Consider Jesus Week 4

The Author and Perfecter of Our Faith

Text: Hebrews 12:1–3

Big Idea

The Christian life is not sustained by looking inward, but by continually fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ—the One who began our faith, perfected our redemption, and now empowers us to endure.

Introduction

Over the last four weeks, we have discovered that Christ is greater.

He is God’s final revelation.

He is greater than the prophets of old, and greater than every system that came before Him. The life of the Spirit is more real than anything this world can present to us.

We have learned that His work on the cross is finished. Our salvation does not rest upon our religious performance but upon His completed work.

Now the author of Hebrews asks one final question: How then shall we live?

A question that every believer should be asking themself daily. Let’s lean in and find our authors answer.

Hebrews 12:1–3 NASB95

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 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. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I. Jesus is the Author of Our Faith

Hebrews 12:2 NASB95

2 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.

The Greek word archēgos speaks of a pioneer, trailblazer, founder, captain, or one who goes before others.

Jesus did not merely teach faith. He demonstrated perfect faith and blazed the trail for everyone who would follow Him.

Throughout Hebrews 11 we watched Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David, and countless others walk by faith. But every one of those lives ultimately points beyond itself. Their faith anticipated Christ. His faithfulness fulfilled God’s plan.

What does that mean for us today?

It means that faith is not produced by human reasoning alone. Faith grows through a greater vision of Jesus. Romans 10 tells us that:

Romans 10:17 NASB95

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

As we behold Christ in Scripture, our confidence in Him grows. The Christian life is not built upon positive thinking, exercising good virtue, and hard work alone. It is built upon seeing Jesus clearly.

II. Jesus is the Perfecter of Our Faith

Hebrews 12:2 NASB95

2 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.

Jesus not only begins the work. He brings it to completion. The same Christ who finished redemption on the cross continues His work in His people.

When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” He completed everything necessary for our salvation. Now He faithfully completes His sanctifying work within us.

Our confidence is not found in our consistency.

Our confidence is found in His faithfulness.

It is easy to become discouraged when we feel our faith is weak.

It is easy to feel as if we are “loosing” our faith in the middle of a trial.

The Christian faith is not a self centered faith - it is a Christ centered faith. “Fix Your Eyes On Jesus…”

III. We Are Surrounded by a Great Cloud of Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1 NASB95

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

The men and women of Hebrews 11 are not the heroes of the story.

They are witnesses. Their lives testify that God is faithful. Abraham says God keeps His promises. Moses says following Christ is worth more than the treasures of Egypt. Rahab says God’s grace reaches the outsider. Every life recorded in Hebrews 11 points beyond itself to the faithfulness of God.

God has given us examples to strengthen our faith. But never stop with the witness. Don’t make the mistake our forefathers made. Looking to the witnesses instead of the One they were witnesses of. Always look to Jesus.

Many have made the mistake of becoming “revival chasers”. Going to this event, and that conference, expecting to receive a miracle. The same God that is present in that service is present in this one, in your home, at your work place. Let us not elevate witness for Christ above Christ.

The witnesses encourage us.

Jesus sustains us.

IV. Run with Endurance

(Hebrews 12:1–3)

“Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”

The Christian life is not a sprint. It is a lifelong race. The author gives three commands.

Lay Aside Every Weight

Some things are sinful. Other things are simply heavy.

Not everything that slows your walk with Christ is necessarily sinful.

Some relationships.

Some distractions.

Some ambitions.

Some fears.

Some habits.

Ask yourself:

“What is keeping my eyes off Jesus?”

Lay Aside Sin

Sin entangles. It wraps itself around our feet and keeps us from running freely. Repentance is not merely feeling guilty. It is laying aside what keeps us from Christ.

Run with Endurance

As a young boy I ran cross country. One Friday night a friend of mine stayed over. I warned him that if he stayed over, he’d have to go running with me Saturday morning. He agreed eagerly, reciting to me his qualifications as an avid runner. That morning we started off on the 3 mile run and my friend darted off like a rocket. I hollered, “you better save some steam for later”. But he was confident. A mile later I passed my friend, red faced, puffing and limping.

Run With Endurance. Our endurance is not rooted in human determination. It is rooted in continually fixing our eyes upon Jesus.

As a runner I learned quickly that the biggest mistake I could make speeding to the finish line was to look for my opponent. It’s a distraction, and I will slow down ever time. No! I run full steam, eyes fixed on the finish line.

Conclusion

The entire message of Hebrews can be summarized in one command:

Consider Jesus.

When life becomes difficult…

Consider Jesus.

When faith grows weak…

Consider Jesus.

When suffering seems overwhelming…

Consider Jesus.

When temptation grows strong…

Consider Jesus.

When you are weary…

Consider Jesus.

Because He is greater.

Because He is faithful.

Because He is sufficient.

He is the Author of your faith.

He is the Perfecter of your faith.

And He is worthy of your complete devotion.

Today, perhaps the Holy Spirit has revealed a weight you have been carrying that Christ never asked you to carry. Perhaps there is sin that has quietly wrapped itself around your heart. Perhaps you have been looking everywhere except to Jesus. If there is a weight you are carrying, I’m simply asking you to lay it aside and turn your eyes toward Jesus.

Call Forward For Prayer

Salvation Response