Title: The Beauty of Our Mountain

Text: Heb. 12: 18-29

Tracing: Preached 6/17/90 P.M. at SDCC.

Topic:

Theme: Comparison of Covenants

Nutshell:

Objectives:

Prim Goal :

Intnd Aud.:

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Intro.: I Love Mountains! - Kiamichis, Queen Wilhemena Mt., Rockies, etc.

Mountains play a big role in Scripture: Ark on Ararat, Law on

Sinai, Sac. of Isaac, Temple on Mt. Zion, Elijah & prophets of

Baal on Mt. Carmel, Transfiguration of Jesus, etc.

In Heb. 12, as an encouragement to perseverance and holiness v.12-

17., the writer uses the Mountains of Sinai and Zion to illustrate

the difference between the Old Covenant and the New.

The Old Covenant was represented by Mt. Sinai, where Moses saw

the burning bush and later the Law of Moses was given. Read v. 18-

21. Compare Dt. 4:10-12, Ex. 19:9-25 20:18-21.

The New Covenant was represented by Mt. Zion, the temple mount

(actually meaning the church). Read v. 22-24

In these two descriptions, ÿthere are four specific ÿcontrasts

between ÿthe covenants that should motivate us to perseverance and

holiness.

Body:

I. WE COME NOT TO A DESERT MOUNTAIN BUT TO A CITY!

Some joke that the reason God didn't allow the bush to burn up

was that there were no more around or that the real miracle was in

finding a bush there available to burn.

Sinai was desolate, barren - Zion was beautiful.

This ÿpoints ÿto ÿa different view of ÿGod ÿin ÿthe ÿdifferent

covenants. ÿNo longer a vengeful God, destroying all who approach

but one who has built a city, and wants us to join Him.

How is this? God is unchanging! --> ÿcleansing power of Jesus'

blood!

II. WE COME NOT TO AN EARTHLY MOUNTAIN BUT TO A HEAVENLY ONE.

They went to a physical mountain which, ÿhad they dared, ÿthey

could have touched. ÿThe mountain to which we come is a ÿheavenly

one, ÿÿimmaterial ÿto ÿour present senses. ÿJesus said "I ÿgo ÿto

prepare ÿa place for you" ÿbut while this is still future in ÿsome

sense, ÿit is also a present reality "You have come!" ÿThe Church

is that mountain! ÿThe "Church of the Firstborn". "Firstborn" is

plural - referring to us! We will have a favored position!

2

III. ÿWE COME NOT TO A MOUNTAIN FULL OF DEATH BUT TO ONE FULL OF

ABUNDANT LIFE!

Mt. ÿSinai full of death, ÿthreats, ÿand fear! ÿPeople didn't

want to hear but "begged off". Illus. wrestler. "Tell Moses, ÿnot

us!"

Even animals killed.

Mt. ÿÿZion ÿthough ÿis inhabited by the LIVING ÿGod, ÿÿAngels,

Firstborn, spirits of righteous men made perfect, etc.

The ÿBlood of Abel and that of the Sacrifices said, ÿ"This man

deserves to die!" ÿThat of Christ says, ÿ"This child of God ÿmust

Live!"

IV. WE COME NOT TO AN EMPTY AND UNNATTAINABLE MOUNTAIN BUT TO ONE

WITH OPEN ACCESS TO GOD.

Only Moses (& later Aaron) on Mt. Sinai. Later, only the High

Priest in the Holy of Holies. The whole covenant characterized by

the inaccessibility of God!

God's Presence - Veil - only H.P.

Holy Place - wall - only Priests.

Court of Israel - wall - only Jewish men.

Court of Women - wall - only Jews!

Eph. 2:14 - Jesus destroyed the dividing wall of hostility!

"Gentiles come on in, Ladies follow me, Men what are you

waiting for?, Priests get with it, WE ALL ENTER GOD'S PRESENCE!

Conc.:

What accounts for the difference? Only the blood of Jesus! To

approach without cleansing is arrogant presumption! Doesn't mean

that you must be perfect to approach God but you must know Jesus -

He makes you perfect.

Because of the glory of our covenant, let us not "beg off"

(refuse him) v.25 and let us show gratitude by serving Him v. 28.

Comments:

 

Prepared by Scott L. Purcell

Minister of Stokelan Drive Christian Church

1501 Stokelan Drive

Malden, MO 63863

(314) 276-2343

Reproduce, modify, and use freely

for the glory of God and the Growth of the Kingdom!

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a note, postcard, or phone-call would be most welcome!


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