HEEDING THE VOICE FROM THE MOUNTAIN
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
In encouraging Christians to run the race that is set before them, the Hebrews writer has instructed them to...
In encouraging Christians to run the race that is set before them, the Hebrews writer has instructed them to...
Lay aside things that would hinder them...
1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Run with patience or endurance - Heb 12:1
Keep their focus on Jesus...
2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.
Remember the value of the Lord’s chastening - Heb 12:4-11
Run with “style”...
12 Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the palsied knees; 13 and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.
Pursue peace and holiness...
14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:
Look diligently lest one fall short of God’s grace, stumble because of bitterness, or become a fornicator or profane person - Heb 12:15-17
Further encouragement is now provided in the last half of chapter twelve...
Further encouragement is now provided in the last half of chapter twelve...
With a reminder of the “mountain” to which they have come
With a warning to heed “Him who speaks”
As we “run the race of faith” today, we need this same reminder and warning...
Do we appreciate the significance of the “mountain” to which we have come?
Are we “Heeding The Voice From The Mountain”?
Are we “Heeding The Voice From The Mountain”?
How we answer such questions can reveal how well we are running the race of faith!
With our text before us, let’s take a look at...
DISCUSSION
THE MOUNTAIN TO WHICH WE HAVE COME (12:18-24)
THE MOUNTAIN TO WHICH WE HAVE COME (12:18-24)
It is not Mount Sinai
It is not Mount Sinai
18 For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them; 20 for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; 21 and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:
The mountain described first is Mount Sinai, to which Israel came following their deliverance from Egyptian bondage - cf. Exo 19:12-19
It seems to have been much like a volcano - Exo 20:18; Deu 4:11
It frightened the people - Deu 5:22-26; 18:16
Even Moses was afraid - Deu 9:19
We have not come to such a mountain, that forces us to stand “afar off”
The mountain we have come to is Mount Zion
The mountain we have come to is Mount Zion
22 but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts 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 just men made perfect, 24 and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel.
The “mountain” to which we have come is one that encourages us to “draw near”
We have come to “Mount Zion”
Zion was originally the stronghold of the Jebusites in Jerusalem that became the “city of David” - cf. 2 Sam 5:6-10; 1 Chr 11:4-9
The term “Zion” came to be used to refer to:
The city of Jerusalem - Psa 48:2; 84:7; Am 6:1
And, the heavenly Jerusalem where God dwells - Isa 28:16; Ps 2:6 Re 14:1
In coming to “Mount Zion”, we have also come to...
“The city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem”
It is the heavenly city longed for by Abraham and the others...
10 for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
It is the heavenly city longed for by Christians today...
14 For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come.
It is the heavenly city we will one day experience...
14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
This heavenly city is where our Lord dwells and will be our eternal home.
In coming to Christ we have come into the covenant which gives us the right to a place in that city.
In this mountain there is “an innumerable company of angels”
The heavenly servants of God, of which there is a great number - cf. Rev 5:11
Who also minister to those who will inherit salvation - Heb 1:14
In this mountain there is “the general assembly and church of the firstborn which are written in heaven”
This is the church in the universal sense, made up of all who are saved...
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
They are the “firstborn ones”, who enjoy special privileges of their birthright
Their names are in “the Book of Life”...
3 Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
In this mountain is “God the Judge of all”
The Judge of all the earth - cf. Gen 18:25
He is the One to whom we must give heed, as we shall note shortly
In this mountain are “the spirits of just men made perfect”
Those who died in faith, such as the Old Testament saints - Heb 11:39-40
Note: They had not been made perfect apart from us - but now they are made perfect; they were redeemed by the blood of Christ!...
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
In this mountain is “Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant”
As we have seen, He is the Mediator of “a better covenant”...
6 But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.
As we have seen, this “new covenant” is by means of His death...
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
In this mountain we find “the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel”
Abel still speaks through the example of his faith...
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.
But in comparison, the blood of Jesus speaks volumes!...
11 And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins: 12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
In coming to Christ, being redeemed by the blood of the New Covenant, we have drawn near to this wonderful “mountain”!
