November 2nd, 2025 -- Jesus is Better: Hebrews 12:18-29

Devotional

Day 1: The Contrast of Two Mountains—Sinai and Zion

God’s people once stood at Mount Sinai, a place of fear, distance, and trembling, where God’s holiness was so overwhelming that even Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But now, through Christ, believers are welcomed to Mount Zion—the city of the living God, a place of joyful assembly, acceptance, and access. This contrast reminds us that while God’s holiness remains unchanged, Christ has made a way for us to draw near, not in terror, but in confidence and gratitude. [14:47]

Hebrews 12:18-24 (ESV)
For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 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: In what ways do you still relate to God as if you are at Mount Sinai—distant and fearful—instead of at Mount Zion, welcomed and accepted? How can you embrace the access Christ has given you today?

Day 2: One Holy God—Unchanging in Glory and Holiness

God is the same at both mountains: utterly holy, unmatched in glory, and transcendent above all. While we celebrate the grace and acceptance we have in Christ, we must never lose sight of God’s holiness—He is still the God who hates evil and judges sin. The privilege of access to Him should fill us with awe, humility, and reverence, knowing that the God who welcomes us is the same God whose glory fills the heavens and who gives His glory to no other. [20:36]

Isaiah 42:8 (ESV)
I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

Reflection: When you think about God’s holiness and glory, does it lead you to greater reverence or do you sometimes take His grace for granted? What is one way you can intentionally honor His holiness in your life this week?

Day 3: Listen Carefully—Responding to God’s Voice

God calls His people to listen carefully to His voice, not refusing or ignoring what He says. With the privilege of access comes the responsibility to heed God’s Word and the prompting of His Spirit. Whether it’s through Scripture, prayer, or the conviction of the Spirit, we are urged to respond, not rationalize or procrastinate. Listening carefully means putting God’s Word into practice, digging deep, and allowing Him to shape our hearts and actions. [32:50]

James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Reflection: What is one specific area where you sense God prompting you to act or change? How will you respond to His voice today rather than putting it off?

Day 4: Live Gratefully—Receiving an Unshakable Kingdom

Believers are part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken, unlike the kingdoms and powers of this world that rise and fall. This eternal stability is a gift from God through Christ, and our response should be deep gratitude. Living gratefully means being generous, easily satisfied, and quick to worship, recognizing that everything we have is from Him. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to the unshakable hope and inheritance we have in Christ. [35:47]

Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can express gratitude to God today for the unshakable kingdom you have received?

Day 5: Worship Acceptably—With Reverence and Awe

God desires worship that is acceptable to Him—worship that is thoughtful, prepared, consistent, and filled with reverence and awe. It’s not about outward performance or entertainment, but about hearts aligned with God’s worthiness. True worship involves preparation, thoughtfulness, and the cumulative effect of regularly coming before God, both individually and together. Every part of our lives can be worship when we approach God with humility, wonder, and a desire to honor Him above all else. [40:11]

Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind to worship God with greater reverence and awe, both in your daily life and when you gather with others? What new habit could you start this week to help you do this?

Sermon Summary

Today’s passage draws us to a powerful contrast between two mountains—Mount Sinai and Mount Zion—each representing a different covenant and a different way of relating to God. Mount Sinai, with its blazing fire, darkness, and strict boundaries, reminds us of God’s utter holiness and the terrifying reality of approaching Him apart from Christ. It was a place of separation, where only Moses could ascend, and even he trembled with fear. This mountain symbolizes the old covenant, where access to God was limited, and the people needed a mediator to stand between them and the Holy One.

But in Christ, we are brought to Mount Zion—the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. Here, the boundaries are not of exclusion but of invitation. Through Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, we are welcomed into God’s presence. His blood speaks a better word than Abel’s, not crying out for judgment, but declaring forgiveness and acceptance. The contrast is stark: from a mountain that shakes and terrifies, to a mountain that saves and welcomes.

Yet, the God of both mountains is the same—unchanging in His holiness, unmatched in His glory, and utterly transcendent. The grace that welcomes us to Mount Zion does not diminish His holiness. Instead, it magnifies the wonder that such a holy God would make Himself approachable through Christ. We must never lose sight of His majesty, even as we rejoice in our access to Him.

Standing at the foot of these two mountains, we are called to three faithful responses. First, to listen carefully—to heed God’s voice, not hardening our hearts or ignoring the Spirit’s prompting. Second, to live gratefully—recognizing that we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and letting gratitude shape our lives, our generosity, and our worship. Third, to worship acceptably—with reverence and awe, not merely going through the motions or seeking our own preferences, but offering God the honor He deserves. Our worship, both gathered and scattered, is to be marked by preparation, thoughtfulness, and consistency, always remembering that God alone sets the terms for what is acceptable.

