Hebrews 12 ESV
15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. 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[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 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
“Jesus is better.“
Better than angels
Better than all Old Testament mediators/priests
Better rest than sabbath
Better covenant than the law
Better hope than just forgiveness
Better priesthood than mere men
Better sacrifice than sheep and goats
Better atonement
Better sin-covering.
Better promises
Better hope
See that no one fails to obtain the grace of God.
The root of our condition:
God made a two part covenant with mankind.
One on Mount Sinai
One on Mount Zion
Old Testament/ Covenant
New Testament/ Covenant.
Holy place
Holiest of Holies
The first covenant was through Moses, called the law….
All of this was to point to something better.
A. He could teach us what sin was. (Delineate right and wrong.)
B. He could teach us what the consequences of sin was. (Death / Blood)
C. He could teach us that we were incapable of salvation on our own. And so that He could come “near.”
Hebrews 12 ESV
2 You haven’t come to the first mountain of fire.
A better sacrifice.
A better way.
The second covenant came through Jesus.
A better covenant.
Hebrews 12 ESV
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
We’re called to the celebration of the firstborn.
John 20 ESV
7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.
CALLED TO
Hebrews 12 ESV
23 the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven,
Revelation 21 ESV
27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Hebrews 12 ESV
23 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,
The judgment seat of God
or
The judgment seat of Christ
Hebrews 10 ESV
1 The same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, could not make perfect those who draw near.
Hebrews 10 ESV
3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.
Hebrews 10 ESV
4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Hebrews 12 ESV
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a New Covenant,
Mediator - Someone who goes between two parties to resolve a dispute.
The Old Covenant Was The Law.
The New Covenant Of “grace.”
Grace is God’s extended favor to those that do not deserve it.
Romans 5 ESV
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Sin is what gives death its power.
Hebrews 12 ESV
23 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 the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
A After Jesus' death, the veil was torn to signal a new way to God.
B. When Jesus rose he entered into the real holy place in heaven.
C. When we believe in Jesus our hearts are sprinkled with his sinless blood.
Hebrews 10 ESV
21 and since we have a great priest (MEDIATOR) over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Jesus' blood speaks a better word.
Mercy!