19: Endurance of Faith (2) (Heb 12:14-29)

The Basics

Setting

This passage continues the exhortations concerning Christian living. These exhortations are calls to respond to the grace of God. Because Christ is the author and finisher of faith, we ought to look unto Him as we run the race. Because God chastens us for good, we ought to endure in our sufferings. In this lesson, we will study God’s grace of salvation as the reason and motivation to live godly lives. This passage also contains the final warning of the epistle. While the author reassuringly reminds us of God’s grace, he also earnestly warns us against rejecting this grace.

Key Verse

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (12:28).

Observation

Outline

(12:14-17)

(12:18-24)

(18-21)

(22-24)

(12:25-29)

Key Words/Phrases

Segment Analysis

12:14-17

1.         In regards to peace, what can you learn from the words “pursue” and “all” (14)?

2.         What reason does the author give for pursuing holiness?

3a.        What are the three things we are to carefully guard against?

3b.        How are these precautions related to the command in verse 14?

3c.        What do the words “looking carefully” teach us?

4.         What does it mean to fall short of the grace of God? (cf. 2Cor 6:1; Gal 5:4; Heb 4:1).

5.         What kind of defilement is meant in verse 15?

6a.        Suppose “fornicator” refers to one who commits sexual immorality in the physical sense, why is this sin listed with being profane?

6b.        Suppose we interpret the fornication in a spiritual sense, how does it relate to the example of Esau?

7.         Read Gen 25:29-34; 27:30-38. How was Esau “a profane person”?

8a.        In what sense could a Christian today sell his birthright “for one morsel of food”?

8b.        Why would anyone make such a foolish exchange?

9.         Why was Esau not able to find ways to change what he had done?

12:18-24

For the background of verses 18-21, read Exodus 19:7-25.

10a.      What different feelings do Mount Sinai and Mount Zion evoke?

10b.      Compare the locations of Mount Sinai and MountZion.

10c.      Compare the voices on Mount Sinai and MountZion.

10d.      Compare “exceedingly afraid and trembling” (21) and “blood of sprinkling” (24)

11a.      Why are the words “you have come to” (22) significant?

11b.      What made it possible for us to come to MountZion?

12.        Where is MountZion, city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem?

12:25-29

13.        Based on the warning of this paragraph, what was the point of comparing Mount Sinai and MountZion?

14a.      Compare the two “shakings” (26-27).

14b.      What are the things that can be shaken? What cannot be shaken? Which are you pursuing in your life?

15.        What attitude should we have toward God’s grace (28)? What kind of life should follow this attitude?

16.        “Our God is a consuming fire.” What does this statement teach about God?

17.        What is the difference between the fear at Mount Sinai (18-21) and the fear that we ought to have on MountZion (28-29)?