Introduction
This morning, we continue our sermon series, “Running the Race of Faith.” Considering what I said last Sunday, I probably should have titled the series “Running the Marathon of Faith,” but that’s not quite as catchy. For the past two weeks, we’ve been working through Hebrews 11-12, exploring what biblical faith is, and how we can ensure we finish this marathon.
In simple terms, we said that biblical faith is trusting God’s word and acting on it. This means faith must include action. Faith isn’t just saying a creed, nor is it something you only feel. It’s a conviction so deep that you make decisions now based on a future you can’t see yet.
Our model for this kind of faith is Jesus, so we run this marathon with our eyes fixed on him. We learn from his example. We walk the same path he walked. We become his disciples, take up our cross, and follow him.
Now, that got us through vs. 2 of chapter 12, but we were supposed to reach all the way to vs. 14, which means we have some extra ground to cover this morning.
Discipline as Formation
After verse 2, the author of Hebrews encourages his readers to see their current suffering as discipline from the Lord. ‘Discipline’ is the word the ESV uses, and it’s not incorrect, but that word often carries a negative connotation. You are disciplined for something you did wrong. That’s not the idea here. The meaning is more like describing someone as a disciplined person. The word refers to training and instruction, which can include correction, but not necessarily.
The point is, the suffering in our lives is not meaningless, and it doesn’t necessarily imply judgment. Suffering is meant to form Christ in us, helping us set aside weight and sin that cling so closely and instead put on righteous habits.
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (Heb 12:7).
Warnings from Hebrews
The author then encourages his readers to run well, but as he has previously in the letter, he warns them that not all may obtain what is promised. If you prefer theological systems, texts like the warnings in the book of Hebrews will conflict with other passages in the New Testament that promise something like eternal security. As you may know, I don’t have much use for theological systems, so I’m going to focus on what this text says here, and if another text says something different, I’ll preach that too. Theology isn’t about systems; it’s about wisdom, and wisdom often involves holding two seemingly contradictory truths in tension and living within that space.
The author of Hebrews has already issued serious warnings:
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned (Heb 6:4–8).
Here, he mentions Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. Esau was the firstborn and the rightful heir to God’s promises. But what happened? He “sold his birthright for a single meal” (Heb 12:16).
The Gospel offers you eternal life—eternal, resurrected life. But too many of us, like Esau, are willing to trade that promise for temporary pleasure, power, prestige, and privilege. Personally, I am convinced that the American church, like Esau, has sold its birthright and its witness for a single meal, but we’ll come back to that.
The author continues:
For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears (Heb 12:17).
I don’t think we should ever assume that someone who genuinely wishes to repent is unable to; that’s between them and God. But neither should we presume on the grace of God. We shouldn’t just go about our lives doing as we please, trading eternal joy for temporary pleasure, as if the day could never come when God would say to us, “Enough. You’ve made your choice.”
Our God Is a Consuming Fire
The last verse of the chapter explains why:
For our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29).
That’s the punch line. Don’t you dare be like Esau and trade your birthright for a single meal because our God is a consuming fire. And for the author of Hebrews, this is even more true now than it was in the past. He contrasts two mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. When Israel was at Mount Sinai, it was a terrifying experience. Even Moses trembled with fear.
But we have come to a mountain greater than Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai was in the wilderness. We have entered the Promised Land. He writes:
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Heb 12:22–24).
The blood of Abel cried out for vengeance. The blood of Abel was a symbol that innocent blood spilled unjustly demanded justice and retribution. But the blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel, for it cries out not for vengeance but for mercy.
If the blood of Jesus is crying out to offer you mercy rather than judgment, how dare any of us trade that offer for a single meal?
The Shaking of All Things
And so the author writes:
See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven” (Heb 12:25).
At Mount Sinai, the Lord’s voice shook the mountain. And yet the author of Hebrews quotes the prophet Haggai, who writes:
Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens (Hag 2:6 quoted in Heb 12:26).
The author comments:
This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (Heb 12:27–28).
The kingdom language is not accidental here. The contrast the author is making is between the perishable, fragile, and impermanent kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God, which is the stone cut from the mountain, but not by human hands. This is the language of Daniel 2. The idolatrous kingdoms of this world will crumble and fall, and only the kingdom of God will remain. The contrast here is not between what is spiritual and what is physical but between the perishable kingdoms of the world and the imperishable kingdom of God.
