Choose Well and Be Thankful // Hebrews 12:18-29

What if the path to true gratitude lies not in counting earthly blessings, but in embracing an unshakeable kingdom? In a powerful exploration of Hebrews 12:18-29, Pastor Drew contrasts two mountains that represent our approach to God: Mount Sinai, where attempting to reach God through our own merit leads to terror and destruction, and Mount Zion, where Jesus serves as our perfect mediator. Through vivid biblical imagery, he illustrates how Mount Sinai represents the old covenant of law and judgment, while Mount Zion offers the new covenant of grace through Christ's sacrifice. Drawing a crucial connection to Thanksgiving, Pastor Drew challenges believers to look beyond temporal gratitude for family and possessions to find deeper thankfulness for the eternal, unshakeable kingdom that cannot be destroyed when God shakes both heaven and earth. He concludes with a stirring interpretation of God as a "consuming fire" - either destroying those who approach on their own merit or refining those who come through Christ - and urgently calls his audience to choose their mountain, understanding that this decision carries eternal consequences. Thanks for listening to this sermon from Bethel Baptist Church. If the message encouraged you, we would love to meet you in person this Sunday. You can find service times, directions, and more information at www.betheltopeka.org. And if you would like to support the ministry of Bethel, you can give securely online at www.betheltopeka.org/give. God bless, and we hope to see you soon.