Heb 12:4-6 Don’t Lose Sight!
Notes
Transcript
1 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.”
On August 7, 1954, during the British Empire Games in Vancouver, Canada, one of the greatest mile-run matchups ever took place. It was called the “miracle mile” because Roger Bannister and John Landy were the only two sub-four-minute milers in the world. Bannister had been the first man ever to run a four-minute mile. Both runners were in peak condition.
Bannister, strategized that he would relax during the third lap and save everything for his finishing drive. But as they began the third lap, John Landy poured it on, stretching his already substantial lead. Immediately, Bannister adjusted his strategy, increasing his pace and gaining on Landy. The lead was cut in half, and at the bell for the final lap they were even.
Landy began running even faster, and Bannister followed suit. He felt he was going to lose if Landy did not slow down. Then came the famous moment (of this picture that you see) as at the last stride before the home stretch the crowds roared. Landy could not hear Bannister’s footfall and thus intuitively looked back—a fatal lapse of focus. Bannister launched his attack, and Landy did not see him until he lost the lead. Roger Bannister won the “miracle mile” that day by five yards.
Landy’s lapse serves as a modern visualization of what the writer of Hebrews implicitly warned against in his earlier command to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1, 2).
1.Don’t Lose sight
Jesus is the end goal of our race, thus those who look away from Christ will never finish well. And this was exactly what was happening to some in the early church that the author of Hebrews was writing to.
They had begun to take their eyes off Christ and to fix them instead on the hardships challenging them.
When the first readers of this letter first came to Christ, Jesus filled their lives and their hearts. It was an obsession a delightful and joyful obsession. But that first love began to be cooled down by the hardships. Some of their lifelong trusted friends began to leave them. They were no longer welcome in the synagogue. Some lost their jobs as they were squeezed out of the family business. Others were assaulted by difficulties in their homes, as even husband and wife relationships became difficult because of the name of Jesus. On top of that they were not freed from the normal pains of this life, they faced problems, accidents, illness, and death just like everyone else does.
As a result, several were distracted. First, their eyes were off for a little bit, then before they knew it, they were not looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith. Because of that, they were running not knowing where they were running to, while others as they lost their focus stumbled more and more, and some sadly just quit the race altogether.
What was happening to the first-century Christians is a mirror of the reality of many in the church today. Many might say something like this “I tried Jesus, but it didn’t work, my life didn’t get better” others might say “It began well, but I didn’t expect this. I had problems before following Jesus, but nothing like this. Thanks for the offer of an abundant life, but I only got is abundance of problems. I think I’m better off living on my own way.”
While others might say “God wants me happy so I will compromise just a little bit so I don’t have to struggle so much” or “God is love so I must love myself and do it my own way”
The author of Hebrews is trying to encourage people who lost sight of Jesus. First, he gives a couple of gentle reproaches from v4-7:
4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
First, the author of Hebrews reminds them that life is not as bad as they think. “In your struggle against sin,” he says, “you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (v. 4). Jesus, of course, had suffered death because of his decision to stay on track—all the way to the cross. And some of the heroes of the faith mentioned at the end of chapter 11 are examples to them and to us of those who had suffered greatly and had resisted to the point of shedding their blood.
Even though, the first readers of this letter had experienced severe persecution early on, under Emperor Claudius, the emperor before Nero, however, not one of the first readers had yet been martyred.
The parallels between our time in the West and those in the early church are plain to see. The opposition is rising, but none of us have resisted to the point of spilling blood. Back in the first century and now in the 21st century, there is no time to be discouraged, especially if we consider the great examples of those who have gone before us and who have remained faithful even through great hardships.
The author of Hebrews is basically saying this here: “Quit this melodrama, Stop the commotion, no one has been killed yet” and by the way, this is one of the gentle reproaches.
The second gentle reproach is found in v5a.
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
2. Don’t Forget
The author of Hebrews’ second reproach was this: Have you forgotten?
“Don’t you know what the Bible says?” What a reproach to our time, where you will find in the churches people that have very little to no knowledge of the Bible. Research shows clearly this trend in our society within those who claim to be Christians who don’t really read their Bibles, or know what it says, or even believe that it is God’s Word.
If you believe that the Bible is God’s Word, then we are in a minority in this country already. But, it means that we will take the time to read and memorize it. Our actions will be a living testimony of what we believe. If you believe that it is God’s Word then it will be a priority in your day. If you don’t believe then you will just won’t really have time for it.
It is impossible to be profoundly influenced and encouraged by what we do not know. Let me say this again. It is impossible to be profoundly influenced and encouraged by what we do not know.
(walk away talk about growing up Bible)
On the other hand, there is great comfort and strength in God’s Word and it will never disappoint us when we take the time to study it, read it, and memorize it.
Sadly, there are too many today who do not know enough of God’s Word to survive a skinned knee! Spending time reading the Bible is essential for spiritual survival. It is hard to grasp this truth, but reading the Bible is even more important than eating and drinking. Jesus in Matt 4 quoted Deut 8:3 when He said “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”
We just started the year and if you don’t have a Bible Reading plan there are some copies of the Navigators Bible reading plan, there are regular-size copies, and large font copies as well on the table in the foyer. Let’s commit this year to know more of God’s Word.
John Piper recently said, “I have never met a mature, fruitful, strong, spiritually discerning Christian who is not full of Scripture, devoted to regular meditation on Scripture, and given to storing it in the heart through Bible memorization.”
