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)? 

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?

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]"?  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)  

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? 

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?