Hebrews Sermon Series
“The Warning From Heaven”
Hebrews 12.18-29
10/15/14 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A Hebrews 12 is a series of B-12 shots of encouragement for the Believer to be faithful, hold the course, not turn back.
1 The B-12 shots come in a series of three rounds that consists of . . .
a (vs. 1-4) Encouragement of the Race
aa (12.1) Great cloud of witnesses (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, etc.)
bb (12.2) Jesus, our greatest source of encouragement.
b (vs.5-17) Encouragement of the Rod
aa God will not tolerate/allow us to be entangled/ensnared/enslaved to sin.
bb He will discipline those whom He loves (12.6)
c Finally, (v.18-29) Encouragement of the Reward
aa What the Gospel offered was/is better than what the Law/Old Covenant offered.
bb Christ is BETTER than angelic hosts, Moses, Priest, offered a better sacrifice.
cc Instituted a better covenant through the offering of better blood.
2 All of these shots lead to a better life of faith now & a better hope in the future because our reward is not earthly, but heavenly.
B The author of Hebrews contrasts Mt. Sinai and the giving of the Law to Israel with the heavenly Mt. Zion and the blessings of Grace to the Church.
1 (12.18-21a)
a When God gave the people the Law, Scriptures (Ex. 19.10-25; 20.18-21; Deut. 4.10-24) describe the event as horrific, terrible encounter.
aa The people were afraid to hear God’s voice, even Moses feared & trembled.
bb God demanded a boundary line be in place around the mount, even if stray livestock wandered into the boundary, they were to be killed (specifically by stoning or by a dart so those who are issuing the punishment won’t become defiled themselves.)
cc Why all the security, smoke, pyrotechnics?
b This is God showing His People the seriousness of the Law, Covenant, Relationship, Marriage between God & Israel.
aa The nation was in its infancy, babies. . . they understood reward & punishment.
bb We don’t communicate with our older/grown children the way we did when they were babies/younger. . . neither does God.
cc On Mt. Sinai, God was speaking/interacting with an infant nation.
2 The Law revealed how lost/sinful the people were, but didn’t offer salvation/a way out.
a Sinai could help the people make it through 70 years or so on earth, but it offered no hope of eternal like . . . that hope only comes from Zion.
aa The Law could show the spiritual condition of our soul, never restore our soul.
bb Rom. 8.3
b Heb. 12.18-21 tells us that we’ve moved from Sinai to Zion: Law to Grace.
aa We need to be keenly aware of both, not cheapen either.
bb The devil doesn’t care which side you fall on as long as we don’t stay in the saddle.
c Our future home is called Mt. Zion.
aa Not the earthly Mt. Zion in Jerusalem, but to the heavenly Jerusalem.
bb At the time of the writing of Hebrews, Jerusalem was about to fall to the hands of the Romans. (Fall to the Turks, Crusaders, Turks/Islam . . . the earthly city of God, Jerusalem has been destroyed/rebuilt many times)
cc The Heavenly Mt. Zion has never fallen into the enemy’s hands, been destroyed, rebuilt.
T.S.: In Hebrews 12.22-28, we’ll find three truths about our better home in heaven.
I The Description of Heaven (12.22)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, (italics mine)
A There’s not much preaching/teaching done about heaven & perhaps that is because we’re so blessed right now that we just don’t think much heaven: The author describes heaven with three descriptive terms:
1 Mt. Zion (means fortress, place of protection)
a Zion is the opposite of Sinai
aa Sinai was a place of fear/trembling/horror; confronted us with the Law, commandments, judgement, & condemnation: Zion presents us grace, forgiveness, atonement, & salvation.
bb Sinai was forbidding/terrifying, Zion is inviting and gracious; Sinai was closed to all because no one is able to please God on Sinai’s terms . . .Zion is open to all because Jesus Christ has met the terms of Sinai and will stand in the place of anyone who will to God through Him.
b Earthly Zion is one of the chief mountains of Jerusalem.
aa It was where Solomon’s/Herrod’s Temple stood.
bb Is. 8.18, declares that the Lord chose Mt. Zion as His dwelling place.
cc 2 Kings 19.21, The people of Israel are called the Daughters of Zion.
c Ps. 125.1, (Zion represents His Kingdom)
aa Ps. 48.1-3, (The redeemed in heaven as standing on Mt. Zion.)
bb Heaven, our Mt. Zion, is a place where fear will be non-existent, complete security in His fortress/place of protection.
2 City of the Living God (Not a ghost town, abandoned . . . it is a real city.)
a It’s the city of a vital, dynamic, living Being, one who is doing things!
aa Not the city of a god made of clay, wood, brass, gold.
bb He’s living!
b It is the city that Abraham sought (Hebrews 11.10).
aa It was the city that the faithful of the OT searched for (11.13-16).
bb It is a city that God has prepared for all who love Him (11.16).
