God: Consuming Fire
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18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[e] 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Today I would like to concentrate on the reading from Hebrews 12. There is so much to learn from this ending to the Book of Hebrews. So much that challenges what we think is going on when we worship and what is really going on.
I will sum up this passage in three words, and if you allow me, I will explain why.
The three words are Presence. Thankfulness. Reverence.
1. Presence
2. Thankfulness
3. Reverence
Presence
Heb 12:18-27 is about Christian worship. Heb 12:18 contrasts God’s presence in New Covenant worship with God’s presence at Mt Sinai. Heb 12:18 ‘you have not come to that’ meaning - that mountain (Sinai) where they trembled at God’s voice, even Moses. An animal would be struck if it put a foot on the Mount. It was a terrifying experience. That was what they faced as they worshipped at the giving of the Law (10 Commandments).
Heb 12:22 ‘But you have come to Mt. Zion the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.’ The Heavenlies, where God Almighty is always present. Whether we are: home group, local church, mega church (anywhere in the world), when we meet and worship - we are joining existing praise and worship in the heavenly realm. Who is assembled there? Heb 12:22-24. There are Angels (thousands). Assembly of the 1st born (past pres & future - in Christ), the spirits of the Righteous made perfect (died & sanctified - those who have gone before us), God (judge of all) is there, our LJC our mediator - Jesus is there. We are joining their assembly.
When we worship here at St Paul's we are not just singing a few hymns – no we are joining something that is happening in the heavenly realm. We can only see it by faith, not by sight (sometimes we glimpse it).
[Illustr. Ashbury Park Campus in Kentucky. Feb. 2023 during a Uni chapel service. The outpouring began in worship with a deep yearning for God's presence. It lasted weeks.]
We are joining those who are worshipping before the throne of God. Our participation is not just here on earth but joined with those in the heavenly realm who are worshipping. Heb 12:22-23. We come to Mt Zion and we are part of a joyful heavenly assembly. When we worship we join with them.
Eph 2:6 Seated in heavenly place (present tense). Rev 5:13,14 Ongoing nature of worship. That is the reality of what we are doing in worship today - joining that assembly. In his presence, and his blood pleads mercy (speaks of new covenant). Abel's blood price for justice. V28 Thus Worship is a partaking of a kingdom that can't be shaken. All others will be shaken. But kingdom of God will remain.
Today we think of worship as prep for the preach, Prep for vip stuff – prayer, fellowship. Corporate singing to get people in the mood for something else. Stirred up. BUT that is all about us, but Heb 12 says worship is all about God's presence - Mt Zion City of living God. God dwells there. When we worship we enter into that presence that place. Hallelujah
Thankfulness
Heb 12:28 ‘Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful…’,
In the battlefield when all things are being shaken, we are safe in Christ. Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty". Despite things being shaken Wars, Ecology, Econ, political, moral, social instability & religious apostasy. What we have in Jesus can’t be shaken, the joy of the Lord, our place in family of God, royal priesthood. Whatever befalls us, whatever struggles we have, whatever the attack, we can declare ‘I am a child of God.’ I can appeal to Abba Father. It is a powerful response to the enemy as he attacks & accuses. It is an answer when tempted by sin. It is an answer to illness. Thankfulness prompts us to thank, praise & glorify him. Being thankful refutes self-pity.
A thankful heart changes things, it makes it all about the Lord and what he has done for me. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. There is something about thankfulness that changes us. It does something in us. God has made us that way. Thankfulness will release joy in our souls and healing too. [Illustr] When I was a hospital chaplain, I noticed that the people who, despite their illness, expressed thankfulness gained strength for their ordeal. It may have been thankfulness for prayer, HC, a reading or flowers they had received. It released joy in their hearts. Attitude of gratitude. Thank God for all he has done for us. Think of his grace mercy. We can never pay him back. What we can give is thanksgiving. Hebrews 13:15 "Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.”
Reverence
There is something about Awe and wonder that changes us. Does something in us. Wonder completes us as human beings. God has made us that way. We have all experienced an uncontrollable outburst of praise or deep gut-felt joy. Perhaps, the birth of a baby, a goal scored, a sunset.
Heb 12:28 ‘Therefore….let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Oxford Dict: Reverence: ‘Great respect and awe.’
This is not about a style of worship. Davids Tent. Keswick Ministries. New Wine. Big Church Festival. All have distinctive styles, but that doesn’t determine ‘Reverence & Awe.’ There is no God-given style just given the Psalms (5 books). So when we think about worship with Reverence and awe let us not be critical about styles that help others worship. Let us instead, examine ourselves and desire to worship in reverence & awe. Reverence is about respecting and recognising the HS, the presence of the Lord Jesus. In awe, respect, and amazement at his majesty and magnificence. In God’s presence, no one is famous; He shares his glory with no one. Colossians 1:18 ‘He must have the pre-eminence.’ The congregation is not an audience for preachers and musicians to perform to. His name is to be the name above all other names. We revere him; we come in reverence.
God is a Consuming fire. The consuming fire of Mt Sinai is a Refiner's fire that purifies those who are in Jesus. He shines a light on our sin. Like particles of dust that are shown up in a sunlit room. My sins are many: anger, judging, gossip, lust, fear, dont pray enough, dont read bible enough – God is a consuming fire. God hates sin – he doesn’t turn a blind eye. He is Holy and he is committed to our holiness and in his presence the blood of Jesusd cries out for mercy. My sins are many but his mercy is more. Worship Him in reverence and awe.
Here today you may have troubles, relationship issues, finance, health issues. When we worship him in reverence and awe, we say to him ‘Lord I don’t know why all this is happening to me but you are holy, just & true & right and I take comfort in the victory of the cross.
If we could really see what is going on when we worship, the goosebumps would stand up on our flesh because we are in the presence of the risen Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:28 concludes, ‘Worship God with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire.’
Cover Photo Kelvin in Greece with shepherd in 1978
