GRACE IS BETTER THAN THE LAW.

SERIES: LIVING BY FAITH.

TEXT: HEBREWS 12:18-24.

The question of how to approach God is of paramount importance. Where do you meet with God? The two mountains mentioned in these verses direct us to examine the basis our relationship with God. Do we attempt to meet God at Mt. Sinai or Mt. Zion? Mt. Sinai was a place of fear, Mt. Zion is the place of faith. Grace is better than the law. Mt. Zion is better than Mt. Sinai.

All through the Old Testament, man has approached God in various ways. In the Garden of Eden, God approached man. Man approached God passively. Man was approached by God, man had not sinned against God, man was acceptable to God!!

The first worshipers or approachers of God since sin came into the world were Cain and Abel. There came a time when both sons of Adam and Eve approached God. They came with their offerings. You can’t come to God without offering!!

Abel and his offering were acceptable. The offerer and the offering must stand together.

Cain and his offering were rejected. Abel came with an offering sacrifice-one life for another. This is the only way to approach God acceptably.

Cain came with an offering of his works, he sought to worship or approach God in another way. Another way, a different than what God had expected.

The result was Cain’s own anger, he powered his anger on his brother and later his anger was directed towards God by his refusal to repent-Genesis 4:6-7.

Cain refused God’s counsel on how to approach God!!

We see God approaching Noah to prepare the ark.

We see God calling Abraham to go to a land he would show him.

The worship of the golden calf would further alienate the people of Israel from approaching God.

With the death of Moses, only the high priest could approach the presence of God and then only one time a year when he came to make atonement for the sins of people.

Approaching God in the Old Testament, through the old covenant was a superficial and shallow way for men to worship God. The Old Testament worship by nature was external, distant and fearful.

Even the tabernacle and temple worship distant and external, due to the veils and an earthly priest who was not better than the people he represented before God.

Our passage today-Hebrews 12:18-24, gives us a six point approach to God that is ours because of Jesus Christ. “Grace is better than the law.” Let us learn:-

FIRST, WE APPROACH GOD SPIRITUALLY.

• There are two mountains here.
• Mount Sinai-Vs. 18 and Mount Zion-Vs. 22.
• The author of Hebrews is drawing a constant between the two mountains.

1. Mount Sinai was marked by fear and terror, Mount Zion is a place of love and forgiveness.
2. Mount Sinai is in desert. Mt Zion is the city of the living God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob looked forward to the city of the living God.
3. Mount Sinai spoke of earthly things, Mount Zion speaks of heavenly things.
4. At Mount Sinai only Moses was allowed to draw near to God.

• At Mount Zion an innumerable company a general assembly is invited to draw near.

5. Mount Sinai was characterized by guilty men in fear.

• Mount Zion features men made perfect (holy) through the blood of Christ.

6. At Mount Sinai Moses was the mediator, at Mt. Zion Jesus is the mediator.
7. Mount Sinai brings an old covenant which was ratified by the blood of animals. Mount Zion brings a new testament (covenant) which is ratified by the precious blood of God’s only son.
8. Mount Sinai is all about the law, Mount Zion is all about grace.
9. The Old Testament believers approached God from the outside and were fearful.

The New Testament believers approach God from the inside-a changed heart and a newness of life.

• The Old Testament saints had a physical place he had to go to worship God. The New Testament saint can commune with God anywhere. Not five times a day but without ceasing!!

The New Testament worship is spiritual and internal, not physical and external.

WE APPROACH GOD AS THE ANGELS.

• When we leave this world, we will be perfected as the angels are now.
• We will be able to approach God even as the angels do for worship.
• The prophet Isaiah speaks about the closeness angels have to God-Isaiah 6:1-6.
• When Isaiah first approached the temple he realizes his sinfulness and uncleanliness and is fearful to be in the presence of God.
• An angel removes a coal from the altar and touches Isaiah’s lips with it declaring that now he is clean and his dealt with that now he is clean and his sin dealt with.
• As a result Isaiah can respond to the presence of God-without fear.

WE APPROACH GOD AS THE CHURCH.

• Specifically we approach God as the church of the first born. First born from the dead, without ever dying again (Jesus Christ).
• The head of the church is Jesus Christ.
• The church is the bride of Christ.
• Our names are written in heaven.
• Our names are in the book of life.
• We have assurance of our eternal destiny.
• This is the way we approach God and His presence.

WE APPROACH GOD AS OUR JUDGE.

• God has judged our sins in Christ.
• God has judged us perfect and holy in Christ-saints-Matt. 5:48; 1^st Peter 1:16.
• God will never again judge the believer regarding our sin already-Romans 8:1.
• God does not play around with a person who lives in sin, no matter what he professes.

WE APPROACH GOD PERFECTED.

• Every New Testament saint will join all those who have gone before him.
• He shall be made prefect.
• Perfected by God forever.
• Just as the death of Christ dwelt with our sin nature, when we reach heaven God will have dealt with the physical reminder of our sin, a new body-uncorruptible.

WE APPROACH GOD THROUGH CHRIST.

• Christ is our perfect high priest.
• A perfect priest offer a perfect sacrifice.
• Christ offered his own blood for our sins.
• Christ is our perfect sacrifice for now and eternity.
• Jesus Christ is the mediator, perfect sacrifice and high priest who stands between God and men.
• Only Jesus Christ can present men perfect before God.
• Abel’s blood that was shed by Cain cries for vengeance.
• The blood of Christ cries out for mercy. For all, even those who rejected, who curse Him even those who deny Him.

CONCLUSION

• Have you come to Mount Zion?
• Are you born again? When? Where? How?
• Have you seen any change of nature since salvation?
• Can you sincerely say “I am a new creature?”-2^nd 5:17.
• Do you have the inner assurance that you are a child of God?