Sunday 24th August 2025 – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

REFLECTION: Hebrews 12:18-29 “You Have Come to the Heavenly Jerusalem”

The people of Israel experienced God at Mount Sinai in mighty acts of blazing fire and tempest. Later they would come to the Jerusalem temple to offer sacrifice for their sins and to draw near to God. Even so, their efforts always fell short. They did not experience complete forgiveness of sin or the gift of eternal life that Jesus would bring with the New Covenant. The Hebrew Christians who were the recipients of this letter often missed the pageantry of the temple worship they had practiced in their former lives, but the author of Hebrews reminds them that they have now drawn near to the Heavenly Mount Zion, to the Heavenly Temple, and to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Therefore, they should offer an acceptable worship; a life characterized by thanksgiving for God’s gracious gift of salvation.

Here is an outline.

1. Israel encountered God at Mt Sinai

a. The People of Israel came to what you can feel, to Mt Sinai (18)

b. With blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest (18-19)

c. So terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I tremble with fear.’ (20-21)

2. Our encounter with God is spiritual

a. You have come to Mount Zion… the Heavenly Jerusalem (22)

b. You have come to God, the judge of all (22)

c. You have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant (24)

3. Be careful not to repeat their mistake.

a. See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking (25)

b. How will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! (25-27)

c. Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks (28-29)

To Think About: Are you at risk of abandoning your faith in Christ and turning back to your old ways? Have you ever come close to refusing to hear God’s word to you? Is your preferred way of worship more pleasing to God or more pleasing to you?

HYMNS

TIS 446 Glorious things of you are spoken

MP 996 Jesus, God’s righteousness revealed

TIS 432 Christ is made the sure foundation

MP 75 Christ is surely coming

BUILDING FUND

Since we launched our appeal back in August last year to raise the remaining

$300,000 that is needed to complete the building project, we have

raised $202,523. This is a great effort and we are grateful for all who have

given so generously. With completion scheduled for September, we ask you to

continue to pray for God’s wonderful provision for the remaining amount.

IN THE BEGINNING

Bishop Paul Barker is starting a series of talks on Genesis 1-4 which will be

held at Glen Waverley Anglican Church on the four consecutive Wednesdays

in August at 7:30 pm. You can attend in person, watch the livestream at home,

or come and watch it with us in our Wednesday Growth Group in the Supper

Room. The live stream is www.gwac.org.au/livestream

MEMORIAL FLOWERS

Have been donated in loving memory of Claire MacLean by Alan and family.

Forever loved and forever remembered.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 20th August – Rusty & Heinz

WORKING BEES

As the construction phase of the building draws to a close over the coming

weeks, we will be organizing various working bees to help in the

beautification of the site, especially as we move from Winter into

Spring. Perhaps you can’t come to a working bee but you can put in some

time on another day. Rusty is the man to talk to.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 31st August: Jeremiah 2.4-13; Psalm:

81.1, 10-16; Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16; Luke 14. (2-6) 7-14.

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Anthony, Mike, Cecil,

Ruth, Eva, Nigel, Jen, Ted, Natasha, Patty, Melenny, Noel, Dean, Amy,

William, Chelsea, Paul & Melvyn