621 - Les Feldick Bible Study - Lesson 3 Part 1 Book 52 - The Believer’s Sacrifice

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 3 * PART 1 * BOOK 52 The Believer’s Sacrifice Hebrews 12:18 – 13:25 Again, the whole Book of Hebrews is directed to Jews who were battling the spiritual warfare of coming out of Judaism with all of its law and demands and "works religion," and stepping into Paul’s Gospel of Grace. So as we begin Paul is going to make a reference to Mt. Sinai in verse 18. Hebrews 12:18-19 "For ye are not come unto the mount (that is, Mt. Sinai back there when God was on the mount. with thunder and fire and all of that) that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest. Severe! Instant death! The Law was severe. And here, too, when God came down on Mt. Sinai, it wasn’t with love and mercy and grace. I don’t think Paul did that. Now everybody knows what a mountain looks like and Mt. Sinai in particular. Fire! Alright, so there’s two. "nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest." Hebrews 12:19 Now verse 20: Hebrews 12:20a Even Moses, the great man that he was, just feared being in the presence of this Almighty God. Now completing verse 20: Hebrews 12:20b You are dealing with the Almighty, living God. The God with power, and might, and holiness, see? We’re dealing with a God of grace. Now verse 21. Hebrews 12:21 Because of Who God was! Whereas Israel was dealing with this frightening experience with God, the flip-side brings us to where we are. Hebrews 12:22-24 "But ye are come unto Mt. Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23. To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, (which we feel is the Body of Christ, fellow believers) which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just (or righteous) men made perfect. Not earthly. Alright, and so we have "come to the city of the living God." angels." Alright, "to the general assembly of the first born." Judge of all, and to the spirits just (or righteous) men made perfect." Alright let’s go back up and pick the verses apart now. As Grace Age believers now (members of the Body of Christ), we have been made accessible to the city of the Living God. Everything under the old covenant, everything pertaining to God and Israel, was earthly. They were an earthly people with earthly promises, an earthly temple and an earthly priesthood. Everything concerning God and Israel was earthly. Our citizenship is in heaven. Our rewards are piling up in heaven. Colossians 1:12 Now for us, of course, the main parts of Scripture are Paul’s epistles. Paul alone deals with this Age of Grace. All the rest of Scripture deals with the earthly people, Israel. But here this apostle of the Gentiles, the apostle of grace, or as one author put it, I think, in the title of his book, "The Apostle of Souls Set Free." It’s through Paul’s writings that we’ve been set free. Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (or the children) of God. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit (that’s capitalized, which is a reference to the Holy Spirit) of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Now then we find that same Spirit beareth witness with our spirit. Romans 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we (hope to be?) are the children of God." Romans 8:17 "And if (you’re) children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." You’re an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. Now that’s our relationship as believers in this new Age of Grace. We’re not under the heavy burden of works, works, works. Colossians 1:12 Now verse 13. This same God: Colossians 1:13 Well, He’s in heaven, not here on earth. And we are connected to His kingdom in heaven - not the earthly kingdom promised to Israel, but that heavenly connection that we have with Christ. Now verse 23. Hebrews 12:23a Because we’re like-minded believers. What a difference from the fear and the admonition of the roaring God on the top of Mt. Sinai compared to our relationship as members of the Body of Christ - and we enter into the heavenlies constantly in the realm of the spirit, without fear, without trepidation. And we’re immediately in consort with like-minded believers. Hebrews 12:23a "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all,…" Now let me take you back to II Corinthians chapter 5 and let’s just drop down to verse 9. "Wherefore (Paul says) we labour, (as believers now. It’s the Bema Seat. The seat of the judges) of Christ;…" I Corinthians 3:12-13 "Now if any man build upon this foundation (which of course is Christ and His finished work) gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble: 13. #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible