Hebrews 12:1-3
Preached Sunday Morning January 2, 2011
Introduction:
Today marks the first Sunday in the 60th year of our ministry. 2011 also marks the 400th year of our King James Bible. All though this year, we will be focusing upon the legacy that has been left for us and we will also focus upon the one that we will be leaving for the next generation. There are some here today that will be here when we celebrate our 100th year of ministry as a church. How will those people remember us today?
In chapter 11, the writer of Hebrews gives a great history lesson of faithful saints in the Bible. After reflecting upon those great things accomplished through steadfast faith in God, the author challenges us to realize that every saint that has passed into eternity is now watching us. It is as if there is a great Heavenly arena and we are the runners of a great marathon. The crowd continues to grow with loved ones and Christian soldiers who have crossed over before us. There are more in the crowd than there has ever been. As we reflect upon 2011, our 60th year as a church, my 10th year as pastor, and upon your personal time spent here; now more than ever, we must run the race!
I. We have a big crowd watching us run.
Hebrews 11:32-40 – 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
A. Think of who is in the audience
1. Abel
2. Enoch
3. Noah
4. Abraham
5. Sarah
6. Jacob
7. Joseph
8. Moses
9. Joshua
10. Caleb
11. Rahab
12. The Apostles
13. Paul
14. Great Heroes of the Faith
15. Pastor Eseppi
16. Patriarchs of EBC
17. Herald Rogers
18. Mr. Readon
B. Their victories came by faith – vs 33
1. To obtain saving grace
Romans 3:19-22 – 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
2. To obtain standing grace
Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
– Note none of these great achievements came apart from raw faith – not plans or pragmatics.
C. They obtained victory over satanic attacks by faith – vs 33-35
1. Subdued kingdoms
2. Wrought righteousness
3. Obtained promises
4. Shut the lion’s mouth
5. Quenched the violence of fire
6. Escaped the edge of the sword
7. Were strong in their weakness
8. Turned dark armies to flight
9. Dead were raised
D. They obtained the ability to stand by God’s grace through their faith – vs 35-38
1. Tortured
2. Kangaroo court
3. Imprisoned
4. Stoned
5. Sawn to pieces
6. Wandered in exile
E. They obtained eternal reward by faith – vs 39-40
II. We must remove everything that will slow us down
Hebrews 12:1 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
A. Because of the testimonies of faithful victory that precedes us
B. Lay aside every weight
1. Weight = “that which is hooked” to a person, thus dragging him down as a weight
2. Examples:
a. Anything that slows you from running the race in faith
b. Fear of man
Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
c. Misplaced allegiance
Matthew 10:37-38 – He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
d. Pleasures of this life
Luke 8:14 – And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
e. Party life
Romans 13:11-13 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
f. Riches
1 Timothy 6:9 – But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
C. Lay aside every sin
1. That besets us = winds around us bringing us into peril
2. Sin would impede your race of faith
D. We must run with patience – abide under, endurance
III. We must keep our eyes on the finish line
Hebrews 12:2-3 – 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
A. Jesus wrote the plan
Genesis 3:15 – And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
B. Jesus finished the plan
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1. Because of love – vs 2
2. Endured the cross
3. Despised the shame
4. Was exalted and sits on the right hand of God the Father
C. Jesus will keep you from fainting – vs 3
1. Consider = analogizomai = contemplate
2. Endured contradiction of sinners = “a gainsaying contradiction”
3. Keep you from being wearied
4. Keep you from fainting in your minds
a. Faint = to relax – like a bowstring
b. The battle is in the mindset, not necessarily in the actions
Conclusion:
The ancient arena is full as you enter to run the marathon. The shouts echo throughout the stadium. They are the voices of those millions who have already run this long and grueling race. If you wish to run well, consider the millions who have successfully finished – you can too. Get rid of all those things tangled around your life that will slow you down and drain your energy. Keep your eyes on the finish line. Jesus, your Savior is waiting for you there! So, run on faith!