3 Heavenly Jerusalem
a John the Revelator describes this city in Rev. 21.10-17.
aa Heaven is a traveling city shaped like a 1,500 mile cube (multi-dimensional.)
bb If it were divided into 78,000 levels, 100 feet high, each level would contain 2,250,000 square miles.
b If you allocated 2,000 square feet for every person living there, you would have room for 43 billion persons . . . there hasn’t been that many alive since the beginning of time!
B When you come to Christ you come to heaven, the only way to come to heaven is by way of Christ.
1 From the moment we’re saved, heaven is our spiritual home.
a It’s where our heavenly Father & our Savior lives.
b It’s the place our spiritual family is; treasure is laid up, inheritance rests, our hope dwells.
2 The only things we have of any true value is there and all that we should want is there.
II The Population of Heaven (12.22-24)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 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, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
A There are six distinct demographics in heaven.
1 “myriads of angels” (NASB); “an innumerable company of angels” (KJV).
a When we come to Christ, to Zion, we come to a great gathering of celebrating angels, whom we join in praising God.
aa We are not to worship angels, but we may worship with them (v.23, “to the general assembly” is probably a massive worship service/feast.” God’s dance floor)
bb Angels were also at Sinai (Gal. 3.19) as mediators of the covenant, but men could not join them there.
cc At Sinai they blew trumpets of judgement, At Zion they are celebrating.
b In Heaven you will meet these glorious beings who have guarded & guided God’s work on this planet.
c You will meet your guardian angel that was assigned to you when you were saved (Heb. 1.14).
2 “church of the first born who are enrolled in heaven” is the body of Christ.
a The child who receives an inheritance is typically “the first born” of the family.
aa As believers in Yeshua, we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,” who is “the first-born among many brethern” (Rom. 8.17,29).
bb The church in Heb. 12 describes those of us who belong to Christ from Pentecost to the Rapture . . . we are the firstborn.
b Jesus tells us not to rejoice because we’re awesome at ministry, preaching, teaching, giving, singing, praying in the Spirit, cast out demons, heal the sick . . . but because our names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10.22) in “the Lamb’s book of Life” (Rev. 21.27).
3 “God the judge of all”
a God is the judge of all . . . whether via Sinai or via Zion.
b At Sinai, people could not approach His presence . . . at Zion, “the veil of the temple was torn in two” (Luke 23.45).
aa For all those who trust in the atoning work of Christ on Calvary, we will forever be in God’s presence.
bb To come into God’s presence at Sinai was to die; to come into His presence at Zion is to live (Ps. 73.25; Rev. 21.3).
4 “The spirits of just men made perfect” (v.23)
a These are the Old Testament saints who died believing forward to Messiah. (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, etc.)
aa When we get to heaven we’ll join these and all the others in one great household of God (Matt. 8.11).
bb These OT saints had to wait a long time for the perfection that we received the instant we trusted in Christ.
b They had to wait in paradise for Christ’s death & resurrection before they could be glorified . . . we got it in an instant!
aa In heaven, we will not be inferior to Abraham, Moses, or Elijah because we will all be equal in righteousness.
bb Our only righteousness will be our Savior’s righteousness.
5 “and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant”
a “Yeshua” is the name used, His redemptive name.
aa The name He was given because He would “save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1.21).
bb We will see our Savior, Jesus in heaven on that great day.
b When we come to Mt. Zion, we come to our Savior, our Redeemer, our one and only Mediator with the Father.
c John 3.2, sums up the ultimate end to this truth: “we shall be like Him.”
6 “and to the sprinkled blood.”
a If you’re a Christian, you had to come “to the sprinkled blood.”
aa The atoning, blood, through the redeeming blood.
bb Eph. 1.7; 2.13
b The sprinkled blood of Jesus far surpasses the sacrifice of Abel (Heb. 11.4).
aa Abel’s sacrifice was accepted by God because Abel offered it in faith.
bb But that blood that Abel offered couldn’t atone for his sin.
cc The blood of Jesus on the cross did in reality what Abel was trying to accomplish with the blood of a lamb in Genesis.
c Jesus’ blood is sufficient to cleanse the sins of all men for all time, to make peace with God for whoever trusts in that blood sacrifice.
B Heaven is for real!
1 It’s not for everybody, but it is for real!
2 IL.
III The Invitation to Heaven (12.25-29)
25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 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. 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; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
A After giving the contrasts between Sinai & Zion, the author says, in effect, “Here is what you must do. You must not refuse/ignore the one who is speaking.
1 God spoke at Sinai and the people “refused/ignored” His speaking and they didn’t enter the promised land.
a Died in the wilderness after they refused to hear God’s voice from Sinai . . .they were held accountable.
aa How much more will the audience of Hebrews be held accountable now that He warns from heaven, from Mt. Zion.
bb All who ignore God when He speaks through His Son from Mt. Zion will not enter the heavenly promised land.
b No person who refuses to hear God speak will escape His judgement.
