Enduring Word Bible Commentary Hebrews Chapter 12

a.look unto Jesus.

1. (1) Application of the demonstrations of enduring faith in Hebrews 11.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let uslay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnare us,and let usrun with endurance the race that is set before us,

a.Since we are surround by so great a cloud of witness: In the mind’s eye, the author pictured these previouschampions of faith as spectators from the heavens, cheering usas we press on to overcome present discouragement as in an athletic competition.

i.The author is thought think of many more than just the 18 specifically mention in Hebrews 11 . The ancient greek word is translated translatecloud was a figure of speech indicating a large group, and this is so great a cloud of witnesses. That cloud probably includes great men and women of God who have come since those Hebrews 11 saints, known and unknown to history. We are also under angelic observation (Ephesians 3:10-11) and the world watches our faith and conduct. We are  surrounded by them, as spectators in a stadium surround and observe the players.

ii.The idea of the heroes of faith in the past being spectators as we live lives of faith has made some think that in heaven, people can and do observe what goes on earth. This single passage may suggest this, but itis inconclusive to prove this.

iii.We rightly think of heaven as a place where people are always happy and untroubled.It is hard to think that those in heaven are happy and untroubled if they see what is happening on the earth. So, itis difficult to say that people in heaven are actually observing us.

iv . Others is consider consider that thesewitnesses are not witnessing us as we conduct our lives. Instead, they are witness  to usof faith and endurance, in all they have lived and experienced.They have the spiritof martyrs – the root of the ancient Greek word translated witnesses.

v. “Both the Greeks and the latin frequently use the term cloud, to express a great number of persons or things.” (Clarke)

b.Let uslay aside every weight, and the sin: Sin can hold usback. But there are also things that may not be sin (every weight) but are merely hindrances that can keep usfrom running effectively the race God has for us.

i.Our choices are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder usand something else that may not. Is there a weight in your life you must lay aside?

c.The sin which so easily ensnare us: The words easily ensnare translate a difficult ancient greek word (euperistaton), which can be translated four ways: “easily avoided,” “admire,” “ensnaring,” or “dangerous.”

i.Let uslay them all aside:

·   Some sins is be can beeasily avoided, but are not .

·   Some sins is are areadmire, yet must be laid aside.

·   Some sins is are areensnaring and thusespecially harmful .

·   Some sins is are aremore dangerous than others are.

ii . If such ensnare sin were really the work of demonic possession or demonic influence in the Christian , this is be would be an ideal place for the Holy Spiritto address this . Yet we are never give reason to blame our sin on demon ; the appeal is is is simply for usto , in the power of the Holy Spirit,lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnare us.

d.Let usrun with endurance: What is needed is endurance, to finish what we have begun in JesusChrist – a race that is set before us.

i.“He stands with usat the starting-point, and earnestly says to us,not‘Run,’ but, ‘Let usrun.’ The apostle himself is at our side as a runner.” (Spurgeon)

ii . God is set has set before you – and each of us– arace. You must run it, and itwill involve effort and commitment. Being passive never runs or wins a race.God wants usto run the race and to finish itright.

iii.endurance is needed to run that race.endurance translates the ancient Greek word hupomone, “which does not mean the patience which sits down and accepts things but the patience which masters them… It is a determination, unhurrying and yet undelaying, which goes steadily on and refuses to be deflected.” (Barclay)

iv . In act 20:24 Paul is pictured picture himself as a runner who had a race to finish , and nothing would keep Paul from finish the race with joy . In that passage , Paul is spoke speak ofmy race – he had his race to run , we is have have our own – but God call usto finish itwith joy , and that only happen withendurance.

e.The race that is set before us: Race is the ancient Greek word agona, aword used for conflict or struggle of many kinds, and a favorite word of Paul (Philippians 1:30, Colossians 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7) .

