7. The Man's Weights
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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,
Introduction
Introduction
North of our home in Glendale I regularly see hot air balloon's tower above the hills. I have never actually been up in a hot air balloon but I am familiar with how they work. The baskets are set out and laid on their sides. Then they take the balloon and unroll it from its stored position. They attach the unrolled balloon to the basket and then start blowing air into the balloon with a large fan (powered by a generator). Once they have the balloon filled with enough air they begin to fire the torch and heat the air inside of the balloon. After a few minutes the balloon begins to lift into the air and sit upright. While they are waiting for the passengers to get into the basket they will sometimes attach weights to the basket to keep the balloon from lifting into the air.
When the time is right and they are ready they will release the weights and the balloon will soar into the air and the passengers will then experience the heights and panoramic views they have set out to enjoy.
God intends for you and I to soar to heights He has designed, he has a predetermined goal and order to arrive we must first remove the weights!
I. The Event
I. The Event
The event is the race! The Christian life!
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
II. The Encouragement
II. The Encouragement
Encouragement comes from those that have run the race before us.
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, 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.
Some have thought that this verse is teaching we are being cheered on from heaven- Although it may be true that those who are in heaven now are cheering us on, the passage is teaching us to be encouraged by those who have made it home.
Warren Wiesrbe says:
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: Stay in the Running! (Hebrews 12)
Our English word “martyr” comes directly from the Greek word translated “witness.” These people are not witnessing what we are doing; rather, they are bearing witness to us that God can see us through. God bore witness to them (Heb. 11:2, 4–5, 39) and they are bearing witness now to us.
III. The Encumbrances
III. The Encumbrances
Hebrews 12:1
"lay aside every weight"
Runners must be as light as humanly possible- light clothing - light shoes - anything extra will weigh us down!
A. Spiritual Weights
A. Spiritual Weights
i. Unbiblical thinking
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
ii. Lack of assurance of Salvation
B. Emotional Weights
B. Emotional Weights
i. Depression & Discouragement
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?
Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him
For the help of his countenance.
Sometimes it can be traced to sin in our lives
Sometimes it is self reliance
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Illustrate: (Casting with a fishing pole) The word cast means to throw! Similar to what you do with a fishing pole- do you remember learning how to cast a fishing pole for the first time?
ii. Bitterness
Quote: Bitterness is the only chemical that destroys its own container
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
C. Material Weights
C. Material Weights
Madonna sang a song in the 1980's called "Material Girl" where she laid out her life's philosophy - she says "the boy with the cold hard cash is always mister right". In other words money is all I need.
This world is enamored by money and riches and if we are not careful we can be subject to its weights
A Job that keeps you out of Church
Side work to earn extra money on Sunday
An inheritance
A business windfall
i. Be Content
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 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. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
"pierced themselves through with many sorrows"
ii. Seek Eternal things
Illustration: Have you ever been feverishly looking for your keys or your wallet? Digging under couch cushions, laundry baskets EVERYWHERE!! Seeking!
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
D. Recreational Weights
D. Recreational Weights
Most of us enjoy some sport or recreation and that is a healthy thing - the issue is keeping it, in its proper place
Do my recreational activities regularly keep me from my local church?
Is this limiting what God can and wants to do in and through my life
Final Application
Application: One of the most difficult aspects of ministry is teaching people the importance of faithfulness. Men are natural leaders and that is the way God has designed it. But teaching men to be faithful is so very important. I can promise you that God wants to use you in a leadership capacity, but if you are allowing "weights" to hinder your faithfulness to your devotions, your church attendance, your giving etc... you are limiting your influence.
IV. The Example
IV. The Example
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.
"looking unto Jesus"
Illustrations: As men we may not like to read instructions. We may feel we do not need them but I can promise you that we need to see the example set by our Lord and we need to pattern our lives after it!
A. His faith
A. His faith
"the author"
B. His focus
B. His focus
"who for the joy that was set before him"
Jesus was focused on fulfilling the fathers call- his will
C. His finish
C. His finish
"...is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
He is "set down" because he has finished - on the cross he cried out "it is finished"