“Cut that out!” can be a stern word of judgment uttered by parents correcting rowdy children. If those who ignored earthly warnings didn’t get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly warnings? Priests descended from Levi are commanded by law to collect tithes from the people, even though they are all more or less equals, priests and people, having a common father in Abraham. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. This is no light matter. The Word of God becomes an issue because it tests a person's life and sets the standards of acceptable behavior and attitudes. WHAT TO DO WITH GOD'S WORD! 4 1-3 For as long, then, as that promise of resting in him pulls us on to God’s goal for us, we need to be careful that we’re not disqualified. (, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. . The earsplitting words and soul-shaking message terrified them and they begged him to stop. NIV and The Message Side-by-Side Bible, Large Print: for Study and Comparison, Imitation Leather, Brown, The Message Deluxe Gift Bible, Black/Slate Leather-Look, The Message Large-Print Deluxe Gift Bible--soft leather-look, teal, The Message Deluxe Gift Bible--soft leather-look, amethyst gem, NIV and The Message Side-by-Side Bible: Two Bible Versions Together for Study and Comparison. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. Even more than a sword, God's message goes very deep into us. If he were limited to earth, he wouldn’t even be a priest. He’s called to it by God, as Aaron was. The Egyptians tried it and drowned. In acts of blessing, the lesser is blessed by the greater. And then he attested its validity with the words, “This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God.” He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture. After Moses had read out all the terms of the plan of the law—God’s “will”—he took the blood of sacrificed animals and, in a solemn ritual, sprinkled the document and the people who were its beneficiaries. Hebrews 4:12. 9 1-5 That first plan contained directions for worship, and a specially designed place of worship. If they had, the worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s. . Scripture: Hebrews 4:12–13. Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is alive and active. 8 1-2 In essence, we have just such a high priest: authoritative right alongside God, conducting worship in the one true sanctuary built by God. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. By an act of faith, he kept the Passover Feast and sprinkled Passover blood on each house so that the destroyer of the firstborn wouldn’t touch them. Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Hebrews 4:12-13. When he added, “I’m here to do it your way,” he set aside the first in order to enact the new plan—, carving it on the lining of their hearts.”. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Because he honored God, God answered him. Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. God himself is at rest. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God’s ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong. We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn’t do them a bit of good because they didn’t receive the promises with faith. In the midst of adversity, believers are to fix their eyes on Jesus, live by faith, and run the race that is marked out for them. But not if we don’t have faith. Today I want talk about two ways to understand the phrase used for the title of my sermon. And do you see how thankful we must be? Browse Sermons on Hebrews 4:12-13. Hebrews 4:12 is often cited in our publications to show that the Bible has power to change lives, and it is perfectly proper to make that application. Hebrews 4:12 12–13 God means what he says. He brought together God and his people in this new way. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. They must hear the word and believe in it. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body. For Christ didn’t enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins. 13-18 When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line. When he said, “You don’t want sacrifices and offerings,” he was referring to practices according to the old plan. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn’t do them a bit of good because they didn’t receive the promises with faith. Let’s get on with it! But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. We can’t get 3-5 The assigned task of a high priest is to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and it’s no different with the priesthood of Jesus. Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God. Nov 18, 1990. If we believe, though, we’ll experience that state of resting. What he says goes. 13-16 Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. You were sure of yourselves then. God means what he says. He said, “I promise that I’ll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless!” Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. 9-12 I’m sure that won’t happen to you, friends. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. STAY UNDER THE KNIFE HEBREWS 4:12-13 (The Message) God means what he says. But since it didn’t get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought with it a radical new kind of law. Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn’t do them a bit of good because they didn’t receive the promises with faith. Thanksgiving in Suffering Celebration of Thanksgiving at Maranatha Hall. We wouldn’t need him since there are plenty of priests who offer the gifts designated in the law. It is like a sharp knife that can cut deep into our body between our bones. In his message just before being stoned to death, Stephen, a man filled with the Spirit (Acts 6:5, 8, 7:55) ... Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12. 7 1-3 Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of the Highest God. ◄ Hebrews 4:12 ► For the word of God is living and active. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. What he says goes. Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place. John Piper Aug 26, 1985 5 Shares Sermon. The plain fact is that bull and goat blood can’t get rid of sin. And there it stays, gathering dust. 11 1-2 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He chose a hard life with God’s people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with the oppressors. 3:16-17, John 1:1,14, James 1:22-27 We live in a day of Data and Knowledge! It judges the … They won’t go to school to learn about me. Hebrews 4:12 King James Version (KJV). 