Audio Sermons

Renewing Our Strength in the Lord:
Great Grace! Great Holiness!
Life B-P Church Worship Services I & II
16th November 2025
Text: Hebrews 12:14-29

 
Introduction
 
· Recap the race of faith (Heb. 12:1–2).
· Trials and persecutions faced by early believers.
· God’s chastening as proof of His fatherly love (Heb. 12:6; Acts 5:41).
· Exhortation to endure, knowing affliction yields “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11).
 
I. The Call to Pursue Holiness (Heb. 12:14-17)
 
A. The Call to Diligence (v. 14-15)
 
1.     Follow peace with all men
o Even toward those who hurt or persecute us
o Forgiveness frees both the offender and the offended.
 
2.    Pursue holiness
o Evidence of true grace and spiritual life.
o Without holiness, “no man shall see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14)
 
3.    Be watchful against bitterness

o Afflictions must not make us bitter toward God (Heb. 12:15)
o Employ the means of grace for our sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3)
 
B.    The Danger of Falling Short (v. 16-17)
 
1.     Esau as an example of apostasy
o He despised spiritual privilege for fleshly gratification.
o Sought repentance with tears, but too late.
 
2.    Warning against despising spiritual privileges
o Apostasy reveals lack of true faith (2 Tim. 4:10).
o Persevere in trials, trusting God’s sustaining grace (Isa. 40:31; 2 Cor. 12:9).
 
II.    The Coming to the Heavenly City (Heb. 12:18-24)
 
A. Contrast Between Two Mountains
 
1.     Mount Sinai: The Law and Fear (v. 18-21)
o “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet…” (Heb. 12:18-19)
o God’s holiness revealed; sinners kept at a distance (Ex. 19:10-15).
o Even Moses said, “I exceedingly fear and quake.” (Heb. 12:21) 
o The Law condemns; “Do this and live” — yet none can perfectly obey (Rom. 3:20). 
 
2.    Mount Zion: The Gospel and Grace (v. 22-24)
o “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” (Heb. 12:22)
o A scene of joy, festal worship, and communion of saints.
o The “church of the firstborn” — joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).
o “Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling.” (v. 24)
o Abel’s blood cried for vengeance; Christ’s blood obtained pardon and redemption. 
 
B.    The Contrast Summarized
 

 
III.    The Call for Our Response (Heb. 12:25-29)
 
A. Refuse Not Him That Speaketh (v. 25-27)
 
1. A solemn warning
“See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.” (Heb. 12:25)
o Rejecting Moses brought death; how much more severe for rejecting Christ? (Heb. 10:28–29)
o God’s voice once shook Mount Sinai; now He will shake both heaven and earth (Hag. 2:6–7).
 
2.    An unshakeable kingdom
o All that is temporal shall be removed; only what is eternal remains (Heb. 12:27–28).
o The kingdom of Christ cannot be moved (Heb. 12:28) 
 
3.    An urgent invitation
o Come to Christ while there is time (Heb. 3:15).
o “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31).
 
B.    Respond in Grateful Service Worship (v. 28-29)
 
1. Serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear
o Serve God in grateful worship (Jn. 4:24)
o Serve as a response to grace, not guilt
 
2.    Press on toward the mark
o Trials refine believers like gold (Job 23:10) 
o “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14) 
o Fix eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith.” (Heb. 12:2)
 
Conclusion
 
· This race is won not by speed, but by perseverance to the finish.
· Make your calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10).
· You have already entered the heavenly city — press on!
· Refuse not Him that speaketh from heaven.
· Worship God with reverence, gratitude, and joy for His great grace and great holiness.
· “Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Heb. 12:28)