The Two Mountains of the Covenants

Hebrews 12.18-29

One of the paradoxes of the Bible is that it is so perfume that the greatest minds could not search it depths and yet so simple a child could understand it.

The Word of God is built around what took place on two mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion (Golgotha/Calvary in Jerusalem). It was on these two mountains that the Old and New/ Everlasting covenants were established. God spoke on both of these mountains.

1. Mount Sinai vs.18-21
Here are the Ten Commandments were given, the basis for civilized living.
It was a place of fear and terror.
Exodus 20.18-21
Deuteronomy 9.18-20

The instructions given on Mount Sinai set up a system of daily sacrifices. It was a system of continual sacrifices. Moses was the mediator. Aaron became High Priest.

Again the emotions of the people at that mountain were terror, fear and dread.

2. Mount Zion vs.22-24
Interesting how the LORD in His Word here brings us to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city Abraham was looking for. (11.10) In v.24 we see the way we get there is through Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant.
The heavenly Jerusalem is unseen to us now. It is the City of the Living God. Heaven- His throne is there. In Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4 we are told of the worship there.
Here in this passage this morning we are told of thousands upon thousands angels in joyful assembly. The praise and worship is beyond anything we could ever imagine.
In 1990 it was my privilege to be part of the Long Island Billy Graham Crusade. One night in Nassau Coliseum I was walking across the floor with another pastor. We were involved in getting things ready for the evening's service. The 3,000 voice was singing "Blessed Assurance". The other pastor stopped me and said, "Listen for a moment". I think this is a foretaste of what heaven will be like!

In this heavenly Jerusalem stands the church- those whose names are written in heaven. So we have angels praising God and now the all who believed.
Jesus used this phrase (Luke 10.20) No wonder as we read this He told them to rejoice. Look at the eternal scene. In Philippians 4.3 Paul speaks of it as does John in Revelation 3.5 and other places.

Then there is the LORD, the righteous judge. We will be with him forever because of His death on the cross in the earthly Jerusalem. We inherit the heavenly Jerusalem because of what our Savior did in the Jerusalem that is here on earth (Galatians 4.21-27)

Under the Old Covenant, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the year of Jubilee was announced. The ancient Jews also looked at it as the day Adam sinned and Abraham was circumcised.

3. We have a Warning and Exhortations. vs.25-29
v.25 Listen (and obey) God's Word.
There is a great shaking coming. Sometimes He Divinely disturbs us- shakes us up so we will listen.
Let us be thankful even for the discipline- God is treating us as sons.
Let us be thankful for the fact that we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken., that our treasures are in heaven which we have laid up there.
Let us be thankful that we will be with the LORD forever, that we will live without tears, pain, sorrow or death. Hallelujah!
Let us worship the LORD acceptably with reverence and awe.
Awe of Him. Awe that He loves us!

The first mountain showed our need of Christ

On the second mountain He died to bring us to the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Enduring Opposition

Hebrews 12.1-11

We are exhorted to fix our eyes on Jesus in this scripture this morning. This is all important for running the race we are in. This means to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something. Many of these other things come under the umbrella of Money, Sex and Power.

In verse three we are told to Consider Him- think over, ponder specifically in reference to His "endurance in opposition to sinful men." He remained faithful to the Father. He could have called 10,000 angels to set Him free. He didn't flee when the crowds, the multitudes turned against Him. He bore bravely and calmly the horrible way He was treated.

1. Opposition Can We Wear Us Out And Cause Us To Lose Heart- v.3
The way to prevent this is not through "getting away from it all". It is not through some motivational program. Rather it is preventing by thinking over and pondering the example Jesus set for us.
He endured opposition.
*Don't look to be set free from opposition.
Life is a series of battles- all winnable through Christ who gives us strength.
*Don't fight- Stand firm!
That soldier Paul describes in Ephesians 6 did not charge, rather he stood his ground. He was admonished to stand firm.
There are many things which oppose our walk with the LORD- with keeping in step with Him.
1-Temptation to be great- All these will I give you if you will bow to down to me (Matthew 4.9)
2-The deceitfulness of riches
3-The illusion of pleasure
Your greatest pleasure as a follower of Jesus is in laying your life down at His feet and saying, "Here I am LORD, help yourself."
We are told how to look at opposition and difficulty.

2- Endure Hardship as Discipline- v.7
See opposition from sinful men, the temptations and the enticements as part of God's overall process and work to make us like Christ.
Discipline is a responsibility of Fatherhood.
Discipline is not just for disobedience, although it is that. It is for everything in life- work ethic, honesty, integrity, etc.
Discipline with money, time, etc.
None of us enjoys pain but sometimes, many times, we must endure it. And as we see in
verse 11:

3. Discipline is Not a Pleasant Experience Rather Painful- v.11
But the process of pain in a believer's life leads to glory. What answers to prayer in your life over the years do you recall the most? Many of these blessings were born out of pain.
The race we are in is marked out for us by Jesus and His life here on earth.
It leads us to where He is! Heaven!
He suffered. He endured opposition from sinful men.
In our lives opposition brings about "a harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained by it." The word "trained" is the Greek word gymnazo. It means to exercise in a vigorous way either the body or mind.

