Reasons to Endure • 06.04.23
Nick Lees   -   June 6, 2023

Reasons to Endure
Hebrews 12:18-29

Allowing eternal realities to shape today

  1. Consider! – there is a glorious outcome in the New Covenant
  2. Believe! – a greater, final judgment is coming
  3. Rejoice! – by faith we receive an unshakeable kingdom

Good morning church family!

Dismiss 4th + 5th graders

Ushers + Bibles (Hebrews 12; page 1196)

Have you ever wished you knew the future? It’s a fairly common desire to know what is going to happen ahead of time so you can be prepared for it. “I wish I knew what companies would be successful so I could invest in them!” “I wish I knew how this moment played out so I could make the best possible choice!” “Is this career path going to be the right fit?” “Will this relationship pan out?” Perhaps you can come up with other scenarios. The point being is that we like to think if we knew the future, we’d change how we live and the decisions we make in the present to ensure the best possible outcome.

The irony of that is we often think this way for temporal, here-and-now life circumstances and situations. Agonizing over a move. A career choice. An investment strategy. A relationship decision. All of these are limited to this lifetime. Yet we have, in the pages of Scripture, clear revelation about the future that affects not only this life but all of eternity… but we do not take it to heart or change because of what God has said! Humanity has long been guilty of functioning as eternity amnesiacs. We live as if eternity was not a reality and as if it has no impact on our daily lives. This must change for followers of Jesus Christ.

So much of our focus over these past weeks in the book of Hebrews has been on present perseverance given future realities or promises. The call to enduring faith from Hebrews 11 is in light of the hope of the unseen. Last week, when we discussed Hebrews 12 and developing endurance in the race of faith, it was in light of the future righteousness/holiness that God would produce in us. Repeatedly future realities are held out as reasons to endure in the present. We’re going to see that continue yet again in our text for today.

The last half of Hebrews 12 is the crescendo of the entire letter. The author has been building his argument for Jesus being better and to hold fast or persevere in the faith. In this section he now lays out some incredible reasons to endure in the face of trials and temptations. It is as if he is holding out his hand, pointing his finger to the eternal, and saying, “Look at what is ahead!”

He clearly desires for his audience to reshape their present identity and reality around the future certainties secured through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus has changed everything for those who believe in him, and they ought to live like it! Let’s read our text for today.

Hebrews 12:18–29 (ESV)

18 For you have not come to what may 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 no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 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 him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him 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 heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

As we discuss this incredible passage, it is with the goal of…

Allowing eternal realities to shape today

We must not be eternity amnesiacs… It will not do to go through life living as if this is all there is… It is not. Each of us will stand before God one day and there is a real difference in what kind of experience that will be based on your response to Jesus Christ!

This passage is laden with the awesomeness of God and its implications for all of creation. For the sake of our discussion today, there are three eternal realities that I will be highlighting from this text, as well as three appropriate responses that coincide with them. The first comes from verses 18-24 and it is…

  1. Consider! – there is a glorious outcome in the New Covenant

The author had just been challenging his original audience to lift their drooping hands, strengthen their weak knees, and make straight paths for their feet… now he gives them some incredible reasons to do so. He begins with the picture of two mountains, each which represent one of the respective Covenants that we’ve heard so much about in this book and throughout the Bible.

Verses 18-21 bring us back to Mount Sinai and all of its terrors. Mount Sinai was the mountain that God met Moses on after bringing the people out of Egypt in the Exodus. You can find this account detailed in Exodus 19 and 20. The imagery of Mount Sinai is of a blazing fire, darkness, gloom, a tempest, and the blaring of a trumpet and the voice of God. (IMAGE) These were so overwhelming to the nation of Israel that they begged Moses to intercede for them. They could not bear to hear from God directly.

Mount Sinai represents the Old Covenant between God and the Israelites. It is clearly used by the author of Hebrews to demonstrate the blazing holiness of God and the unapproachable nature of that holiness. In fact, when God appeared to Moses, he instructed the people to not even touch the mountain or let one of their animals stray onto it, lest they die! That’s how deadly our sin is before a perfectly holy God. Naturally, God felt far off and unapproachable to the people of those days. They were terrified of judgment and dying (rightfully so!).

And yet, look again at what the author says in verse 18. “For you have NOT come…” He fronts the word “NOT” in the Greek text to emphasize they are NOT coming to this mountain or covenant. Through faith in Christ, they have access to something much better!

Verses 22-24 captures the reality of what believers in Jesus come to…

Hebrews 12:22–24 (ESV)

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.

You have NOT come to Mount Sinai with all its terrors BUT, through Christ, you have come to Mount Zion and all of its joys/festivities. There is no artist rendering that could do this justice, but here is what I found to offset the terrifying imagery of Mount Sinai. (IMAGE)

Mount Zion was part of the hill country of Jerusalem and eventually became synonymous with Jerusalem in the Bible. However, the author of Hebrews is not thinking of Mount Zion as they knew it on earth, but of Mount Zion in eternity. He emphasizes that they have been invited to the city of the living God. The heavenly Jerusalem. This is him pointing forward to what is ahead.

