The Old Versus the New

Introduction

Due to a drain on the emotional and spiritual well being of the believers they were in a state of emotional and spiritual fatigue. This could easy lead to a state if apostacy. A place where they would easily become lethargic and insensitive the voice of God.

Main Point

Hebrews 12:14–29 NASB95

14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears. 18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am full of fear and trembling.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church 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, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. 25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Message

I. The Old Life versus the New Life.

- Old life was lived for self New life is lived for God

1. Pursue Peace and Holiness

peace does not mean we must surrender conviction, but it does mean that we will be courteous, considerate, and wiling to comply with legitimate social customs and will refuse to quarrel. (John Phillips)

/\ <---------->

|

|

\/

1. Peace with all men - How can this be done?

2. We must pursue peace in our vertical relationships then we can have peace in our horizontal relationships.

3. Our Conduct, Conversation, and Character all have a direct influence on other believers.

4. According to living at peace with others is a two way process. - We are only responsible for our end.

Romans 12:18 NASB95

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

2. See to it that no one fail to avail (take advantage) himself of the grace.

1. See to that no one comes short of the grace of God

1. God’s grace never fails / but we can fail to take advantage of God’s grace.

2. “Means of Grace” made available to us by God to help us in our Christian life. (John Phillips)

1. Baptism / Lord’s Supper

2. fellowship with other believers

3. The Word of God

4. Prayer

5. Indwelling of Holy Spirit

- the believer who neglects these fall into sin and loses rewards.

2. See to it that No root of bitterness

- what is going on in government today

- lead others astray

3. See to it that No immoral or godlessness

3. No place for repentance

1. Esau was selfish

2. He sold his birthright for a moment of pleasure a bowl of stew.

3. No where do we see he repented

4. Issac had already blessed Jacob and would not repent of that decision.

II. The Old Covenant versus the New Covenant.

1. Mt. Sinai

1. Old Covenant — Law — Fear and Judgement

Exodus 19:16–18 NASB95

16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

2. Separation — Darkness — Clouds — Fear — Death

3. Stand at foot of Mt. Sinai you see yourself enlight of the Law

2. Mt. Zion

1. New Covenant — Grace — love

2. Relationship — Light — Openness — Life

3. Law vs Grace

1. Law = commandments, judgement, and condemnation

2. Grace = Forgiveness, atonement, and salvation

III. The Old World versus the New World

- The old world is temporal the new world is eternal.

Hebrews 12:25 NASB95

25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.

Here there is a stern warning - Because of our privileged status we should not treat God’s Words with Apathy or Complacency.

1. Do not Refuse

1.

2. Old World

1. Temporal in both senses

- wordly opposite spiritual matters.

- time short not lasting.

2. Not everyone believes there is a God

3. Death

3. New World

1. Eternal

2. Everyone will know that there is a God.

Philippians 2:9–11 NASB95

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

3. Life

Conclusion