tollie.org/blog thoughts and reflections of Tollie Williams

Notes from 12-14 Sermon – Don’t go back to earthly religion.

Heb 12:25-29. Don't go back to earthly religion. If you add anything to Christ: you lose Christ. Why devise a system of "church" for the purpose of making a check-list that people can feel good (or guilty) about checking (or not checking) off.

Point 1: v.25. There is a true voice from Heaven. John 1:1.

Point 2: Your judgment will be severe. v.25-26. James 2:10. Jesus said even if you break the law in your heart, you're as guilty. Heb 10:25-26. We have not been given Moses; we've been given Christ.

Point 3: Because the new Kingdom can not be shaken. v.27. 2 Peter 3:10. Rev 21:8.

Investigate further: seismologists and preliminary tremors. cf. Has shaking already begun?

Point 4: Because the new Kingdom is received by grace. v.28. "received"- only means to enter into Kingdom. Can't be born into, buy into, or battle into it.

4-a: Receive with gratitude and rest.

4-b: Serve with gratitude and rest. Consider parent directing a child to do a task. What blesses the parent more? A child who does it out of fear of punishment and unhappily, or a child who does it out of love and respect joyfully.

4-c: Serve with caution and fear. ie. Balance. v.28. With rest balanced with reverence and awe.

This seeming paradox is not lost on the pastor. "Oh the wonder of it all."

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