to its highest peak

"A Tale of Two Mountains" {Heb12:18-29}
* Context
- Heb Christians under persecution; some considering returning to Judaism
- Paul urges instead to push forward & focus on Christ
- Gal3:19
* Review
- Jesus is better
- Grace (Zion) better than the Law (Sinai)
* How to approach God {Heb12:18-24}
* Sinai: mountain of fear (v18-21)
- Ex19
- Sinai untouchable; boundary made to protect folks from God's judgment
- Closed to all -- none can meet His standards
* Zion: mountain of faith (v22-24)
- Zion represents Heaven {Heb11:10}
- Joyful assembly {Rev5} v gathering of fear & trembling
- Boundary broken -- mediated by Christ
- Open to all -- paid by Christ's death
* How to respond to God {Heb12:25-29}
* Don't ignore Him (v25-27)
- God's Word can be received or rejected; submission v resistance
- God still speaking (v25)
- Hag2:6 -- judgment for those who ignore Him
* Don't forget to be grateful (v28-29)
- Gratefulness shown in our reverence & awe
- Consequences for not being grateful
- God still a consuming fire -- His nature did not change
* Application
* Believers
- "Grace not an excuse to take Him less seriously"
- Disobedience will result in loss of blessings & His discipline
- "He knows if you're just going through the motions"
- "How significant is God in your life today?"
* Unbelievers
- Works/good deeds will fail you in the end
- Only relationship w/ Jesus will show you access to God