A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken — Hebrews 12

0:00 Good morning. Good morning. Open your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 12. Hebrews chapter 12. We're going to start with verse 12.

0:16 Hebrews twelve twelve and before we do, I'm just going to give you a little intro to help you understand what we're going to be reading. Hopefully, it'll it'll help a little. The the the writer to the Hebrews has been exhorting the people who wanted to go back to Judaism, to their own religion, to the old system, to to not do so, and he's given them a huge argument as to why they shouldn't mainly because of Jesus. And and what it means to be a believer and last week, as our brother so eloquently taught, he was focusing on the fact that the believers need to endure and they need to endure for for three reasons. Number one, they have to endure because other men and women, the the cloud of witnesses endured.

1:06 They live by faith and they endured and so they're an example to us. Secondly, we need to endure because Jesus endured. He endured the cross. He endured through through death. He he he was able to be our example.

1:23 He's a champion of our faith. So, we look to him. So, we need to by the way we're going to endures by looking to him and thirdly, which was not touched last week but I'm just going to read the verse to you just so that you can get a little feel for it. Verse seven, it is for discipline that you, there's our word, what? Endure, that you endure.

1:46 So, we have to understand that god is going to discipline the believer so that he can grow. So, we need to realize that truth and accept that and not get upset with god because of what he brings into our lives, alright? Having said that, we're going to read chapter 12 and verse 12 and on. Just just to start, we're going to go to verse 17. Then, we'll look at the other verses afterwards.

2:13 So, first of all, let's pray. Then, we'll look at the text. Father, thank you so much for your word. This is what you have left us and we pray that the holy spirit will shed light into the truth of what you have for us and that we will be teachable starting with me. Lord that that your word would would transform us and that would make an impact in our lives.

2:35 We pray this in Jesus blessed name, amen. Amen. Okay. Let let's start reading then. He's remember, he's he just finished saying that they need to endure for three different reasons.

2:48 Then, he says, therefore, so as an application now to what he's been saying, therefore, because you need to endure, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble. And make straight paths for your feet so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men and the sanctification without which no one will see the lord. Now, notice verse 15, very important that we understand this text correctly. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of god.

3:31 That no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and by it, many be defiled. That there be no immoral or godless person like Esau who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. For he found no place for repentance though he sought for it with tears. Wow, what a what a powerful portion of scripture this is.

4:07 Indeed, there's a lot here. So, let's just try to break this down quickly. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble. Back when my son, Jordan, was one year old, my wife and I were the group from Houston went to Mexico and did a mission trip. We were in Mexico City.

4:26 Being hosted by a family while we were there doing some of the mission work. My wife was always concerned that Jordan had scrawny legs, right? And so, she kind of expressed that a little bit to our host and the lady says, oh, I have the answer. You have to give her, give the boy chicken feet and then you have strong legs and so she pulls out this little cup with chicken feet hanging out and my wife says, no way. There's no way.

4:51 We don't think that's the answer. Alright. So, so what what what the the author is saying here is, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, alright? So, what what he's doing is, he going with that running theme still. Remember last week?

5:08 Our our brother Josh explained that the running theme and then he says, now, when when when a runner is discouraged or tired or wanting to quit, what is the the natural thing you see? His hands are what? Drooping down and he starts to bend the knees. That's a sign of exhaustion. That's a sign of someone who's who's tired and wants to quit.

5:28 In fact, often, when you watch a basketball game, the the commenters say, oh he's tired because they're bending. Their hands are drooping down and they're bending their knees. So, so the idea is that the Christian is discouraged and he's on the verge of quitting. Then, verge of quitting and he says, look, after all of the arguments that I've been saying that Jesus is is who we had to keep our eye and we have to endure. We have to endure because other believers before us endured.

5:58 We have to endure because god disciplines So, change your attitude. What he's saying is, come on. Get encouraged. Look up. Quit drooping your hands down.

