STILL STANDING: Will You Be Standing When the Shaking Stops

Thesis: If people refuse to follow God’s new covenant, they reject his plan. But more than the plan, they reject God himself. To do so is final and tragic,

Bruce B. Barton et al., Hebrews, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1997), 224–225.

Introduction:

Hebrews, Vols. I & II Vers. 25–29

There are two classes of things, and but two—things that may be shaken, and things that may not be shaken. There is one Being who exists by necessity—the absolute, immutable God. The nearer things are to God, the more fixed they are; the farther from God, the more changeable

So often during this reality of ever changing circumstances and situations in this world. Many have forsaken their firm footing in Christ. Because they have not truly Trusted in the one Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. So often the word of God is seen as secondary in our decision making and is not the seat of our confidence but is treated as a concillation prize that we retreat to when we are disappointed, disgusted, deterred, disgruntled, and detained from getting what we desire. Many times the neglect of learning the word and being a participator in our own Christian education leads to fragile ineffective profession of faith without the overwhelming proof (fruit that accompanies saving faith). 2 Timothy 3:1-7

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

As a result, many times we don’t consider what God has said about the situation before we decide on the course of action we will take in order to combat the opposition we find ourselves up against. Too often we operate as those disconnected from the unshakeable, immutable, all-consuming God, in that some have renounced their faith not only in word but in deed also. We are left teetering and shaken because we have not found that resting place and sure foundation. Yet Jesus has made a way for all to be covered, cared for, and secure in this ever changing, trembling, shaking, and quaking world we live in. He has offered himself a sufficient and salvific sacrifice to eternal life and the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

WILL YOU BE STANDING WHEN THE SHAKING STOPS?

Exposition

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: Stay in the Running! (Hebrews 12)

The “shaking” quotation is from Haggai 2:6 and refers to that time when the Lord shall return and fill His house with glory. As events draw nearer to that time, we shall see more shaking in this world. But a Christian can be confident, for he shall receive an unshakable kingdom. In fact, he is a part of God’s kingdom today.

King James Version Chapter 12

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

REFUSE NOT HIM THAT SPEAKETH

God is speaking to us each and everyday through His word and His hand of providence on the workings of His Good pleasure.

You need to listen

God shook things at Sinai and those who refused to hear were judged how much more shall He hold us resposible who have experienced or have available the blessings of the New Covenant.

God is shaking things today with the after shock of Sinai’s shaking. Revealing the unshakable realities that are eternal by tearing down the scaffolding of this world view of selfishness, elitism, and liberalism without Christ.

So many people are building their lives on things that can shake

Hebrews, Vols. I & II Vers. 25–29

THERE ARE MANY WAYS OF REFUSING HIM THAT SPEAKETH. 1. Not hearing. Absence from public worship, neglect of Bible-reading. “Turn away from Him.” 2. Hearing listlessly, as if half asleep, and unconcerned. 3. Refusing to believe. Intellectually believing, but not with the heart. 4. Raising quibbles. Hunting up difficulties, favouring unbelief. 5. Being offended. Angry with the gospel, indignant at plain speech, opposing honest personal rebuke. 6. Perverting His words. Twisting and wresting Scripture. 7. Bidding Him depart. Steeling the conscience, trifling with conviction, resorting to frivolous company for relief. 8. Reviling Him. Denying His deity, hating His gospel, and His holy way. 9. Persecuting Him. Turning upon His people as a whole, or assailing them as individuals.

King James Version Chapter 12

26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

RESPECT THE PROMISE OF ANOTHER SHAKING

Hebrews Warning Against Refusing to Listen / 12:14–29

When God gave the first covenant, his voice shook the earth (Exodus 19:18). Psalm 68:8 also describes an earthquake accompanying God’s revelation at Mount Sinai. God promises that he will once more … shake not only the earth but also the heavens (quoting from Haggai 2:6)

6 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

Hebrews Warning Against Refusing to Listen / 12:14–29

At the end of the world, God will shake the earth again. This shaking stands for another major cataclysm in the earth to go along with God’s revelation to all the nations. But God’s revelation as reported by Haggai will shake not only the earth but the heavens as well.

