Hebrews 12:25-29

Hebrews 12:25-29 "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? 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." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."

Moses relayed the law to the people. He was the one who warned the people on earth and those who refused to obey did not escape. Jesus is the one who warns from Heaven and the author says if the punishment is so severe for breaking the law; know that it will be much more severe for not listening to Jesus!

We are actually under a double responsibility. Those back under the law only knew part of the truth. Because of Jesus, we know God’s full truth and should have no excuse for not obeying Him. It’s like the saying, “To who much is given, much is expected.”

When the first law was given, the world shook!

(Exodus 19:18) (Psalm 114:7) (Psalm 68:8) (Psalm 77:18)

The author says, someday the world will shake again. Everything that can be uprooted will be destroyed. The only things that will remain will be what can’t be shaken: our relationship with God. Jesus spoke in Matthew about the importance of building on a firm foundation.

We must worship God with reverence. We must serve Him with fear. The author ends this passage by quoting Deuteronomy 4:24 “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

Moses told the Israelite this, but it’s true for us too. God must be first in our lives. Having a relationship with Him, being able to approach Him now, doesn’t change that. If we put God first and our faith remains unshakable – when the end comes, whether Christ comes back in our lifetime, or we die of old age - we will be safe and secure. We have a choice!

Hebrews 12 Part 1

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The cloud of witnesses is the group of faithful people we just read about in Hebrews chapter 11. Remember the author wrote about them to inspire us, encourage us and remind us of our responsibility as a Christian. Many times in the Bible a Christian’s life is described as a journey or a race. Our goal is to someday be like Christ and be in His presence. And every night we should ask ourselves if we are closer to that goal. If we are going to travel far – we must travel light. And the author tells us to “lay aside every weight and sin that clings.”

Ask yourself what’s holding you back on your journey to be more like Christ? A bad habit, some sin you can’t repent from, some sin you have repented from but can’t forget? Selfishness? We can get rid of these things and we can finish our race, if we keep our eyes on Jesus.

He had trials, a lot more than most people ever will, but He got through them – not around them. And He was able to because He put God first and kept Heaven foremost in His mind. And that’s what we’re supposed to do. One commentator said about this passage: “Jesus is not only our goal at the end; He’s our companion along the way.