August 14, 2011
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Living a Holy Life? Hebrews 12:14-29
1) Watching out for corruption (14-17, Genesis 25-28 )
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (14) See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (15) See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. (16) Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears. (17)
2) Knowing the seriousness of our condition (18-25, Exodus 19)
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; (18) 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, (19) because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." (20) The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." (21) But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, (22) to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, (23) to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (24) 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? (25)
3) Maintaining a holy life (26-29)
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." (26) The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. (27) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, (28) for our "God is a consuming fire." (29)
Summary
Living a holy life is not just living a moral life. A holy life is characterized by gratitude, reverence and a desire to serve God joyfully and to bring joy to him. Those who take God's blessing too lightly, as Esau did, cannot inherit the blessing. We know that God is a God of justice who does does not compromise. He is a refining fire. God is also a God of "love"--we know this through the blood of Jesus Christ shed for us. God wants us to love him truly and to pursue justice continually. We cannot do this in our own strength. Let us be thankful, fear God and joyfully serve him.
For Discussion
1) What is the holy life that God desires for us?
2) How can we serve God and please him?
1) Watching out for corruption (14-17, Genesis 25-28 )
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (14) See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (15) See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. (16) Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears. (17)
2) Knowing the seriousness of our condition (18-25, Exodus 19)
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; (18) 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, (19) because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." (20) The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." (21) But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, (22) to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, (23) to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (24) 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? (25)
3) Maintaining a holy life (26-29)
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." (26) The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. (27) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, (28) for our "God is a consuming fire." (29)
Summary
Living a holy life is not just living a moral life. A holy life is characterized by gratitude, reverence and a desire to serve God joyfully and to bring joy to him. Those who take God's blessing too lightly, as Esau did, cannot inherit the blessing. We know that God is a God of justice who does does not compromise. He is a refining fire. God is also a God of "love"--we know this through the blood of Jesus Christ shed for us. God wants us to love him truly and to pursue justice continually. We cannot do this in our own strength. Let us be thankful, fear God and joyfully serve him.
For Discussion
1) What is the holy life that God desires for us?
2) How can we serve God and please him?