Coming to the Consuming Fire
Hebrews 12:28-29
Hebrews 12:28–29 (ESV)
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Deuteronomy 4:23–24 (NIV)
Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you… For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Exodus 20:5 (ESV)
You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
1. Come by Grace
Hebrews 12:28a (ESV)
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
NKJV: Let us have grace.
“He never stops halfway in his march of mercy. He made us first his subjects, then his children, then his heirs, and here he makes us kings; for every heir of God is heir-apparent to a throne.” - Spurgeon
2. Come on His Terms
Hebrews 12:28b (ESV)
Let us offer to God acceptable worship.
Ephesians 5:10 (NIV)
And find out what pleases the Lord.
Ephesians 5:10 (MSG)
Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.
Psalm 66:17-18 (NIV)
I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
Hebrews 13:21 (ESV)
Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
3. Come with Reverence and Awe
Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.
“Do any of us find decays in grace prevailing in us;—deadness, coldness, lukewarmness, a kind of spiritual stupidity and senselessness coming upon us?… Let us assure ourselves there is no better way for our healing and deliverance, yea, no other way but this alone,—namely, the obtaining a fresh view of the glory of Christ by faith, and a steady abiding therein. Constant contemplation of Christ and his glory, putting forth its transforming power unto the revival of all grace, is the only relief in this case.” - John Owen
4. Come Fully Aware of Who He Is
Hebrews 12:29 (ESV)
For our God is a consuming fire.