We are to look at opposition as a training to produce a harvest of the fruit of the Spirit. This harvest increases as the believer is pruned and shaped by the Father, Who is the Gardener.

Face opposition head on. Endure it. Realize it is painful but think about what it produces!

The Essence of Faith

Hebrews 11.1-6

As you carefully read this 11th chapter of Hebrews you will discover that it is about people who overcame difficulties through their trust in the LORD.

The pathway of faith is one of suffering. I remember when this "awakening" began in my own walk with the LORD. Somewhere over 20 years after I asked the LORD to come into my heart, as I listened to God's men and women share, something struck me. All of those who had an "anointing" on them were people who experienced great pain, sorrow or loss. It wasn't that they talked about it. I discovered it quietly more times than not.

We see this morning that this Hall of Faith contains people who endured and overcame.

Faith-

1. What It Is. -v.1

Faith is being sure of what we hope for.

Prior to this section on faith, the LORD had been speaking about Hope. Faith is firming up hope. For example the LORD told Abraham that he and Sarah would have a baby. Abraham hoped for that day. He was enable by God to become a father because he believed that God would do what He said. (v.11)

It is faith that keeps our hope firm in that Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for us. People who not believe throw doubts our way, sometimes we struggle inwardly with doubts but through faith we overcome them.

Faith is being certain of what we do not see.
Faith is not sight. We walk by faith not by sight. We believe God's Word. We believe God is with us. Like Abraham, the father of the faithful, we believe God will do what He says. Belief in God and His Word is faith. The LORD is faithful to all His Promises.
which is explained in verse three...

2. What Is Is In- v.3

Faith cannot truly exist apart from God.
This verse takes us all the way back to the beginning. Genesis 1.1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

God spoke the worlds into existence. I cannot intellectually wrap my puny mind around that fact- it is beyond my limited understanding. David in Psalm 139 spoke of God's mind in creating him and said in verse six such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Faith overcomes the challenge of truth to my intellect. My faith in God and in His Word enables me to understand that God spoke in creation and things existed at His command. Read Genesis 1 Let there be light... and it was so and there was evening and morning the first day... and on.

In Matthew 8.5-13 we see the faith of the Roman Centurion. He understood Hebrews 11.3 before it was written. "Just say the word..."

God speaks. It happens. Creation, Abraham and Sarah (Hannah, Mary)

The essence of faith...

3. What It Is For - v.6

believe He exists- Faith is first in God- believing- He exists. Faith in God's existence from everlasting to everlasting, from Genesis to Revelation, faith in Who He is.

And He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Here is the struggle- the belief and the journey. Faith is not freedom from obstacles but God giving us the ability to overcome them.

Let's take Joseph v.21 Joseph's sons- Genesis 41.46, 50-52 Joseph had experienced great suffering after those dreams God gave him. Unbelievable almost what Joseph went through- yet he had faith. He was sure of what He hoped for and certain He did not see- which is why when Mrs. Potiphar tried to seduce him- he said this in Genesis 39.6-10. He overcame by faith in what God had said. The patience of hope. Faith tested personal experience to help others.

The essence of faith

Have faith in God

Drawing Near To God

Hebrews 10.19-25
James 4.8 Come near to God and He will come near to you.

Because of what Jesus did by dying on the cross, by offering Himself in Jerusalem we are called to draw near to Him.

In Jerusalem just down the hill from Golgotha stood the Temple. In the Temple was the Holy Place separated by the veil where the Holy of Holies stood. Only once a year and then only the High Priest could enter that Most Holy Place. It was a place of fear and dread (Exodus 28.35)

Christ Jesus opened up the way for us- the new and living way. At the moment He died the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27.50-51)

This portion of Hebrews that we have read this morning is full of exhortations. Based upon the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross we are called to draw near to the LORD God. In these verses we are told how to do it.

1. Hold unswervingly to the Hope we profess. -v.23

Our Hope is Christ coming for us soon.
We will be with the LORD forever.
Our Only Hope is Jesus! Because of what Jesus did it is built on nothing less than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness.
Keep this Hope secure, make it firm, make it your possession. He will come.
Life can pull us in a different direction: its worries, riches and pleasures.
We are told that the LORD is faithful to what He has promised, indeed faithful to all His Promises. Therefore read God's Word to get those promises in your heart and mind. Meditate upon them This will tighten your grip on Hope.
Keep yourself from becoming polluted by the world. James 1.27

2. Consider how we may spur one another on to Love and Good Deeds. -v.24
Give each other a "jab".

This is not (to use a term of the 70's and 80's) to put someone on a guilt trip or shame them or embarrass them into serving. It is rather a loving incite to do good and love deeply.

These good deeds expressed through love bring glory to God. Its not about getting credit or applause but to be like Jesus. It is doing it out of a heart of love.

Paul writes to the church at Philippi "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2.3-4) He writes to the Ephesians about this also in 4.29 of that letter.

3. Keep on meeting together and encourage each other as the Day of Christ's Appearing approaches. -v.24
Some have fallen away from the fellowship. Don't let that happen to you!
They are in the habit of doing something else when the church gathers. As we meet this morning they are doing something else. Even if you are reading this and you are in the habit of not meeting with the church, go find a good church (no church is perfect on earth) and get back to fellowship- you need it! The church needs you! Decide now that enough of this habit! Get back to it!

* Let's keep on meeting together- go after those who are on the edge
Jude 23- snatch others from the fire and save them.
*Let's keep on encouraging one another
parakleo- Paraklete- the Holy Spirit's work. Let the Spirit work through you to call, comfort, exhort, beg, strengthen.
*Let's look to the skies for He's Coming Again!

Draw Near to God

*Hold firmly to the Hope we profess.
*Think about ways to lovingly irritate others to love and good works.
*Keep on meeting together, encourage each other as our redemption draws near!

Facing The Judgment

Hebrews 9.23-28

There is a judgement at the time of death. When the spirit leaves the body it either goes to be with the LORD or into outer darkness. Paul wrote that to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD. He wrote to the Philippians 1.21-24 For to me to live is Christ and die to is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I chose? I do not know. I am torn between the two; I desire to depart and be with Christ which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body,

Luke 16.19-31 The rich man and Lazarus tells us of the judgment at the time of death. It speaks clearly of 2 places.

There is a Judgment Day coming. When my daughter Theresa called me from work 10 years ago this morning right around this time and said, "Dad, did you hear what happened? The World Trade Centers have been hit with planes and both the towers have come down." I responded, "This could be it. The LORD could be coming for us any minute." Later that morning when my friends Joe InFranco and Rudy Migliore came to my house for our weekly prayer meeting, Joe asked for my Bible and read Revelation 18 and being a student and teacher of that book replied, "Not yet."

There is a time for judgment coming when time is swallowed up into eternity. Revelation 20 describes that day and event.

What we believe determines what we do/ how we behave which will all be brought out into the light at the judgment.

1. Everyone will appear before Christ on that Day. II Corinthians 5.10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

I Corinthians 3.11-13 Fire will test the quality of each man's work.
Water in Noah's time- Fire in our time. I called and prayed with Pastor Dan Eddings this morning. He is my parents' pastor. Their church is a total loss as well as the first floor of the parsonage from the floods this week. I spoke about the rainbow after Noah came out of the ark. There will be rainbows for him and that church- God's Promises! Pray for them.

Back to the fire- (water and fire have incredible good and we need them but also can be very destructive). Our life's work for the LORD will be tested. Only what is done for Christ will last Rewards will be given to those whose work lasts. Others who believe will be saved but their work burned.

The are mentions of rewards or references to them in the Word of God.
Matthew 6.20 Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
I Peter 5.4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
II Timothy 4.8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the Righteous Judge will award me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His Appearing.
Your giving and praying and service to Christ will have a bearing on eternity and your experience of heaven. Give yourselves fully to the work of the LORD!

2. Jesus describes the scene of the Day of Judgment.

Matthew 25.14-30 Investing the things God has entrusted to us with in His Kingdom.
31-46 The two groups at the judgment

Psalm 96.11-13 He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His Truth.

3. Perfect Love Casts Our the Fear of Hell. I John 4.15-18

Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement... There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out dear, because fear has to do with punishment.
Aim at loving God with everything, total, complete, full surrender to Him. The hope of the Second Coming has a purifying effect. Perfect Love gives us blessed assurance of our salvation. It gives us peace. It puts confidence in our hearts about the Day of Judgment so we say, "Even so come LORD Jesus!"

With Christ in our hearts we face the judgment with peace. We face the future with confidence. We have assurance that the judgment for us will bring in God's Promises and fulfill the Hope we have. Our faith will become sight!

Maranatha!

The Mystery of Heaven

Hebrews 8.1-6

We have many questions about heaven:
Will we know each other there? What will we do when we get there?
Will we remember things that happened here on earth?

We are told about this wonderful place we call heaven in the Word of God. I believe however we will feel something like Queen Sheba when she heard Solomon's wisdom and exclaimed in I Kings 10.7 "Indeed, not even the half was told to me."

