Sermon Tone Analysis

(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, 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

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.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

3 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

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, 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When is the last time you ran a race?

It could have been an all out sprint of 100 yards or a 5K run for charity.

When I was in 5th grade we did some 50 yard races.

I raced David Jansma who was a big, fat kid and I thought quite slow.

He beat me.

I ran against a girl I kind of liked.

She also beat me.

Later I would find some speed and when I was thirty years old I raced in Zeeland, ND and was awarded the fastest man in Zeeland award.

Now?

I bragged to the confirmation class last year how I could beat them in a race.

I raced against Miranda last spring and could not get across the parking lot without pulling a muscle.

I have never nor do I intend ever to run a 5K.

It just seems like too much work.

And even if you are not a racer, you know the point that Hebrews is making here because we know about racing even if not from personal experience.

In order to succeed, one must keep in mind several key factors:

God Disciplines His Children

People cheering us on can help (cloud of witnesses).

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,

We need to be unencumbered (Consider how light of clothing athletes wear who race) — sin that so easily entangles.

We need perserverence.

Either while training or in a long distance race to complete it.

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

Goal orientated — fix our eyes on Jesus

6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

Consider not only his example but also that he helps us in our race.

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

The Bible often describes our life as Christians as a race of faith.

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.

(NIV)

7 You were running a good race.

Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view.

The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

Here is a warning against those who teach contrary to God’s clear word.

(NIV)

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.

Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

7 You were running a good race.

Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view.

The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Two warnings here.

One concerning false teaching and the other of persecution.

Paul was about to die because he believed he would be sentenced to death for being a Christian and that is how he died.

(NIV)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,r and in view of his appearings and his kingdom, I give you this charge:t 2 Preachu the word;v be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebukew and encouragex —with great patience and careful instruction.

3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.y

Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.z 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.a 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,b do the work of an evangelist,c discharge all the duties of your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,d and the time for my departure is near.e 7 I have fought the good fight,f I have finished the race,g I have kept the faith.

8 Now there is in store for meh the crown of righteousness,i which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that dayj —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.k 1

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

r See

s ver 8; See

2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

t ;

u

v

3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.

Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.