As we run our race of faith, when we align ourselves with the kingdoms of this world, when we bow down and worship the statue rather than the stone, we are trading our birthright for a single meal and deviating from the path that Jesus Christ walked before us. Everything in this world that is not of God is impermanent. Everything the world can offer us is fleeting and transient. But God offers us eternal joy, eternal life, and an eternal kingdom.
Make no mistake. A day will come when God will shake heaven and earth, and all that is not of him will be removed. All that is not of God and of his kingdom will be shaken away, and all that will be left will be Christ and his kingdom and his people. And the warning to us today is that if we align with what is perishable, if we choose the idolatrous statue rather than the stone, if we sell our birthright for a single meal, then when that day comes and God shakes heaven and earth, we may be shaken away too.
The Unshakeable Kingdom
Our God is a consuming fire. To quote the famous Mr. Beaver, “Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” Our God isn’t safe, but he’s good. He offers us a kingdom that will never be shaken, and he calls us to live in the present based on that promised future. And yet, day after day, we choose temporary pleasure over eternal joy. Day after day, we choose the perishable kingdoms of this world over the unshakeable kingdom of God. Day after day, we trade our birthright for a single meal as if our God were a cowardly lion and not a consuming fire.
You have come to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Do not trade it for a kingdom that will crumble and fall.
Amen.
Life Group Guide
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand what it means to run this race of faith with endurance. Help us to recognize where we might be trading eternal joy for temporary pleasures. Give us the wisdom to discern what in our lives will remain when You shake heaven and earth, and the courage to align ourselves with Your unshakable kingdom. May our discussion today draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
If you could choose between having $10,000 right now or $1 million in 10 years (with no option to invest the $10,000), which would you choose and why?
Key Verses
Hebrews 12
Questions
Fr. Michael defines biblical faith as “trusting God's word and acting on it.” How is this different from how our culture typically defines faith?
Fr. Michael describes suffering as discipline or training from God to form Christ in us. How has suffering in your life shaped your faith and character?
What are some ways you might be tempted to “trade your birthright for a single meal” like Esau did?
Fr. Michael states that “the American church, like Esau, has sold its birthright and its witness for a single meal.” Do you agree or disagree with this assessment, and why?
How do you understand the statement that “our God is a consuming fire”? Does this image of God comfort you, challenge you, or both?
Fr. Michael contrasts the perishable kingdoms of this world with the unshakable kingdom of God. What are some “kingdoms of this world” that compete for your allegiance?
What does it mean to offer God “acceptable worship with reverence and awe” in your daily life?
Fr. Michael says, “Theology isn't about systems. It's about wisdom.” How might this perspective change how we approach difficult or seemingly contradictory passages in Scripture?
Life Application
This week, identify one area in your life where you might be trading eternal joy for temporary pleasure, power, privilege, or prestige. It could be related to your use of time, money, relationships, or priorities. Once identified, take a concrete step to realign that area with God's unshakable kingdom. This might mean changing a habit, having a difficult conversation, adjusting your schedule, or recommitting to a spiritual discipline. Write down your commitment and share it with someone who can hold you accountable.
Key Takeaways
Biblical faith is trusting God's word and acting on it - making decisions now based on a future we cannot yet see.
Suffering in our lives is not meaningless but serves as training to form Christ in us and help us run the race well.
Like Esau, we can be tempted to trade our eternal birthright for temporary pleasures and worldly kingdoms.
God will one day shake heaven and earth, and only what belongs to His unshakable kingdom will remain.
Our God is “a consuming fire” who deserves worship with reverence and awe - not safe, but good and worthy of our complete allegiance.
Ending Prayer
Lord God, we stand in awe before you, the consuming fire, the king of an unshakable kingdom. Forgive us for the times we have traded our birthright for a single meal, when we have chosen temporary pleasures over eternal joy. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and to follow his example in all things. Give us the courage to align ourselves with your kingdom, even when it means standing against the kingdoms of this world. May we offer you acceptable worship with reverence and awe, not just in our words but in how we live each day. Strengthen us to run this race with endurance, knowing that what awaits us is far greater than anything this world can offer. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, Amen.