2 . ( 2 ) The ultimate example : JesusChrist .

look unto Jesus,the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

a.look unto Jesus: The New American Standard Version translate this beautifully as ,fixing our eyes on Jesus. We can only run the race as we look to Jesusand have our eyes locked on to Him. He is our focus,our inspiration, and our example.

i.In the ancient Greek ,look unto Jesus uses a verb that implies a definite looking away from other things and a present looking unto Jesus.

ii.“The Greek word for ‘looking’ is a much fuller word than we can find in the English language.It has a preposition in itwhich turns the look away from everything else.You are to look from all beside to Jesus. Fix not thy gaze upon the cloud of witnesses; they will hinder thee if they take away thine eye from Jesus. Look not on the weights and the besetting sin-these thou hast laid aside; look away from them. Do not even look upon the race-course, or the competitors, but look to Jesusand so start in the race.” (Spurgeon)

iii.We must guard against seeing Jesusas only an example; He was and is so much more.But He also remains the ultimate example of Christian endurance.“look unto Jesusmeans life, light, guidance, encouragement, joy: never cease to look on him who ever looks on you.” (Spurgeon)

b.The author and finisher of our faith: Jesusis is is not only theauthor of our faith; He is the finisher of italso. The idea of He who has begun a good work in you will complete ituntil the day of JesusChrist ( Philippians 1:6 ) was comfort indeed to these discourage Christians .

i.One is say may say that Jesusis with usat the starting line and the finish line and all along the way of the race that He set before us.

c.Who for the joy that was set before Him: Jesusdid not regard the cross itself as a joy. But He could look past the horror of the cross to enjoy the joy beyond it.The same mentality would enable these Jewish Christians (and we ourselves) to endure.

d.endure the cross: Jesuswas able to endure the ordeal of the cross because He understood the good that would come of it– the good of a redeemed, rescued people honoring God for all eternity.

i.Knowing all the good that would flow from this most agonizing experience, Jesuswas able to do itand to endure itwith triumph. Through the ordeal of the cross:

· Jesuskept His tongue.

· Jesuskept His course.

· Jesuskept His progress.

· Jesuskept His joy.

·   Jesusis kept keep His love .

e.Despising the shame: One of the most prominent elements of the torture of the cross was its extreme shame. Jesusis welcome did not welcome this shame – Hedespise it– yet He endured through itto victory.

i.Shame is a significant trial. Daniel 12:2 says that shame will be an aspect of the terrors of hell: And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Jesusis bore bear this hellish shame to accomplish our redemption .

· Jesusbore a shameful accusation: blasphemy.

· Jesusbore shameful mocking.

· Jesusbore a shameful beating.

· Jesuswore a shameful crown.

·   Jesusis wore wear a shameful robe .

· Jesusbore a shameful mocking even as He prayed on the cross.

ii.This is a stumbling block to many. They will do just about anything for Jesusexcept endure shame or embarrassment. Spurgeon spoke boldly to Christians who could not bear shame comes from the world for following Jesus: “Yet you are a coward.Yes, put itdown in English: you are a coward.If anybody called you so you would turn red in the face; and perhaps you are not a coward in reference to any other subject. What a shameful thing itis that while you are bold about everything else you are cowardly about JesusChrist. Brave for the world and cowardly towards Christ!”

iii.“I heard of a prayer the other day which I did not quite like at first, but there is something in itafter all. The good man said, ‘Lord, if our hearts are hard, make them soft; but if our hearts are too soft, make them hard.’ I know what he meant, and I think I can pray that last prayer for some of my friends who are so delicate that a sneer would kill them. May the Lord harden them till they can despise the shame!” (Spurgeon)

f. And has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God: This speaks of Jesus’ glorification. The same promise of being glorified (though in a different sense) after our shame is true for the Christian.

3 . ( 3 is Consider – 4 ) consider Jesus.

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discourage in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

a.Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself: Even in their difficulty if they would consider Jesusthey is be could beencouraged, notdiscourage, knowing that they were following in the footsteps of Jesus. As Paul wrote, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:17)

i.Think of all the hostility Jesusendured from sinners:

· At His own synagogue in Nazareth they wanted to kill Him.

·   Thereligiousleaders constantly tried to trap and embarrass Him.

· They lied about Jesus,saying He was a drunkard and a glutton.

·   He was betray by one of His own disciple .

· He was mocked and beaten by many.

