Hebrews 12

June 24, 2024

The Unshakable Kingdom

Hebrews 12.18-29

Copies and shadows vs. the Substance. The Old vs. the New. The anticipation that awaits the Fulfillment. Sinai vs. Zion. The unapproachable or the Approachable. Why go back?

Paul’s final warning and encouragement…strange that they go together…points us once again to what we’ve seen throughout Hebrews. Jesus is greater. And the destiny that awaits us who have trusted in Him is far greater than anything that we could return to. But we have to keep our eyes on the prize. If we focus on our circumstances, it’s easy to get distracted and drift away or fall back. But if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus no matter our circumstances, then we have a shot at patiently enduring.

Jesus is coming back. And when He does, there will be a whole lot of shaking going on. For those of us who are ready to welcome Him back as King, we will be welcomed into a kingdom that cannot be shaken. For those who are not…a very different story. Jesus will either be your King or your Judge. You can make Him your King today.

It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death on your behalf and was raised the third day conquering both sin and death, so that by faith in Jesus you can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. If you would like to talk more about that I’ll be up at the front after the service.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Hebrews series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

June 17, 2024

Follow the Example of Jesus

Hebrews 12.1-17

We are not alone in this thing called the Christian life. We are surrounded by those who have gone before who bear witness to the faithfulness of God. We have the LORD as a constant companion. And we have each other to lean on and support along the way.

So, our job is to live with intentionality. To run the race we’ve been given to run. To run it well. To run it with endurance. The only way to do that is by leaving behind the things that trip us up and fixing our eyes on Jesus, helping each other along the way.

Suffering is never fun, but when we recognize our suffering as the tool the LORD is using to make us more like Himself…as the discipline of a loving Father who is shaping and molding our character to reflect His…then our suffering produces in us the peaceful fruit of rightness. If not…watch out for the root of bitterness that is sure to spring up.

Dads, you have the awesome responsibility of leading your family in these things…which means you have to go before them because you can’t lead your family where you’re not going. It starts with spending time in the Word, time in prayer, time with other men…learning to reflect the character of your Heavenly Father.

Then, it’s shepherding your family well, providing for them, protecting and serving them. Leading them and guiding them. Nurturing them. Fighting for them. According to Deuteronomy 6, the faith that you have you are to to pass on to your sons/daughters. To do that, it goes back not only to teaching it to them, but also to modeling it for them.

Finally, it’s acknowledging that sometimes life is hard, but remembering that Jesus is greater. And Dads, thank you for being here this morning. For many men it’s not easy going to church. But by being here today you’re showing your family what it looks like to follow Jesus in the day to day. Sometimes in our walk with the LORD we just need to show up. We live in a culture that has so devalued the role of husbands and fathers, the world…this community…this church…your family…needs you to step up and be the man of God that the LORD has created, gifted, called and saved you to be.

So, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. And let’s do it together.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Hebrews series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.