Temple Baptist Church - 9-23-2020
Hebrews 12:18-29
Introduction:
A. God has always used Earth “shaking” events to get the attention of the world. As humans, we always desire for things to continue as they were.
2 Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
B. But all things have not always continued as they were. There have been many times when the Lord has “shaken” this Earth. I will not list every event where things have been shaken up but there are times when God used flood, miracles, and great earthquakes to punctuate His commands or demands. These events, both natural and supernatural, get the attention of men.
1. God shook this earth up with a flood in Genesis, chapter 7.
Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
2. God shook Egypt up with the ten plagues and then the death of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea.
Exodus 14:27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
3. God shook up the watchers when Christ died on Calvary.
Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
4. God shook up the disciples of the Lord when He resurrected.
Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
5. God is shaking up this world in preparation for Tribulation Period.
Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
6. God will shake the earth once again in the Tribulation Period.
Revelation 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
C. In our text, God used two events that shook the earth: Mount Sinai and Mount Sion.
D. We live in days of great shaking.
1. This has been an unusual year to say the least. In 2019, America was stable and running on all cylinders. There was money to be had, jobs aplenty, people had hope.
2. Then, 2020 began with great change which brought about great fear. The world’s stability became unstable; hope began to fade; excitement turned to fear; liberty was infringed upon; and we saw just how fragile America had become.
3. I have often said before 2020 that America was “walking on eggshells.”
E. The importance of God speaking cannot be overstated! Yet, it seems that each generation rejects the voice of God.
1. Verses 18-19, Israel refused to hear Jehovah God on Mount Sinai.
2. Verse 25, Israel refused to hear Jesus Christ when He spoke on earth.
3. Verse 25b, How shall we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven? Notice the word “speaketh.” The word “speaketh” appears 74x in your King James Bible.
4. It is the conjugation of the word “speak.” It is both the continuing present tense and the indefinite present tense. It is continuing in the present but also indefinite in the future. God spoke, God speaks, God will continue to speak.
5. Therefore, it carries the understanding that Jesus, as Jehovah God, spoke; Jesus Christ, while on earth, spoke; Jesus Christ continues to speak to His children while He sits at the right hand of the Father.
6. How does Jesus speak to His children today? Through the Word of God. We do not hold with extra-biblical revelation in our day.
e. In our text, Paul points the Hebrew believers to that which cannot be shaken, the Word of God. It is to be believed and trusted in days when things become unstable or shake.
2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
F. We MUST hear Jesus speak from heaven!
1. Jehovah God the Word - John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2. Jesus Christ the Word - John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
3. The Bible the Word - 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (Notice the conjugation of two words in this verse.)
a. The Word of God was alive; the Word of God is alive; the Word of God will always be alive. The Bible is a living Word and, as only life can beget life, only the Word of Life can beget spiritual and eternal life.
b. The Word of God did abide; the Word of God does abide; the Word of God will always abide. God has promised that His Word will not fail not will it disappear (the Original Manuscripts are gone but the Word of God continues in the King James Bible).
1. God’s Word is Durable. “We have also” - Psalms 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
2. God’s Word is Sure. “a more sure word of prophecy” - Psalms 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (8) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (You can trust the Bible in both Prophecy and Practice.)
3. God’s Word is Authoritative. “ye do well that ye take heed” - Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (2) For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; (3) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
5. God’s Word is Illuminating. “as unto a light that shineth in a dark place” - Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalms 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
6. God’s Word is Enduring. “until the day dawn” - 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Conclusion: When everything around you is shaking, you can fully trust the bible that you have in your hand!
1. It creates your faith.
2. It calms your fears.
3. It carries you through your storms.
No comments:
Post a Comment