Letter to the Hebrews, Message 32
We have begun looking into Paul’s –
D. Exhortation to Fidelity. Hebrews 12:12-13:17 We learned –

1. The Meaning of Fidelity. Hebrews 12:12-17

We noted the definition of fidelity is accuracy, preciseness, correctness.

An example of fidelity in the believer is found in the church in Antioch –

Acts 11:26 And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Paul told them to present Jesus to the world in their lives by being an example through –

a. Courage. Hebrews 12:12 Being strengthened, they were to have good –
b. Conduct. Hebrews 12:13-17 This good conduct took –

1). Commitment – to the right way. 12:13
2). Compassion – to help others. 12:13b,14
3). Conviction – to know and teach the Truth. 12:15-17
We concluded the message last week with this question –

Is the Lord precious to you today?
Is the Lord’s church precious to you today?

This morning we are moving on from The Meaning of Fidelity to –

2. The Motivation to Fidelity. Hebrews 12:18-29

Today we will look at verses 18 to 24 considering this thought – “What motivates you in your living out your faith for the Lord.”?

Paul reminded them again of that which is better. Why live under the Law when Jesus is better than the Law –

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

And not only that truth, but why would some want to resurrect the Law when it was fulfilled in the Lord, the only One who could satisfy it completely! the Apostle Peter testified to the leaders of the church in Jerusalem –

Acts 15:10-11 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

Some, even in our day, justify their position by claiming they are not restoring the whole law into their system, just parts of it. James warned of this attitude –

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Paul exhorted us to keep pressing forward, running this race in the Lord. We should –

a. Regard our position in Christ as being better. Hebrews 12:18-24

Compare –

1). The Old – God’s power produced fear. 12:18-21 They saw –

a). The material, earthly creation – Mount Sinai.
b). The majestic. God appeared to the people on the mount.
c). The manifestation which instilled fear and trembling –
“…I exceedingly fear and quake…”

2). The New – peace and faith. 12:22-24
“But ye are come to mount Sion…” You are saved, forgiven…

a). The City. 12:22a
“…the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem…”

Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Not made by the hands of man, but made of God Himself! Note the description –

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:10-12 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal…

Revelation 21:18-21 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Revelation 22:1-3 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

The City of the Living God!

In this city is –

b). The Congregation. 12:22b,23

(1). Angels. “… innumerable company of angels…”

Not only the Holy Angels, but those men that trusted God by faith –

(2). New Testament saints and the church.

“…which are written in Heaven…”

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

(3). Old Testament saints. “… spirits of just men made perfect.”

c). God the Father and Christ Jesus, God the Son, Mediator of the New Covenant. 12:24

Our God, Our Lord, Our High Priest – we will see Him face to face!

Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Remember Paul’s testimony of Abel’s faith in –

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Able’s offering testified of his faith to his salvation, but Jesus blood testifies of salvation unto all that will believe. How much better is the blood of Jesus, which still testifies even today –

Jesus Christ gave His life that we might have eternal life.
If you ignore His sacrifice you will remain in your sin. Consider Pontus Pilate.
If you reject His sacrifice you will remain in your sin. Consider the religious leaders. Acts 5 “…bring this man’s blood on our heads…”
If you trust Him in His sacrifice – He was save you from your sin –

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

In this city is being fulfilled now the promise of the Lord –

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

He is better than the Prophets, the Angels, the Law – He is God. Will you trust Him today?
As a believer, the child of God, what is your motivation to run this race with fidelity, presenting an accurate witness to the world of the Lord Jesus Christ?