The Expression of Faith

The Expression of FaithHebrews 12:18-24Why bother?Why waste an hour Saturday night?Why place my hope in God?Why build my life through God?Why endure Gods discipline?Why is a decision about God such a big deal? * hope: ~Taste/Touch/Feel GOD! > I wanna BABE!

* build == IMPACT but I have PLANS!

* endure Paul Song: I ~Want 2b Disciplind

* decis ==Last Wk. Esau Wasted Life

2Why bother? Because God is God!See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.This expression, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:25-29Answer=4 WORDS

2nite=E.Z.iest CT: Learnd G. is G.

> AMAZING how it ELUDES people

3Why bother? Because God is God!Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29Any questions?

(but lets UNPACK this)

4Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.God is able to communicate clearly!His written word is enduring & verifiable.Hebrews 12:25-29See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking.Dsrv: Bcaus G=G & Youre NOT! (Surprise!!)

*G Able? \ YES! ~Weak! \ G 2 big..==B.S.!!

*Written=BEST PROOF @Court IL: MS Lawsuit

>GWrote 1ks of Pages, ~1 Memo > IL: Get it in WRITING

5Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.He will be heard.Hebrews 12:25-29For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.2Day=Relig.Dogma: God is..I imagine.. > God ~Have Choice/VOICE in my life > Maybe true ^ Unreasonable, illogical..

G: I WILL be Heard!

* on Earth = MOSES > Frm.Hvn=Bible: G.Makes EVRY EFFORT

6at 25 minutes=v.18-24Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.He will be heard.He is the only constant in the universe.He is the foundation of the universe.Hebrews 12:25-29And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.CONSTANT=RELIABLE!!

* Foundation==Rsn.4 R Existnce!

then = O.T., @ Mount Sainai

7at 25 minutes=v.18-24Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.He will be heard.He is the only constant in the universe.He is the foundation of the universe.Hebrews 12:25-29And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.He also says to the Son, In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothingBut you are always the same; you will live forever. Hebrews 1:10-12 (NLT) 1:10-12=Whole ARGUM. of Hebrews > CREATOR=1 CONSTANT, only 1 WORTHY > Son=JC=CREATOR Gosp: WHO do U Say He is?

8at 25 minutes=v.18-24Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.He will be heard.He is the only constant in the universe.He is the foundation of the universe.Hebrews 12:25-29And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.He also says to the Son, In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothingBut you are always the same; you will live forever. Hebrews 1:10-12 (NLT) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT) 13:8=Same \ AP: 2day=Info OVERLOAD!

> ~Get Confused re: JC

ETERNAL GOD/CreatorJC=LORD!!

9Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.He will be heard.He is the only constant in the universe.Everything else is easily shakenHebrews 12:25-29This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.our PRECIOUS SYSTEMS==Hold it Together??

>We=BUSY BEAVERS/Frantic/Control-Freaks

>USA= G. Washington..Trust

>ALL=PASSING

10at 25 minutes=v.18-24Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.He will be heard.He is the only constant in the universe.Everything else is easily shakenHebrews 12:25-29This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.for our God is a consuming fire.But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10 (NASB)G==Shaking THINGS UP!

* Evryth. =IN Gs Hands!

~IMPOSE UR Beliefs on me!BARF! > #1, ~IMPOSING Anything! Walk out! ~Hurt me > #2, ~MY vs YOUR beliefs Heres what GOD SAYS

~Hv 2b NASA Scientist: > Greg: u knw ITS TRUE! Things=PASSING!

11at 25 minutes=v.18-24Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.He will be heard.He is the only constant in the universe.Everything else is easily shakenHebrews 12:25-29all of creation will be shaken and removedall Creation \ AP: U Evr feel this way? ==Fast-Paced life..?Keep up w/it?

* Carpe Deim ~WRONG > Bibles Version==Ps.118 > 2Day ==He Made 4 YOU!

