A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

In one paragraph

Pastor Ray returned to Hebrews 12:14-28 after time away, pulling together threads from the previous weeks on forgiveness and sanctification and pressing toward the close of the chapter. The sermon centered on the contrast between the old covenant given at Sinai and the new covenant mediated by Jesus, and on what it means to live in a kingdom that cannot be shaken. A baptism followed the message....

Read together

1. Psalm 29 quoted at the opening: 'The Lord reigns as king forever. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.'
2. Hebrews 12:14-28 the primary passage preached through the entire sermon
3. Hebrews 12:14 pursue peace with all men and sanctification without which no one will see the Lord
4. Hebrews 12:15 see to it that no one comes short of the grace of God and no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble
5. Hebrews 12:16-17 see to it there be no immoral or godless person like Esau who sold his birthright for a single meal and later found no place for repentance
6. Hebrews 12:18-21 you have not come to a mountain that can be touched, blazing fire, darkness, gloom, whirlwind; Moses said I am full of fear and trembling
7. Hebrews 12:22-24 you have come to Mount Zion, city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, myriad of angels, Jesus mediator of a new covenant, sprinkled blood that speaks better than Abel's
8. Hebrews 12:25-27 see to it you do not refuse him who is speaking; his voice shook the earth then; yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven
9. Hebrews 12:28-29 since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire
10. Haggai 2:6 cited as the source of 'yet once more I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land'
11. Hebrews 2 referenced as an earlier warning passage in the series
12. Hebrews 3 today if you hear the voice of the Lord do not harden your hearts as they did in the wilderness
13. Hebrews 4 referenced as one of the warning passages in the series
14. Hebrews 10 referenced as one of the warning passages in the series
15. Hebrews 11 the blood of Abel still speaking, referenced in connection with Hebrews 12:24
16. James (unspecified) if you fail in one point you have broken the whole law
17. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 be thankful in all things for this is God's will concerning you in Christ Jesus
18. Psalm 13:2-5 how long must I wrestle with my thoughts, how long will my enemies triumph, but I trust in your unfailing love

Talk about it

1. Ray described an 'inner room' where bitterness can take root, walled off from God's love and truth. Have you recognized that place in yourself, and what has it looked like when you stayed there too long?
2. Ray drew a distinction between Esau's regret over a poor decision and genuine repentance. What do you think the difference looks like in a person's life, and why does that distinction matter?
3. The writer of Hebrews contrasts Mount Sinai, where God's voice shook the earth and the people begged for it to stop, with Mount Zion, where believers now stand under the new covenant. What does it mean to you personally that you have come to Mount Zion rather than Sinai?
4. Ray said that if we are constantly focused on what God has not done in our lives, it is very hard to serve Him, but recognizing what He has done makes service more possible and more encouraging to others. Where are you in that tension right now?
5. The passage closes with 'our God is a consuming fire.' Ray said he wants to be part of that, to let his soul burn for God. What would it look like practically for you to submit to God in a way that puts you inside that fire rather than in danger of it?