In coming to Christ, being redeemed by the blood of the New Covenant, we have drawn near to this wonderful “mountain”!
It is a place that offers many wonderful blessings, both now and with promise for the future.
But the author’s purpose is not just to review the blessings we have in coming to this “mountain”; He is warning: “See that ye refuse not Him who speaketh.” (Heb 12:25a).
To appreciate the need for His warning, let’s now consider...
WHY WE SHOULD HEED THE VOICE FROM THE MOUNTAIN (12:25-29)
WHY WE SHOULD HEED THE VOICE FROM THE MOUNTAIN (12:25-29)
We must hear the voice from the mountain because those at Mount Sinai did not escape
We must hear the voice from the mountain because those at Mount Sinai did not escape
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:
We have seen from our studies that...
“Every transgression and disobedience received a just reward” - Heb 2:2
Those who sinned, their “corpses fell in the wilderness” - Heb 3:17
Those who rejected Moses’ law died “without mercy” - Heb 10:28
Thus the argument is again one of comparison, from the lesser to the greater...
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. 28 A man that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Also, notice what Jesus said in...
48 but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.
In Christ we enjoy so much more; dare we refuse to heed Him who speaks, not from Mount Sinai, but from Mount Zion (i.e., heaven itself)!
We must heard the voice from the mountain because the one Who speaks will shake Heaven and Earth
We must heard the voice from the mountain because the one Who speaks will shake Heaven and Earth
26 whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain.
When God spoke at Mount Sinai, the earth trembled - Exo 19:18
The day is coming when both heaven and earth will be shaken, even removed!
As promised in...
6 For thus saith Jehovah 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;
Which refers to “the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made”...
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, 12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Dare we refuse to heed Him who speaks with such impact?
We must hear the one who speaks from the mountain because we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be Shaken
We must hear the one who speaks from the mountain because we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be Shaken
28 Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:
While everything made will one day perish, we are “receiving” a kingdom which cannot be shaken!
Note the present tense (“receiving”)
Thus we are in the process of receiving this “kingdom”
It is a kingdom both present and future...
In one sense, we are now “in” the kingdom...
13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;
In another sense, we have yet to enter the kingdom...
10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: 11 for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
It is a kingdom
Inaugurated when Jesus ascended to sit at God’s right hand on David’s throne...
30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; 31 he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. 34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
It is a kingdom to be culminated when Jesus returns to deliver the kingdom to God...
23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.
Thus it is a kingdom...
“which shall never be destroyed...it shall stand forever” - Dan 2:44
Of which “there will be no end” - Lk 1:33
Receiving such a kingdom, dare we refuse to heed Him who speaks?
In this mountain is the the One who speaks as a “consuming fire”
In this mountain is the the One who speaks as a “consuming fire”
29 for our God is a consuming fire.
We’ve read of a “fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” - Heb 10:27
We’ve seen “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” - Heb 10:31
Even Jesus taught us to “fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” - Mt 10:28
Dare we refuse to heed such an awesome God?
CONCLUSION
God has indeed spoken...
God has indeed spoken...
He has spoken through His Son - cf. Heb 1:1-2
He has spoken from Mount Zion, that heavenly city, the New Jerusalem...
To which we have come through an obedient faith in Jesus - cf. Heb 5:9
Where we can enjoy the fellowship of angels, the redeemed in heaven and on earth, and of Jesus and God Himself!
Where we can enjoy a new and better covenant, based upon the better sacrifice of Jesus’ blood!
But with such wonderful blessings come the responsibility of giving heed...
But with such wonderful blessings come the responsibility of giving heed...
Not to neglect our great salvation
Not to refuse Him who speaks from the heavenly “mountain”
Therefore our goal should be that as expressed by the author himself:
“...let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Heb 12:28b)
Therefore our goal should be that as expressed by the author himself:
“...let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Heb 12:28b)
With God’s grace to help us (cf. Heb 4:14-16), we can serve Him in a manner well-pleasing to Him.
Are you “Heeding The Voice From The Mountain”?