Dr Tom Hover
November 12, 2023
Hebrews 12:18–29 / Hebrews 13:1–6
TWO MOUNTAINS LAW OR GRACE? / LIVE CHRISTLIKE!
TWO MOUNTAINS LAW OR GRACE?
Hebrews 12:18–29
I. THE CONTRAST OF TWO MOUNTAINS
These verses contain one of the most powerful contrasts to be found in the Word of God. Paul draws a sharp contrast between Sinai, the earthly mountain where the law was given, and Sion, the heavenly mount—the home of the righteous. Hebrews 12:18,22 What a contrast there is between Sinai and Sion. Looking at these two mountains we see the vast difference between law and grace.
A.) The Fierce Wrath of Sinai
1. The Sight Hebrews 12:18,21, Exodus 19:16–18
2. The Sound Hebrews 12:19, Exodus 19:16, 20:19 The trumpet is often used in Scripture to describe God’s voice: I Thessalonians 4:16–17, I Corinthians 15:52, Revelation 4:1, Revelation 8:2, Revelation 10:7 3. The Separation Hebrews 12:20, Exodus 19:12–13, Heb.4:16
B.) The Favorable Way of Sion
Paul continues to contrast the old with the new to show the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. Sion is symbolic of the heavenly Jerusalem where we enjoy the blessings and realities of the new covenant. The earthly mount of Sion (or Zion), was the site of the city of Jerusalem: Matthew 21:5, John 12:15, Romans 11:26, I Peter 2:6
1. The City of God Hebrews 12:22, I John 5:13, Revelation 21:22–23, Revelation 21:2, John 14:1-3A full description of this wonderful city is found in Revelation 21. The New Jerusalem is the city whose builder and maker is God. It is the eternal home of every believer.
2. The Church of God Hebrews 12:23, Revelation 21:27
The word firstborn comes from the plural “prototokos” which speaks of all church age believers. It signifies that only those who have been born again will have a part in Heaven. They are those who are written in heaven no doubt refers to the Lamb’s book of life. 3. The Covenant of God Hebrews 12:23-24, I Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 9:13–14, John 1:29
II. NEVER REFUSE GOD! Hebrews 12:25-29
We are responsible to hear and obey God’s Word. When God speaks, we are to listen. There are dire consequences for refusing the Word of God.
A.) A Willingness to Hear Hebrews 12:25 “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.” James 1:22, Psalm 138:2 God has magnified His Word above His name, surely, we should respect Him enough to hear what He has to say.
B.) A Warning to Heed
Hebrews 12:25-29“For if they escaped not who refused him that Spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: “Hebrews 10:31, Hebrews 12:26-27, Haggai 2:6,
This shaking will be fulfilled during the great tribulation period, in which everything will be removed out of its place.
C.) A Way of Holiness Hebrews 12:28-29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. Paul contrasts the eternal with the temporal and calls for a holy reverence of God. The temporal things of the world are going to come to naught, but the eternal kingdom of God is unshakable and will remain intact. The kingdoms of this world will cease to be, but God will still be on His throne. Psalm 45:6, Psalm 119:89–90 Man’s word will be void, but God’s word will stand for eternity. So many people live for temporal things; things that have no eternal value. The day will come when such things will be no more. But those who serve the King of kings will enjoy the unshakable Kingdom of God for eternity.
TONIGHT
LIVE CHRISTLIKE!
Hebrews 13:1–6 In this final chapter Paul exhorts his readers concerning several important and practical issues.
I. THE PRACTICE OF THE CHRISTIAN’S PURPOSE
A.) Compassion with Hospitality Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. John 13:34–35, I Peter 1:22, I John 4:7, I John 4:11–12, I John 4:20, Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 13:2, Matthew 25:35–36, Matthew 25:45
B.) Care with Those in Hardship Hebrews 13:3
C.) Chastity With Each Other In the Home Hebrews 13:4
D.) Contentment with What We Have Hebrews 13:5, Ecclesiastes 5:10,
Luke 12:15, Psalm 37:4
II. THE PERPETUAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST’S PERSON
Hebrews 13:5-6
A.) Practice the Presence of God in Your Life! Hebrews 13:5 “for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
B.) Pursue the Power of God’s Performance in Your Life! Hebrews 13:6, Proverbs 29:25, Psalm 16:8 Blessed is the man who can say, The Lord is my helper.