6:11 Quit having those knees bent over. Quit being discouraged. Now, isn't it true that all of us go through moments of discouragement in our Christian walk? Whoever says they haven't is not being honest because I I've I've many times over. I can't count the amount of times because it's either because of a trial or or or because I don't get the results I wanted or because god is not answering a prayer like I think he should or or life is unfair and and why am why do I have cancer and not the other brother or and and you know, such thing they they discourage us.

6:46 Life can knock us down and we want to quit and that's what was happening here and and and so he says, no, no, no, no. Don't do that. Therefore, because other brothers endure because Jesus endured and we had to look to him. He's our champion and because god brings discipline into our lives, then, come on, straighten up those those weak hands and those knees. You know, we were at a basketball game with my my son, the the coach was was very strict with him and made him run a lot.

7:21 He's like, man, this guy exaggerates. The other coach, he doesn't make their their their players run as much but guess what? They were at a game and the culture was soft with the people, with his players. The guys were like gasping and they couldn't keep up and they got blown out of the game. And and see, see, god is not going to to make it easy on us because he wants to be the nice guy so you can like em.

7:45 Right? He's going to he's going to he's going to bring that discipline. He's going to bring the trial. James says, you you should be excited that god is working in your life. Alright?

8:20 He said, you know what? My body is hurting. I need to take a break and he took a couple of weeks off. So, his body could heal. And and then he came back refreshed, right?

8:32 So, but but what this talking about is this, I want you to follow this now. He's saying, you need to change your your way of thinking. You need to pause for a minute and say, am I having a wrong attitude towards god and toward what god is allowing in my life and to all of these trials and things that are happening to me to the point where I'm discouraged. You have to straighten that out because if you don't, you're going to end out making terrible decisions and be totally discouraged in your Christian walk and how many times haven't you and I witnessed Christians get a bad attitude because of what god is allowing in their life or what's happening and they walk away from god. This is what he's addressing.

9:17 This is what he's addressing. Don't let that lame joint keep being lame but fix it by changing your mind. Alright? Now, I want to I want to quote to you something from Chuck Suanda. Maybe some of you have it already but listen to what he says about attitude.

9:35 The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, listen, a church, a home, a basketball team.

10:09 The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing that we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude.

10:31 I am convinced that life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes. That's Charles Swindell or Charles Swindell. By the way, his this really blessed me.

10:52 I don't know if it does you. So, what is it? Was he addressing really by saying that that stop having those hands dragging down, the knees bent, correct your way of thinking, change your attitude because if you don't, he's going to talk about what happens if you don't in a minute. Now, he's going to say, this is important because of this reason. Watch, watch the next thing he says.

11:15 Verse 14, pursue peace with all men. Pursue peace with all men. When you're walking right with god, you're going to seek to pursue peace with all men. So, how are you acting with other men, with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Much less with those in the world who insult you, right?

11:37 How how is your walk with how's your attitude? If you're right with god, you're going to make that right. You're going to do all you can to make sure you correct your attitude with other men. Pursue peace with all men. Romans chapter 12 says the same thing, as far as it as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

11:59 Be at peace with all men. So, make sure from you that you have the wrong attitude and that you're not pursuing peace. Secondly, he says, and sanctification without which no one will see the lord. What are you talking about? Progressive sanctification.

12:17 Not only are are you to correct the way of thinking and make sure you're right with men but you need to make sure that your pursuit of holiness, your walk with god is is progressing, progressive sanctification. Make sure that the the way you're walking, you're growing in your faith and not retrieving, not stumbling, not going backwards but you're growing and going upwards. It's an upward walk, an upward because if you're not living in holiness, you're not going to see god working in your life. That's what he's saying. Not that all of sudden, god's going to appear if you're holy but you won't see god working in your life in a powerful way if you're not working on holiness.

13:22 He's addressing both people. But right now he's telling believers this. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God. Wow. There's some dynamite there but hang on.

