Our God is a Consuming Fire

Jerry continues in Hebrews Chapter 12:18-25
**Prayer:**
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts, eager to learn from Your word. Guide us through this study, that we may grow in faith and understanding. In Jesus' name, Amen.

**Brief Review:**

**Chapter 12** is filled with warnings and exhortations.

- **Part 1:** We explored verses 1-3, which remind us of the great cloud of faithful witnesses who exemplify endurance. We are encouraged to avoid sin and worldly distractions, keeping our focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

- **Part 2:** We discussed the importance of remembering our identity as children of God. The Lord disciplines those He loves, and we should bear the fruit of repentance and forgive others, as there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1, 1 John 1:8-9).

- **Part 3:** We were called to strengthen ourselves spiritually through the Word of God, leaning on His strength. With the evidence of God’s faithfulness from the witnesses, we are to be strong and courageous in our faith.

---

**Part 4:**

In this segment, we contrast the Mosaic Covenant with the New Covenant by examining two mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion.

**Mount Sinai:**
- **Hebrews 12:18-21** describes the fearsome scene at Mount Sinai where God gave the Law amidst fire, darkness, and a tempest. The people were terrified and begged that no further word be spoken to them (Deuteronomy 5:22-30, Exodus 20:18-21).

**Mount Zion:**
- In contrast, **Hebrews 12:22-24** describes Mount Zion, representing the New Covenant of grace through Jesus Christ. This covenant is delivered from the cross and offers forgiveness and a personal relationship with God (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 26:26-30).

**Key Comparisons:**
- **Mount Sinai:** Represents the Old Covenant of the Law, which brought fear and revealed human inadequacy to meet God’s standards.
- **Mount Zion:** Represents the New Covenant of grace, where Jesus is the mediator, offering salvation and eternal life through His sacrifice.

**Final Exhortations:**
- **Hebrews 12:25-29** warns us not to refuse God’s call. Just as those who refused God’s message on earth did not escape, neither will those who ignore His heavenly call. God’s voice will once again shake the earth, signifying the removal of created things so that the unshakable may remain.

**Shaken Kingdom:**
- The coming judgment and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom are highlighted (Joel 3:9-17, Revelation 16:17-21). Believers are assured of receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, encouraging us to serve God with reverence and awe (2 Peter 3:9-13, Revelation 21:1-8).

**Conclusion:**
- Hebrews 12 concludes with a powerful reminder: “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), calling us to live with godly fear and gratitude for the unshakable kingdom we are receiving.

---

Thank you for joining this study of Hebrews Chapter 12. Let's continue to grow in faith and understanding as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. God bless you!