Sunday 08:28:11

Hebrews 12:1-3 v. 1 – Witnesses “testifiers” or “martyrs” What does sin do? It entangles you, keeps you from being able to run the race God has called you to. Throw it off. In fact, throw off anything that entangles you. “A great cloud of witnesses” – that’s great in number, not that their faith was that great. Even in imperfect faith, attempts to follow God, He rewarded them. v. 2 – Fix your eyes on Jesus – He is the supreme witness who already ran the race, endured, persevered and overcame the hardship and suffering. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. Our faith began with Jesus, and will complete in him. He is the start and the end of the race. v. 3 – Jesus suffered far more than we ever will. Hebrews 2:10 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Jesus suffering made him the perfect author of our salvation. Hebrews 5:8-9 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. Jesus was not morally nor spiritually imperfect, but his incarnation was perfected when he suffered. Jesus suffered to learn perfect obedience and to become the source of our salvation. Hebrews 2:17-18 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Jesus suffering made him our perfect substitute, our great help, our compassionate high priest. Hebrews 4:15 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Jesus willingly suffered to bring our salvation, to be our compassionate high priest. CELEBRATE THE LORD’S TABLE Hebrews 12:4-6 v. 5 – Do not lose heart because the Lord disciplines those He loves (6). Love goes hand-in-hand with discipline. Culture says love means no discipline. Bible says if you don’t love your child enough to discipline him, you don’t love him. v. 6 – Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. Hebrews 12:7-11 v. 10 – God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. God allows suffering because it has a purifying affect on you. v. 11 – No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but produces a harvest of righteousness and peace. You do not suffer randomly or needlessly. There is a purpose for your suffering. Suffering produces righteousness and peace in God’s people. The promise of God in suffering: Romans 8:18 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The glory that is coming for us shames the suffering that we face on earth. Romans 8:28 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. God’s promise for His people, His intent for us, even in suffering is for our good.