Are We Listening – August 24, 2025

WELCOME and THANKS for joining us.

OPENING COMMENTS

  • The theme for this week is God’s gracious word.  
  • The selected readings that support the theme are … Psalm 71:1–6; Jeremiah 1:4–10; Hebrews 12:18–29; Luke 13:10–17
  • Our sermon will be based on the passage in HEBREWS, where the writer contrasts the difference between God’s word spoken on Mt. Sinai to the people of ancient Israel and God’s word of grace spoken in his Son Jesus Christ.  

OPENING CHORUSES

OPENING PRAYER

BIBLE READING

Hebrews 12:18-29

18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,  19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.  20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.”  21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)  

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,  23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,  24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.  

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks.  For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,  26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”  27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.  

28 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.  29 For our God is a consuming fire.   

Any initial thoughts?

  • Under the OC … God was unapproachable (See Hebrews 12:20-21)
  • But under the NC … God is NOT only approachable (Hebrews 4:16) … BUT God is ALSO with us (as Jesus – Emmanuel)  and in us (John 14:20) forever (Matthew 28:19-20, last part).
    • Those two realities (God being WITH us … and God IN us)  are the indicatives.  
    • The imperative is in Heb.12:28 … to use the grace that God has given us to serve Him with reverence and godly fear.  

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SPECIAL MUSIC


SERMON

Are We Listening? 

Have you ever told someone the details about an amazing experience you had, only for them to say when you get done, “I’m sorry.  What did you say?  Was it important?”  As we read the text today, keep in mind that God has spoken a profound and final word to all of us.  The question is not, Is God speaking? — the question is, Are we listening?

The writer of the book of Hebrews begins in the first chapter …

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.  After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high … Hebrews 1:1–3 ESV

This sets the groundwork for the entire book of Hebrews.  The writer then begins to show the infinite superiority of the New Covenant ratified in Jesus’ blood as compared with the Old Covenant ratified in the blood of animals. God’s word to his people is  his own Son, the One the apostle John called the Word of God, the Logos.

As the writer of Hebrews explains, this Word of God, who is the perfect sacrifice for sin, died his sacrificial death, rose again, and is now seated in the heavenly realms.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Word of God, now sits in face-to-face union and communion with his Father in the Spirit.

  • As our risen Lord, He bears our  restored and glorified  humanity.
  • Jesus intercedes on our behalf, acts as our high priest and our mediator.
    • Jesus takes all we offer God in our prayer and worship and makes it an acceptable gift  to  his Father in the Spirit.
    • And Jesus takes the blessing and grace of his Father  and offers it to us in the Spirit.
  • Jesus’ intercession, in this way, enables us to live in right relationship with God.

In view of all this, let’s begin to read our passage for today, which lies near the end of the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:18-24,25-29 NKJVHebrews 12:18-24,25-29 ESV
18 For you have not come [NU to that which]to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and [gloom]darkness and tempest, 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 the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 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 what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned  [NU, M]or shot with an arrow.” 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”
21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)  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, to an innumerable company of angels, 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 to the [d]general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 23 and to the assembly[a] 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 to  Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.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 speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 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 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying,  “Yet once more I [NU will shake]shake not only the earth, but also 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 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.  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, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we [f]may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 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.29 for our God is a consuming fire.  

You may have noticed that God speaks in this passage, the voice of God is mentioned, and the sprinkled blood speaks.  And there is a warning spoken on earth, and a warning spoken from heaven.  The spoken word appears to be an important concept in this passage.  And the word being spoken on earth is contrasted with that  spoken from heaven.  God’s voice may have shaken the earth the first time, but the next time, God’s shaking will involve all he has made, and result in the establishment of a permanent, eternal kingdom.

So, let’s look a little more closely at what this writer is saying.

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.   For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”  Indeed, so  terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”  Hebrews 12:18–21 ESV

This is a reference to the time when God gave the law to Israel.  God spoke to his people from the mountain, but they were so frightened by the experience that the ancient nation of Israel begged Moses to speak in God’s stead from then on.   And even though their covenant with God was ratified with the blood of animals and bound them to love God devotedly and to obey him, they did not keep that covenant.  While Moses was up on the mountain with God to receive the two stone tablets on which were written the ten commands, the people worshiped a golden calf.  God’s response to their faithlessness was not pleasant, but its purpose was to restore their relationship with him and move them to faithful obedience.

Now the writer will contrast  Israel’s faithless disobedience  with  God’s faithfulness:

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, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of AbelHebrews 12:22–24 ESV

The author takes us away from our earthly vantage point and moves us up into a heavenly one.  We are asked to open our eyes to see beyond the physical realities into the spiritual realities.  We’re to see God’s presence, the universal Church of believers, along with myriads of angels, all gathered in glory.  Jesus is in the center, the one and only firstborn Son of God.  The redeemed are equal inheritors of Jesus’ blessings — in Christ we are all firstborn, therefore heirs, of God’s eternal kingdom.

And notice the “word” motif showing up again.  This time it has to do with the blood of Abel speaking out, the blood that was spilled when Cain murdered his brother Abel.  His death — the death of a firstborn son, by the way — sparked a desire for vengeance in those around him.  God marked him to prevent vengeance from being enacted on him.  But Cain eventually ended up murdered, just as he had murdered his brother.