It means12at 25 minutes=v.18-24Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.He will be heard.He is the only constant in the universe.Everything else is easily shakenGod offers lasting stability & a futureHebrews 12:25-29Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable

We..Receiving IN THE PROCESS OF == WHY I come Sat. PM &

* Answers ALL Questions

> He promises Follow MEEverLASTING LIFE > I know this==TRUE; DUNNO HOW I got hereJust Followed Him

13at 25 minutes=v.18-24Because God is GodHe deserves our attention.He will be heard.He is the only constant in the universe.Everything else is easily shakenGod offers lasting stability & a futureA response of gratitude is reasonable!Hebrews 12:25-29THE BIG POINT!!

14at 25 minutes=v.18-24heart-felt gratitude is reasonable!Hebrews 12:25-29Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;V29==THE POINT 2NIGHT!

15Also called worship to serve, offer, or worshipReverence & awe sincere, amazedheart-felt gratitude is reasonable!Hebrews 12:25-29offer to God an acceptable servicewith reverence and awe;Gratitude= WORSHIP (fancy word)

* latreuo ==Often Used..

* ?Rev/Awe? IL: When BABE^HUNK walks In

The more you get to KNOW GOD, the more AMAZED you become

16Also called worshipWhich is expressed as giving Grace (always): a gift.heart-felt gratitude is reasonable!Hebrews 12:25-29let us show gratitude *Grace==BIG WORD in NT, used 300x !!

17Also called worshipWhich is expressed as giving Grace (always): a gift.heart-felt gratitude is reasonable!Hebrews 12:25-29let us show gratitudeFor by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Eph. 2:8 (ESV) Mostly describes what GOD has done for US!!

*Eph.2:8 There is NOTHING you can DO to EARN SALVATION

18Also called worshipWhich is expressed as giving Grace (always): a gift.heart-felt gratitude is reasonable!let us show gratitudeFreely you received, freely give. Matthew 10:8 (NASB) This is THE BASIS for Christian giving

19What God does.Worship isG ~NEED Ur Worship > FatherSon, SonFather, HSFather,Son, etc.

20What God does.What humans are designed to do.Worship isEverysong gives you a little feel-good buzz that you prefer to listen to. So when youre without your music for an extended period of time, that buzz becomes a craving. You become irritated and easily angered for no apparent reason.You start wasting more and more of your time listening to music, getting lost in the rhythm or singing to the lyrics. Next thing you know, hours have gone by while just lounging around with some friends listening to your favorite songs.Theres times when you just cant stand someone because they listen to music you hate, making you more inclined to hang out with those in similar tastesof music.You WILL & DO Worship IL: Cars / Kids / Job / Women: I NEED U!

* IL: Music * IL: NIN Concert * IL: 2days ALTAR

21What God does.What humans are designed to do.Worship isEverysong gives you a little feel-good buzz that you prefer to listen to. So when youre without your music for an extended period of time, that buzz becomes a craving. You become irritated and easily angered for no apparent reason.You start wasting more and more of your time listening to music, getting lost in the rhythm or singing to the lyrics. Next thing you know, hours have gone by while just lounging around with some friends listening to your favorite songs.Theres times when you just cant stand someone because they listen to music you hate, making you more inclined to hang out with those in similar tastesof music.

You WILL & DO Worship IL: Cars / Kids / Job / Women: I NEED U!

* IL: Music * IL: NIN Concert * IL: 2days ALTAR

22What God does.What humans are designed to do.Worship isEverysong gives you a little feel-good buzz that you prefer to listen to. So when youre without your music for an extended period of time, that buzz becomes a craving. You become irritated and easily angered for no apparent reason.You start wasting more and more of your time listening to music, getting lost in the rhythm or singing to the lyrics. Next thing you know, hours have gone by while just lounging around with some friends listening to your favorite songs.Theres times when you just cant stand someone because they listen to music you hate, making you more inclined to hang out with those in similar tastesof music.

You WILL & DO Worship IL: Cars / Kids / Job / Women: I NEED U!