This is the glorious outcome of the New Covenant. That redeemed and forgiven men and women can dwell with God and God with them. They will be together in perfection enjoying the eternal celebration of glory and holiness. What incredible descriptors for this mountain experience:

  • We are invited into God’s city and presence
  • We are with innumerable angels who are gathered to celebrate
  • We are with the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven (the redeemed, the universal church)
  • We are with God, the judge of all, and we are not terrified because we have been made righteous by the blood of Christ
    • His blood declares, “You are forgiven and welcome here! Commended, not condemned!”
  • Our Savior, Jesus, is there!

The author is reorienting his audience to their new reality in Christ. They are no longer defined by their relationship to Mount Sinai (aka the Old Covenant) but by their relationship to Mount Zion (aka the New Covenant). This would have challenged them greatly. The Jews who had converted to Christianity had spent their whole lives relating to God via Mount Sinai and through the Old Covenant Law. Now they were being told they have a God who invites them to draw near, and he will welcome them in without judgment! How could this change so drastically?!

The answer is Christ and his finished work on the cross and empty tomb. Jesus is the once-for-all sacrifice who took away their sins. Their faith in him has set them free from condemnation and judgment! This is possible for people like us today too. Through faith in Jesus, we can have the hope of heaven and the forgiveness of our sins.

That is why you must “consider” this eternal reality! This is worthy of your time and thought. As we’ve heard throughout this letter of Hebrews, it is necessary to pay attention and listen up to this great message of salvation that Jesus has brought to us.

Hebrews 2:1–3a (ESV)

2 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

Jesus has come and accomplished the requirements of the Law that were given at Mount Sinai. He perfectly obeyed in our place. Not only did he fulfill the requirements of Mount Sinai, he did so by dying on a Cross on Mount Zion. He paid the price of your redemption when he bore the wrath of God for your sins. His call to repent (turn from sin) and believe in him is one you cannot afford to ignore!

Consider all that you’ve heard about Jesus and the eternal outcomes of either believing in or rejecting him! Al Mohler put it quite powerfully when he said:

For those who are righteously judged on account of their sin and never knew salvation in Christ, the day of judgment will be a day of unmitigated horror. Eternal hell stands on the other side of that day. But for those who have turned to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance and trust in his condemnation in their place, the day of judgment will be a day of unmitigated glory. Eternity with the only infinitely righteous, gracious, and merciful God stands on the other side of that day. (CCE, 211)

Let us not pretend that we do not know the future. We do. God has made it quite clear to us through his Son and his Word. Will you allow eternity to impact today? And what would it look like if you did? At least part of our answer is the second eternal reality that we must respond to from verses 25-27…

  1. Believe! – a greater, final judgment is coming

The message of Jesus and the Bible at large is not a polite suggestion to believe. It is a command. It is a command with your best interests in mind. Believe because a greater, final judgment is coming. One of unmitigated horror, as Al Mohler put it, for those who do not believe.

Verse 25 puts it plainly – “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking…” That is a command! Everyone has a response to Jesus. Either you hear and believe, or you ignore and reject him. There is no middle ground! This call to hear and believe is followed by a warning…

Hebrews 12:25–27 (ESV)

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him 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 heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.

God spoke from Mount Sinai in the past and he provided accountability for the nation of Israel to his words. Now, the author argues, God will do much more for the revelation he’s given by Jesus from heaven. We’ve heard him use this logic before – a lesser to greater argument. If the lesser is true, and it is, then certainly the greater will be true!

And, in this case, he points out that the eternal reality is that a greater, final judgment is coming. A final shaking of the earth and the heavens. Meaning nothing will be left untouched. Everything will be shaken and all that is man-made will crumble. This language comes from the Old Testament book of Haggai where God is declaring that he has authority over all and that he will fill his house with glory. This glory comes from bringing in what is rightfully his and removing what is not. It is symbolic of judgment and separation of the people.

This final judgment is inescapable for those who reject Christ. All will stand before their Creator before history is complete and eternity begins. We heard this testified in a previous sermon, but it bears repeating again. Listen to the Apostle John’s testimony about that day:

Revelation 20:11–15 (ESV)

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

You do not want to come to that day with your name not in the book of life. Which is why the call to “believe!” is the appropriate response to the eternal reality of judgment. And the testimony of Scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ is the only WAY of salvation.

It was Peter and John’s testimony to the Jews:

Acts 4:11–12 (ESV)

11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

It was Paul and Silas’ testimony to the Gentiles:

Acts 16:29–31 (ESV)

29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

It was Jesus’ own teaching to his disciples:

John 14:1–6 (ESV)

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

How much clearer could it be?! The only way to eternal life with God is through faith in Jesus. And he has lovingly gone before us and prepared the way for us. He laid down his life for our salvation. He now resides in heaven and sits at the right hand of God interceding for us. He has rooms prepared for us in the eternal glory of his kingdom! What incredible truths to respond to this morning! First, with belief rather than rejection, but going beyond that we get to respond with rejoicing in light of this last eternal reality we’re studying this morning…

  1. Rejoice! – by faith we receive an unshakeable kingdom

How could we respond any other way!? To know that you’ve been forgiven of your sins and reconciled to your holy God! What love! What grace! What mercy!

