The Two Mountains

Hebrews 12:18-24

Aaron Campbell

March 10, 2013

 

•  One Idea

•  Two Mountains
•  Three Applications

One Idea

For those that aim to be faithful disciples, What we are called to affects everything.

Two Mountains

What are we called to?  Hebrews 12:18-24 contrasts the old and new covenants by symbolizing them in two mountains...

Hebrews 12:18 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 a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 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, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 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, 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.

Mt Sinai
Exodus 19:12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 
16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Exodus 20 - The Giving of the Law, the Ten Commandments

18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”

Mt Zion

Not fear but welcome
Not regulations and ominous warnings but grace because of Jesus blood
Not a future wish but a present reality

So what does that mean for us?  What impact, what bearing does that have on how we live our lives or how we relate as a church?  If what we are called to affects everything, what impact should what is revealed here about these two mountains have on us?

Three Applications

Grace

(Prostitute Illustration)
We have been welcomed into the Heavenly Jerusalem, not based on merit by Jesus shed blood alone.  We need to remember which mountain we have come to for the sake of our own souls, the sake of the believers we are to encourage and live life out with week after week, and the sake of those that don’t yet know the mercy and kindness of our Redeeming God.

 

Relationship

(3 huts on a deserted island illustration)
Welcome into God’s presence is a welcome into relationship.  First and foremost with God Himself.  This must be our source of identity and fulfillment.  But relationship with God also brings us into relationship with His people.  We are part of the assembly of His saints - past, present, and future!  Since this is a present spiritual reality, what are some ways that we can practice its reality in space and time with the individuals God has joined us with in this local body?  CGs, church retreats, and one on one discipleship settings are some of the ways that we can be practically pursuing this reality.

Joy

(Martian anthropology student illustration)
Fear and trembling surrounded the giving of the Law in Exodus 19-20.  That is not the mountain that we have come to.  We have been brought into the presence of God, His saints, and His angels in “festal gathering.”  Because of Jesus - Joy, not fear, should characterize our current and eternal standing with God.

A few questions for reflection and application

Which mountain do you find yourself spending most of your time at?

How is this reflected in your life/what does this look like?
When do you most need to be reminded that you have come to a covenant (mountain) of Grace?
How can you reflect that you are a recipient of grace to those around you?

How are you seeking to cultivate your relationship with and love for your Father and Savior?

Is there a way that God would have you come to your next CG meeting differently than in the past?

What does joy look like in your life?

Was there anything else that God has been putting His finger on this last week?

How is he calling you to respond (in the shadow of Zion)?