Hebrews 12:18-29

Shaken Not Stirred

Hebrews 12:18–29 NRSV

18 You have not come to something that can 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 not another word be spoken to them. 20 (For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.” 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 the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one 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 heaven.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

—> Yesterday I was at the Letourneau Church Fair with Keven and Kendal. I discovered 2 things, 1) not many Methodist go to Letoureau 2) I should always be ready for hard questions.

One student ask me point blank “Do you preach hopeful messages?”

I said yeah I think I do.

So on first glance today our text can look a little less than hopeful.

—> Our hope lies in the reality of who God is.

—> In our understanding and belief of the power of God.

Hebrews 12:25 NRSV

25 See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven!

—> Moses vs Jesus —> Moses was good but Jesus is better. Moses was the one who warned them on Earth.

—> When it comes to power and authority Moses was awesome. He spoke to God and led the people of God but Moses didn’t have the authority or power of God, he was only the messenger and the occasional transmitter of the power.

—> Jesus is the one who warns from heaven, but what is the warning?

—> what is it to refuse and reject?

—> its a warning to the church against apostacy. A warning to those that have drawn near to not give up the hope that they have and the faith that they have.

Hebrews 12:26 NRSV

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 heaven.”

—> Again the author harkens back to Moses and the meeting on Mt. Sinai. Remember the stories of God coming down in the cloud and how the author trembled. This time it won’t only be the earth but the heavens too.

But why the shaking?

Hebrews 12:27 NRSV

27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

A rock tumbler...

In this life we will be shaken.

Hebrews 12:28–29 NRSV

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.