Our God Is a Consuming Fire (Hebrews 12:18-29)

First Scripture Reading: Exodus 19:1-25

Second Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:1-26

Sermon Text: Hebrews 12:18-29

As we prepare to worship the Lord in Word and Sacrament, consider these words from Richard Phillips:

Sinai prohibited the entrance of sinful man. No man, woman, or child could even set foot on that mountain. But here on Zion, the mountain of grace, is a city in the heavens, where God’s people dwell. The sight of Sinai produced fear, but Zion is a scene of great encouragement. From Sinai boomed forbidding threats, but from Zion sounds a voice of invitation. To approach the former mountain was to tremble with fear—even Moses felt it. To draw near to Zion is to find hope renewed with every lightened step. This is the difference made by the coming of Jesus Christ, who has removed all that stood opposed to us with God, who has taken away the darkness and fire and gloom, who transforms the mountain of fear into the mountain of grace. What a magnificent portrayal of the difference it makes that Christ has come to take away our sin. (Hebrews, p.568)