention. It is the only thing in the world that authenticates our faith to the lost multitudes.
Shepherds notes pg. 79
It takes effort because it’s not natural. Our sin nature does not want to promote peace, harmony, and holiness because that requires a selfless sacrifice.
God’s people are called to be set apart, holy. This includes full ethical purity and freedom from sin. Because God is holy, without holiness no one will see him.
How do you know your different if there is not change? Are you a changing or just have an interest in God?
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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;
#3- See to it that you grow in grace and not bitterness
Don’t miss the grace of God here
1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
I think about a kid that is arguing with a sibling. When they don’t want to hear what the other is saying anymore, they stick their fingers in their ears and babble so they don’t have to hear anymore.
Are you missing it by sticking your fingers in your ears?
-No bitter root
Renewal of the covenant.
16 “You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. 17 And you have seen their detestable things, their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, which were among them. 18 Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, 19 one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.
I was blown away the other day when I was talking through this with the students and I mentioned an episode of Veggie Tales; the rumor weed. They had no idea of the reference. But it was this rumor that started to spread though the town and was manifested as a weed. And as the rumor spread, the weed grew.
As I came to this passage, this is what I thought about. You can’t see roots the majority of the time. We don’t see the actual roots of a tree, but we know that they’re there.
They are hidden underneath.
This root of bitterness is are destructive and entangling!
When not dealt with, a spreading root is painful to dig up! I know this, I’ve dug up the same holly bush 3 or 4 times over the last 7 or 8 years at my house.
Deal with the root of bitterness it when it’s small! It’s easier to get rid of the roots of weeds than it is roots of mature tree
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16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
As we see to it that you stay strong in your faith, strive for peace and holiness, and grow in grace, also
#4-See to it that you reject sexual immorality and godlessness.
Speaking of roots and cutting them off early on.
We are set apart from God, Set apart from sin. Don’t worship the created over the creator
The writer is waning of the Pagans then that offered fleshly pleasure and guilt-free lifestyles. This isn’t unique to then nor is it unique to today.
The writer reminds us of Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. For Esau, the physical appetite appeasement was much more important in the moment than the heritage of what was to come. It was more important in the moment to sell out in a moment for sin to appease his sin nature. He had no change of mind, he wept for the blessing he’d lost and not the sin he committed.
That’s what happens when we sell out our flesh in moments of weakness. We are appeasing our flesh. I don’t think any mature Christ follower would say that sexual temptations in some way, shape, or form has gone away.
We see too often the spiritual legacy of a person can crash down in seconds when given into temptation.
No prayer meeting needed, no discussion about it
There’s not conversations here about it.
Why do we have to have a discussion? Trash in here, should be out-Get it out
Discussion with the kids
We “see to it” because that’s what sons and daughters do.
vv. 15-17 Decisions and actions have consequences
“We should be cautious about suggesting that someone who genuinely wants to repent of their sin and get right with God will ever be refused; but we should be equally cautious about imagining that someone who enjoys Christian fellowship but then plays fast and loose with the consequent moral responsibilities will be able to come back in whenever and however they feel like it. Decisions and actions have consequences.” N. T. Wright pg 6918-29
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There’s a bit of a reminder and encouragement in the middle here.
The writer gives a beautiful reminder of where his audience has been redeemed from and what lies in front of them.
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Mt. Sinai vs Mt. Zion what are these?
Giving of the Law vs Coming of the Gospel inJesus Christ.
Reminder that they were there but no longer there at the mountain of the law, legalism.
Law vs Gospel!
Don’t go back
Arrived at an approachable and accessible city
Earn our way vs. gifted our way though Jesus.
David Platt reminds us of this blessing of the Gospel...
The gospel is the good news that God, the loving Creator, sovereign King, and holy Judge of all, has looked upon men and women wonderfully and uniquely made in His image who have rebelled against Him, are separated from Him, and deserve death before Him, and He has sent His Son, Jesus, God in the flesh, the long-awaited King, to live a perfect and powerful life, to die a sacrificial and substitutionary death, and to rise from the grave in victory over sin, Satan, and death. The gospel is a summons from God for all people in all nations to repent and believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, turning from all idols to declare allegiance to Jesus alone as King and trust in Jesus alone as Lord. All who turn from Jesus will experience everlasting, horrifying suffering in hell, while all who trust in Jesus will experience everlasting, satisfying communion with God in heaven. (Secret Church 2020, David Platt, Radical.net)
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#5-See to it you don’t refuse him who speaks v. 25
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. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
Prophets warned, people responded with deaf ears
Wanted cheery prophets
They refused the prophets, would they reject him who warns from heaven.
His voice comes through the Bible, through teachers, through conversations, through the Holy Spirit
But, how often do we see others that make light of God’s Word by mimicking it and replicating it in ways that makes us feel good but we want to ignore how it applies. How often do we do this?
Our world has been shaken. Not only as believers but as humans. I remember when I gave my live to Christ. My world was shaken into something new. But it wasn’t just a once and done. My life continues to be shaken in different ways, ways that I am faced with a choice of listening or ignoring.
I like to think that I listen more than I ignore. I also know that there are sometimes that I just stick my fingers in my ears and blabber incoherently so I don’t have to listen to the truth.
Chaff
Digging for gold
New from the old
Purified
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#6—See to it that you worship God acceptably- v. 28
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.
with reverence and awe
not superficially
not trivially
not halfheartedly.
Worship—is not about our feelings, but rather we have a thankful heart and approach God in reverence and awe.God is a consuming fire!
In response to God’s grace, Christ followers are called to persevere in holiness as worship.
I want to leave you with this. As believers, we are called to look different from the world but, too often, we look just like the world. The sin nature that lives in us, when unchecked, warps our perspective and weakens our resolve. The Gospel is what we cling to and represent. Even in our worst moments, it’s Jesus who saves, not us.
This is not a check box, it’s not optional.
Not an optional extra!
“Electric windows on a car”
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PRAY
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