Let Us Have Grace, Hebrews 12:28-29
Introduction: This passage is a challenge to the true believers who had been redeemed out of Israel. They had believed to the saving of the soul. Now, they are reminded of God’s continuing promise regarding His eternal Kingdom. He tells them how to live their lives in the light and power of this coming Kingdom. After telling them how to live in this great truth, the Lord reminds them of the “Why” they should live in the greatness of this truth.
We live in the promises of God of our God. He is great, eternal in the heavens, mighty, powerful, the God of grace, but also judgment. It is no idle task that we have on this earth, but to serve the Lord in fear and trembling, and in excitement and anticipation of His promise.
THE ONGOING PROMISE OF GOD - 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom – paralambonteV - Pres Act Ptc –
Matt. 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
2 Tim. 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Dan. 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed…it shall stand for ever.
Dan . 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion…shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom…
THE POWER AND STABILITY OF GOD’S KINGDOM - which cannot be moved, - asaleuton - unmovable, unable to destroy, not liable to be overthrown or be in disorder. John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world…
James 2:5 …Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
2 Pet. 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Tim. 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Cor. 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
1 Pet. 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
THE BELIEVER’S MINISTRY OF GRACE - let us have grace, - ecwmen carin - Pres Act
John 1:16-17 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace...
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom. 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…
Rom. 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…
2 Cor. 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Eph. 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Col. 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
THE RESULT OF THE MINISTRY OF GRACE - whereby we may serve God acceptably – latreuwmen euarestwV - Pres Act Subj - worship, do service, serve for hire, in the NT, to render religious service or homage, to worship or perform sacred services, offer gifts, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office
Phil. 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.
1 Pet. 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Eph. 5:8-9
THE HOW OF THE MINISTRY OF GRACE - with reverence and godly fear: -
Ps. 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Ps. 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
1 Pet. 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Rev. 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
THE WHY OF THE MINISTRY OF GRACE - 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. Ex. 24:17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
Deut. 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them…
Isa. 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
Dan. 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
2 Thess. 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: