WORSHIP GOD ACCEPTABLY

Hebrews 12:14-29

Key Verse 12:28

This passage gives the grand conclusion of the book of Hebrews, that is, the need to worship the Lord God acceptably, which is through our sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

1. Read verses 14-17 and think about the following exhortations:

1) Make every effort to live in peace with all men

2) [Make every effort] to be holy (for without holiness no one will see God)

3) See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many

4) See that no one is sexually immoral

5) [See that no one] is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son

How are these exhortations tied together (related)? 

** They are related in that:

1) Jesus died for our sins and rose again to make peace among men and between men and God, so if we do not live in peace with all men, we are defeating the whole purpose for which Christ died for our sins.

2) Jesus came to restore our relationship with God that we would participate in God's holiness. So we must remember this purpose for which Jesus came and live a life that is worthy of Him. [Note: holiness is naturally an attribute that applies only to God. So we can be holy only when we die to ourselves, accept Jesus as the Lord and Savior, and let Jesus live in us.  So the call to live a holy life is the call to be like God.  Then fellowship with him is possible. 

3) Jesus’ gospel which saves man through the grace of God is essential to worshiping God acceptably for it is through the [sin-forgiving] grace of our Lord Jesus that we can get into a right relationship with God and with our neighbors. Otherwise we would remain condemned for our sins. Mark 16:16; John 3:18

4) Jesus came to confer God’s kingdom upon his children, but those who are sexually immoral cannot enter the kingdom of God. Rev 21:8; 22:15 

5) Jesus came to lead us to God, the Father. But the word "godless" means "without faith in God". This word is a synonym for “unbelieving”. So an unbelieving person cannot receive God's kingdom. He cannot worship God either.  

2. Compare the mountain (or fellowship) described in verses 18-21 with the mountain/fellowship described in verses 22-24. How are the two different? Who does "you" refer to?

** The former is indirect, with a gap (barrier or distance) between God and men, but the latter is direct and intimate in the relationship between God and men. In the latter case there is no barrier, because Jesus opened the way for sinners to be forgiven of their sins and come to God in repentance. 

** Those who believe in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior.   

3. Read verses 22-24 and think about expression "you have come" (repeated twice) which is in present-perfect tense. What does it mean to say, "you have come to [this or that]"? (25-29) What does this expression indicate about one's life in the Lord at the present time? What (or who) made this transaction possible? (12:24)  

** This means that if one believes in the Lord, via the Lord Jesus Christ, one is given direct access to fellowship with God the Father. Read Heb 10:19-21.

** God’s plan to fully redeem all believers in and through Jesus is a “done” deal. In God’s eyes it is as good as done.  Life in the Kingdom of God begins here and now. 

** Jesus' sacrifice (v. 24) 

[Note: Jesus is the only mediator who stands between God and men, so that there would be peace between the two parties. 1Ti 2:5]  

4. Read verse 25. What does it mean to "refuse him who speaks"? Verse 25b indicates that the one who speaks still "warns" us from heaven. What are the contents of his warning? 

** To refuse him who speaks means to reject Jesus, for he is the Word of God. Hebrews 1:2; 11:3; Matthew 17:5; Revelation 3:20 (although Jesus knocks on the door, the one inside of the house may pretend that he does not hear Jesus’ voice, so that person can still keep Jesus outside.) Rejecting Jesus is rejecting God himself. It does not matter how much Bible knowledge one might have, or how moralistic or ethical or spiritual one might be. When anyone (no matter who he or she is) rejects Jesus there is no kingdom of God in him. Read also Luke 10:16

** The contents of warning is that if one rejects Jesus as the Lord and Savior, there is no other way for him to be saved. So he is on his own, which means he remains condemned. He cannot enter the kingdom of God. 

 

5. Read verses 26-29 think about the call to worship God "acceptably". The adverb "acceptably" indicates that it is possible that one worships God "unacceptably". What makes the worship either acceptable or unacceptable? Why is it necessary for one to worship God acceptably?

** Faith in Jesus Christ is the key that makes worship either acceptable or unacceptable. Those who do not put trust in the Lord naturally end up causing trouble with others. They also tend to become sexually immoral etc. 

** It is necessary for without going through Jesus Christ it is impossible for anyone to come to know and worship God. John 14:6

The end