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Hebrews 12:25-29

²⁵See to it that you obey God, the one who is speaking to you. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, how terrible our danger if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! ²⁶When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” ²⁷This means that the things on earth will be shaken, so that only eternal things will be left.

²⁸Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. ²⁹For our God is a consuming fire.

Reflect

So the point of this whole chapter is as follows.

Since we have accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation and chose to live under God’s new way of living, we should be greatful for all that he has done for us. We should work for him out of respect of who He is. We should be thankful for his loving discipline and we should look forward to an everlasting life of holiness with Jesus in His new kingdom.

Respond

How can you approach God with a holy fear and awe?

What does For our God is a consuming fire mean to you?

Give thanks today for all God has done for you.

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Hebrews 12:18-24

¹⁸You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai when God gave them his laws. ¹⁹For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice with a message so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. ²⁰They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” ²¹Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”

²²No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to thousands of angels in joyful assembly. ²³You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge of all people. And you have come to the spirits of the redeemed in heaven who have now been made perfect. ²⁴You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance as the blood of Abel did.

Reflect

I never like anyone telling what I did wrong. I can stand a little constructive criticism but please don’t tell me everything that is wrong with me. I can only take so much before I can’t bear to hear any more.

Imagine then, what the Israelites must have felt like when they heard God’s voice. Not only was God speaking to them, he had a message for them that was so terrible that they couldn’t bear to hear it. They begged God to stop speaking to them.

Today, we have the distinct opportunity to speak with God directly because of what Jesus did on the cross. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we can come to God without being “terrified and trembling”.

Respond

What do you think God’s voice sounds like? Have you heard it?

Why were the Israelites so afraid of hearing God’s voice?

Have you ever wished that you could sit down and have a conversation with God? If so, what questions would you ask Him?

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Hebrews 12:14-17

¹⁴Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. ¹⁵Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God. Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison. ¹⁶Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau. He traded his birthright as the oldest son for a single meal. ¹⁷And afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he wept bitter tears.

Reflect

As a Marine, I spent a considerable amount of time on-board Navy ships sailing from one trouble spot to another. One of the most important rules we had was that when the ship sailed, you better be on it. If you “missed the boat”, you would face serious punishment that usually entailed demotion, fines and time in the brig. You would also miss out on any liberty for the rest of the tour.

When Christ comes again, some people will miss the boat. Verse 14 says that those who are not holy will not see the Lord. That is why it is important that we seek to live holy lives while we are here on earth so we will see the Lord when He returns.

Respond

According to verse 14, why is it important to live a clean and holy life?

How can we guard ourselves against missing our fathers blessing?

Why is fellowship important among believers in Christ?

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Hebrews 12:5-13

⁵And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said,

“My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you,
and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you.

⁶For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes those he accepts as his children.”

⁷As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? ⁸If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. ⁹Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever?

¹⁰For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. ¹¹No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening–it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

¹²So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. ¹³Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.

Reflect

A popular story goes like this…

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.

That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith; he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot – then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered “yes”, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”

He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. When I see my image in it.”

If today you are feeling the heat of this world’s fire, just remember that God has His eyes on you.

Respond

Reflect on one time that you knew you were receiving God’s discipline. How did you feel?

Discipline can be an instrument in teaching self-control. How does this apply to verses 12 and 13?

Is His image reflected in you?

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Hebrews 12:1-4

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. ²We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. ³Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up. ⁴After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Reflect

I am a big fan of the TV program, “The Biggest Loser”. One of my favorite parts of the show is when the contestants have to strap on all of the weight they just lost and compete in a race. Usually, they run the race with the extra weight and then they get to take the weight off and run the race without the extra weight. The difference it amazing.

The author uses a race as an example of our Christian lives. He said that we should take off all the sin that hinders us so that our race will be easier. God goes before us setting the pace. It is easier to run if we don’t have all that extra weight.

Respond

Write down three things that hinder your progress in finishing the race that God set before you.

Based on our reading today, what can you do to run your race with endurance?

How was Jesus able to endure a shameful death on the cross? Does knowing this help you in your Christian life?

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Hebrews 11:32-40

³²Well, how much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. ³³By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. ³⁵Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others trusted God and were tortured, preferring to die rather than turn from God and be free. They placed their hope in the resurrection to a better life. ³⁶Some were mocked, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in dungeons. ³⁷Some died by stoning, and some were sawed in half; others were killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, hungry and oppressed and mistreated. ³⁸They were too good for this world. They wandered over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

³⁹All of these people we have mentioned received God’s approval because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. ⁴⁰For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race.

Reflect

The David and Goliath story in the Bible has become so popular that it is widely recognized even in secular circles. It is the ultimate small versus big set up. The small town rural boy over-coming the big city giant! The story is great but what is often left out is that David only accomplished what he did because of his faith in God. David knew that God would even out the competitive advantage that Goliath had on him.

Through our faith in God, we can also stand up to our own Goliath. I always try to remember what Paul asked the Romans, “What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” _{(Rom 8:31)}

Respond

Does your faith make you stronger?

What weakness in your life have you overcome because of your faith?

Will your faith garner God’s approval?

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