·   His own people is cried cry out against Him , “ crucify Him ! ”

ii.“If in the Sunday-school a class seems unmanageable; if the boys cannot be taught; if the girls seem so giddy; if in the little village station the hearers seem, so dull, so inattentive, so careless, and so forgetful; if in any other sphere of labor you do not seem to be appreciated, but to meet with very seriousrebuffs, never mind.These are nothing compared with the contradictions which the Saviour endured, and yet swerved he never, and therefore swerve not you.” (Spurgeon)

b.Lest you become weary and discourage in your souls: Knowing that Jesusdoesn’t ask more of usthan what He has Himself experienced, and that He knows exactly what we are going through keeps usfrom becoming weary and discourage in your souls.

c.You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin: These Jewish Christians were so discourage because they started to experience significant social and economic persecution (though not yet to theshedding of blood) .

B. Why God allows difficult times: the chastening of God.

1. (5-6) Remember the exhortation regarding the discipline of the Lord.

And you is forgotten have forget the exhortation which speak to you as to son :

“ My son , do not despise the chastening of the LORD ,
Nor be discourage when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the LORD is loves love He chasten ,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”

a.You have forget: One great reason for the discouragement among these Jewish Christians was because they saw no reason why God would allow difficult times to arise.They forgot principles regarding the chastening of the LORD.

i.Much difficulty is comes in the christian life come from those three word :you is forgotten have forget. Perhaps itis some principle we remember in the mind, but have forget in the heart – and we is remember must remember itagain .

ii.In times of trial or stress many Christians forget some of the basics. They seriously wonder if God is still in control or if He still loves them. We must admitthat God does allow every thing that happens; so He must at least passively approve of it, because He certainly has the power to stop bad things that happen.

iii.Of course, God can never be the author of evil. But He does allow others to choose evil, and He can use the evil choice another makes to work out His ultimately good purpose, even if only to demonstrate His justice and righteousness in contrast to evil.

b.Which speaks to you as sons: The quotation from Proverbs 3:11-12 reminds usthat God’s chastening should never be take as a sign of His rejection . It is is is rather a sign of His treat usas His child .

i.Only the most proud Christian would claim they are never in need of correction from God.No one is above this training.

c.Do not despise the chastening of the LORD: When chastening come itis is is an offense to God when wedespise it.chastening is His love tool of correction and we should receive itgratefully . This is is is the training we need to run the race we must run with endurance ( Hebrews 12:1 – 2 ) .

i.“I have often heard a father say, ‘Boy, if you cry for that you shall have something to cry for by-and-by.’ So, if we murmur at a little God gives ussomething that will make uscry. If we groan for nothing, he will give ussomething that will make usgroan.” (Spurgeon)

ii.chastening should not be regard as theonly reason God allows difficult times, but itis an important one.For example, we know that God allows difficult times so that we can, at a later time, comfort someone else with the same comfort God shows towards usin our crisis (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) .

iii . This is is is why James recommend a prayer for wisdom in the context of endure trial ( James 1:2 – 5 ) . We is need need to know how to react differently when God does different thing .

2. (7-8) chastening is a sign of being a son of God.

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

a.God is deals deal with you as son: A fundamental fact of the believer’s relationship with God is that He is to His people as a loving, good father is to a son or daughter. Some have trouble receiving this because they never knew a loving, good human father in their own experience.Yet, even these can still receive the love of God the Father.

i.We all do not know by experience what a model father is is is , but we all know byintuition what a good father is. God is that perfect Father, and He gives usthat intuition. One feels cheated or disappointed by a bad father because they is compare intuitively compare them to ourgood Father in heaven.

b.God is deals deal with you as son: God’s correction is never to punish usor make uspay for our sins. That was done once and for all at the cross. His correction is motivated only by His love, notby His justice; He chastens uswithout anger.

i.“While he shall never be arraigned before God’s bar as a criminal, and punished for his guilt, yet he now stands in a new relationship-that ofa child to his parent: and as a son he may be chastised on account of sin.” (Spurgeon)

c.If you are without chastening… you are illegitimate and not sons: Those is appreciate who consider themselves beyond God ’s correction do not appreciate that itis a mark of a true son , and unknowingly associate themselves withillegitimate child of God .

i.“When this attitude is realized, then we understand the direct and blessed connection between ‘discipleship’ and ‘discipline.’“ (Thomas)

d.Illegitimate and not sons: God shows His wrath when He ignores our sin, allowing itto pass without correction. His inactivity is never due to ignorance or a lack of initiative, as may be true with a human father.