Jesus takes those who are dead in their sin and provides them with robes of righteousness. He includes them in his own inheritance in eternity. Rather than having to fear the fiery judgment and wrath of God, we can have the certainty of receiving an unshakeable kingdom!

Listen again to this wonderful promise of verses 28-29:

Hebrews 12:28–29 (ESV)

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

The author is calling his original audience to a response of gratitude/thanksgiving/rejoicing! It is the appropriate response to receiving the hope of the New Covenant. As Christians, we do not live in fear of God’s wrath because we have been forgiven through Christ. We do not have to fear what will come in eternity, because our hope is firmly wrapped up in Jesus’ perfect ransom on our behalf. Rather than instability or bewilderment at what is to come, we have a settled certainty of what the future/eternity holds for us. And this translates backwards into our life here and now.

Because I have the settled certainty of future grace, I can live today as a living sacrifice for God. I am freed from living as if this life is all there is and the rat race of trying to pack it all in now. This is exactly what Paul shared with the Romans! After laying out the beauty of the Gospel for their lives, he then calls them to respond this way in chapter 12:

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Christian, your life has been ransomed by God. You are freed from trying to earn your way to heaven. Allow this freedom to produce the fruit of a life of worship with reverence and awe in you! This looks like sacrificial service to God and others. A great opportunity for applying this is coming up later this week. Next Saturday is the annual Grimes’ Governors Day Parade. Rather than having a float in the parade this year, we thought it would be more effective to encourage you to attend the parade and engage in intentional conversations with those around you. Imagine if 100 of us have 1 intentional conversation that looks to engage someone with the hope of Jesus and ends by either sharing the Gospel or inviting them to church to hear the Gospel! That would be a powerful day of ministry for the glory of God and good of others. It would require us to die to self and humbly love others though. Will you do it? A living sacrifice implies we’re doing hard things for the glory of God! Remember that you have a kingdom that cannot be shaken! Allow that to motivate you to offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe.

On that note, we are reminded that it is also appropriate to rejoice reverently. To have a sense of awe and wonder before our Creator. He is a consuming fire, which means he is powerful, and his holiness is not to be taken lightly. Mount Sinai still hovers in the background as a reminder of who God is…

What would it look like for you to cultivate such reverent worship of God this week? How might you keep him always before you as you go through your day?

We heard in previous weeks about the necessity of laying aside every weight/hindrance and sin which clings so closely. How has that been going in your life? Have you been actively waging war against temptation and sin? Did you take time to evaluate what is hindering your faith and do something about it?! Who did you open up to and invite in for additional accountability and support over these past weeks?

Last week, I encouraged you with the spiritual discipline of Scripture memory. I know our small group men had a great conversation about that and even took steps to commit to accountability on that matter together. It has been a helpful way to have God’s Word on our minds this week and to help us cultivate worship of God. I hope that it encouraged you to run the race of faith well too!

Today I want to suggest another practical way to cultivate such worship. It is by listening to music that inclines your heart and mind to the Lord. Music has a powerful influence on us. The songs we listen to and sing shape our affections and priorities. Plus, we say that we want to be a church of passionate worship! Which is why we have curated a worship playlist on Spotify to help us listen to and sing songs that will cultivate an awe of God. This playlist is called the Sunday Core Songs playlist. You can find it on our /resources page or on the /worship page. I hope that this resource would help you reorient your focus around the Lord during the day, whether it’s as you’re traveling or even as you’re working.

At the same time, the call to reverent worship ought to serve as a rebuke to us when we’re tempted to be flippant about our identity as Christians. Faith in Jesus is not simply a “get out of hell free card” that allows us to go live however we want. Faith in Jesus is not an addition on top of all the other things we already have and do in our lives. No, faith in Jesus is a fundamental change in our identity. A change so deeply transforming that it shapes EVERYTHING else about us. We are now servants of the King of Kings. It is a privilege and a stewardship responsibility.

As we’ve heard throughout the letter and will continue to hear in chapter 13, we are called to live a particular way. To strive for peace with everyone and holiness without which no one will see the Lord. To spur one another on to love and good works and to not neglect meeting together. To live in a sacrificial way that is not about SELF but about GOD and OTHERS. With it being “missions-emphasis month”, this is the perfect time to evaluate how you’re doing at laying down selfish ambition and offering your life up as a living sacrifice to serve God and serve others. I would encourage you to take time this week, individually and within your small groups, to make such an evaluation and to plan for growth wherever needed!

Praise God that we’re NOT coming to Mount Sinai but to Mount Zion! Let’s allow that future reality change how we live TODAY!

Let’s pray.

Pray

The Rock Won’t Move

Jordan dismissing/announcements