Reverence and awe

I want to focus mainly on verse 18 and onwards

but from 14-17, Paul writes more about need for holiness and godliness.

All or nothing

I love how for Paul it is always all or nothing. We are to "make every effort to live in peace with all men" (verse 14).


He emphasizes the need for peace among the body, need for holiness to see and share with God. We are not to miss but rather receive grace (verse 15) and to not allow bitterness to take root to cause trouble (lack of peace) and defilement (lack of holiness) (verse 15). We are to be godly and make wise decisions and to not be rejected from our blessings (verse 16-17).


FOCUS of PART 2: Reverence and Awe
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.' "

Contrast
Old Testament/Covenant: Verse 18-21

"Trembling with fear"

This section describes during and before Moses received the Ten Commandments. Before Moses received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19), there were sets of directions given to the Jews. They were asked to be consecrated. Before they could meet God, the people needed to be cleansed. No consecration=death (verse 20). God was absolutely pure and holy and people "could not bear what was commanded" (verse 20) and begged no further word be spoken (verse 19) and the "sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ' I am trembling with fear'" (verse 21).


New Covenant/Jesus: Verse 22-24

Who can bear and fulfill the Law perfectly? No one can perfectly. Until Jesus came. He became "the mediator of the new covenant" (verse 24) who sits next to "God, the judge of all men" (verse 23). It is his" sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than Abel" (verse 24). Jesus' blood and sacrifices washes and atones for all sins and for all of time.

Warnings Against Refusing God: verse 25-29

Before, God "warned them on earth;" He warned them at Mount Zion and gave them laws to follow. When the Jews did not obey, they "did not escape" God's judgment (verse 25). Now, we are under a new covenant under Jesus, who is in Heaven sitting at the right hand of Father. How much more if we refuse Him (verse 25).

Cannot be shaken

Because of Christ, we have a "kingdom of that cannot be shaken" (verse 28). It will always remain and cannot be removed (verse 27). So we are to worship God with "reverence and awe" and to be thankful (verse 28) for receing such a everlasting kingdom.