I. By Recognizing the Contrasting Experiences of the Old and New Covenants
A. The Old Covenant highlights our sin and guilt
Hebrews 12:18-21 - For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.” And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am full of fear and trembling.”
1. Mount Sinai cannot be touched
2. It is burning with fire
3. Darkness
4. Gloom
5. Storm (whirlwind)
6. A trumpet blast
7. A frightening voice
Exodus 20:18-19 - All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.”
B. The New Covenant highlights our forgiveness and cleansing
Hebrews 12:22-24 - But 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.
1. Heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God
2. Thousands of angels in joyful assembly
3. The church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven
4. God, the judge of all people
5. The spirits of the righteous made perfect
6. Jesus, the mediator of a better covenant
7. Jesus’ blood speaks louder than the blood of Abel
II. By Looking Forward to Your Heavenly Home
Hebrews 12:22 - But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…
Philippians 3:20-21 - For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
III. By Living With Joy Knowing the Fullness of Joy Still to Come
Hebrews 12:22-23 - …and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven…
Hebrews 12:22 (NIV) - But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly.
Hebrews 12:22 (ESV) - But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering.
IV. By Being Gracious to Others as God Has Been Gracious to Us
Hebrews 12:23-24 - …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…
V. By Caring for Others as the New Covenant Shows God Cares for Us
Hebrews 12:23 (NIV) - …to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven...
VI. By Taking Communion Together In a Worthy Manner
1 Corinthians 11:25-32 - In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
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