27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:27-29
Explanation:
The word he is referring to is the quote from Haggai. “Once more” means that God is making a promise that he will shake the heavens and the earth. This is a shaking in judgement. There are some things that are temporary and will not last. These things are physical and temporary- “as of things that are made”.
There are also other things that are eternal and permanent. These things cannot be shaken.
The preacher is making the case that are our inheritance is made up of things that cannot be shaken. Our inheritance is a “kingdom which cannot be moved”. It is eternal. He’s making the case that we should invest our lives in serving God in things that cannot be shaken. We should invest our lives in the eternal. We should invest in the souls of men, our relationship with God, and in knowing His Word. We should “lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven” as Jesus taught us.
God is a consuming fire. When a fire burns wood, what is left is of little value. When fire burns gold, what is left is still of great value. When God shakes in judgement, that which can be shaken will be gone, and that which cannot be shaken will remain.
Application
The application is tied to the meaning of the text.
- Grace- “Let us have grace.” God is giving us these things that are eternal. Let us invest in that.
- Service- “whereby we may serve God acceptably”- Serving God by definition means doing things that are eternal. We help others with a motivation of pleasing Him. We do it on hist terms.
- Reverence- “with reverance and and godly fear”- This is a recognition and a submission to who God is. He is holy. He truly is a consuming fire. Our motives and our actions will be tried, and those motivations will be made known. Let’s serve Him for the right reasons.
Response
Heavenly Father, You are the great Heart Surgeon. You know my actions, my motivations, and my thoughts. You know how much I need you to help me with those things. I need your Holy Spirit to try my heart and my thoughts. Please help me to serve you today for the right reasons. Amen
May I serve Him for the right reasons…more and more! – Justin