Hebrews 12 (7)

Introduction
The Christian life is an adventure of living here and now in the there and then of the City to Come. Jesus is already there, ruling at the Father’s right hand and preparing a place for us. He is surrounded by saints and angels who bear witness to and support us as we run our race with endurance. In a very real sense, we have already come to this New City, of which we are full-blown citizens and ambassadors. The joy and power available to us from this heavenly calling can help and sustain us in the hard places and tight squeezes of here and now. So let us have grace – all the grace we need for every day of our race – and let us serve God “with reverence and godly fear.”

Read and meditate on Psalm 47.

Read Hebrews 12.

Think it through.
1.  What do we mean by saying that the Christian life is both “here and now” and “there and then”? How do you experience this? Hebrews 12 begins and ends with a vision of our “heavenly calling” (Heb. 3.1): Jesus exalted at the beginning, the unshakeable Kingdom and Church of heaven at the end. How can keeping this vision before us help us to endure the trials of our here-and-now existence? How can Christians help one another in keeping this vision before us?

2.  What would the writer of Hebrews say are the keys to enduring through trials? What should we keep in mind? What should we do? How should we respond when difficulties or obstacles appear in our path? What is our responsibility to one another in the Body of Christ? How will we be able to know when we are coming under the chastening of our heavenly Father? What should we do then? How would you explain the lesson of Hebrews 12 to someone who has just become a Christian?

Meditate.
“As God, then, is a ‘fire’ and the angels are ‘flames of fire’ and all the saints are ‘fervent in spirit,’ so, on the contrary, those who have fallen away from the love of God are undoubtedly said to have cooled in their affection for God and to have become cold.” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which isyour reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12.1, 2

Lord, consume my life like a living sacrifice, and let the fire of Your grace and truth…

Pray Psalm 47.
Commit yourself afresh to the Kingship of Jesus over every area of your life, and dedicate the day ahead to seeking and advancing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Psalm 47.1-9 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
O clap your hands, you peoples all,
With joy to God your songs intone!
Shout out to Him, and on Him call,
He is the mighty, sovereign One!

High is the Lord, O, fear His Name!
He rules, a King o’er all the earth.
Nations and peoples He has tamed,
The heritage of His holy worth.

God has ascended with a shout,
The Lord with sound of trumpet bold!
Sing praise to Him, let praise ring out!
Let praise through all the world be told!

God is the King of all the earth,
Sing praise to Him with glorious psalms!
He rules the nations by His worth,
And on His throne receives their alms.

Princes of peoples gather all
To Abraham and to our God.
Exalt the Lord, and on Him call – 
The earth is His, so praise our God!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press).