Hebrews 12:18-29

Sermon Notes

An Unshakeable Kingdom 

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

…

12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

1. THE GLORIOUS KINGDOM: Heb. 12;18-24  

Heb.12:18-19:  For you have not come to (Mount Sinai) 

•    that can be touched 
•   and to a blazing fire, 
•   and to darkness 
•   and gloom 
•  and whirlwind,
•   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.

 Heb. 12:21: 

• Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said,  “I tremble with fear.”

Heb.12:22-24: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, 

• and to myriads of angels,
• 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,
• and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, 
• and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

1. A THRONE

Heb.12:22: and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, 

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
Ps 147:12

The Lord roars from Zion
and utters his voice from Jerusalem.
Amos 1:2

Out of Zion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the Lord form Jerusalem.
Micah 4:2

the LORD of hosts reigns
on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
Isa 24:23 

Heb. 12:23 : God, the judge of all

2. AN ASSEMBLY

a. assembly of first-born — ekklesia = “church”

b. enrolled in heaven — individual names  

rejoice names written in book of life — Luke 10:20

I have inscribed you on the palms of my hand — Isa 49:16 

c. the spirits of just men made perfect

3. A REDEEMER    

JESUS the mediator 

• “new covenant” —   Heb. 9:15
• “better covenant” — Heb. 8:6
• “eternal covenant”—Heb. 13:20

a. Blood of Abel speaking: “crying out from ground” (Gen. 4:10)

in anguish — for vengeance

b. Jesus’ blood speaking out from the cross

in love — for redemption

1. THE GLORIOUS KINGDOM: Heb. 18-24 

2. A SOLEMN WARNING: Heb. 25-29

25  See to it that you do not refuse him who is speaking. 

1. We refuse his ways

• “I don’t need this.”
• “I don’t want this.”

2. We refuse his love 

• “Jesus could never love me for what I have done.”
• “Jesus would love me more if … “

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; 

1. Gratitude: thankful for the promise of an unshakable kingdom

2. Worship: serving God with reverence and awe

“This reverential fear of God accompanies every genuine experience of His redeeming love.”
Jeffrey Wilson

29 for our God is a consuming fire.

A.  One day everything that is unstable, precarious, dangerously volatile anything that makes us feel insecure will be REMOVED 

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.

• Everything that pretends to offer more than it can deliver will be undone; Plausible idols will be exposed for what they are

B. But all who have entered this unshakable kingdom will be protected 

• Martin Luther: caterpillar in a ring of fire 

“Aslan is a lion— the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…”Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

• The nearer we are brought to God by grace, 
• the greater will be our sense of the infinite gulf 
• which separates the creature from the Creator. 
• The closer you are drawn to God, the greater you sense the distinction 
• between His holiness and yours. 
• between His majesty and yours. 
• between His perfection and your failures.

“When we come to the City of God we come to Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant. That helps us to solve the issue of what is real:  we come to him who is real!
Willam Lane

Eyes: Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith 

Seated on a throne — reigning and ruling
Poised to return — to set all things right

Ears: Listening to the voice of God who speaks by the blood of Jesus:

I will forgive you, cleanse you, protect you, I will keep you.
I will give you an unshakable home.
I will always be there for you.
Trust me.