13:36 We're going to explain that in a minute. That no root of bitterness spring up causes trouble and by it, many be defiled. Remember we said, you have to watch your attitude. Yeah, you have to watch that you don't allow what god has brought into your life through discipline. The the trials, the difficulties, the the spoil your attitude, spoil your spirit to the point where you become bitter.

14:06 And there's a lot of people, a lot of believers who are bitter because of what has happened to them because of their lot in life. And so he says, watch out. Don't allow this to happen. No one gets this root of bitterness because it causes trouble. Bitterness never blesses but bitterness is full of poison and and and it comes with with insults and ugly words and and ugly attacks and by it, notice, many be defiled.

14:40 Bitterness always defiles. It always ruins a church spirit. It it it always causes trouble. It's never positive. It's never from god.

14:51 So, he's addressing us all. See to it that this doesn't happen. See to it that no one come short of the grace of god. Don't no root of bitterness will spring up. So, we need to work together as a body to make sure that we're blessing one another and if someone is upset, let's work it out but not turn bitter, not turn bitter.

15:13 Now, you're to go back to falling short of the grace of god now in verse sixteen and seventeen, right? Now, by the way, the expression here falls short. Let's just say that we're going to have a competition, right? Brother Bob Markovich here, he's a athlete, ex athlete, but he still has some legs in him, you know? He still has some legs in him.

15:35 He still has some legs in him. Then, we're going to get Roger over here and we'll we'll throw a woman in there, Lisa, right? And so, we're going to have a jumping competition, right? So, the starting point is this front row. The goal is to get to the other side of those trees and the other side of the lot, okay?

15:54 So, so no matter how hard Lisa jumps, she's not going to get there. You think she'll get there? What does she train for ten years? She's not going to get there, alright? That's what we would say.

16:05 Oh, she fell? Short. She fell short. Okay. So, you have to understand this expression does not mean in any way, shape, or form that you lose your salvation.

16:16 It's saying that you never had it. You fell short. Alright? Now, follow me on this. It's important that we we look at this text correctly, okay?

16:25 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of god. Now, you cannot fall out of the grace of god. Watch out for that. That's misunderstanding scripture. You can never fall out of it because then salvation is conditional.

16:40 Right? Okay. So, what is he trying to get to when he says this expression? See to it that no one comes short of the grace of god. He's going to tell you what he means by by looking at Esau, alright?

17:18 Now, first of all, the the birthright. I'm going give you a couple of things some pointers of what it meant. So, you're going to stand what it meant that he despised it, okay? Now, first of all, Esau was the firstborn, Alright? So, Esau had a right to the birthright because he was the first born.

17:41 Alright, what was the birthright? Alright, number one, he would be a leader of the family. He would have presidents, right? So, in other words, he would make the decision for Jacob and and all the kids under him. Secondly, he will receive a double portion of his father's inheritance, alright?

18:00 So, if they have a 100,000 acre ranch, Esau would have gotten 75, zero acres and and Jacob would have gotten 25, right? So, he got a lot. He would be a priest. Watch this now. He would be the spiritual leader of the family.

18:21 Next, from his family, the savior, the lord Jesus Christ would come. Wow. What a privilege. Now, you have to understand this. You have to understand this, that Esau grew up with Jacob and his and his dad was Isaac and his mom was Rebecca.

18:39 You have to understand that his grandfather was Abraham. You have to understand that. As they were growing up, they were saying, wow. Through through our line, the lord Jesus is going to come. God has spoken to me.

18:51 He's going to bless our people and and and we have this privilege, this spiritual privilege of being people of god and so Esau grew up hearing it. He knew about god. He knew about the promises. They they expressed this to him but Esau had absolutely no interest in god's things. So, Esau in essence was the Judas of the New Testament.

19:16 Judas being at the feet of Jesus and watching Jesus do his miracles and listening to the gospel being preached by Jesus and regardless of everything he heard, he never had faith. He was a a non believer and Esau was the same way and so, here's this privilege that he has and one day, he's hungry and here comes Jacob as you remember the story. Yeah, I'm hungry. Well, I'll give you this if you give me your birthright. Hey, you know what?

