27 Heb 12:18-29 Sinai or Zion: Which do you want?

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Sermon outline

Recap of Hebrews 12

The First Covenant’s Judgment (Heb 12:18-21)

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The OT Background (Dt. 4:11-12, 5:22-27 and Ex 19.
            2. The Judgment Moses feared (Heb 12:21, Dt 9:19, Rom 7:7)

The New Covenant’s Grace (Heb 12:22-24)

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Now notice the complete change of tone (Heb 12:22-24)
            2. Mount Zion
               1. Because Jesus has inaugurated a new covenant, God’s people meet with him on a different Mountain with different realities.
               2. Zion has a lot of wonderful symbolism in Scripture (Ps 48:2, Is 8:18, Ps 9:11, 74:2, Rev 14:1, 11, Ps 2:7, 20:2, 50:2, Is 14:32, Zech 9:9)
            3. City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Gal 4:26)
            4. Innumerable angels in festal gathering (Dan 7:10)
            5. Assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven (Phil 3:20, Rev 1:5)
            6. God, the judge of all
            7. The spirits of the righteous made perfect
            8. Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant (Jer 31:33-34, Heb 9:15, 7:22)
            9. The sprinkled blood (Heb 9:13-14, Col 1:20)
            10. So why does the author lay out these 2 different ways of meeting God?

Three Expected Responses to the Grace of God (Heb 12:25, 28)

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Do not refuse to come to God through Christ (Heb 12:25, Jn 6:29, Hag 2:6-9)
            2. Grateful for our inheritance (Heb 12:28)
            3. Worship Acceptably (Heb 12:28)
               1. What is acceptable worship? (Jn 4:24)
               2. 2 other caveats on worship: Reverence & Awe
               3. Our God is a consuming Fire (Heb 12:29)

So what are the takeaway for us?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Don’t return to Sinai by creating legalistic rules
            2. Cling to Christ
            3. Worship