There is more to the Christian life than Bible reading but not less. Done well and consistently—even (or especially) when we don’t feel like doing it—the decision to regularly make time to commune with the Lord through his Word can powerfully shape our affections, convict of us of sin, spur us toward evangelism, draw us closer to other believers, and more. In short, Bible reading can be a keystone habit in your life. May we make the commitment for this year to spend more time in God’s Word.
After the author of Hebrews reproaches the first readers of this letter for forgetting God’s Word, he then calls for their attention to a special word of encouragement as it addresses them and us as God’s children.
5And 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.
V5, 6 are a quote from Proverbs 3:11-12 which says:
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Handout
3. Don’t Fall Into Disdain or Dismay
These verses here warn of two dangers for those being under discipline.
The dangers of disdain and dismay regarding divine discipline.
First the danger of disdain, “My son, do not make light, or do not despise the Lord’s discipline.” One way to respond to discipline is to choose to be indifferent to its importance. I see this attitude so easily in our children, and it leads me often to bring more discipline until they understand the seriousness of the discipline, that it is not something to take lightly or to ignore because they just want the difficulty to go away.
Many who experience the unpleasantness of discipline choose to remain indifferent to the significance and importance of the discipline. Some might vaguely guess that they are experiencing discipline, but refuse to think about what it might mean. Thus, making light of it, you are in this place you might say to yourself “It is better not to think too much about this difficulty, and there is nothing I have done to deserve this. I’m better off ignoring this … fill in the blank”
The other extreme is dismay. “And do not lose heart, or be weary when reproved by him” There are some who are far from being indifferent but are easily overwhelmed by it all. Thinking of parenting you know those children that only by giving them a look is sufficient for them to feel overwhelmed by discipline. Those who are dismayed do not take the discipline lightly but are easily overwhelmed by it. It paralyzes you, just as the runners described in verse 3 came to grow weary and lose heart and collapse on the track.
We cannot be dismayed because our Heavenly Father is perfect and none of God’s children will ever be tested beyond their strength. 1 Cor 10:13 “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Therefore, we see that when disciplined we cannot afford ourselves either the excuses of disdain or dismay. Why? Because discipline is the sign of being loved by God and in family relationship with Him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
In other words, if we try to avoid God’s discipline either by disdain (making light of it) or dismay (fainting away), we are turning our back on the personal evidence of his love and relationship to us. Discipline is the divinely ordained path to a deepening relationship with God and a growing love with him. It is the only way!
2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Jesus said in John 16:33 “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
It does not mean that every suffering is God’s discipline. Jesus was perfect and He suffered like no one else ever did. However, God uses every suffering to change us to transform us.
Still, it doesn’t mean that suffering is less painful. Paul Tripp illustrates this well when he says “In a moment your life can change dramatically. In a moment the future that seemed so sure evaporates before your eyes. In a moment that loved one whom you thought would walk with you for the rest of your days walks away or is taken away, never to return again.
In a single conversation, you are told that sickness will rob you of your physical vitality. In a moment an injury changes your life forever. Yes, life changes in little ordinary moments or in dramatic big moments. You and I have no power to make our lives stay as they are. We have no power to welcome only the good things into our lives and ward off the bad things. We cannot assure ourselves that we will always be loved, protected, and healthy or will always have the resources we need. We cannot put security systems in our lives to protect us from fear and sorrow.
When we’re going through dark and tough things, we cannot guarantee ourselves that these will pass and that things will get better. We’re all dealing with forces bigger and more powerful than we are. It only takes the wicked whip of a tornado or the fearsome power of a hurricane to remind us of how small we are, how fragile our lives are, and how little power we actually have.
Someone going through a lot of suffering once explained in this way “I feel that I’m sliding down a long, long mud tube. I don’t know where it’s going or if it’s ever going to end, but there are no handholds to grab that would keep me from sliding down even more.”
We cannot look at suffering and say that these are not hurtful and awful times. However, there is something more important than finding ways to escape it or survive the suffering. These moments have the unique power to transform us.
No one ever comes out of the unexpected, the unwanted, the difficult, and the discouraging unchanged. What you suffer will change you. You will not rise out of tragedy the way you were before it overtook you.
You might come out of suffering angry, doubtful, self-protective, cynical, or bitter, or allow it to make you that way. You might feel forsaken and ripped off, and although you never talk about it, you take spiritual and emotional scars into every situation and relationship thereafter. You may not see it or be willing to admit it, but you’ve changed, and the results are tragic.
Alternatively, suffering can form in you new and beautiful things, things that grow only from the soil of difficulty. Suffering has the power not only to renew your hope but also to transform it. Suffering can give you a type of strength unrelated to your gifts, health, power, or position. Suffering has the power to help you see where you’ve been completely blind but didn’t know it.
Suffering can bless you with a joy that’s independent of life being easy and people liking you. Suffering has the power to turn your timidity into courage and your doubt into surety. Hardship can turn envy into contentment and complaint into praise. It has the power to make you tender and approachable, to replace subtle rebellion with joyful surrender. Suffering has the power to form beautiful things in your heart that reform the way you live your life. It has incredible power to be a tool of transforming grace.
Our hope is not found in understanding why God allowed suffering into our lives. Our hope is not found in the belief that somehow we will tough our way through. Our hope is not found in doctors, lawyers, pastors, family, or friends. Our hope is not found in our resilience or ingenuity. Our hope is not found in ideas or things. Though we may look to all those for temporary help, ultimately our hope rests in the faithful and gracious presence of the Lord with us.
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Therefore, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, we must spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word and submitting to God’s discipline without disdain or despair knowing that He will go with us through it all.
“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”