19:44 What do I care? Take the birthright. Wow. You know, I'm known to be a cheapskate. So, when I go to a restaurant and I don't feel like spending, what do I look for?

19:55 I look for a bowl of soup. Why? Because it's cheap. It's going to cost me less money. Right?

20:03 So, I had to sacrifice and I have the stake because I want to save a buck. You know what I mean? Right? And ask Laura. That's true of me.

20:10 That's the way I am. Right? So, so so so what what it what what is the scripture saying? Here's Esau taught of about the spiritual blessing of being a priest and a leader of his home. It's worth a bowl of soup to me.

20:26 That's why he's saying verse 16, that to be no immoral or godless person like Esau who sold his own birthright for a single meal. Listen to what he's saying. Listen to what he's saying. And so he sold his own birthright and also Josh, if you could read for me Genesis 26, where where's oh there he is. 26, 34, and 35, please.

21:06 So, Esau showed by who he chose to marry that he didn't care for god's things. He's he chose a Hittite and was they both Hittites, brother? Right? Yeah. To Hittites.

21:19 That that's equivalent to to someone who is who's perverse in their religion and in their practice. So, in other words, here's what I think about god. Imma go marry Hittite. Well, not not only that but the Bible accuses him of two great sins. He was immoral.

21:40 That is he was worldly and materialistic and he was godless. And that means that he didn't care about god. So, notice then verse 17, for you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected for he found no no place for repentance though he sought for it with tears. What does this mean? That when he realized that he lost out, he started to cry and said, dad, don't you have a blessing for me?

22:09 But you know what he was saying? When he was dad, don't you have a blessing for me? Dad, isn't there more money for me? That's what he was saying. He he wasn't crying because he lost out on on being the priest of the home on the spiritual side or because of god.

22:23 He was crying because he lost out on the money. All he cared about is how much money can I put in my pockets? That's what mattered to him and so that's why the Bible say and you know what's so sad? He was so close and yet he was so far. Grew up in a Christian home and yet rejected the very truth that he heard and the Bible says he was immoral and he was godless.

22:52 Which tells me that you can grow up in a Christian home but doesn't mean you're saved That doesn't mean you seek god and that you've been born again and that's what the the the writer is is cautioning against. So, then, he's going to go on and and well, let's continue reading Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 18. Now, what he's going to do is he's to say now, to those of you who are who are right there but you still haven't turned to the lord, I want you to to to look at this comparison. He's going to compare Mount Sinai to Mount Zion, alright? Now, I want you to look at this as we read it then I'm going to try to explain it to you quickly.

24:08 For they could not bear the command even if you even if a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned. Verse 21, and so terrible was the sight that Moses said, I am full of fear and trembling. Alright, so let's explain this. This is Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai was the old covenant when he gave the 10 commandments and all of the other commandments that followed and it was a it was a scary thing.

24:39 When Mount Sinai was introduced and this law was introduced, three thousand people died. How about that for introducing something new? It was scary. Sinai, the mountain could not be touched. It was a covenant of judgement and fear.

24:59 Do this or you're going to die. Don't do this or you will die. Or if you do do this, you're going to die and so the people were were like terrified. So, they were forbidden to touch under the penalty of death. It was a physical mountain that you can see, that you could touch, that you can walk on and climb.

25:22 And yet, they were forbidden to touch it under the penalty of death and so, there were so many rules. Exodus nineteen ten, don't go there. Just listen. They had to wash their clothes before they came to that mountain. They had to abstain from sexual relations.

25:40 Exodus nineteen fifteen, those who are married. Exodus nineteen twelve, they were forbidden to even touch the edge of the mountain. So, what was what's the point of all this? God was demonstrating his holiness and his power. No, defiled sinner could come near and witness the holiness of god and live.

