Don't Refuse Your Best Friend! -- Peace UCC, Loyal, Oklahoma

Don’t Refuse Your Best Friend!

Hebrews 12:14-29

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them. Because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven? At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

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."

Your Best Friend

Who is your best friend on planet earth (a fellow human being)?

- the person that you enjoy spending the most time with

- the person for whom you will change plans most often

- perhaps it is the person who gets you in trouble now and then

I am not going to criticize your choice – nor will I ask who it is – so be honest!

Now… my next question:

Are you closer to this person or to God?

Will you change plans more often for this person or for God?

God knows the answer… do you?

This should not make us feel tense or uncomfortable. The simple truth is that putting God first in everything makes us a better friend to our friends! And we will certainly feel less stress!

God Exhorts Us to Put Him First

Verse 14 – “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

I Peter 1:15, 16, But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

1. To be holy is to be set apart – set apart from sin and impurity, and set apart to God.

As you know, God is perfect, and His eyes are too pure to look upon evil with favor, therefore, we should be challenged to strive for moral purity! When my dad was alive I wanted to please him – and I am sure you feel the same way toward your dad… so, too, we should seek to please our Heavenly Father!

2. Don’t miss the grace of God! “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

- To miss the grace of God is to fail to take advantage of it!

- To have a “bitter root” is to have the wrong kind of pride (sinful), animosity, rivalry, or anything else harmful to others.

3. Stay sexually pure (thoughts and actions!)

- Being tempted is not the same as sinning!

4. Do not be godless like Esau was… he sold his spiritual and financial blessings for a single meal! Why? Because at that moment it was not important! Later it became important, but the boat had already set sail and he missed it!

God is Approachable

No matter what you have heard, God is your best friend! Or at least He wants to be… the choice is yours. As one of the emails we received recently said, If God had a billfold, your picture would be in it. If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

Hebrews 12:18-24 tells us how approachable God really is. Verses 18-21 talks about how scary it was to approach the mountain where Moses received the 10 Commandments. Now that was one awesome deal! Even Moses, God’s best friend, said, “I am trembling with fear.

John Bunyan, writing in the Pilgrim's Prayer Book writes,

“Real prayer is a serious concern, for we are speaking to the sovereign Lord of all the universe, who is willing to move heaven and earth in answer to sincere and reasonable prayer. Prayer is not a mechanical duty, but a wonderful opportunity to develop a loving and caring relationship with the most important Person in our lives.”

In Hebrews 12:22-24 we can feel joy as the writer states, “You have come to… the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the Living God. You have come upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

You will remember that Abel’s blood cried out for justice and retribution. Jesus’ blood, on the other hand, provided for our forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation!

Have You Made Jesus Your Best Friend?

Life is full of choices… choices call for decisions… decisions call for actions… and actions call for accountability!

Made that difficult, didn’t I!

Let’s simplify it. Christmas is coming and you need to buy someone a gift – it’s expected. Like a gift for your mom or a gift for your child. You want to find the perfect gift and you have $2.98. What are you going to do?

We were visiting a home one time when the family was opening Christmas presents. The mother was a critical person by nature and her child had given up trying to find something that would please her. Consequently, he did not buy her a gift at all. I have never forgotten the hurt in her eyes and voice when she asked, “Didn’t you buy me anything at all?” It was pitiful and I still hurt thinking about it…

Fortunately they have reconciled over the years since that time!

But I sincerely feel that too often we hurt God in the same manner! Child of God… please take time to understand that your Heavenly Father loves you – and He has feelings too!

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry,
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge!
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do Thy friends despise forsake Thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He'll take and shield Thee;
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Scriven, Joseph M. / Converse, Charles C.
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CCLI No. 27714 www.ccli.com