Hebrews 12:15-29: Let Us Receive the Kingdom I. Introduction A. Let us now spend time analyzing Hebrews 12:15-29 B. The Hebrew author offers many instructions 1. We are to avoid having immoral and unholy persons in our midst (vv.15-17) 2. Comparison/contrast of what occurred with Moses at Sinai with our goal as Christians (vv. 18-24) 3. Finally, Hebrew author speaks of end of the world and our entrance into Heaven (vv. 25-29) C. Let us delve deeper into this passage II. Hebrews 12:15-17 A. "See to it that no one fails to receive the grace of God" 1. Galatians 5:4: one can be severed from grace 2. Hebrews 10:26-31: heavy consequences for having known the truth but then fallen away from it B. The "root of bitterness" and its consequence 1. a "root of bitterness" was any poisonous plant 2. metaphorically refers to anyone advocating or practicing any false thing 3. Romans 16:17-18, 2 Peter 2:1, Revelation 2:20-23 speak to the same end 4. The consequence of the "root of bitterness?" Defilement of others! a. Galatians 5:9: in reference to false teaching (and in reference to immoral living in 1 Corinthians 5:6), Paul asserts that "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" b. when the poisonous plant is not removed, it causes others to be poisoned! C. "That no one is sexually immoral" 1. Notice how the Hebrew author focuses on this one form of sin 2. 1 Corinthians 5-- an issue of sexual immorality! 3. Sexual immorality is unfortunately a prevalent sin among brethren, far more common I fear than drunkenness or stealing or other such things 4. Those who are sexually immoral have failed to receive the grace of God! a. natural conclusion to the above b. demonstrated in Galatians 5:19-21 D. "Unholy like Esau" 1. The Hebrew author uses a curious metaphor for unholiness: Esau 2. Genesis 25:29-34: Esau sells his birthright for stew 3. What does all of this mean? 4. Well, the birthright that Esau sold was of great value a. who received the promise of God from Abraham? b. Who was the tribal patriarch of Israel? c. Esau gave up his ability to be the head of the whole family and to inherit the greater blessing of God through Abraham for one meal of stew 5. The Birthright as salvation and the stew as sin a. we can see, therefore, that the point of the Hebrew author is that we should not act like Esau b. What does the birthright represent? Our salvation, bestowed upon us through the blood of Christ! c. What does the stew represent? Sin-- the momentary, fleeting pleasure that has eternal consequences 6. The Hebrew author, therefore, uses the imagery of Esau and his folly to teach us to ourselves avoid the folly of sin 7. May we not be rejected as Esau was! III. Hebrews 12:18-21 A. The beginning of a comparison between the old and the new B. "You have not come to a mountain to be touched" 1. Exodus 19:12-13 2. The Israelites came to Mount Sinai, which is a real, physical place 3. Christians have not come to a real, physical place C. The Voice of God 1. The Israelites heard the great and booming voice of God with fire and smoke, giving them the Law 2. Exodus 19:19, 20:18-19: the people became afraid and did not want to hear 3. Christians have not heard such a voice D. The Order of God About the Mountain 1. Because of the presence of the LORD, the Israelites nor even their cattle were to touch the mountain in any way (Exodus 19:13) 2. Christians have no such place or commandment E. Moses' Trembling 1. Even Moses, who had previously seen the manifestation of God in the bush (Exodus 3-4), trembled in fear! 2. Christians have not seen such a manifestation, nor tremble in such fear IV. Hebrews 12:22-24 A. The comparison is brought home B. We have come to Mount Zion-- the heavenly Jerusalem 1. Isaiah 2:1-4 2. Sinai and the heavenly Jerusalem compared in Galatians 4:21-31 C. We have come as a part of the assembly of the Firstborn who are enrolled in Heaven D. We come in the presence of God, the sanctified saints, and Christ Himself, whose blood is better than that of Abel's 1. Abel was murdered for no reason by Cain in Genesis 4:8 2. Abel's sacrifice was accepted by God, also, but Christ's was for all men E. The Significance of the Contrast 1. As Israel came to a place of humiliation, fear, and terror, we come to a place of exaltation, love, and glory 2. We are the inheritors of the better covenant with better promises and a brighter future! V. Hebrews 12:25-27 A. "Do not refuse Him who is speaking" 1. Comparison is made between Moses and Christ 2. Condemnation came in the Law when people violated it (Deuteronomy 4:2) 3. How will people escape condemnation if they violate the message of Heaven (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)? B. The destruction of heaven and earth 1. reference somewhat to Haggai 2:6 2. 2 Peter 3:9-10 3. What will remain? The Kingdom of Heaven! VI. Hebrews 12:28-29 A. The Hebrew author concludes with exhortation B. "The Kingdom that cannot be shaken" 1. The conclusion to the discussion of the destruction of heaven and earth is thankfulness for the unshakable Kingdom 2. Matthew 7:24-27 C. How to express our thanks? Acceptable worship! 1. Demonstration that there can be unacceptable worship! 2. John 4:24-- worship in spirit AND in truth! D. We must worship with reverence and awe because our God is great! 1. Isaiah 6:1-5, Ezekiel 1:28, and Matthew 17:6 show the reactions of men when confronted with the majesty of God! 2. We must have the same attitude although God is unseen, since God is a consuming fire! VII. Conclusion A. We have learned many things from Hebrews 12:15-29 1. The need to keep the church pure and holy 2. We have received and enter into a better covenant 3. We need to hear the Lord for the world will be destroyed 4. We must give thanks for the Kingdom we have received with appropriate worship B. Have you yet come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem? 1. The only way to enter is to be a part of the Kingdom of God! 2. To enter the Kingdom you must believe in Christ, confess Him, repent of your sins and be immersed in water for the remission of those sins, and endure! C. Were you at Mount Zion but became as Esau, rejecting the promise for fleeting sin? 1. Affirm for yourself to turn from everything unholy 2. If you need encouragement in any way, please allow us to help you as we stand and sing