In all of this, we are invited to marvel at the privilege of access to one holy God, to rejoice in the unshakable kingdom we have received, and to respond with lives of careful listening, deep gratitude, and reverent worship.

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Key Takeaways

1. God’s Holiness Is Unchanging and Unmatched The God revealed at Mount Sinai and the God who welcomes us at Mount Zion is the same—utterly holy, transcendent, and glorious. Grace does not make Him less holy; rather, it makes His invitation all the more astonishing. We must never let our familiarity with God’s grace dull our sense of awe at His holiness, nor forget that He is still a consuming fire who hates evil and judges sin. [18:28]
2. The New Covenant Offers Access, Not a Different God Through Christ, we are brought to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, where we are welcomed rather than excluded. This access is not because God has changed, but because Jesus, the mediator, has made a way for sinners to approach the Holy One. The blood of Jesus speaks forgiveness and acceptance, not because God’s standards have lowered, but because Christ has fulfilled them on our behalf. [14:04]
3. Listening Carefully to God Is a Lifelong Discipline We are called to listen carefully to God’s voice, whether through Scripture, the Spirit’s prompting, or the circumstances He orchestrates. This means not only hearing but responding—putting into practice what God reveals, even when it challenges our comfort or requires change. The abundance of resources and access to God’s Word in our time increases our responsibility to dig deep and truly listen. [31:02]
4. Gratitude Flows from an Unshakable Kingdom Living gratefully is rooted in the reality that, in Christ, we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Earthly kingdoms and circumstances are unstable, but our security is anchored in God’s eternal reign. Gratitude shapes our posture toward life, making us more generous, content, and worshipful, as we recognize that all we have is a gift from God. [35:35]
5. Acceptable Worship Requires Reverence, Awe, and Preparation Worship is not about our preferences or entertainment, but about honoring God as He truly is. Acceptable worship is marked by reverence and awe, thoughtful preparation, and consistency—both in gathered services and daily life. God alone sets the terms for worship, and our hearts must be engaged, not just our lips or outward actions. The cumulative effect of regular, reverent worship shapes us over time into people who truly honor God. [40:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:42] - Celebrating Baptisms and New Life
[03:26] - Introduction to Hebrews and Context
[04:36] - The Danger of Turning Back
[06:14] - Two Mountains: Sinai and Zion
[09:00] - The Terror and Separation of Mount Sinai
[12:15] - The Meaning and Significance of Mount Zion
[14:04] - The New Covenant and the City of God
[15:55] - One Holy God: Unchanging in Both Covenants
[19:25] - Our Tendency to Minimize Sin
[21:09] - God’s Transcendence and Approachability
[23:29] - Jesus: Lord of Every Realm
[26:41] - Why Would We Give Up This Access?
[29:35] - Three Faithful Responses
[31:02] - Listening Carefully to God
[34:30] - Living Gratefully in an Unshakable Kingdom
[37:30] - Worshiping Acceptably: Reverence and Awe
[40:11] - The Heart of Acceptable Worship
[44:00] - Practical Steps for Worship Preparation
[46:58] - Final Encouragements and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 12:18-29 (ESV) —
> 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 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, 23 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, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
>
> 25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Observation Questions

What are the main differences between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion as described in Hebrews 12:18-24?
According to the passage, what does the blood of Jesus “speak” that is different from the blood of Abel?
What three responses does the author of Hebrews call for in light of our access to God through Christ? ([29:35])
What does the text say about the kind of worship God desires from His people? ([37:30])

Interpretation Questions

Why does the author use the imagery of two mountains to explain the difference between the old and new covenants? How does this help us understand our relationship with God? ([10:09])
The sermon says that God’s holiness is “unchanging and unmatched.” How does this truth affect the way we approach God, even under the new covenant? ([18:28])
What does it mean that “Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than Abel’s”? How does this shape our understanding of forgiveness and acceptance? ([29:02])
The passage calls us to “offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” What might be some ways worship can become unacceptable, according to the sermon? ([37:51])

