Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Hebrews 12:1–3 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1–3 LSB

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart.

Hebrews 12:1 LSB

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Being Surrounded by Witnesses

Witnesses to what?

God’s faithfulness. The life of faithful obedience.

Hebrews 12:1 LSB

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Laying Aside Everything that Hinders

(not sin)

What keeps me from the Lord?

What keeps me from prayer?

What keeps me from time in His Word?

What keeps me from serving Him and others?

Good things that distract us from better things.

Laying Aside the Sin that Entangles

Besets. Ensnares.

Run with Perseverance/Endurance

Enduring - there are difficulties, there are miseries, there are adversities, there are trials

Run through the hurt

Run through the pain

There may be weeping

There may be agony

Keep going.

The Race Marked Out for US

Hebrews 12:2 LSB

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Run - Fixing our Eyes on Jesus

The Author of our Faith

Originator

Pioneer

Leader

The first one to completely, sinlessly, perfectly live a life of faith.

He was God! But he empties himself… He lived in dependence as we need to live.

The Perfecter of our Faith

Completer

Isaiah 53:7 NIV

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

1 Peter 2:21–23 NIV

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Who for Joy Endured

John 17:5 NIV

And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Hebrews 2:14 NIV

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—

Philippians 2:8–11 NIV

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 5:9 NIV

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelation 5:12 NIV

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Revelation 5:13 NIV

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Hebrews 12:3 LSB

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart.

Consider Him who has endured

Consider accurately and distinctly or again and again -The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, Zodhiates

Hebrews 12:3 NIV

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Such opposition from sinners (against themselves?)

Opposition - Jude 11

Jude 11 NIV

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

Numbers 16:38 NIV

the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives. Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the Lord and have become holy. Let them be a sign to the Israelites.”

So that you will not grow weary and lose heart

Galatians 6:9 NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Run with Endurance, fixing your eyes on Jesus