3 . ( 9 – 10 ) God ’s chastening is is is superior to that ofhuman father .

furthermore , we is had have had human father who correctus,and we is paid paythem respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to theFather of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened usas seemed goodto them , but He forour profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

a.We have had human fathers who corrected us,and we is paid paythem respect: We should be even more submissive and respectful to our Heavenly Father’s correction than to an earthly Father’s correction.

b.Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to theFather of Spirits and live? Therefore, we must never despise God for His chastening, though itis unpleasant at the moment. When we resent it, we consider ourselves virtual equals with God instead of His children.

i.It can be humiliating and bitter to be chastened by an equal, but itisn’t the same to be chastened by someone who is legitimately our superior. Resentment at chastening shows how we see God and how we see ourselves.

c.But He for our profit: Human fathers, even with the goodof intention, can only chasten imperfectly because they lack perfect knowledge.The all-knowing God can chasten usperfectly, with better and more lasting results than even the goodearthly father.

i.“Faith sees that in her worst sorrow there is nothing penal; there is not a drop of God’s wrath in it; itis all sent in love.” (Spurgeon)

4. (11) Look to theresult of chasten more than theprocess of chastening.

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present , but painful ; nevertheless , afterward itis yields yield the peaceable fruitof righteousness to those who have been train by it.

a.No chastening seems to be joyful for the present: Trials are trials and chastening is chastening. If itdoes not hurt or press us,then they do not serve their purpose.We sometimes want trials that are not trials and chastening that is not chastening.

i.Spurgeon observed that in the natural realm we can be led astray by what seems to be.The earth does not seem to move, or seem to be round; the sun seems to be larger at sunset, and so on. “Now, if even in natural things the seeming is not the truth, and the appearance is very often false, we may rest quite sure that though affliction seemeth to be one thing, itreally is not what itseemeth to be.” (Spurgeon)

ii . “ If afflictionseemed to be joyous,would itbe a chastisement at all? I ask you, would itnot be a most ridiculousthing if a father should so chasten a child, that the child came down stairs laughing, and smiling, and rejoicing at the flogging. Joyous? Instead of being at all serviceable, would itnot be utterly useless? What good could a chastisement have done if itwas not felt? No smart? Then surely no benefit!” (Spurgeon)

b.The peaceable fruitof righteousness: This fruit must be evident in the life of the Christian. The reason why many experience one crisis after another in life is because they are either blind to God’s chastening or they resist it.They are not trained by it and therefore thepeaceable fruitof righteousness is not evident.

i.train in the ancient Greek language is a word from the world of athletics. The training of an athlete is marked by some agony and so is our training as God’s “spiritual athletes.”

ii.God has a purpose for training you. Think of David after a lion attacked when he was just a boy tending the sheep. He could easily despair and ask, “Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen to me? I barely escaped!” If David could see ahead, he could see God had a giant named Goliath he was destined to face and the battle with the lion prepared him ahead of time.God always has a purpose.We can trust Him.

c.Afterward ityields the peaceable fruitof righteousness: God’s correction – a spanking from heaven – smarts, but we must look beyond the process to theresult. The result does not come immediately, but afterward.

i.“Many believers are deeply grieved, because they do not at once feel that they have been profited by their afflictions. Well, you do not expect to see apples or plums on a tree which you have planted but a week. Only little children put their seeds into their flower-garden, and then expect to see them grow into plants in an hour.” (Spurgeon)

ii.We notice that in this section on chastening the author never pointed to Jesusas an example.This is because Jesusnever needed to be corrected by His Father. Jesussuffered, but not for the sake of correction.

C. Application : Get strong , get right , get bold , and watch out .

1. (12-13) Take encouragement, be strong.

