Two Mountains
Hebrews 12:14-29
Emmanuel Christian Church 11.2.25
INTRODUCTION: This morning, we’re going to visit two very different
mountains. And while they share similarities, their similarities are actually
opposites. One mountain is a place of shear terror, the other unspeakable
joy. From both mountains, God issues His call- from one comes
judgment, from the other justification.
Now, if that sounds a bit overwhelming for your taste; if you think
you’d rather not make the visit, understand this- you’re already on the
way!
Our first stop is the mountain of terror. Now, instead of dreading that
visit, I would encourage you to embrace it! As traumatic as that visit may
be, it will prepare you with a perspective that will allow you to journey on
to the mountain of joy.
Exodus 19:16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and
lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet
blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out
of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended
on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the
whole mountain trembled violently, 19 and the sound of the trumpet grew
louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
The Two Mountains
- The Mountain of TERROR: Mt. Sinai
Hebrews 12:18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched
and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a
trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it
begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could
not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain,
it must be stoned.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am
trembling with fear.”
- What do we know about Mt. Sinai?
- Located in the dessert.
- It was a scene of terror.
- It was a place of sinful rebellion, judgment and death.
- Most notably- It was the place where God gave Moses and the people
of Israel, The Ten Commandments- THE LAW.
APPLICATION: “Is God CRUEL? Why do we need to visit this mountain of
sin, judgement and death?” Here’s why: it’s only the hopeless and terrified
who seek to be rescued! Sin is the enemy, Sinai is the place we learn that
lesson!
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those
who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole
world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared
righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we
become conscious of sin.
Romans 7:7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not!
Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law.
And here’s the terrifying bottom line: Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins is
the one who will die.
TRANSITION: Thank God there’s…
- The Mountain of JOY: “Mount Zion”
Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly
Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon
thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn,
whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of
all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the
mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a
better word than the blood of Abel.
- What do we know about Mt. Zion?
- Located in the Presence of God (not a dessert!).
- Mount Zion is a place of joyful assembly.
- Mount Zion is populated by those who have been spiritually reborn
through the sin cleansing power of the sacrifice of Christ!
PROPOSITION: Everyone begins life on the same path- the first stop is
always Mt. Sinai: sin, judgment and death. For far too many, that’s the last
stop. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! The path to Mt. Zion is open to
everyone who makes the choice to make that journey. The REAL question
is this: “What’s the way to Mt. Zion?” Jesus gave the answer: “I AM the
WAY!”
To travel beyond the terrifying mountain of sin, judgment and death
we must first decide to go in God’s direction- that’s called “repentance”.
Having changed our mind about God- we then need to accept God’s
invitation that allows Him to change His mind about us- allowing the
saving blood of Christ’s sacrifice to be applied to the debt of our sin in
Christian baptism. Having done so, we find ourselves at the foot of Mt.
Zion!
- The Ten “Commandments” of Mt. Zion:
- The FIRST SIX:
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be
holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one
misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble
and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like
Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.
17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he
was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought
the blessing with tears.
- PEACEFUL “Make every effort to live in peace with all men”
Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is
right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on
you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but
leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will
repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed
him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap
burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome
evil with good.
- PURE “be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you
had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
- GRATEFUL “See to it that no one misses the grace of God.”
Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in
Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be
holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted
as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the
One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he
lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
- RECONCILED “that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and
defile many.”
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a
multitude of sins.
- RESPECTFUL (of humanity) “See that no one is sexually immoral.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you
should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control
his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust
like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one
should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish
men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For
God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he
who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you
his Holy Spirit.
- HUMBLE “godless like Esau”
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look
not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- The LAST FOUR commandments:
Hebrews 12:25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they
did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how
much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?
26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once
more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words
“once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken — that is,
created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot
be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with
reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
- OBEDIENT “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.”
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words
and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who
dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the
torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is
like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The
moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was
complete.”
- THANKFUL “let us be thankful”
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
- WORSHIPFUL “Worship God acceptably”
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to
offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is
your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern
of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you
will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing
and perfect will.
- FEARFUL “reverence and awe”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the
matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty]
of man.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and
greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor
as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two
commandments.”
CONCLUSION: Two mountains: one of terror in the dessert of sin, the
other of joy in the presence of God.
Two sets of commandments- the first list “Do it or die”, the second, a
list that leads to life.
Each of us have but one choice…
