{"id":29119,"date":"2023-12-12T22:00:35","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T05:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/hebrews-12_1-11-copy\/"},"modified":"2023-12-05T17:28:50","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T00:28:50","slug":"hebrews-12_12-29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/hebrews-12_12-29\/","title":{"rendered":"From Old Covenant Fear to New Covenant Joy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hebrews 12:12-29 <\/strong>\u00a0(CLICK HERE FOR\u00a0BIBLE VERSES)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hi GAMErs!<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage, Hebrews\u00a012:12-29, is full of many powerful lessons, so much so that you may want to read my GAME sharing today in parts (read a bit in the morning, another bit in the midday, and finish the rest at night!).\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

Hebrews<\/strong>\u00a012:12-13 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n12\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
\n13\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 12-13:\u00a0\u00a0Continuing with the theme that God is our personal trainer who allows pain and pressure to make us stronger, the writer of\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0tells his readers to \u201cstrengthen your feeble arms and weak knees\u201d (v12).\u00a0\u00a0When you allow pressure and pain to make you stronger, you \u201cmake level paths for your feet\u201d, says the writer of\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0quoting Proverbs\u00a04:26.\u00a0\u00a0Even more, God can use you to help others \u201cso that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.\u201d (v13)<\/p>\n

Hebrews<\/strong>\u00a012:14\u00a0(NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n14\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Make every effort to live in\u00a0peace<\/strong>\u00a0with all men and to be\u00a0holy<\/strong>; without\u00a0holiness<\/strong>\u00a0no one will see the Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 14:\u00a0\u00a0 Despite the fact that Jesus gives us a peace with God that we cannot manufacture ourselves, the writer of Hebrews tells us \u201cto make every effort to live in peace with others\u201d.\u00a0 In other words, peace in our relationships doesn\u2019t just happen, but takes work and effort on our part.<\/p>\n

Also, one of the major themes of Hebrews is that it is only the shed blood of Jesus that makes us holy and makes our forgiveness possible.\u00a0 \u00a0So what does it mean when verse 14 tells us to \u201cmake every effort\u2026to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord\u201d?\u00a0 The writer of Hebrews is not saying that, through our own effort alone, we can work our way to God.\u00a0 Rather, it\u2019s recognizing the dual nature of holiness in our lives (as we talked about in Hebrews 10:11-14).\u00a0 That is,\u00a0on the first and most important level, the blood of Jesus covers our sins and makes us holy in God\u2019s sight (also called our justification).\u00a0\u00a0On a second more practical level, we are still growing more like Jesus in holiness (also called our sanctification).\u00a0 Hebrews 12:14 is referring to this second aspect of holiness, how through our effort and intentionality we can practically become more holy and in doing so give more room for God to work in our lives.<\/p>\n

Hebrews<\/strong>\u00a012:15\u00a0(NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n15\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 15:\u00a0\u00a0Here the writer of\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0identifies two things that can ruin a person\u2019s life.\u00a0\u00a0The first is where a person \u201cmisses the grace of God\u201d; that is, where a person forgets about how merciful and gracious God has been to that person and lives their life fueled by pride.\u00a0\u00a0The second is where a person chooses to stay bitter toward those who have hurt them.\u00a0\u00a0The Bible compares bitterness to a weed that is planted and grows in a person\u2019s heart.\u00a0\u00a0If you don\u2019t remove that bitterness, like a weed it will grow and ruin the environment where it was planted.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t allow bitterness to ruin your life.\u00a0\u00a0Learn to forgive as the Lord forgave you.<\/p>\n

Hebrews<\/strong>\u00a012:16-17 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n16\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.
\n17\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Afterward, 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.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 16-17:\u00a0\u00a0Here the writer of\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0mentions a third and fourth situation that can really damage a person\u2019s life.\u00a0\u00a0The third situation is sexually immorality, where a person sleeps with someone they are not married to, thinking that it will make them or the other person happy, but not realizing the damage they cause and the blessing they forfeit in doing so.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The fourth is what the writer of\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0calls godlessness, where you forfeit God\u2019s greatest blessings for the sake of temporary physical pleasure.\u00a0\u00a0We have a choice: we can imitate Moses who valued Christ over the temporary pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25-26), or we can follow someone like Esau who sacrificed long-term blessing for the sake of short-term gratification.\u00a0\u00a0Faith is about preferring short-term pain and long-term gain over short-term gain and long-term pain.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But praise God!\u00a0\u00a0Though all of us have at some point been like Esau, there is grace for our failures, as we will see in the verses that follow.<\/p>\n

