HEBREWS HEB14

The pursuit of holiness Hebrews 12:14-29

Introduction

The writer commences a new emphasis in this practical section of his letter. And what could be more practical than living peaceful and holy lives? (14).

He doesn’t elaborate the place of peace, but majors on holiness throughout the rest of the chapter.

1. The place of peace (14)

a. It won’t be easy. What verb is used?

b. It’s not too hard with our friends, but who are mentioned here? Opposition and hostility have been at the forefront in the preceding verses (11:35-38; 12:3). How do you go about living peacefully in such situations? How about hostile work and home circumstances? What do you do if people have so aggravated you that you have lost your temper?

c. If opposition can be part of our disciplining or training process, what do you learn from verse 11?

d. The only other times the word peace occurs in Hebrews are in 7:2; 11:31 (Rahab received the spies, with peace) and 13:20. What do these verses teach about peace in relation to God’s and Christ’s (our Melchizedek) characters, and about its use in difficult situations?

Think about what this God of peace can do for us in the most difficult of situations

(1 Thess. 5:23, 24).

2. The place of holiness (14)

a. There’s a close link between peace and holiness. You find it in 1 Thess. 5:23: it’s the God of peace who sanctifies, i.e. makes holy. Conversely, when we start fighting our holiness is shattered. Try illustrating that from personal experience.

b. Like peace, holiness only finds brief mention in Hebrews 3:1; 7:26; 12:10; 12:14. Whose characteristic is it in 7:26? Whose in 3:1? What does 12:10 teach us? So God doesn’t merely say ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ (see 1 Pet. 1:15, 16), He does something about it (12:10). In your experience how do people become holy in practical terms? What do you understand ‘holy’ to mean?

3. Problems that inhibit holiness (15-17)

There are many, but some which were probably special problems for the readers of this letter are highlighted here:

a. There will be no peace or holiness for anyone who ‘misses the grace of God’ (15a), either because he has not truly become a Christian, or is disobedient.

b. What do ‘bitter’ attitudes do both to the individual concerned and to the Church (15b) in terms of peace and holiness? What experiences can produce this situation?

c. What does sexual immorality do to peace and holiness? What steps are helpful to safeguard ourselves in the church and secular life?

d. Think about the effects of godlessness (16). It implies ‘living as if God didn’t exist’, and is expressed in a wholly materialistic attitude to life. Why is Esau a good example? What elements of godlessness are likely to invade our lives? What action can we take to avoid or correct it? Notice how impossible it is to grow spiritually while holding on to a godless or ungodly attitude (17).

3. We have a holy God (18-29)

The thrust of these verses is that we don’t meet God under the terms of the old covenant (18-21, Deut. 4:11-13), emphasised repeatedly in chs. 8, 9, but that we meet Him under the terms of the new covenant (22-27, also the subject of chs 8, 9). But the emphasis is different. In chs. 8, 9 it’s on the nature of the covenants; here the emphasis is on the nature of God.

a. What is the impression that vs. 18-21 leave you with? Verse 21 sums it up. And that’s a true reflection of the holiness of God in relation to sinful people.

b. What’s the impression you get from vs. 22-24?

i. What’s the significance of v. 22a – the place where God is now? Who also is there and what has He achieved for us: 1:3; 8:1,2; 10:12-14; 12:2? What right have we to come? (10:19-22).

ii. Who else is there? (22b). Why is it a ‘joyful assembly’? (NIV 22).

iii. What other realities does the writer refer to in vs. 23, 24, to which we have come?

So under the new covenant we have access with all God’s people to the Great Judge who justifies and the Saviour who mediates the new covenant.

Is there any place for terror before God in the hearts of His people? Why?

Notice how in verses 22-24 all the teaching of Hebrews is coming together.

c. Make sure you have no reason to fear (25-29)

There is a final repetition of the warning that has sounded throughout the letter.

i. What is the emphasis of v. 25? How does that tie in with 3:12-19?

ii. What is the emphasis of vs. 26, 27? That final shaking (2 Pet. 3:7) will leave some lost for ever, but God’s own people in His Kingdom wholly unshaken (28).

iii. Has the character of God changed? (29). What enables us to be unshaken, unafraid? (24).

iv. What is our appropriate response? (28b). How does this connect up with the holiness which the writer has been calling for? (14)

Praise On the basis of this chapter list matters for thanksgiving and worship – and add your own personal items of praise.