26:02 That's the point. It was it was demonstrating his power through through thunder and lightning and thick clouds and trumpet sounds and fire and smoke and and the earth shook. So, what's the main point about this? That god was absolutely unapproachable. Don't miss it.

26:23 God was absolutely unapproachable, sinful man could not come near to to god and live and so Exodus twenty eight eighteen and twenty, 18, 19 says this, that the people were terrified and they stood at a distance. They're like, man, this is this is in today's modern vernacular. This is freaking me out, right? Woah. They they were scared.

26:51 Alright? And so they begged god. They begged god and they said, Moses, tell god not to speak. This is too much. We can't handle it.

27:00 And so so Moses himself said, no, notice verse 21 and and and so terrible was the sight that Moses said, I am full of fear and even Moses said, man, I am scared to death and he was trembling because god was showing that in order to get near to him, you have to be absolutely perfect. And you have to do and do and do what no man can do. And so it was terrible. Now, notice the transition but you, verse 22, have come to Mount Zion. Ah.

28:04 Now, notice the transition here to Mount Zion. Okay, Mount Zion represents the approachable mountain of grace. In other words, it it it represents heaven. The city of the living god, another, it's another way of saying heaven. So, Mount Zion, listen, look at the difference.

28:29 It's approachable. It's full of grace. Any man can be saved. Any man can be forgiven. There's salvation.

28:37 There it's inviting. It's open to all. Sinners are welcome. The veil has been torn in two. God can be found.

28:45 God is full of compassion. And so where, when we look at the gospels, what do we see? The Bible says it over and over again and that woman, the sinful woman touched Jesus. And those who represented Mount Zion as if you only knew who touched them. The the the the the people full of leprosy came in and touched them.

29:09 And all throughout the gospels, people were touching Jesus because god was saying, this is the new covenant. Now, I'm approachable. Now, you can touch god. Now, you can come near to god. Why would you want to go back to Mount Sinai?

29:24 Where the people were freaking out and thinking they were going to die and the mountain was shaking and there was smoke and lightning and thunder. Why would you want to go to that? When when you can come to Mount Zion and and it's so inviting. And there's forgiveness. Then he says, and and not only have but remember, it's full of angels who are singing and worshiping god the father and Jesus Christ our lord and you can also see that in revelation.

29:51 So, not only that but the general assembly and firstborn, the church, the bread of Christ, all believers, you and I are going to be there too when they enrolled in heaven written in the lamb's book of life. Talking about the church. All the believers from from the resurrection on who have trusted in the lord are are there. So, it's full of angels. It's full of all the the the the Christians and we're going to be there soon too.

30:17 Amen? Right? We're going to be there singing with the angels and with all the other Christian and they said, oh, not only that, by the way, god is there. God, what's what's what why you say god is there? Because god is approachable.

30:30 You can draw near to god. We're able to experience god's presence in a close and intimate way and not be slayed. That's what he's saying. The judge of all, you notice that? When we approach god through Jesus, the holy, the the holy righteous judge would declare us just because of Jesus imputing his righteousness unto us and the spirit of righteous man made perfect, our Old Testament saints And then of course, it says, oh oh by the way, Jesus is there too.

31:02 The mediator of the new covenant. You you're going to be able to come and and and yes, remember when John saw Jesus fell over like he did? What did he say? Jesus did what to him? He touched him.

31:16 He touched, listen, don't miss it. He touched him. He said, get up. I died and rose for you. Get up.

31:25 I'm approachable. I'm touchable. I receive sinners. So, Jesus is there And then of course, the sprinkled blood, that beautiful blood that cleanses us from sin. Now having said all this, he says in verse 25, see to it that you do not refuse him who is speaking.

32:15 See to it that you don't refuse him who is speaking. For if those did not escape, when they refused him, who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape, who turn away from him, who warns from him. Notice to turn away. This is an apostate. Someone who's in the church, someone who professes Jesus but never really was born again and and he pulls away.

32:39 If you know what? This is not for me. You watch out. Don't do that. Don't refuse him.

