From Fear to Grace: Embracing the New Covenant
Summary
### Summary
In our study of Hebrews, we find ourselves in chapter 12, which serves as a rhetorical climax of the book. This chapter contrasts two mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion, representing the old and new covenants, respectively. Mount Sinai symbolizes the old covenant, characterized by fear, trembling, and an unattainable standard of holiness. The people of Israel experienced God's awe-inspiring power through thunder, lightning, and smoke, which only highlighted their inability to meet His standards. This mountain represents a system where compliance is driven by fear and external forces, but it ultimately fails to transform the heart.
In contrast, Mount Zion represents the new covenant of grace through Jesus Christ. This mountain is depicted as a place of joy, festivity, and innumerable angels. It is a mountain where we approach God not based on our works or ability to meet His standards, but based on what Jesus has done for us. The blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel, crying out for mercy and grace rather than justice. This new covenant allows us to approach God with confidence, knowing that our identity and worth are secured in Christ's performance, not our own.
The author of Hebrews urges us to live an unshakable life in a world that constantly shakes us. This is possible only when we anchor our identity in the unshakable kingdom of God, rather than the ever-changing standards of the world. The shaking of the world serves as a reminder that our true stability comes from our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus took the ultimate shaking on the cross, experiencing the full wrath of God, so that we could stand firm and unshaken in our faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Contrast of Two Mountains: Mount Sinai represents the old covenant, filled with fear and unattainable standards, while Mount Zion represents the new covenant of grace through Jesus Christ. This contrast highlights the shift from a system of external compliance to one of internal transformation through grace. [08:02]
2. Living an Unshakable Life: In a world that constantly shakes us with its ever-changing standards and pressures, we can remain unshakable by anchoring our identity in the unshakable kingdom of God. This stability comes from our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, not from our own efforts or achievements. [03:26]
3. The Better Word of Jesus' Blood: The blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. While Abel's blood cried out for justice, Jesus' blood cries out for mercy and grace. This profound truth allows us to approach God with confidence, knowing that we are accepted based on Christ's sacrifice, not our own merits. [19:09]
4. The Futility of Self-Justification: Trying to justify ourselves before God based on our own works is futile. Our best efforts will never be enough to meet God's standards. Instead, we must rely on the finished work of Jesus, who took the ultimate shaking on the cross so that we could stand firm in our faith. [25:00]
5. The Role of Shaking in Our Lives: The shaking we experience in life serves as a reminder of our need for God's unshakable kingdom. It exposes the instability of worldly standards and drives us to find our true worth and identity in Christ. Jesus' experience of shaking on the cross ensures that we can face life's challenges with confidence and hope. [32:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction to Hebrews 12
[01:42] - The Rhetorical Climax
[02:35] - Living an Unshakable Life
[03:26] - Bridging the Context
[04:16] - The Two Mountains
[05:01] - Mount Sinai: Fear and Trembling
[06:05] - Mount Zion: Joy and Grace
[07:04] - The Unshakable Kingdom
[08:02] - The Old and New Covenants
[08:53] - The Futility of the Law
[09:32] - The Joy of Grace
[10:06] - Living Under Grace
[10:50] - The Challenge of Understanding Grace
[12:11] - The Cell Phone Analogy
[12:59] - The Payphone Days
[13:33] - The Value of Boredom
[14:00] - The Blessing of Electricity
[14:35] - The Power of God's Presence
[15:17] - The Fear of God
[15:56] - External vs. Internal Motivation
[16:33] - The Heart of Obedience
[17:22] - The Long Obedience
[18:11] - The Joyful Gathering
[19:09] - The Better Word of Jesus' Blood
[20:34] - Mercy and Grace
[21:07] - The Approach to God
[22:39] - Self-Justification
[23:18] - Facing Life's Challenges
[24:07] - The Standards of the World
[25:00] - The Futility of Our Best Efforts
[26:29] - The Golden Rule
[27:08] - The Shaking of the World
[28:04] - The Identity Crisis
[28:48] - The Impact of Social Media
[29:42] - The Standards of Sinai
[30:23] - Celebrating Others' Successes
[31:12] - Choosing the Right Mountain
[31:51] - The Judge of All
[32:52] - Jesus Took the Shaking
[34:00] - The Earthquake at the Cross
[35:11] - The Performance of Jesus
[36:14] - The Unattainable Standards of the World
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 12:18-29 (ESV)
- Exodus 19:16-19 (ESV)
- Matthew 27:45-51 (ESV)
### Observation Questions
1. What are the key differences between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion as described in Hebrews 12:18-24? [05:01]
2. How did the people of Israel react to God's presence on Mount Sinai according to Exodus 19:16-19? [15:17]