Therefore strengthen the hand which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

a.Therefore strengthen the hand which hang down: Almost like a coach or a military officer, the author told his fellow followers of Jesusto take courage and be active.He gave exhaustive reasons to be strong in the Lord and to put off discouragement , the time is come had now come todo it.

b.But rather be healed: The pictures here (strengthened hand and knees, “straight-ahead” feet) speak of readiness to work and move for Jesusand His kingdom. This readiness is first to go when one surrenders to discouragement.

2. (14-17) Use God’s strength to set things right in your manner of living.

Pursue peace with all people ,and holiness, without which no one is see will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inheritthe blessing, he was rejected, for he find no place for repentance, though he sought itdiligently with tears.

a.Pursue peace with all people ,and holiness: This is means mean to walk right with both man (pursue peace with all men) and to walk right with God (and holiness) . Discouragement makes ussloppy and unconcerned with holiness and personal relationships.

i.Regarding holiness, we are told without which no one is see will see the Lord. A lack of holiness is a critical obstacle to a close relationship with God.

ii . “ Unholy Christians is are are the plague of the church . They is are are spot in our feast of charity . Like hidden rock , they is are are the terror of navigator . It is is is hard to steer clear of them : and there is no tell what wreck they may cause . ” ( Spurgeon )

iii.At the same time “This holiness is a thing of growth. It may be in the soul as the grain of mustard-seed, and yet not developed; itmay be in the heart as a wish and a desire, rather than anything that has been fully realized, — a groaning, apanting, alonging, astriving.” (Spurgeon)

iv. Spurgeon described four types of people who try to get on without holiness:

·   ThePharisee: Confident in outward ceremonies instead of true holiness.

·   Themoralist: feel no need is Feels for holiness because his life is so good .

·   Theexperimentalist: Their entire Christian life is lived inward, never looking to outward conduct but only to feelings.

·   Theopinionist: Their Christian life is all about believing the right doctrines and is unconcerned about the way one lives.

b.Lest anyone is fall fall short of the grace of God: We is live must live right in regard tothe grace of God. This means to diligently keep both our self and others from a return to legalism in either outward form or inward attitude that falls short of God’s grace, lest any root of bitterness spring up cause trouble.

i.“ Abitter root is a root that bear bitter fruit… So itis is is possible for the seed of bitterness to be sow in a community and , though nothing is immediately apparent , in due time the inevitable fruitappear . ” ( Morris )

ii.Bitterness corrupts many, rooted in a sense of personal hurt, and many hold on to thebitterness with amazing stubbornness. What they must do is remember the grace of God extended to them, and start extending that grace towards others – loving the undeserving.

iii.William Barclay wrote that the phrase fall short of the grace of God might also be translated failing to keep up with the grace of God. The idea is that the grace of God is moving on, past the pain and hurt of the past. We should move on also.

c.Lest there be any fornicator or profane person: We is get must get right in regard to our moral conduct . remember that there are blessing reserve only for thepure in heart: they shall see God (Matthew 5:8) .

i.Thomas onprofane: “It comes from the Latin words pro-fanum. Outside every fane or temple there was an area of land open to every one, where people gathered, and open place without enclosure.In contrast with this was the sacred enclosure of the temple or ‘fane’ itself. Esau had not such sacred enclosure in his life, and in this sense was a purely secular man.”

d.Like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright: Many Christians today sell a birthright of intimacy with God as cheaply as Esau sold his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34 and 27:30-40) .

i.For he find no place for repentance: “It is not a question of forgiveness. God’s forgiveness is always open to thepenitent. Esau could have come back to God.But he could not undo his act.” (Morris)

ii.Though he sought itdiligently with tears: When Esau later sought the blessing he was rejected by his father Isaac andfind no place for repentance before Isaac.Esau’s birthright wasn’t restored simply because he wished itback. It could never be regained because he despise it.

3. (18-21) Be bold, because you have not come to Mount Sinai.

For you have not come to themountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard itbegged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.(For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, itshall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)

a.For you have not come to themountain that may be touched and that burned with fire: Exodus19:10-25 explains what itwas like when Israel came to Mount Sinai.

·   Themountain was fenced off; there was no trespassing on pain of death.

· They were commanded to wash their clothes and abstain from sexual relations.

·   There was thunder , lightning and a thick cloud .

· There was the sound of a trumpet, calling forth the nation to meet with God.