32:45 Listen to what he says. And his voice, verse 26, shook the earth then, but now he has promised saying, what he's saying is this, if back then in Mount Sinai, he shook that mountain and the people were terrified. Look at verse 26. Yet, once more, and I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. Listen, right now, the invitation is wide open but there's going to be a day where he says, that's it.

33:12 No more. No more. And then not only is he going to shake the earth to the tribulation but after the millennium, he's going to completely burn it up and burn up the heavens even and bring in the new heavens and the new earth. So, don't clutch on to this earth. Verse 27, and this expression, yet once more denotes the removing of the those things which can be shaken, heaven and earth.

33:40 As created things. So, very clear. In order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. What is it that can't be shaken? What is it that can't be shaken?

33:53 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken. So, when I get saved, I get transferred from the kingdom of Satan and from this Earth that can be shaken, that's going to be shaken and destroyed and burned to the kingdom of heaven. That can be shaken. My the security, my salvation cannot be shaken. Nobody can take me out of the grasp of the lord Jesus.

34:19 My faith in him, my my my life, my eternal life, it can never be shaken. Amen? Because Jesus secured it. So, look at look at what god is offering and since we receive the kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us then, what what what is our response? What what is his conclusion?

34:42 Let us show gratitude by which we may offer to god an acceptable service. Notice, with reverence and awe. Listen, don't miss this. Just because god is full of grace and open and inviting, let you come near, does not mean that all of a sudden, he becomes your buddy. But we treat god with reverence and awe with respect.

35:08 We approach him. Oh god, you're so full of love and you're so kind and so full of grace and I praise you for that but how dare I ever lose respect for you? Or misunderstand grace. And not have reverence and all as I come into your presence. And then he says, for our god is a consuming fire.

35:34 What what is he saying by that? Here's what he's saying. If you refuse, verse 25, see to it that you do not refuse him who is speaking, then to you, if you keep refusing that invitation to come, get near to him through Jesus, then he's gonna become a consuming fire to you. Judgement. There's there'll be no option for god but to send you to eternal punishment in the lake of fire.

36:05 And so, yes, god is full of grace and forgiveness and is inviting people to come to him but if you refuse, then god can can do nothing else but send you to an eternity away from him because you turned away from the gracious offer through Jesus Christ to forgive you and give you an a kingdom that that that cannot be shaken. Wow. Wow. And so he's saying to the believer, why then if all of this is yours, are are you with your hands hanging down and your knees bent? Why are you limping?

37:18 And so, my beloved brethren, all of us, speaking to all of us, going back to verse 12 because that that's what he began with. He's saying, strengthen those hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble. Make straight paths for your feet so that the limb which is lame maybe not put out a joint but rather be healed. How? How?

37:44 By understanding that that we have to endure. By understanding that Jesus endured. By understanding that we have to endure the discipline of the lord. Do not despise it. And as we change this attitude, then we'll approach god as it says in verse 29, with an acceptable sacrifice with reverence and awe.

38:23 Because you're part of a kingdom that can't be shaken. You know who who go back? The people who really never were born again. Those are the ones who as some of the commentators were saying are apostates who are with us. They say they're Christian songs.

38:40 They sing them. They know how to pray, but they haven't been born again and when times get tough, they pull away. This is not what I was bargaining for. This is not what I expected and then god will turn to them as a consuming fire rather than a gracious invitation offering to come and be part of his kingdom. Just pray.

39:04 Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for your word. I pray that if someone is discouraged here, maybe life has been hard. Disappointments, brokenness, so many trials, lord, so many, many times it's your it's your discipline hand trying to draw draws near to you. I pray that they would be encouraged today.

39:30 That they would change their attitude and not allow a root of bitterness to enter their heart because of what happened to them. And I pray that if there's anyone like Esau who is so close and yet has not repented that today they would turn to the lord for the salvation of their soul. Bless us as we go home and bless Awana tonight, Be glorified in everything we say and do. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.