Endure Discipline

Hebrews 12:3–11 NIV

3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Introduction

Last week we were warned of the sin which so easily entangles us

The Evil of Sin (Ryle)

It indwells us

Ecclesiastes 7:20 “20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”

It changes us

From “very good” to “enemies in [our] minds”

Colossians 1:21 “21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.”

It cost Jesus everything

Matthew 27:46 “46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).”

It causes sorrow and misery

Self & others

Homes destroyed

Bodies ruined

Lives lost

Joy robbed

How should Christians respond to sin?

The Necessity of Discipline

Hebrews 12:4 NIV

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

This section picks up on the imagery of struggle calling us to continue to struggle

Following after Jesus who endured the cross and opposition from sinners

Hebrews 12:3 “3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:7 “7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?”

Our need for endurance is different though

Jesus endured against the sinful powers

We endure the fight against our own sin

“Hardship” is an insertion for clarity not found in the text

The context makes it clear that our struggle is not just to endure suffering but to specifically endure the battle against sin

As we struggle against sin, we will experience our father’s loving discipline. The AH helps us to understand and respond to such discipline

The Encouragement of Discipline

Hebrews 12:5–8 NIV

5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

discipline - training

Not a warning to avoid discipline

“If you… then I’ll…”

Not a diminishing of discipline

Chasten – whip/beat

Instead, an encouragement about the source of discipline

From the Lord

To his beloved children

Discipline v. vengeance

Discipline hurts while vengeance harms

Discipline restores while vengeance destroys

The Purpose of Discipline

Hebrews 12:9–11 NIV

9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Share in his holiness

Harvest of righteousness and peace

Application

Unbelievers

Discipline is not the only reason people experience God’s negative actions

God disciplines his children, but he exercises vengeance on those who are not his

Will you experience his judgement or his discipline

Believers

Continue in your fight against sin

Encourage others in their fight against sin

Those Being Baptized

Baptism is the first step in the process of following Christ

It’s a commitment to fight sin, endure discipline, and pursue holiness