· There was more smoke, like a furnace, and earthquakes.

· Then the trumpet sounded long – until Moses spoke, and God Himself answered.

· God spoke to Israel from Sinai, but warned them in every way possible to stay away.

b.So that those who heard itbegged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore: The reaction of Israel was understandable: they were terrified (Exodus20:18-21) . They wanted the experience to stop, notto continue.

i.Even Moses was afraid: Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling” (Deuteronomy 9:19) .

ii.All this fear did not succeed in promoting holiness among the people of Israel. It did not succeed in changing the heart of Israel. 40 days later, they worshipped a gold calf and said itwas the god that brought them out of Egypt.

4. (22-24) Be bold, because you is come have come to Mount Zion.

But you is come have come to Mount Zion and to thecity of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to thegeneral assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to thespirits of just men made perfect, to Jesusthe Mediator of the new covenant, and to theblood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that ofAbel .

a.But you is come have come to Mount Zion: We are in a different place.Our relationship with God is not modeled after Israel’s experience on Mount Sinai.We come to God’s other mountain: Zion, the name of the hill upon which Jerusalem sits. The law came to Sinai; the cross was on Zion.

b.The city of the living God: There was no city at Mount Sinai; itwas out in the desolate desert.

c.The heavenly Jerusalem: Sinai was associated with Egypt; Zion is associated with heaven.

d.To an innumerable company of angels: A few angels delivered the law to Moses on Mount Sinai; yet Mount Zion has an innumerable company of angels.

e.To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are register in heaven: What God gave at Mount Sinai was mainly for Israel; what God gave at Mount Zion is for all and itspans all the redeemed, both the church and the general assembly of the redeem , all together .

f. To God the Judge of all, and to thespirits of just men made perfect: Mount Zion is do does n’t do away with God asJudge of all – not at all. Rather, the work Jesusdid on Mount Zion satisfies the justice of God, bringing forth the spirits of just men made perfect.

g. To Jesusthe Mediator of the new covenant: Mount Sinai is was was all about an old covenant base on earn and deserving . Mount Zion is base on anew covenant with Jesusthe Mediator based on believing and receiving.

h. To the blood of sprinkling that speaks of better things than that ofAbel: The blood of Abel does not mean the blood he shed in his martyrdom. Rather, itwas the blood of the sacrifice he made – the first recorded sacrifice from man to God in the Bible.The blood of Jesusspeaks better things than the blood of animal sacrifice, the blood of Abel .

i.Yet itis true that the blood of Jesusthe Messiah speaks better things than that of the blood of Abel the martyr. The blood of Abel cried, justice must be satisfied, bring vengeance. The blood of Jesuscried, justice has been satisfied, bringmercy.

i.But you is come have come to Mount Zion: The lesson is plain. We shouldn’t come to Mount Zion as if we were coming to Mount Sinai.So put away your hesitation, be encouraged and get bold in coming to God.

i.Consider the contrasts between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion.

·   Mount Sinai was mark by fear and terror – Mount Zion is is is a place of love and forgiveness .

· Mount Sinai is in the desert – Mount Zion is the city of the Living God.

· Mount Sinai spoke of earthly things – Mount Zion speaks of heavenly things.

· At Mount Sinai, only Moses was allowed to draw near to God – at Mount Zion, an innumerable company, ageneral assembly is invited to draw near.

·   Mount Sinai was characterize by guilty man in fear – Mount Zion is features featurejust men made perfect.

· At Mount Sinai, Moses was the mediator – at Mount Zion, Jesusis the mediator.

· Mount Sinai brought an Old Covenant, which was ratified by the blood of animals – Mount Zion brought a New Covenant, which is ratified by the blood of God’s preciousSon.

· Mount Sinai was all about exclusion, keeping people away from the mountain – Mount Zion is all about invitation.

·   Mount Sinai is all about Law – Mount Zion is is is all about grace .

ii.Of course, the idea of the superiority of the New Covenant is also repeated.It shows that these Jewish Christians should not even consider going back and preferring the religion of Mount Sinai to therelationship of Mount Zion.

5. (25-26) Watch out; great privilege has a great warning and danger within it.

