Partakers of a Divine Purpose
Mac begins with emphasizing the importance of preparing for Christ's return by cultivating a life of simplicity, purity, and devotion to Him. Mac cautions against the distractions and complexities introduced by the world and religious self, highlighting that true preparation lies in a daily, intimate relationship with Christ. Drawing from Hebrews 3:1, he reminds listeners that they are "partakers of a heavenly calling" and encourages them to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith. Referencing Hebrews 12:25-29, he stresses the need to heed God's voice and hold fast to the unshakeable kingdom found in Christ. Mac emphasizes that true service to God flows from His grace, enabling believers to offer up lives well-pleasing to Him.
Outline:
Preparing for Christ's return through a life of simplicity, purity, and devotion
Rejecting distractions and complexities
Cultivating a daily, intimate relationship with Christ
Partakers of a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)
Focusing on Jesus as the ultimate source of hope and security
Holding fast to the unshakeable kingdom
Offering acceptable service through God's grace (Hebrews 12:25-29)
Responding to His grace with lives of well-pleasing service
Serving with His interests in view, led by the Holy Spirit
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