Hebrews\u00a012:18-24 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n18\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;
\n19\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,
\n20\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.”
\n21\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
\n22\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0But 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,
\n23\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0to 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,
\n24\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 18-24:\u00a0\u00a0Here the writer of\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0compares worship under the old covenant (\u201cOld Testament\u201d) (v18-21) to worship under the new covenant (\u201cNew Testament\u201d) (v22-24).\u00a0\u00a0Notice that worship under the old covenant was filled with \u201cdarkness\u201d, \u201cgloom\u201d (v18) and fear (v21).\u00a0\u00a0The focus was on a specific location where people would worship God: first it was Mount Sinai (v18) and then it was Jerusalem.\u00a0\u00a0Under the old covenant, people were afraid to draw near to God because of their sins (v19-20), even Moses himself who led people under that old covenant (v21).\u00a0\u00a0But under the new covenant that Jesus established, worship is about being in \u201cjoyful assembly\u201d (v22).\u00a0\u00a0Instead of focusing on a physical location like Mount Sinai or the temple in Jerusalem, it\u2019s about \u201cMount Zion\u201d (v22), another name for the people of God, and being part of God\u2019s heavenly Jerusalem.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s about having the security of knowing that our sins are fully forgiven, that we have an unshakable status as God\u2019s \u201cfirstborn\u201d children (v23), that our \u201cnames are written in heaven\u201d (v23), and that we have been declared righteous and perfect in God\u2019s sight (v23) through Jesus.<\/p>\n

By the way, when the writer of\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0says that Jesus\u2019 \u201csprinkled blood\u2026speaks a better word than the blood of Abel\u201d (v24b), what does he mean exactly?\u00a0\u00a0When Abel was murdered in Genesis 4 by his brother Cain, God said to Cain, \u201cyour brother\u2019s blood cries out to me from the ground\u201d (Genesis\u00a04:10).\u00a0\u00a0In other words, when Abel died, he cried out to God for justice, retribution, judgment and revenge.\u00a0\u00a0In contrast, when Jesus was killed on the cross, he cried out to God a different message: a message of forgiveness, mercy and grace.\u00a0\u00a0About those who killed him Jesus said, \u201cForgive them, Father, for they do not know what they are doing\u201d (Luke\u00a023:34).\u00a0\u00a0In other words, under the new covenant, God\u2019s mercy triumphs over God\u2019s judgment.\u00a0\u00a0The word of mercy Jesus spoke was greater than the word of judgment Abel spoke.\u00a0\u00a0Under the new covenant all of us who have sinned can rest assured that God has made forgiveness available to us, and thus we can approach God not with fear but with confidence.<\/p>\n

Hebrews<\/strong>\u00a012:25-29 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n25\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0See 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?
\n26\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0At 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.”
\n27\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken–that is, created things–so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
\n28\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
\n29\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0for our “God is a consuming fire.”<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 25-29:\u00a0\u00a0Praise God that while the old covenant did not last, God\u2019s kingdom under the new covenant will last forever and \u201ccannot be shaken\u201d (v28).\u00a0\u00a0May we have a soft and open heart toward the Lord (v25), being thankful, reverent, intentional and awe-filled in our worship (v28), and knowing that God is immensely holy and powerful, \u201ca consuming fire\u201d (v29).<\/p>\n

Lord Jesus, thank You that because You shed Your blood for our sins, we can approach You as holy, acceptable, and blameless in Your eyes.\u00a0\u00a0Thank You that in You we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken.\u00a0\u00a0In Jesus\u2019 name, AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi GAMErs!<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage, Hebrews\u00a012:12-29, is full of many powerful lessons, so much so that you may want to read my GAME sharing today in parts (read a bit in the morning, another bit in the midday, and finish the rest at night!).\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

Hebrews\u00a012:12-13 (NIV)\u00a0
\n12\u00a0\u00a0Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.\u00a0
\n13\u00a0\u00a0“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.<\/p>\n

On verses 12-13:\u00a0\u00a0Continuing with the theme that God is our personal trainer who allows pain and pressure to make us stronger, the writer of\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0tells his readers to \u201cstrengthen your feeble arms and weak knees\u201d (v12).\u00a0\u00a0When you allow pressure and pain to make you stronger, you \u201cmake level paths for your feet\u201d, says the writer of\u00a0Hebrews\u00a0quoting Proverbs\u00a04:26.\u00a0\u00a0Even more, God can use you to help others \u201cso that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.\u201d (v13)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29121,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29119"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29119\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29122,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29119\/revisions\/29122"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}