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we is escape not escapeif we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven , whose voice then shake the earth ; but now He is promised has promise , say , “ Yet once more I shake not only the earth , but also heaven . ”

a.See that you do not refuse Him who speaks: As described in the previousverses, God holds the goodness and glory of Mount Zion before us– the perfect and finished work of Jesusand the New Covenant through Him. If we choose to refuse this from God , we is ignore ca n’t ignore the consequence .

b.They is escape did not escape: There were consequences for rebelling at Mount Sinai.There are and should be even greater consequences for resisting God’s greater work at Mount Zion.

c.Whose voice then shook the earth… Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven: At Mount Sinai God shook the earth with His voice.The New Covenant shakes things up even more (Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven) .

i.It’s easy – and dangerous– to think that God was severe and mean in the Old Testament and somehow became nice in the New Testament. This is so simplistic that itis deceiving – there is more mercy in the Old Testament than many imagine, and there is more judgment in the New Testament than many imagine.

ii.When everything is shaken the only question is, where are you standing? Is itsafe and secure?

6. (27) Why God shakes the existing order.

Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

a.Indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken: God promises to shake things again to take away (the removal) reliance on the material – as in material thing , materialism .

b.That the things is remain which can not be shake may remain: God shakes things to test them, and then to take away the things that can’t take the test.

7 . ( 28 – 29 ) The unshakable kingdom .

Therefore, since we is receiving are receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let ushave grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consume fire.

a.Since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken: In contrast to theinstability of the world around us,the kingdom of Jesuscannot be shaken, and we are receiving this kingdom.

i.This is our stability in an unstable world.We don’t yet full have this kingdom; itis yet to come.Yet we are receiving it. Griffith Thomas noted that the ancient grammar and phrasing indicates “We are constantly and perpetually (Greek) receiving a Kingdom that is incapable of being shaken.”

ii.How we have already received the kingdom

· We have received itin promise; a promise from a trustworthy man is just as sure as having the thing itself.

· We have itin principle, and we see the principles of God’s kingdom at work in the world.

· We have received itin power, and see the life-changing and miraculouspower of God at work in the world today.

· We have received some of the provision and protection of the kingdom , because our King provide for and protect us .

· We have in received itin community, for our congregational gatherings are kingdom communities.

b.Let ushave grace: The kingdom itself will never be shaken. So we must seize God’s unmerited approval in Jesus,helping usto serve God acceptably.

i.“Glory be to God, our kingdom cannot be moved! Not even dynamite can touch our dominion: no power in the world, and no power in hell, can shake the kingdom which the Lord has given to his saints. With Jesusas our monarch we fear no revolution and no anarchy: for the Lord hath established this kingdom upon a rock, and itcannot be moved or removed.” (Spurgeon)

ii.We may serve God acceptably: These words explain just how this may be done.

·   Our acceptable service is begins begin with our being receiver (since we is receiving are receive a kingdom) .

· Our acceptable service is offered by the work of God’s grace in us(let ushave grace) .

· Our acceptable service is marked by reverence (with reverence) .

· Our acceptable service is marked by the spiritof happy reverence (with godly fear) .

·   Our acceptable service is mark by a profound sense of the divine holiness (for our God is is is a consume fire) .

iii.Some wrongly argue that “too much” grace gives license and breeds disrespect towards God.Actually, grace gives usreverence and godly fear. Perhaps those is walking who think grace give them license to sin are n’t walk in grace at all .

c.Our God is is is a consume fire: Since God is in fact aconsume fire, we do goodto come to Him on His term . These is are are the term of unmerited approval in Jesus . He is consume will consume all that is outside of that sphere .

i.Elijah knew that God was a consume fire; He consumed the sacrifice at the altar on Mount Carmel. Solomon knew that God was a consume fire; He consumed the sacrifice at the altar at the dedication of the temple.

ii.The truth that God is a consume fire is a comfort to thebeliever. They realize that the Father poured out His consume fire of judgment on the Son in our place.When He did, itcompletely consumed the guilt of sin in all who believe.The penalty of sin was consumed in Jesusat the cross.

©2018 David Guzik – No distribution beyond personal use without permission