The Unshakeable Kingdom

TEXTHeb. 12:28-29

INTRODUCTION:

A.      A CONTRAST BETWEEN THE LAW OF MOSES AND COVENANT OF CHRIST.

          1.  Mount Sinai’s description (vs. 18-21).  The Old Law given.

                   Fearful and foreboding.  Moses quaked.  God’s voice shook the earth.

          2.  They had come to Mt. Zion (vs. 22-24).  The New Law given.

                   Each descriptive phrase loaded with meaning.

B.      IMPLICATIONS:

          1.  The new covenant, the subject of Hebrews.

          2.  We dare not refuse him that speaketh or turn away (vs. 25).

          3.  Trembling the earth, but the heaven, also (vs. 26).  Greater majesty.

          4.  Those things that are shaken are removed, not shaken remain (vs. 27).

          5.  Receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (vs. 28 ) Reverence and Awe.

C.      AN ENCOURAGEMENT NOT TO BACKSLIDE TO JUDAISM.

D.      BUT WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT?  WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN TO US?

I.      THE UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM IS THE CHURCH.

A.      NOTICE THE NAMES HE GIVES TO THE CHURCH (vs. 22-23).

B.      PROMISED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (2 Sam 7:12-13Dan 2:44).

C.      FULFILLED IN THE CHURCH:

          1.  Matt. 3:1-2Mark 1:14-15.  The time is fulfilled.

          2.  Mark 9:1.  Not taste of death.  Come with POWER!

          3.  Acts 1:6-8.  The apostle’s question and Jesus’ answer.  “Ye shall receive power...”

          4.  The fulfillment in Acts 2:1-4, 32, THE DAY THE CHURCH STARTED (vs. 47).

          5.  We have already received the kingdom (Col. 1:12-13Heb. 12:28).

D.      JESUS IS THE KING! (John 18:37) WITH KINGDOM AUTHORITY (Matt. 28:18;

          1 Tim. 6:15-16).

E.      SOME ARGUE THAT THE CHURCH HAS DISAPPEARED OR BEEN DESTROYED.

          (Luke 1:32-33Heb. 12:28).

II.     THE SEED OF THE KINGDOM.

A.      TO PRODUCE THE KINGDOM, PLANT THE SEED( Luke 8:11).

          1.  Paul’s work among the Gentiles ( Acts 13:54414:3, 7, 2116:1017:218:4 ).

          2.  Planting the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2122-24)

               a.  God’s plan è”the thing preached ... the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God.”

               b.  Jesus Christ, and him crucified (2:23:10-11).

               c.  We are limited (3:104:6).

               d.  The Power vs. the word of them that are puffed up (4:18-19).

               e.  Where is the Power of God? (1:22-24).

B.      THRU THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL WE HAVE FAITH (Acts 15:7; Rom. 10:14, 17).

C.      WE HAVE ACCESS TO JUSTIFICATION OF GRACE BY FAITH (Rom. 5:1-2).

D.      IF FAITH IS ESSENTIAL (Rom. 10:10Heb. 11:6),

E.      SO IS HEARING THE GOSPEL (Rom. 10:17).

III.    THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE SEED.

A.      IT IS COMPLETE (2 Tim. 3:16-172 Pet. 1:3)

B.      IT IS COMPLETED (Jude 3Heb. 10:10-12).

C.      IT IS EFFECTIVE!

          1.  In shaping our lives (Titus 2:11-12).

          2.  In cleansing our souls (Eph. 5:261 Pet. 1:22John 15:3).

          3.  By it we are God’s children (James 1:18).

          4.  By obeying it we are become Christ’s disciples (John 8:31-32).

D.      IT IS UNCHANGING.

          1.  Not to go beyond (1 Cor. 4:62 John 9).

          2.  Not to add or subtract or alter in any way (Gal. 1:6-9Rev. 22:18-19).

E.      IT IS INDESTRUCTABLE (1 Pet. 1:23Matt. 24:35).

          1.  It’s power to save is eternal (Rom. 1:16James 1:21).

          2.  It will work when its critics are doomed (John 12:48Heb. 4:12-13).

F.      WHAT IF EVERY HUMAN REJECTED THE WORD?  IT ABIDES!

WHAT ABOUT THE KINGDOM?

CONCLUSION:  THE ABIDING WORD

        è THE UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM

               è ETERNAL LIFE!  (1 John 2:15-17)