October 9, 2020
Shake It Off
Hebrews 12:18–29
Brooke Benedict
Central Truth
This world is a shaky place, but we have an unshakable God with an unshakable Kingdom.
Key Verse | Hebrews 12:28
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.
Hebrews 12:18–29
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly 1 12:23 Or church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 12:18–29
In the midst of persecution as followers of Christ, the Hebrews are tempted to revert to old ways and old comforts, forgoing the righteousness they have obtained through Christ.
In Hebrews 12:18-24, we see a contrast when the writer shows the Hebrews that they have not come to Mount Sinai where they stand with fear and trembling bound by the old covenant (the Law), but they have come to Mount Zion—the city of the living God. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, acts as the Mediator of a new covenant (grace). Through Jesus, we can now confidently approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
Hebrews 12:25-29 starts and ends with both a warning and a promise.
We must pay attention when God is shaking the things around us. He may be trying to get our attention. God promises to shake not only the earth, but also the heavens. This removes the things that can be shaken so that the unshakable Kingdom remains. What is our response to this promise? Let us be grateful! We have a Kingdom that cannot be shaken! Our Kingdom is not of this world. Even when the world around us is shaking, we can stand firm.
We end with the warning/promise that our God is a consuming fire. If we refuse Him who is speaking and prefer the shaky kingdom this world has to offer, then we will see the consuming fire of God as our final destruction instead of our deliverance. If we know and trust this promise of an unshakable Kingdom and seek to build His Kingdom instead of our own, then God will repay with affliction those who have afflicted you and give rest to those who have been afflicted (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).
Discussion Questions
1. Do you find yourself trying to live according to the Law or by grace? How have you lived by the Law and or grace this past week?
2. What comforts or habits do you return to in the midst of trials? Share your answer with someone today.
3. Which kingdom are you investing in: one that cannot be shaken or one that can?
4. Do you know the living God who is consuming fire? Do you consider Hebrews 12:29 to be a warning or a promise? Why?