“Contrasts Between Covenants”
                                                   Hebrews 12:18-24

• He now comes to his final contrast-picture: Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion, the Law and the gospel, the New and Old covenants, all expressed in majestic contrast.
• Historical Context:  Israel is stuck in their journey.
• They got to Mt. Sinai where the Old Covenant was orchestrated, which was centered on the Law.
• What is the purpose of the Law?  Rom 3:19-20
• It has always been about the Messiah.

            Two Facts about the New Covenant:

1.        The New Covenant is Spiritual

•  The Old focused on the physical.
• They came to Mt. Sinai
• God was unapproachable: Ex. 19:16-19
• His voice was scary: Duet 5:23-27
• Even Moses was scared.
• Do you want the physical or the spiritual.
• The reason he contrast the material, Mt. Sinai with the spiritual, the city of God is to dispel the notion that those who embrace the spiritual are living in a fantasy.  We are the ones who have what will last.

2.       The New Covenant is Eternal

              Three Aspects about the Eternal Nature of the New Covenant:

       1)  The New Covenant is all about Joy  

• Joy comes from persecution: Acts 5:40-42
• Praying and singing: Acts 16:24-25

      2)  The New Covenant Includes Inheritance: Rom 8:16-17

      3)  The New Covenant brings Redemption 

• The word spoken though Abel’s blood  Gen 4:10-11
• Abel’s blood cried out to God (Heb 11:4) from the ground, protesting against his murder and appealing for vindication; but the blood of Christ brings a message of cleansing, forgiveness and peace with God to all who place their faith in Him. 1 John 1:7

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                                           “Priorities for Pilgrims”
                                               Hebrews 12:14-17

• Correct priorities are a sign of both commitment and Maturity.

             Four Priorities:

1.         Make Every Effort to Live at Peace with Everyone. Mt. 5:9

•   Context is found in Heb 12:3 “ Consider Him…”
• The gospel message will provoke opposition.
• Our values call into question their values.
• Seek peace: 1 Pet 3:10-11; Peter is quoting Psalm 34:12-14
• Peace is not avoidance or running away.

2.         Make Every Effort to Aim at Holiness

•  The root meaning includes both separation and difference.
•  Holiness is not an option: 1 Cor. 6:9-11

3.         Make Every Effort to Seek Grace

•   Fall short: The idea is that of falling behind in your journey.  Keep up!
•  Heb 4:16: Look he gives us grace when we need it.
• We can’t do it without God.
• 2 Cor. 12:9; Grace in the midst of weakness.
• Bitterness is the result of not seeking grace:
• Dt. 29:18  “The poison.”
• Bitterness damages the whole community.

4.         Make Every Effort to Overcome Godlessness

•  He mentions Sexual immorality because that is the clearest symptom of selfishness.
•  A godless person places their appetites above God.
• Sexual immorality is the biggest barometer
•  Physical satisfaction meant more to him than spiritual privilege.
• There is a clear warning here Heb 4:1-2
• Don’t reject the grace God has given you.

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                                 “Accepting God’s Discipline”
                                             Hebrews 12:4-13

 Intro:  Ten times in 10 verses he uses a form of the word “Discipline.”

• Christians are linked in the Lords struggle. Hebrews 12:3 
• Jesus shed his blood for us; are we willing shed their blood for Him?

     Three Keys to Accepting God’s Discipline:

1.           Biblical Perspective

•  The Bible is a navigation tool: We are pilgrims
• Two reactions to Discipline:

      a)      We are indifferent to it; we are not taking it seriously.

      b)      We are overwhelmed; thus we loose heart.

•   He does not want them to “lose heart.”
• So he goes to the Word! Proverb 3:11-12
• Discipline has to do with instruction, correction, training; it is used in context of raising children
• What if you get away with sin?  Rom 1:21-25

2          God’s Purpose

• God’s discipline is perfect.
• His goal: Spiritual Maturity and preparation for eternal life.
• Discipline or pruning Hurts, but it produces a great harvest: John 15:1-2
• Persecution is a blessing: Mt. 5:10-12 

3.         Our Response

•  He alludes to Isaiah 35:3-4
• Take the information and shake it off.
• Level paths: Lead the way!  Be the example.
• Sheep follow; show the weak the way.
• Lead the way: Proverb 4:25-27

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                  Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                    “Persevering Faith”
                                        Hebrews 12:1-3

Four Keys to Persevering:

1.        Remember the Hero’s of the Past

•   Define Faith: Heb. 11:1ff.
• Faith is confidence in God’s promises: Heb 10:36-39
• Two key promises:

              1)      Jesus is coming for us! Heb 10:37

               2)      We are being saved:  Heb 10:39

•  Even though they did not received “the promise:  Heb. 11:13

2.         Lighten Your Load 

•  He is talking about weight—like street clothes.
• What baggage are you carrying?
• What sin or sins are tripping you up?
• It is not sinful to be tempted: 1 Cor. 10:13

3.        Stay the Course 

•  How many ways are there to God?
• The Narrow way:  Mt. 7:13,14
• There is only one way: Jn. 14:6

4.        Keep Your Eye on the Goal

•  Jesus not only shows us the way but runs with us.  Phil 1:6.
• He is the Perfecter:  Perfection equals obedience.
•  Obedience equals love: 1 John 2:3-6
• The Joy is finishing the race; Rev 3:21
• There is a relationship between faith and Suffering: John 15:18-20
• A fact of Faith: 2 Tim 3:12