3. What significant event occurred at the moment of Jesus' death in Matthew 27:45-51, and how does it relate to the concept of shaking mentioned in Hebrews 12? [34:00]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the author of Hebrews mean by saying that the blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel? How does this contrast with the old covenant? [19:09]
2. How does the concept of an unshakable kingdom in Hebrews 12:28 provide comfort and stability in a world that is constantly changing? [07:04]
3. In what ways does the shaking of the world expose the instability of worldly standards and drive us to find our true worth and identity in Christ? [28:04]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by the standards and pressures of the world. How can anchoring your identity in the unshakable kingdom of God help you navigate such situations? [03:26]
2. The sermon mentioned that trying to justify ourselves before God based on our own works is futile. What are some ways you might be relying on your own efforts rather than Christ's finished work? How can you shift your focus? [25:00]
3. How does understanding that Jesus' blood cries out for mercy and grace, rather than justice, change the way you approach God in prayer and worship? [19:09]
4. The sermon highlighted the role of external versus internal motivation. How can you cultivate a heart that is internally motivated by grace rather than externally driven by fear or obligation? [16:33]
5. In what areas of your life do you experience the most "shaking"? How can you remind yourself of the stability found in your relationship with God through Jesus Christ during these times? [32:52]
6. How can you practically live out the joy and festivity of Mount Zion in your daily life, especially in your interactions with others? [06:05]
7. The sermon discussed the impact of social media and comparison on our sense of worth. What steps can you take to minimize these influences and focus on your identity in Christ? [28:48]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Contrast of Two Mountains
The Bible presents two significant mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Mount Sinai symbolizes the old covenant, marked by fear, trembling, and an unattainable standard of holiness. The Israelites experienced God's awe-inspiring power through thunder, lightning, and smoke, which only highlighted their inability to meet His standards. This mountain represents a system where compliance is driven by fear and external forces, but it ultimately fails to transform the heart.
In contrast, Mount Zion represents the new covenant of grace through Jesus Christ. This mountain is depicted as a place of joy, festivity, and innumerable angels. It is a mountain where we approach God not based on our works or ability to meet His standards, but based on what Jesus has done for us. The blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel, crying out for mercy and grace rather than justice. This new covenant allows us to approach God with confidence, knowing that our identity and worth are secured in Christ's performance, not our own. [08:02]
Hebrews 12:22-24 (ESV): "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."
Reflection: Think about the areas in your life where you feel driven by fear and external pressures. How can you shift your focus to the grace and joy found in the new covenant through Jesus Christ?
### Day 2: Living an Unshakable Life
In a world that constantly shakes us with its ever-changing standards and pressures, we can remain unshakable by anchoring our identity in the unshakable kingdom of God. This stability comes from our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, not from our own efforts or achievements. The author of Hebrews urges us to live an unshakable life by finding our true stability in our relationship with God.
The shaking of the world serves as a reminder that our true stability comes from our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus took the ultimate shaking on the cross, experiencing the full wrath of God, so that we could stand firm and unshaken in our faith. By anchoring our identity in the unshakable kingdom of God, we can navigate the ever-changing standards of the world with confidence and hope. [03:26]
Psalm 62:6-7 (ESV): "He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel particularly shaken by the world's standards. How can you anchor your identity in God's unshakable kingdom in that area today?
### Day 3: The Better Word of Jesus' Blood
The blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. While Abel's blood cried out for justice, Jesus' blood cries out for mercy and grace. This profound truth allows us to approach God with confidence, knowing that we are accepted based on Christ's sacrifice, not our own merits. The new covenant through Jesus' blood provides us with a foundation of grace and mercy, rather than fear and judgment.
This better word of Jesus' blood transforms our relationship with God. Instead of approaching Him with fear and trepidation, we can come before Him with confidence, knowing that we are covered by the grace and mercy of Jesus' sacrifice. This shift from justice to grace changes how we live our lives and interact with God, providing us with a sense of security and acceptance. [19:09]
Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
Reflection: Reflect on the significance of Jesus' blood speaking a better word of mercy and grace. How does this truth impact your approach to God and your daily life?