* IL: Music * IL: NIN Concert * IL: 2days ALTAR

23What God does.What humans are designed to do.NOT a gloomy, dark reverence & awe.Worship isYou have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. They staggered back under Gods command: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death. Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, I am terrified and trembling. Hebrews 12:18-21 (NLT) Gloomy/Dark==MOST Ppls ASSUMPTIONSJC==REPLACED!

==WHOLE ARGUMENT of HEBREWS

* OT is OUTTA HERE

24What God does.What humans are designed to do.NOT a gloomy, dark reverence & awe.NOT rituals (the worship service).

Worship isYou have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount SinaiHebrews 12:18-21 (NLT) ~Rituals==One of the LEAST-UNDERSTOOD teachings in the NT

Yet, its in EVERY CHAPTER in Hebrews: PICK ONE!

25What God does.What humans are designed to do.NOT a gloomy, dark reverence & awe.NOT rituals (the worship service).Practiced alongside others.Worship isBut you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24 (NASB)

A PARTY!

* Join the BIG, ETERNAL ROCK CONCERT!

26What God does.What humans are designed to do.NOT a gloomy, dark reverence & awe.NOT rituals (the worship service).Practiced alongside others.The basis for authentic love.Worship isBECAUSE its practiced ALONGSIDE OTHERSThe BASIS for AUTHENTIC LOVE

AP: U==Loner? I Know Ur MISERABLE!

27Acceptable service is Hebrews 13Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangersRemember the prisonersand those who are ill-treatedMarriage is to be held in honor among allMake sure that your character is free from the love of moneyRemember those who led youimitate their faith. offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe U NEED 2 offer

* He.13==NO CH.BREAK * Love/Neglect/Remember/Marriage/~Greed/Leaders

IMITATE ur LEADERS==COOL!!

28Acceptable service is Hebrews 13offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1This is EVERYWHERE!

Worship=GIVING 2 G! NOT Singing/Worship Service

29Acceptable service is Hebrews 13Unacceptable: rituals and formalismoffer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe This people draw near with their words and honor me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from me, and their reverence for me consists of tradition learned by rote. (Isaiah 29:13)Normal Way 2 Ppl. Deal w/ G

30Acceptable service is Hebrews 13Unacceptable: rituals and formalismoffer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies . . . Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:21-24)SOME PEOPLES SINGING SUCK!

31Acceptable service is Hebrews 13Unacceptable: rituals and formalismGod in a box

offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe

Normal Way 2 Ppl. Deal w/ G

32Acceptable service is Hebrews 13Unacceptable: rituals and formalismGod in a boxI need my songs & rituals to get closeActually promotes shallow spiritualityA huge investment of resourcesAlienates non-Christians

offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe This is the sacred cow !!

* PROMOTES HYPOCRISY!

* HUGE $$ WHY? Bcause it

* ALIENATES non-Christians: what would happen if churches everywhere would just drop their precious worship services?

33Acceptable service is Hebrews 13Unacceptable: rituals and formalismWith reverence and awe towards GodGod is the CENTER of our serviceThe answer to why bother ?The source of motivation & thankfulnessoffer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe CANNOT Take R Eyes off G

* @CENTER: ~ Friends \ Teacher \ Institutions

* ANSWER..Why are YOU HERE?

* MOTIV=HOPE! \ ?Is Your Hope?

34Are you thankful?Or, are you alienated from God?What does it mean:acceptable service..reverence & awe ?For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21 (NASB) Or, are you a WHINER?

* THE SOURCE of Alienation w/ God

U HAVE a GOD-Problem

35Are you thankful?Are you practicing thankfulness?Or going through the rituals?What does it mean:acceptable service..reverence & awe ?U LOVE the Opportun. Hes GIVEN U 2 WORSHIP Him?

* ^Rituals: TCH,Discipl,CT,HC,CG like a ROBOT36Are you thankful?Are you practicing thankfulness?What receives your reverence & awe?things which can be shaken, or things which cannot be shakenWhat does it mean:acceptable service..reverence & awe ?You WILL WORSHIP > What?

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