Jesus is Better - Hebrews Week 13
Have you ever run in a race?
How did you do? What were the keys to finishing well in your race?
If you could choose, which would you prefer, and why: lightning-bolt sprinter’s
speed or a marathon champion’s endurance?
The Point:
The Christian life requires that we keep running to the end.
Hebrews
12:1-11
Therefore, since we
are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every
weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who
endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow
weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted
to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation
that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not
regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he
receives.”
7 It is for
discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son
is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without
discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children
and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us
and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of
spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best
to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it
yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by
it.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton,
IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 12:1-11.
Study
Notes
WEEK 13 NOTES:
Hebrews 12:1-11
Up to this point,
the writer of Hebrews has argued Jesus is better and a life of faith in Jesus
is better. But in chapter 12, the writer turns the conversation from a
theological argument to practical application. This is the point where he gets
personal and turns the focus from examples of faith to the reader’s life. He
says, since we have all these examples of living by faith (Ch. 11), we should
take those examples and do the same. He is convinced the reader can also live
the same victorious life. When we look at the hall of faith and how God worked
in the lives of those mentioned, we can be encouraged to see the possibilities
of God working in our lives for His glory.
In verse 1, the writer compares living the Christian life to running a race. The reality, though, is this race isn’t a short sprint, rather it’s a marathon full of distractions, celebrations, struggles, and victories.
Therefore, there are
three practical actions we must consider running this race.
Lay aside
every weight and sin. (vs. 1)
Obviously, the
first question is, where do we start? Where do we begin to live the Christian
life? The starting point is for us to lay aside every weight and sin that holds
us back. In other words, we cannot run until we get rid of the weight. Another
term the Bible uses is repentance. We must daily allow the Spirit to convict us
of anything that hinders our walk. We must also repent of that sin and find
forgiveness in Christ. To clarify, we don’t get rid of sin through our own
power. There is another action that must take place in conjunction with
repentance.
Look to
Jesus (vs. 2)
According to the
Bible, we lay aside the weight and run the race while looking to Jesus (vs. 2).
Jesus endured suffering and is alive victorious in order that we might look to
Him for forgiveness, salvation, and sanctification. Jesus is the founder and perfecter
of our faith. The King James Version says, “the author and finisher of our
faith.” This means Jesus is Lord of our faith at the starting line, in the
race, and at the finish line. Therefore, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, the
distractions of the world are less likely to entice us. If we keep our eyes on
Jesus, we can daily run the race in holiness and grace, making progress along
the way.
Receive
God’s Discipline (vs. 3-11)
Another action
associated with laying aside every weight and running the race is being
disciplined by God. Few people, if any, are excited about God’s discipline. It
hurts. His judgment and discipline break us, but in our brokenness, we can gain
a sober look at our sin. We need that brokenness to surrender to God, so He can
continue to work in us. That is why discipline is a form of grace. God is
helping us when we cannot help ourselves by taking away our gods and replacing
them with Himself. “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than
pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who
have been trained by it.” (vs. 11)
QUESTIONS
FOR DISCUSSION
Why is the
Christian life a marathon and not a sprint?
How have you been
encouraged by the examples of faith set by Christians in years past?
Is there anything
in your life that might not necessarily be sin but is still slowing you down?
What is it?
What comes to your
mind when you hear the word discipline? Do you see discipline as positive or
negative? Why?
Read Proverbs
3:11-12. Why is discipline an example of God’s love?
Who in your life is
an example of faith and how does their faith encourage you in your walk with
Christ?
How can our group
pray for you as you run the race?
END
