Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO Choose your mountain Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA October 23, 2005 Main Scripture text: Hebrews 12:18-29. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, reminding us that even the greatest of earthly kingdoms are subject to destruction. The writer of Hebrews says that Christians ought to be grateful because we're receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken or destroyed. He uses two mountains familiar to the Hebrews as symbols of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Mt. Sinai represents the Old Covenant of the Law -- the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. The basis for relationship under this covenenant was clear: "[I]f you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then...you will be my treasured possession." What is the foundation of this Old Covenant? The Law. What is the condition for God's favor? Human faithfulness and obedience. What is the motivation? Fear of losing God's favor. In contrast, Mt. Zion symbolizes the New Covenant. Mt. Zion is the place where Abraham went to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, but God stopped him and provided a substitute offering. This also is the site where Jerusalem was built and the temple constructed. More importantly it is the place where Jesus, the ultimate substitute sacrifice, was crucified. His sacrifice once and for all paid the penalty for the sins of the world. What is the foundation the New Covenant? God's grace and mercy. What is the condition for God's favor? Faith in Jesus Christ. What is the motivation? Love. Thank God, as the author of Hebrews tells us, we have not come to Mt. Sinai, but rather Mt. Zion, to a better Covenant where our participation is not dependent on our obedience, but on God's mercy. Yes, even under the New Covenant, there are consequences to disbobeying God, but our security is not dependent on our performance. It depends on God's power -- and faithfulness. God is a consuming fire, his judgment is coming upon the earth, but those who have received what God has offered in Jesus need have no fear. What's the immediate, practical application of this truth? 1) We can live without any fear that we might not measure up on the last day. All we have to is submit to Jesus and trust in His grace to get us through. Our salvation is not dependent on us, but on God's mercy revealed in Jesus Christ. 2) We win in the end. When all is said and done, evil will be vanquished and righteousness will triumph. 3) Kingdom power is present with us now. Hebrews 12 doesn't say "we shall recieve," it says we are "receiving" a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Ephesians 1 says the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. That is the basis for Paul's saying we are more than conquerors through Christ; that we can do all things through Christ who gives us His strength. Do you trust in your own power or the power of the world? If so, you are still at Mt. Sinai. God beckons us to Mt. Zion; to a Kingdom of love, and mercy, and grace -- a Kingdom that offers us His power, through the Holy Spirit, to enable us to stand firm regardless of circumstances. Even in the day of judgment, when the clouds roll back and the moon turns to blood and every earthly kingdom crumbles before God's power, you can have peace and confidence. Those who know Christ are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. Supporting texts: Exodus 19:5 | John 3:16 | Romans 5:8 | 1 John 4:18-19 | Ephesians 1:19-21 | Romans 8:39 | Romans 8:31-32 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here (33:30). (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of the sermon summarized above is available free of charge (U.S. requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 051023a: Choose Your Mountain. © 2005 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us