The Kingdom that Cannot Be Shaken - Weekday Worship

Theme of the Service

This is the third service in a series of four from Hebrews. The overall theme is "Christ as the Mediator of God's Grace." The first service focused on Jesus Christ as the Great High Priest who is the mediator of a New Covenant, and the second centered on Jesus as enthroned on high.

This third service now concentrates on those passages from Hebrews which present the unshakable kingdom that Christ has established:

Hebrews 8:5
Hebrews 12:22-29
Hebrews 13:8
Hebrews 13:13-16

In addition you may want to consider the additional revelation given to us on this matter in Isaiah 60:17-22 and Revelation 21 and 22.

* * * *

Opening Sentences from Isaiah 60:

No longer will violence be heard in your land
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.

The Greeting

Hymn: "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus" PsH 406

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture: Hebrews 12:22-29

Message

Hymn: "Jerusalem the Golden" PsH 618, RL 579, TH 539, TWC 754

The Blessing

Message Notes

The passage from chapter 12 was selected because it contains many rich insights into the reign of Christ in his new kingdom. This passage speaks about Christ's new kingdom as "heavenly Jerusalem," "Mount Zion," and the "city of the living God." These word-pictures would have been rich in meaning to the believing Hebrews. The presence of angels and the firstborn whose names are written in heaven also add considerably to the richness of this kingdom-picture. Proclaim the promise of verse28 which declares that this "kingdom cannot be shaken," and notice that the center of the scene is Jesus Christ the mediator of the new covenant.

Such a rich kingdom view, of course, carries great challenge with it. The writer calls the listeners to be faithful and "not refuse him who speaks" (v.25) as well as to "be thankful" and "worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" (v.28). This passage gives an excellent opportunity to explore the relationship of the mediating work of Jesus, his eternal kingdom, and our response to him in obedience and worship.

Music Notes

Glossary of Hymnal Abbreviations:
PH The Presbyterian Hymnal (Presbyterian Church USA; Westminster/John Knox Press)
PsH The Psalter Hymnal (Christian Reformed Church; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
RL Rejoice in the Lord (Reformed Church in America; W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
RN Renew! (Hope Publishing Company)
SFL Songs for LiFE (children's songbook; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
SNC Sing! A New Creation (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Christian Reformed Church,
Reformed Church in America; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
TH Trinity Hymnal (Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church in America;
Great Commission Publications)
TWC The Worshiping Church (Hope Publishing Company)
UMH The United Methodist Hymnal (United Methodist Publishing House)
WOV With One Voice (Augsburg Fortress)

If you prefer a theme song or hymn that can be a constant for the entire series, we suggest two possibilities:
"Since Our Great High Priest Christ Jesus" PsH 230
"Before the Throne of God Above" (available on CCLI website, with license)

Additional songs that fit the theme well:

"Amazing Grace - How Sweet the Sound" PH 280, PsH 462, RL 456, RN 189, SFL 209, TH 460 TWC 502, UMH 378
"By the Sea of Crysta" PsH 620, TH 549
"Hail the Day" PsH 409, RL 331, TH 290, TWC 258, UMH 312
"Lord Most High/From the Ends of the Earth" SNC 47
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" PH 376, PsH 568, RN 196, RL 464, TH 529, TWC 558, UMH 384
"My Jesus I Love Thee" PsH 557, RN 275, TH 648, TWC 100/101, UMH 172
"O For a Thousand Tongues" PH 466, PsH 501, RL 362/363, RN 32, SFL 19, TH 164, TWC 130, UMH 57
"We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise" SNC 12, RN 3
"When Peace Like a River" PsH 489, TH 691, TWC 519 UMH 377