One of the mysteries and wonders will be what we are told of in verse five. There is a tabernacle in heaven. Now we understand why all the detail repeated over and over again in Exodus and Leviticus when it came to the tabernacle that was built under Moses.

God's Word has "appetizers" about heaven. Psalm 34.8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.

I John 3.1-3 What we will be has not yet been made known.

Oh What a Foretaste of Glory Divine!

1. The Tabernacle Moses Built was a copy of the One in Heaven. -v.5
A copy- a sketch plan. a reflection, a silhouette (Remember when they did that of us in school?)
The heavenly sanctuary is:
of heaven
continuous
the real thing
accessible to everyone
4.10 Anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work as God did from His.
10.19 we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus
was made without human hands.
9.24 For Christ did not enter a man made sanctuary that only was a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's Presence.
This heavenly sanctuary has no sacrifices because Christ Jesus provided Himself, the Lamb of God, fulfilling the need for the blood of animals to be shed. He appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Revelation 5.6 ... a Lamb as though it had been slain...

The Lamb of God willingly laid down His life for us, providing salvation, sanctification and glorification.

2. At the Present Time We See Through a Glass Dimly.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. - I Corinthians 13.12
We walk by faith not by sight- II Corinthians 5.7
There is a great deal we do not know about heaven and even life here on earth for that matter. There is mystery in all of our lives, some greater than others but we all have unanswered prayers and the question of why.
Daniel and Paul, the apostle used this word mystery. It is used a number of times by John in Revelation.
A few examples:
Ephesians 5.32 This is profound mystery- but I am talking about Christ and the Church.
I Timothy 3.16 Beyond all question the mystery of godliness is great.

3. We are Exhorted in the Things We Do Understand.
Hebrews 4.16 Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 12.2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
Hebrews 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.
I Corinthians 15.58 Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the LORD, because you know that your labor in the LORD is not in vain.

We will be rewarded one day. One day in heaven for eternity. It is more than we can imagine. The place Christ is preparing for us is beyond our ability here to take in. Be faithful, serve Him out of a heart of love - pour out your love for Him. Keep your eyes fixed on Him!

What The Bible Says About Storms

Job 40.6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm

Everyone is talking about it, the TV and Facebook are filled with news about it, the stores here on Long Island and up and down the eastern seaboard are busy because of it. Hurricane Irene is coming to town!

People suddenly are praying. That is a good thing. Yesterday the sun was shining and it will come out on the other side of this massive system. However for the next 18 hours or so here on Long Island's South Shore we will experience heavy rain, high winds and the things that come with it.

Most of us have candles out and ready, water stored, ice chests prepared in case we lose electricity.

The Bible speaks about storms in many places. Jesus calmed one. Actually spoke to it. The literal Greek phrase was "Be muzzled!" Immediately it was calm. I am certain He could do the same with Irene. Most of the time the LORD brings us through the storm rather than stopping it. Sometimes He calms the storm for us but most of the time He calms us in the storm and until it is passed.

This was true of Job. God spoke to him from the storm. Right out of it! He rides upon the wings of the wind. When I want to be alone with God I look for that quiet place like the garden of Eden. Sometimes He comes in the cool of the day and talks to me and other times He speaks out of less favorable conditions like illness and death and hurricanes.

Job went through storms- he lost everything except his integrity. He lost his children, his wealth, his health, his wife and his friends. It is amazing that Job did not lose his mind! Lesser men would have cursed God and died. He proclaimed, "I know that my Redeemer lives!!!" The man knew his God, but better than that: The man's God knew the man. He spoke out of the storms of Job's life. He will speak out of ours.

If you are going through a storm other than Irene as you read this, He is there if you call upon Him. Whoever calls upon the Name of the LORD will be saved!

Some are facing financial storms. The signs are all around. We had an earthquake on the east coast this week. People we shaken up. Now a hurricane. But if you are deeply in debt or not meeting your bills each day is stormy and shaky. Our economy is shaking and quaking. People are in need of help. Our help comes from the LORD the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Some are facing relational storms. Marriages are stressed. People have had communication breakdowns. Never before has there been so much anger within families. Christ can bring peace. He can make you a peacemaker.

Others are facing emotional storms. Perhaps you are in this midst of the horrible experience of depression. Darkness in the day. Feelings of hopelessness. Feeling tired after a full night's sleep or not being able to sleep. The LORD speaks out of this storm. Some of the best loved hymns were written out of times of darkness and despair. Listen to what the LORD is saying in this storm tonight.

Some are facing storms about their future as well as their past. If Satan can make you grieve over yesterday and worry about tomorrow then he has robbed you of today. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Maybe you are worried about tomorrow or next year. Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. We can change nothing by worrying. God will take care of you! He can help you overcome anxiety about the future.

Let Him speak to you from the storm! He will do wonderful things in the midst of it. He is faithful to all His Promises!