### Day 4: The Futility of Self-Justification
Trying to justify ourselves before God based on our own works is futile. Our best efforts will never be enough to meet God's standards. Instead, we must rely on the finished work of Jesus, who took the ultimate shaking on the cross so that we could stand firm in our faith. The old covenant, represented by Mount Sinai, highlights the futility of self-justification and the need for a savior.
The new covenant through Jesus Christ shifts the focus from our own efforts to His finished work. By relying on Jesus' sacrifice, we can find true justification and acceptance before God. This shift from self-justification to reliance on Jesus' work provides us with a sense of peace and assurance in our relationship with God. [25:00]
Galatians 2:16 (ESV): "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."
Reflection: Consider the areas in your life where you are trying to justify yourself through your own efforts. How can you shift your focus to relying on Jesus' finished work for your justification?
### Day 5: The Role of Shaking in Our Lives
The shaking we experience in life serves as a reminder of our need for God's unshakable kingdom. It exposes the instability of worldly standards and drives us to find our true worth and identity in Christ. Jesus' experience of shaking on the cross ensures that we can face life's challenges with confidence and hope. The shaking of the world highlights the contrast between the temporary nature of worldly standards and the eternal stability of God's kingdom.
By recognizing the role of shaking in our lives, we can use these experiences as opportunities to deepen our reliance on God and His unshakable kingdom. This perspective allows us to face challenges with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing that our true stability comes from our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. [32:52]
Haggai 2:6-7 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts."
Reflection: Think about a recent experience of shaking or instability in your life. How can you use this experience to deepen your reliance on God's unshakable kingdom and find your true worth in Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "This is how you can live an unshakable life in a world that's going to shake you. This is how you can remain rock solid. In an uncertain world, in an ever-changing world, in a world in which you can't predict." [01:42] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "How can I not be driven by fear? How can I hold up under the pressures? The pressures. To perform the expectations of whoever, family, of work. How do I not let the terrible of life not destroy me? What do I do when I'm not good enough? When my best is not good enough?" [04:16] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You haven't come to a mountain where you're not going to measure up. You're never going to measure up. You haven't come to a mountain where there's external forces that are going to get you to comply out of maybe, maybe fear, maybe out of awe." [15:56] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus took the shaking. Because from the sixth hour there was darkness. There was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabbathenai. That is, my God, my God, where'd you go? Are you there? Hello? Why did you forsake me?" [32:52] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So here's what you got. Sixth, the ninth hour, there's darkness, I think a six-inch curtain, I think that's what it was, split from the very top to the bottom. He cries out, my God, my God, why did you forsake me? And look what happens, the earth shakes, the rocks split, there's an earthquake, there's a shaking. It's Mt. Sinai all over again, but it's with Jesus taking the shaking for you, and for me." [34:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The law couldn't do anything but make you feel like a failure. The law couldn't do anything else but make you notice your sin. The standard's way too high. You can't reach it. No one did reach it." [08:53] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You have not come to a mountain where you approach this deity to get acceptance through what you do. But you have come to Mount Zion where you can approach the deity, approach God based upon what he has done." [21:41] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And that's all this author is trying to do. He's trying to say, thank God you have not come to the Mount Sinai. You've not come to this mountain where there is, where there is smoke, where there's fire. Where he said, don't touch the mountain or you're going to die. Where he said, don't touch the mountain or you're going to die. Where you have approached this thing, where you know the bar has been set so high." [24:07] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And the author's just trying to say, here, here's what Jesus did, and I want you, I mean, if I could say, listen with virgin ears. Maybe that would get your attention. attention, with fresh ears, are in a way to try to understand and appreciate one more time that God, creator of the world, speaker of everything, sent his son Jesus, sent his son Jesus for the sole mission of bearing your failures and receiving your penalty so that you could have his righteousness." [36:14] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So that our identity is placed in his performance, not yours. Whether you're proud of what you've done for your life, or whether you're not, and some of you guys may say, you know what, I live a pretty moral life. I do pretty good, and I would just call you out for pride right now, and say, hey, none of your works, none of our works, there's no ladder to climb that could get us to be acceptable to God." [35:11] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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