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. It cuts between our soul and our spirit. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Explanation and Commentary on Hebrews 4:22. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 4:16 So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. If that animal blood and the other rituals of purification were effective in cleaning up certain matters of our religion and behavior, think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out. God doesn’t miss anything. . By coming up with a new plan, a new covenant between God and his people, God put the old plan on the shelf. What he says goes. No more dragging your feet! And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. The result? He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going. New Living Translation Update. What he says goes. 29 By an act of faith, Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. I have better things in mind for you—salvation things! Published by permission. In order to enter into that rest they must claim the promises of God which are found in His Word. Remember that God said, Exasperated, I vowed,    “They’ll never get where they’re going,    never be able to sit down and rest.”. He’s treating you as dear children. It was then that God said, “Be careful to do it exactly as you saw it on the Mountain.”. 4 1-3 For as long, then, as that promise of resting in him pulls us on to God’s goal for us, we need to be careful that we’re not disqualified. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. 11-14 I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you’ve picked up this bad habit of not listening. 20 By an act of faith, Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. 8-10 Or look at it this way: We pay our tithes to priests who die, but Abraham paid tithes to a priest who, the Scripture says, “lives.” Ultimately you could even say that since Levi descended from Abraham, who paid tithes to Melchizedek, when we pay tithes to the priestly tribe of Levi they end up with Melchizedek. 16-17 Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. There are so many more—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel’s—a homicide that cried out for vengeance—became a proclamation of grace. His family was saved. Neither did Christ presume to set himself up as high priest, but was set apart by the One who said to him, “You’re my Son; today I celebrate you!” In another place God declares, “You’re a priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek.”. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? 12-13 God means what he says. Scripture quoted by permission. This was called “the Holy of Holies.” In it were placed the gold incense altar and the gold-covered ark of the covenant containing the gold urn of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, the covenant tablets, and the angel-wing-shadowed mercy seat. That is what is meant by this prophecy, put in the mouth of Christ: You don’t want sacrifices and offerings year after year;    you’ve prepared a body for me for a sacrifice.It’s not fragrance and smoke from the altar    that whet your appetite.So I said, “I’m here to do it your way, O God,    the way it’s described in your Book.”. Verse Concepts. However, it is helpful to view Hebrews 4:12 in its broad context. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. Hide Verse Numbers 12 God means what he says. . with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Hebrews 4:12, KJV: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But this intervening command of God, which came later, appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect. I’ll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins. Unlike the other high priests, he doesn’t have to offer sacrifices for his own sins every day before he can get around to us and our sins. 14-17 Work at getting along with each other and with God. 21 By an act of faith, Jacob on his deathbed blessed each of Joseph’s sons in turn, blessing them with God’s blessing, not his own—as he bowed worshipfully upon his staff. He, … For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin. 26-31 If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! He also bypassed the sacrifices consisting of goat and calf blood, instead using his own blood as the price to set us free once and for all. But we’re not quitters who lose out. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. Hebrews 4:12 Message . In a sense, that’s what happened when he received Isaac back, alive from off the altar. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. It’s essentially a temporary arrangement until a complete overhaul could be made. God himself is Fire! If the first plan—the old covenant—had worked out, a second wouldn’t have been needed. Scripture: Hebrews 4:14–16. 24-28 By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. John Piper Sep 8, 1996 350 Shares Sermon. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. “Melchizedek” means “King of Righteousness.” “Salem” means “Peace.” So, he is also “King of Peace.” Melchizedek towers out of the past—without record of family ties, no account of beginning or end. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. As a result, Noah became intimate with God. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline. The greatest gift a human being can be given is to hear this message, the Gospel Message, because around it our belief system is to be conformed. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. "A.I." Hebrews 4:12. He met Abraham, who was returning from “the royal massacre,” and gave him his blessing. 6-13 But Jesus’ priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he’s working from a far better plan. So don’t throw it all away now. Dan. 4-8 Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit, once they’ve personally experienced the sheer goodness of God’s Word and the powers breaking in on us—if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can’t start over as if nothing happened. Take the mercy, accept the help. Strip down, start running—and never quit! 39-40 Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. Only the high priest entered the smaller, inside tent, and then only once a year, offering a blood sacrifice for his own sins and the people’s accumulated sins. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God. 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