Things That Cannot Be Shaken When Things Shake
TEACHING NOTES
Hebrews 12:26, 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.
These are unstable times. But this is not news to anybody listening because there is no stable, perfect place in this world. The Bible says in Romans 8:22, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”
2020 has been a year of reminding us that we live on earth, not in heaven. An invisible virus has wreaked havoc on our world and has amplified the foolishness of foolish people and careless leaders.
Unstable times are created by the following people and conditions:
Ephesians 2:2, In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Proverbs 28:5, Evil men don't understand justice, but whoever seeks the LORD understands it all
Into this context, the Hebrew writer says in Chapter 12:27 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.
I would like you to focus on that statement, “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.”
That is the hope in the midst of shaky times. This is the provision that Jesus has provided. To fully appreciate with the latter part of the book of Hebrews is saying, we have to go back up to the top of Hebrews to gain context and perspective.
Hebrews chapter 12 presents five topics of context and focus.
1. The Race of Faith
2. The Discipline of God
3. Renewal of Spiritual Vitality
4. The Glorious Heavenly Company
5. Following the Heavenly Voice
The statement about receiving a kingdom cannot be shaken comes from following the Heavenly Voice. But this cannot happen until we understand the first four topics. We will go quickly through this today and return to study deeper in future messages. All of this is a part of God's justice among us as Christ followers. In the Bible, justice equals righteousness.
We have looked at justice as only a matter of what happens in society, but for believers it begins with what happens in God and what He does in us.
The Race of Faith - How we walk with God
Hebrews 12:1, Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Discipline of God - How we Receive Correction From God
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
Renewal a Spiritual Vitality - How we are Renewed in God
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
The Glorious Company - How with Relate with others in God
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,
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,
Following the Heavenly Voice - How we obey God
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.
What's interesting about this text is that the Hebrews writer refers to the of Moses communicating God's commands. Moses was a messenger for God. He was a mouthpiece through which God spoke. Hebrew says that even what Moses communicated would result in punishment if people did not follow and obey
What is more amazing is the following statement says that God will shake not only the earth, but the heavens and the earth. “He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”
It is important to recognize that Moses was a transmitter of God’s message, he was not the voice of God. The Hebrew word used pertaining to Moses voice speaks of someone transmitting a message from another.
On the other hand there is Jesus. The Hebrew word that used here for “voice” speaks of direct speech from God. The word used of him (lalein, GSN2980) implies the direct speech of God. Jesus was not merely the transmitter of God's voice, he was God's voice.
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
One of the keys from this text is the understanding this statement: receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
God’s kingdom is more than being part of an organization. In our new member’s class we teach that there are two types of members:
1) “Club-Type” member: One who “joins” something that will make him feel good and look good. A Club-Type member determines his own level of commitment and involvement. Club-type members operate under Judges 17:6; “In those days there was no king...everyone did what was right in his own sight.” Club-Type members hope from church to church, looking for a better club to join
2) “Body-Type” member is a Christ Follower who is “joined” by God and recognizes his or her interdependence with others. Body-type members have “received God’s kingdom and express it within their local congregation, pastor, and leaders. Body-Type” members are aware of the necessity of participation and coordination with the rest of the body. Body-type members operate under Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.”
We are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. We are not receiving a membership or an association. We have received A RELATIONSHIP!
