Sermon Notes

How do you get peace in your life? (Hebrews 12:14–29)

Hebrews 12:14–29 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 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, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised [Haggai 2:6], “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 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, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Internal: Peace from God in you

Hebrews 13:20 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant

“Peace” OT Shalom) = harmony, calmness, unburdened, flourishing, hopeful

-Opposite – conflict, strife, anger, anxiety, a sense of doom & dread without just cause 

Worry – short-term surrounding 1 issue 
Anxiety – ongoing & searching for a cause 
Depression – the loss of hope for the future resulting from anxiety 

Every generation more stressed/anxious than ever before
Nat’l Inst. of Ment. Health – 1/3 US adults will have anxiety disorder (panic, phobia, PTSD)
Gen Z (1997-2012) – “the anxious generation”

A). Spinning mind     B). Racing heart       C). Churning gut 
=?IS IT OPPRESSION (torment) 
=?IS IT CONVICTION? (“discipline” 9x Heb. 12:1-13)

10 Forgiveness Facts 

1.  Forgiveness is treating them the way Jesus treats you. 
2.    Forgiveness is taking vengeance out of your hands and leaving things in God’s hands. 
3.    Forgiveness is shifting your focus from the one who hurt you, to the One who can heal you. 
4.    Forgiveness is both a one-time event, and an ongoing 70X7 process.  
5.    Forgiveness is taking a burden that will break you, and handing it to Jesus to carry for you. 
6.    Forgiveness is giving up control and trusting God’s sovereignty. 
7.    Forgiveness is tearing up your record of wrongs.  
8.    Forgiveness is moving on with your life, and letting them do the same. 
9.    Forgiveness is opening the door for their possible repentance and rebuilding trust
10.  Forgiveness is choosing the peace of God for your life, and having healthy relationships 

Hebrews 12:28-29 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.