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                     Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                               "Winning Faith”
                                           Hebrews 11:32-40

Three Aspects of Winning Faith:

1.            Winning Faith Inspires Heroism

•  Notice, Their weakness became strength: 2 Cor. 12:7-10

2.         Winning Faith Encourages Perseverance

•   No servant is greater than their master! John 15:18-20
• “Suffering for the Kingdom.” Acts 9:15-16
• Suffering was inevitable:  2 Tim 3:12

3.         Winning Faith Anticipates Fulfillment  

•  They had gained what was promised – V-33
•  But not “the promise.”
• Through Christ the old has been renewed: Hebrews 3:5-6
•  We live in joyful expectation: 1 John 3:2

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                   Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                          “Faith Empowering Truths”
                                     Hebrews 11:30-31

            Two Faith empowering truths: 

I.          All things are possible with God

•  The story is found in the book of Joshua 6:1-27
•  Look at Joshua 6:2-5
•  Our and there war was not against people: Eph 6:12
•  Look at 1 Pet. 5:8-9
• We learn not only that we are in a spiritual battle, but we must wait on God: 2 Pet 3:8-9
•  David learned to wait on God: Psalm 40:1-2

II.        God delivers the Obedient – Mt. 19:26

• The prostitute has faith in God: Joshua 2:8-12
• She responded in faith!  James 2:25
• Jesus hung out with the wrong crowd:  Mt. 9:10-13
• A Canaanite Women is part of the genealogy of our Lord: Mt. 1:5
• Obedience is at the heart of the Gospel: Mt. 18:18-20
• Paul defines the gospel by obedience: Rom 1:5

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                       Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                          “Relational Faith”
                                          Hebrews 11:23-29

•  Biblical Faith is about relationship! … Look at verse 27…  

     Four Aspects of Relational Faith:

1.            Relational Faith Conquers Fear

•      Ex. 1:22 “Kill the boys.”
•      The Apostles obeyed God rather than men: Acts 5:27-29 

2.          Relational Faith Determines Loyalty

         Look at what Moses gave up:

        1)       He gave up Social Honors

        2)       He gave up Physical Pleasures

        3)      He gave up Material Gains

•       Where is your treasure?  Mathew 6:19-21
•       He had a relationship with YHWH: Numbers 12:6-8

3.           Relational Faith Practices Obedience

4.           Relational Faith Overcomes Obstacles

•     The people were hesitant: Ex. 14:13-14
•      Faith overcomes obstacles!

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                  Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                        “Faith in Action”
                                     Hebrews 11:17-22

• Our Faith must result in Action: James 2:14-17

      Four Characteristics of Active Faith:

1.         Immediate Obedience

•  This story is found in Gen 22:1-18
• God test us; the devil tempts us.
• God is going to offer his own Son. John 3:16
•  Now, Go to Gen 22:4-8
• He reasons: God will accomplish what he said: Isaiah 55:10-11
• He believes: Rom 8:28; “All things work for good…

2.         Future Expectation

•  After all, he was homeless: Heb 11:9
• Future Blessings: John 14:1-4

3.          Worshipful Life 

•  In the end, it’s all about worship: Psalm 22:9

4.           Conviction

•  He lived 93 yrs in Egypt as an Egyptian Aristocrat
•  He lived in a palace in Goshen; they found his tomb. 
• Gen 50:24; He made them swear an oath
•  Moses honors his conviction: Ex. 13:19
• Joshua completes the mission: Joshua 24:32

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                Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                               “Finishing the Race”
                                Hebrews 11:13-16

•  Finish the Race: 2 Tim. 4:7

     Three keys to help us finish well:

1.                  Proclaim Our Alien Status (Witness)

•  Our author proclaimed their alien status: Heb 11:9
• God Loves humility: 1 Pet 5:5
• Abraham proclaimed his alien status: Gen 23:4
• The Life of faith is a pilgrimage: Gen 47:7-9
• Christians are aliens: 1 Pet 1:1; 1 Pet 2:11
• Strangers in a Strange land, in the catalogue.

2.                  Look Toward Our Homeland (Spiritual Eyes)

•  We are traveling toward our homeland: Phil 3:20-21

3.                  Long for Heaven (Reject Materialism)

•   Looking at the things that are material the people of God see the marks of transience, impermanence and imperishability around us: Matt. 6:31-34

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                  Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                 “Adventurous Faith”
                                    Hebrews 11:8-12

             Three Requirements of Adventurous Faith:

1.        Adventurous Faith Starts with Obedience

•  Abraham: “The Father of all who have Faith.” Heb. 2:16
•  Faith and obedience are inseparable: Rom 1:5
• They were strangers; just like us.  1 Pet 2:11-12
• Our citizenship is not here!  Phil 3:20-21

2.        Adventurous Faith Looks Beyond this World

•  “The old order is passing away.”  Rev. 21:1-4
• Preparations are underway: John 14:1-4

3.        Adventurous Faith Realizes the Impossible

•  Both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the promise of God:  Gen 17:17; 18:11
•  All things are possible: Mt. 19:26
• The message: “God brings hope to the hopeless.”

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