Application Questions

The sermon warns against letting our familiarity with God’s grace dull our sense of awe at His holiness. Are there ways you have become too casual or familiar with God? What would it look like to recover a sense of awe in your daily life? ([18:41])
The author urges us to “listen carefully” to God’s voice. What are some practical ways you can be more attentive to God’s leading—through Scripture, prayer, or the Spirit’s prompting—this week? ([31:02])
Living gratefully is rooted in knowing we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. When life feels unstable, what are some specific things you can do to remind yourself of this unshakable security? ([35:35])
The sermon talks about worship that is “acceptable” to God, marked by reverence, awe, preparation, and consistency. How do you typically prepare your heart for worship, both on Sundays and throughout the week? Is there one new habit you could try to make your worship more thoughtful? ([44:00])
The pastor mentioned that worship is not about our preferences or entertainment, but about honoring God as He truly is. Are there ways you have made worship about yourself rather than about God? How can you shift your focus? ([40:38])
The sermon described the cumulative effect of regular, reverent worship. Looking back, can you see ways that consistent worship has shaped your character or faith? If not, what might help you develop more consistency? ([45:55])
The passage says, “Our God is a consuming fire.” How does this image challenge or encourage you in your walk with God? ([29:35])

Sermon Clips

What you're telling me is you want to quit. You want to stop following Christ, but you're at Christ's mountain, which is far better. Don't go back to the other mountain where you needed a mediator, where you couldn't see God, where you couldn't talk to God, where you had to have a go between. This was the whole priestly, right? System, right? Is that they had to have a priest stand in between them. No longer do we need that anymore because of what Christ has done for us. [00:15:11] (25 seconds) #NoGoingBackToOldWays

He is still a holy just God. He is still one who hates evil. He is still one who will judge if we don't have Christ. And so it's something that we have to keep in mind there. Right? Right. Okay, so I think we definitely celebrate the grace that welcomes you to Christ for sure. But never forget the holiness that defines our God. He is holy. [00:18:59] (23 seconds) #HolyJustGodAlways

We are not at Mount Sinai. We do have an accessible God, but it's the same God of Mount Sinai. And we need to make sure that we are treating Him with the holiness that He deserves. And He's unmatched in glory here. [00:20:12] (20 seconds) #OneGodOneHoliness

We have two mountains here, but we have one holy God that we get to serve and that we get to know and that we get to approach now because of Christ. And what a glorious thing that is. He's terrifying yet veiled. He's incomprehensible yet knowable. All because of Christ. It's amazing. [00:24:56] (23 seconds) #OneGodTwoMountains

So when we live gratefully, we're, we're not trying to hoard things for ourselves. When we live gratefully, we're, we're trying to share with what God has given to us. When we live gratefully, we are, uh, more easily satisfied. When we live gratefully, we're more prone to worship because we realize that what we have is a gift from him. [00:36:57] (26 seconds) #LiveGratefullyShareFreely

Worship isn't for our entertainment. What worship is supposed to do, it's supposed to realign us. We're supposed to be realigned. This is why we come together every week, because I don't know about you, but I need the realignment. You know, after a while, you start to drift, you start to get tired, or you start to, you know, just not thinking as clear as you were, but then you can come back, and you hear the songs, and you read the word, and you hear the word taught, you have the table, and it's like, yeah, there's that recalibration, there's that realignment that I needed. And that's worship because God is worthy, and so we worship with reverence. [00:40:52] (33 seconds) #WorshipForRealignment

We get to be celebratory, but never at the point where we diminish who God is. And it's one of the tensions I have with some of the worship songs that are out there, and thankfully, I mean, those are the ones that we push hard not to do here, and also with a lot of children's ministry stuff, and not that I'm saying anything here. I'm just saying that it's just, things that just need to be cautious of, that I get that we want to accept that God is accessible to us, and I'm so thankful for that, but we should never do it at the expense of, of losing reverence for who God is. [00:41:35] (35 seconds) #CelebrateWithReverence

How do you prepare? How do you prepare, how did you prepare for this worship service today? Okay? What did you do to prepare for this worship service? Got into the car, turned the key, drove here, got out of the car, walked in. Okay? Okay. Well, you're here. That's good. Glad. Okay. Next week, let's do a little bit more preparation for it though. One of the reasons why we put the weekly email out and give all the songs and things like that, so you can start to meditate ahead of time. You can listen to songs. And so, it's not the first time you're hearing. Is it required? Nope. Can you still be adequately prepared for this? Are you prepared for worship without that? Yep. But it's a tool. It's a tool that we're making available to you. Right? So, preparation. [00:44:02] (43 seconds) #PrepareYourHeartForWorship

God calls us to thoughtful worship. What are you thinking about while we're singing? Or reading the Word? Or praying? Or is Sunday the only day that you tend to think about God? Psalm 19 says this, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. So our thoughts need to be acceptable. Thoughtfulness. [00:44:59] (24 seconds) #ThoughtfulWorshipMatters

We must live gratefully. We must worship acceptably, and we must listen carefully to our God. And I pray that this is how we grow as a church together. [00:47:13] (16 seconds) #GrowTogetherInFaith

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