Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Opener

Intro (opener, MPT, MPS)

MPT

This is the last of the warning in Hebrews.

Let’s remember that these warnings are out of a deep well of love in the heart of the author which is ultimately from the heart of God

Written to people who have been shaken up by life and persecution

MPS

We can persevere (remain unshakable) because of who God is and what he’s graciously given us in Jesus.

(revering God, responding to His word/voiceand relishing in what he’s graciously given us) (????)

Body

Point 1: To persevere, we must relish in the gifts of God (vs.

22-24)

Explanation:

Before we leave this section of scripture on persevering, the author says come walk with me and lets see what’s on the other side of your perseverance.

What does it mean to relish?

To relish something, we must look intently at it (in all it’s glory, it’s nuances) and deeply enjoy it

The author opens up this part of scripture contrasting two realities.

And one, he describes in such a way that you would be left overwhelmed (drowning in the overwhelming beauty and goodness) by what God has provided for you

You have not come vs.

You have come

What is this gift?

What is this gift?

The descriptions of 22-24 culminate in what he describes in vs. 28 as an unshakable kingdom

Contrasted with vs. 18-21

Mount Sinai vs. Mount Zion

Mount Sinai

Description of Mount Sinai (what portion of scripture is it from?

Exodus 19)

God provided more than a mere lecture on His holiness and power.

He provided a 4-D Experience.

There’s something about experiencing something that drives the point home.

My 4D experience

Blazing fire, darkness, storm, sound of trumpet, a thunderous voice

Even Moses, whom you have nothing but the upmost respect trembled with fear

City of Law & judgement

Mount Zion (, )

Description:

Represents city of blessing and grace

The ESV Study Bible (Chapter 12): This draws on extensive OT imagery of a new heavenly Zion/Jerusalem (e.g., ; ; ; see “city” in , ; ; also, e.g., ) to say that Christian believers have access, in the invisible, spiritual realm, into the heavenly Jerusalem, and therefore participate in worship with innumerable angels (cf.

; also ; ) and the great “assembly” () of those who have died in faith and are already in God’s presence.

living God.

See note on 9:14

This draws on extensive OT imagery of a new heavenly Zion/Jerusalem (e.g., ; ; ; see “city” in , ; ; also, e.g., ) to say that Christian believers have access, in the invisible, spiritual realm, into the heavenly Jerusalem, and therefore participate in worship with innumerable angels (cf.

; also ; ) and the great “assembly” () of those who have died in faith and are already in God’s presence.

living God.

See note on 9:14

Spiritual holds more weight and has more value than physical?

Warning from heaven (vs.

25)

Spiritual is more foundational and forming than what may be more familiar

Spiritual Kingdom CANNOT be shaken

The spiritual and eternal realities of Mt Zion far outweigh the physical realities of Mt Sinai

Having come to Mount Zion is as real as coming to Mount Sinai

They have come spiritually.

Thru Christ, you have been placed “in Christ Jesus” and seated in heavenly places with him.

() This city is real NOW.

The Gift is the unshakable reality you receive when Jesus is your king

We forsake eternal bliss for momentary comfort/short-term pleasure (Esau sold his birthright for single meal)

Underneath so much of why we do what we do

Snap at kids because we want the short-term pleasure of control, comfort and a peaceful house

Adultery

Cheat on Taxes

Manipulate employees

Abuse spouse

Lie to mom

Cheat on Final

There’s coming a time when all that you’ve given yourself to for short-term pleasure will be removed.

Relish in it until it becomes the realest thing to you

Relish in it until it becomes the realest thing to you

Relish it until your very soul becomes unshakable

Application

In our fast moving society, thinking deeply is novel and uncommon.

But, we must!

We must sit and ponder on what’s been promised and provided for us

Do not exalt or over identify with what’s most familiar and most felt over that which is eternal yet foundational

We are promised an unshakable kingdom in the gospel

We are promised that all that isn’t eternal will be removed

something for the seasoned saints…don’t grow weary or stale of the gift

Don’t let your failing body and wrinkled convince you that you are

Everything sacrificed for and invested in God is unshakable

Called to order our lives to that which is unshakable

HOW DO YOU RELISH SOMETHING?

Why live on mission?

Because what you’re doing is eternal and unshakable.

Is no small thing.

Illustration: Hacksaw Ridge (not sure if applicable??)

We are called to be unshakable…raising kids, going to work, in our marriage, etc

What will life look like if we believe that we already have this unshakable kingdom?

If we were convinced that we’re not living a life that will be unshakable, it is unshakable?

If we didn’t live for the daily grind of just trying to make it?

If we didn’t raise kids as something merely to get thru, but knew that they are gifts from God and we our time and investment with them is eternal?

If we went to college not simply to get a degree to get a job, but knew every moment spent in Pre-med praying for other students, studying in a way that exalted jesus is unshakable?

Illustration

Point 2: To persevere, we must revere the character of God

Explanation

God making himself known

Desire to reveal himself to you and be known by you

He has not left us without an understanding of who he is and how he works in our lives

To revere God, includes listening to and heeding God and his ways

Listening, Gratitude, Worship

How do we now hear the voice of God?