2 The Scripture is clear about God is going to do to the created universe in v. 26, 27.
a “Remove” means to transfer to a new basis, to transpose, to change.
aa As a musician, transposing makes this concept easier to understand.
bb The author is quoting (12.26) an ancient prophecy made by Haggai (Haggai 2.6), a shaking of creation that will precede the new heaven/new earth.
Hebrews 12:26 (NASB) 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."
Haggai 2:6 (NASB) 6 "For thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.
cc This prophecy will be fulfilled during the Seven Year (Great Tribulation) Period, at which time the heavens will be disorganized/chaotic (Rev. 6.12-17, 8.12), an earthquake will shake the entire earth when Jesus’ feet touch down on the Mt. of Olives at the close of the period (Zech. 14.4,5; Rev 11.13, 16.18).
Revelation 6:12-17 (NASB) 12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Revelation 8:12 (NASB) 12 The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.
Zechariah 14:4-5 (NASB) 4 In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. 5 You will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!
Revelation 11:13 (NASB) 13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Revelation 16:18 (NASB) 18 And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.
b The universe being shaken has been tainted by Adam’s sin and must be done away with.
aa Rev. 21.1, I believe the new heaven/new earth is the same in resemblance/appearance/awesomeness, but it has been transposed (Key has changed but the song remains the same.)
Revelation 21:1 (NASB) 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
bb The created universe was created by God with an expiration date hidden on it somewhere . . . it will expire, discarded, and replaced with a new universe that will last forever.
cc The passing away of perishable things emphasizes the eternal that endures forever.
c Today, the voice of Jesus speaks of salvation & forgiveness, but one day soon His voice will be a voice that will bring judgement to those who reject Him. (People can refuse the invitation).
B We can also receive the invitation (vv. 28,29)
Hebrews 12:28-29 (NASB) 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; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
1 Receiving Jesus’ invitation places you in an unshakable eternal Kingdom that will stand when this old earth is gone.
a We should be building our lives upon Him & His Kingdom which will remain forever, stand for all eternity.
b As Christians, we are already apart of that unchangeable, unstoppable, unshakable Kingdom.
c Having received that invitation, we are to serve God faithfully, with everything we have.
2 If God punished/judged the people who refused to listen to Him at Sinai, how much greater will God’s judgement be to those who refused to listen to Him from Zion?
a As the world is being shaken us around us (financially, governments, disease, churches, etc.,) do not be distracted by the tremendous change around us.
b Keep running the race with endurance, keep looking to Jesus Christ.
aa Remember that your Father loves you, and draw on God’s enabling grace.
bb While the rest of the world is in scared to death, we remain confident in the Living God of Israel.
Conclusion:
A Fashion, trends, music, fads go in & out.
1 TBT, Everything we can touch/see will eventually go out and stay out.
a Some things in the Kingdom need to be shaken from time to time:
aa dust shaken off (Matt. 10.14)
Matthew 10:14 (NASB) 14 "Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
bb Sometimes praying causes a shaking (Acts. 4.31)
Acts 4:31 (NASB) 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
cc Sometimes blessings are shaken together (Luke 6.38)
Luke 6:38 (NASB) 38 "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
dd Sometimes shaking brings freedom (Acts 16.26)
Acts 16:26 (NASB) 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.
2 Some things cannot/will not be shaken (never change).
a Scriptural preaching cannot be shaken
aa 2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB) 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
John 5:24 (NASB) 24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Romans 10:17 (NASB) 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Matthew 24:35 (NASB) 35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
bb The preaching of the truth may not always be popular, but it will never be shaken.
b Sound minds cannot be shaken
aa 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 (NASB) 1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
bb 2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
c Steadfast believers cannot be shaken
aa 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB) 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
bb Ephesians 4:14 (NASB) 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
d A Sound foundation cannot be shaken
aa 2 Timothy 2:19 (NASB) 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."
bb Matthew 16:18 (NASB) 18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
e The Salvation of the Lord Cannot be Shaken
B heaven was described (size, population) & an invitation given.
1 IL. As a child I had a piggy bank, I’d turn it upside down/shake the living day lights out of it to get my money.
a I wanted to transfer what was in it to into my hands.
b God is shaking things because He wants to transfer what is in the heavenlies to put into His childrens hands.
2 Wake up/morning/need/wear a nice outfit to work or to church
• Often want to iron/clothes before putting them on
• Don’t want wrinkled clothing/reflect/poorly/those around you.
• So you take out your iron, plug it in/let it get hot/touch
• Slowly move it back and forth over/wrinkles in your clothes.
• clothes feel/heat/pressure/sting of the iron
You aren’t putting/hot iron/your clothes because you want to burn them.
• You are not trying to be mean
• simply trying to improve them
• Return them to their intended look.
• Your iron becomes a consuming fire.
• It doesn’t consume the clothes/consumes/wrinkles in the clothes.
3 Our God is a consuming fire that preparing His Bride for the Bridegroom.
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