THE SHAKING HAS A PURPOSE

King James Version Chapter 12

27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

The purpose of the shaking is to dislodge that which is not connected and to reveal that which is connected

when God shakes the world the last time he will shake it in such a way as to tear it apart

and those things that are shaken or created will be destroyed- earth universe, animals, people, and everything seen

The shaking makes way for the solid, New heaven and new earth

the shaking makes way for the spiritual seed and soul of the true believer that cannot be destroyed or separated

Hebrews Warning Against Refusing to Listen / 12:14–29

Only what belongs to God’s kingdom will be unshakable. These will remain, for they belong to the heavenly city.

WE ARE RECIPIENTS OF AN UNSHAKABLE FUTURE

King James Version Chapter 12

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

those of us who follow Christ are part of the unshakable kingdom

we will be able to withstand (endure) the shaking, sifting, and burning

Hebrews Warning Against Refusing to Listen / 12:14–29

When we feel unsure about the future, we can take confidence from these verses. No matter what happens here, our future is built on a solid foundation that cannot be destroyed. Don’t put your confidence in what will be destroyed; instead, build your life on Christ and his unshakable kingdom. (See Matthew 7:24–27 for the importance of building on a solid foundation.)

this Kingdom is more real to the believer because it resides in our heart. it will become a physical reality after this world is shaken a part but the kingdom of God and His word shall remain

We have to receive by Grace and Thanksgiving

Hebrews Warning Against Refusing to Listen / 12:14–29

This is a kingdom that we “are receiving.” Christians receive it by God’s grace, not through their own effort or by any means other than God’s kindness. Because we have this kind of kingdom, we should be thankful.

Hebrews Warning Against Refusing to Listen / 12:14–29

In addition to being thankful, we should worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. When we truly worship God, we do it all the time—not just in a Sunday morning worship service that has a few hymns, an offering, a sermon, and a time of prayer. True worship includes every action of every day. By obeying God, our lives become living sacrifices of worship (see Romans 12:1–2).

Hebrews Warning Against Refusing to Listen / 12:14–29

FIVE WAYS WE CAN BE THANKFUL

We can be thankful that God answers our prayers.

Psalm 3:4; Isaiah 65:24; John 11:41; 2 Corinthians 1:11

We can be thankful for God’s provision for our needs.

Matthew 14:19; 26:26–27; Acts 27:35; Romans 14:6: 1 Corinthians 10:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 4:4–5

We can be thankful for God’s blessings.

1 Chronicles 16:34; Daniel 6:10; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 1:10

We can be thankful for God’s character and wondrous works.

Psalm 7:17; 75:1; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Colossians 1:12; Revelation 11:17

We can be thankful for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:3–5; Colossians 1:3–4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2: 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4–5

HE IS WORTHY

Hebrews Warning Against Refusing to Listen / 12:14–29

For our God is a consuming fire. God is worthy of our thanks and worship because he is a consuming fire. This description may be taken from Deuteronomy 4:24. God reigns over and will destroy everything that is temporary. Everything that is imperfect and bound by time will end. Only the new covenant and those who are part of it will survive

the words our God refer to a relationship

God is so worthy of our praise that we should never take our relationship with him for granted

thats why we should stand in awe and reverence of Him as a consuming fire (roaring, raging, severe, total, and complete judgement

no firefighting equipment or fire retardant can protect you or put it out

everything worthless and sinful will be consumed

yet those who are unshaken will be saved from destruction by His compassionate Grace and undeserved Mercy

only thing that will save you is the blood of Jesus

King James Version Chapter 12

the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

this blood was shed on calvary’s cross when my God hung bled and died for the sins of the world

he was raised on the 3rd day with all power in his hand

and his blood is still speaking today

What can wash away my sin? What can make me whole again? Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, For my pardon, this I see, For my cleansing this my plea, Nothing can for sin atone, Naught of good that I have done, This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; This is all my righteousness, Now by this I'll overcome- Now by this I'll reach my home- Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Glory! Glory! This I sing- Nothing but the blood of Jesus, All my praise for this I bring- Nothing but the blood of Jesus. The Blood Will Never Lose It's Power

The blood that Jesus shed for me Way back on Calvary The blood that gives me strength From day to day It will never lose its power.

It reaches to the highest mountain And it flows to the lowest valley The blood that gives me strength From day to day It will never lose its power.

It soothes my doubts and calms my fears And it dries all my tears The blood that gives me strength From day to day It will never lose its power.

It reaches to the highest mountain And it flows to the lowest valley The blood that gives me strength From day to day It will never lose its power.

It reaches to the highest mountain And it flows to the lowest valley The blood that gives me strength From day to day It will never lose It will never lose It will never lose its power