THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD
Hebrews 12:14-29
Key Verse 12:22
In the first part of Hebrews 12, we saw the pilgrim's progress.
In the second part, we see the citizenship, our ultimate destination.
The point of the message is that our life here on earth must be compatible with the life that is to come.
1. The key verse shows that Christians are called to live in the city of the living God. With this in mind what does the author of the Hebrews exhort us to do (and not to do) in verses 14-17? In what respect are these things challenging? How can we live these out? (Verse 15; 2Cor 5:17; Phil 4:13)
** Four exhortations:
1) Live in peace with all men.
2) Be holy.
3) See that no one is sexually immoral.
4) See to it that no one is godless like Esau.
** One reason is not all are of the same opinion. It sounds impossible then to live in peace with "all" men.
** God is holy, man is born unholy. Plus this world is increasingly unholy. So many people call evil good, good evil. The generation is getting increasingly perverse.
** Due to material abundance and technological advancement people are becoming increasingly promiscuous.
** Esau put flesh above spirit. Nowadays people put more emphasis on flesh than on spirit. This trend poses a great threat to Christians who are called to let spirit rule flesh. John 6:63.
** The grace of God in v. 15 refers to the blood of Jesus by which we are forgiven of our sins. This grace also includes the grace of the Spirit who helps us to put to death to our sinful nature, and receive the power to overcome ourselves and the sinful world.
2. Verses 18-24 contrast two mountains: Mt. Sinai (verses 18-21; Ex 19:10-25) and Mt. Zion (22-24). How are the two different? Who are the residents of Mt. Zion? What does “you have come” in verse 22 indicate about the present status of the members of the church? (Eph 2:6)
** One of the fundamental differences is that Mt. Sinai is physical (material) whereas Mt. Zion is spiritual. Mt. Sinai represents the law (Moses) where as Mt. Zion grace (Jesus).
** 1) The living God; 2) Jesus Christ; 3) the members of his church; 4) angels; and 5) all believers of the Old Testament period.
** In God's eyes, this transaction (of salvation into God's family) is as good as done. This is based on the concept that God always fulfills what he promises to fulfill.
3. In verse 25, God is described as “him who speaks.” What does this expression—especially the word ‘speaks’—tell us about 1) the way God communicates His plan and purpose to His children and 2) the way for His children to benefit from His speech?
** He communicates by talking to his children. This is because God created us in such a way that we would either accept what he says or reject what he says. In other words he gave us the right to make a choice, so that it would be each persons own decision, not His decision.
** We better listen to what he says, consider the pros and cons, and then make a decision. Proverbs 22:17-18 provides us with a good four-step guide: 1) pay attention and listen; 3) apply to your heart; 3) keep in your heart; and 4) have all of them ready on your lips.
4. In the Old Testament God spoke to His people from earth through His servant Moses. The location from which God speaks has shifted from earth to heaven. This indicates that believers in the New Testament era are in a better position to understand God’s word than those in the Old Testament era. What does Scripture say about this change? (verse 24; John 14:16, 16:13; Mark 13:10; Dan 12:4)
** 1) shadows vs. reality
In the past God spoke in a rather inferior way such as in symbols or patterns (like the blood of Abel) which all work as foreshadows of the reality come, that is, Jesus Christ. But in the New Testament period, we have Jesus who fulfills the Old Testament patterns.
2) Earth vs. heaven
In the past God spoke from Mt. Sinai, for example. But Jesus has gone to heaven, is seated at the right hand side of God, and from there he sends His Spirit to those who believe in Him, so that through the guidance of the indwelt Spirit his children would understand the word better.
3) Israel vs. Gentiles
In the past the revelation was mostly limited to the Jewish nation, but now the gospel is being preached to all nations.
4) Technology: nowadays the means of communication has advanced drastically so that the knowledge of the Bible can be shared with many a lot faster than in the past.
5. Please consider the words ‘refuse’ and ‘refused’ in verse 25. How do people refuse Jesus?
** Antonym of the word refuse is accept. It is possible for one to believe in Jesus, but not fully accept Him.
Another way is to accept Him as the Savior, but not necessarily as the master/Lord/King.
Another way is to know him with mere head knowledge, still maintaining a lifestyle which is totally different than or even hostile to Jesus' character.
Remember that it was to the church of Laodicea (which refers to the church of the last generation right before the second coming of Jesus) that Jesus approached them with the words of Rev 3:20.
6. What does the word ‘escape’ suggest about one of the reasons people refuse Him? But, what will happen to those who refuse Him? (Verses 26-27; 28b; Rev 20:8; John 15:4-6; Matt 7:24-27)
** They develop a fantasy that they can ignore God's warning, live as they like, and still escape from God's judgment.
** They will not escape, for God is going to shake what is shakable to sift out what is unworthy and throw it into the fiery lake of burning sulfur and keep what is not shakable in His house.
7. What do the following exhortations suggest about the problems many suffer despite the Lord God’s continuous grace to them?
1) Let us be thankful, and so
2) Worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
** Two things: The first is an unthankful heart and the second is a lack of awesome reverence. The latter trend is mainly because of men's foolish pride, thinking that men can do everything, like space travel, for example, without God, not knowing that in the first place it is God who made man so well.
The end.
Copyright © 2024 LA UBF All rights reserved.