Sunday, November 19, 2017 Lesson Text: Hebrews 12:14-15, 18-29 King James Version (KJV) I. AN EXHORTATION TO FOLLOW HOLINESS (Hebrews 12:14-15) 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; II. A FEARFUL ENCOUNTER (Hebrews 12:18-21) 18. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19. And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more
20. (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21. And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) III. A FAITHFUL MEDIATOR (Hebrews 12:22-24) 22. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23. To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. IV. A FUTURE JUDGMENT (Hebrews 12:25-29) 25. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh
from heaven: 26. Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29. For our God is a consuming fire. New International Version (NIV) I. AN EXHORTATION TO FOLLOW HOLINESS (Hebrews 12:14-15) 14. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
II. A FEARFUL ENCOUNTER (Hebrews 12:18-21) 18. You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19. to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20. because they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death. 21. The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear. III. A FAITHFUL MEDIATOR (Hebrews 12:22-24) 22. But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23. to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.you have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24. to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of
Abel. IV. A FUTURE JUDGMENT (Hebrews 12:25-29) 25. See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 27. The words once more indicate the removing of what can be shaken that is, created things so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29. for our God is a consuming fire. PRACTICAL POINTS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Some people will only know God by what they see in you (Hebrews 12:14). 2. We must guard against bitterness, because it harms our relationship with other believers (Hebrews 12:15). 3. We realize how wicked we are when we focus on God s holiness, power and love (Hebrews 12:18-21). 4. As a result of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, imperfect people can now come near to a holy God (Hebrews 12:22-23). 5. Christians can live confident and forgiven because Jesus has made peace between us and God (Hebrews 12:24). 6. To refuse to heed God s Word and disobey His commands will invite eternal judgment (Hebrews 12:25-26). 7. Choose wisely: the temporal things of the world will one day be replaced with spiritual things (Hebrews 12:27). 8. The proper response to Jesus new covenant is thanksgiving and worship (see Hebrews 12:28-29). ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***