Abel’s sprinkled blood spoke of murder and vengeance.   The sprinkled blood in the tabernacle or temple in ancient Israel did not ensure healing and renewal for those who participated in sacrificial offerings.  But the sprinkled blood of Jesus Christ, spread on the ground as he hung on the cross, covered all our sin.  The shed blood of Jesus spoke of our redemption, restoration, forgiveness, and healing.   The sprinkled blood of God’s own Word, Jesus Christ, is a powerful word which speaks renewal to all things, and to us.

But this is a word we need to listen to and pay attention to.  The writer of Hebrews says,

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. Hebrews 12:25 ESV

The readers of the book of Hebrews were in danger of succumbing to the belief that they needed to go back to observing Old Testament days and rituals to be saved.

  • They were overlooking the profound difference between what God had given to them originally and that which was meant to supersede it finally in Jesus Christ.
  • They were so focused on their human efforts to save themselves that they missed the One who had saved them, Jesus Christ.
  • They were so focused on the written word and what they thought it required they do, that they missed the eternal, living Word, Jesus Christ, who saves by grace alone through faith.

This is easy for us to do, too.  Not only do we need to hear the Word, Jesus Christ, we need to obey the Word, who is Lord of all.  He reigns on high.  Only he redeems us, restores our relationship with God, and makes us new.  As God in our glorified humanity,  Jesus continues to be God’s word to us.  Jesus is the truth of our being.  And Jesus is the king of the kingdom of God.  Because he is the king of the kingdom, it is his glory we seek and his will we do.  It is his word we listen to and obey.  It is by his grace that we are healed and are saved.  It is him we put our faith and trust in.

Keeping this in mind, let’s read further:

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.”  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. Hebrews 12:26–27 ESV

Here the author brings out a profound contrast between Mount Sinai, which shook when God spoke to his people, and the shaking which will occur when Jesus returns in glory to establish the new heaven and earth.  At Mount Sinai, God was wanting to ratify a love covenant with ancient Israel, to make them his people.  But when the people of ancient Israel heard God, and everything around them shook, it was a terrifying experience.  Instead of fear, though, they should have experienced faith, love, and gratitude.

Here in this passage in Hebrews, we learn that this first covenant is superseded by something infinitely superior.  In the same way, this earth, which we think is so solid and secure, will one day be made new, along with everything else in our cosmos.  Jesus is making all things new (Revelation 21:5), and Jesus will complete this when the renewal of all things occurs in his heavenly kingdom.  The spiritual realities will supersede the physical realities — so we need to keep our perspective right.  We need to pay attention to what God says to us in Jesus Christ.  We need to attend to the spiritual realities, so that we don’t miss out on the significant thing God is doing right now and will do, that will last for all eternity.   

The writer of Hebrews concludes this section of the book by saying,

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, for our God is a consuming fireHebrews 12:28–29 ESV

Our response to all Jesus Christ has done for us, is doing for us, and will do for us is simply gratitude and worship.  The author reminds the readers of Hebrews that God is not requiring the Old Covenant observances.  He is simply asking for a faith response of gratitude and worship.  Keeping our eyes on Jesus, and all he has done for us, there is only one proper response, and that is to be thankful, and to bow in reverent worship.

  • Our God is so passionate about our redemption and restoration, that he was willing to go through the fire of a truly human existence, death by crucifixion, and being laid in a grave.
  • We are called to be equally passionate about all God has done for us in Jesus.
  • May the fire of the Holy Spirit burn in our hearts, and consume all that does not belong, so that we may share in the glories of his heavenly kingdom, now and forever.
  • May God finish what he has begun in us, that we may truly worship him in reverence and awe, in gratitude for his word spoken to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

As we close, this is a good time to spend a moment in silence, reflecting on who Jesus Christ is for us as the God who is a consuming fire.  What would you have Jesus burn away in your heart and your life by his Spirit?  Let’s take a moment to reflect and pray about this.  [Pause for a few minutes of silent congregational prayer.]

Prayer:  Holy Father, we thank you for the glorious and wonderful thing you have done in speaking your love to us in and through your Son by your Spirit.  Thank you for coming, Jesus, to speak to us of the love of your Father.  Thank you, dear Trinity, for keeping your word to us. Please bend our will to your will, for your glory and praise, in Jesus’ name by your heavenly power. Amen.


Small Group Discussion Questions

  • What is the difference between the Old Covenant ratified in the blood of animals and the New Covenant ratified in Jesus’ blood?
    • The New Covenant is superior
    • The NC is based on a better Word.
  • Why is it important to understand this?
    • because focus needs to be shifted to Jesus, the Living Word of God
    • We need to pay attention to what God says  to us  in Christ.
  • What is the difference between the shaking at Mt. Sinai and the shaking of heaven and earth that will happen when Jesus returns in glory?
    • At Mt. Sinai, the shaking caused fear.
    • Whne Christ returns in glory, the shaking will be to make all things new.
  • Why is it important for us to pay attention to what Jesus is saying to us in his gospel message, and in his sacrificial self-offering?
    • so that we don’t miss out on the significant thing  God is doing right now  and will do, that will last for all eternity   

CLOSING SONG

CLOSING PRAYER

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