Discipline Results in Glory
Greater Than: A Study in Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted
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· 27 viewsOur relationship with God is often mirrored as the relationship of a Father with their child. In the process of maturing, discipline is necessary for maturing and growth to occur. God desires that His children would mature and grow in their faith and understanding of how God longs to work in and through them. This process requires discipline to take place effectively. Praise the Lord that He is faithful and loving to discipline His children.
Notes
Transcript
In the Arena
In the Arena
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.
This book was written to Hebrew Christians who were emersed in a culture that was violently oppressive toward them. Many were being physcially and emotionally persecuted and even their ability to make a living was jeopardized.
The writer points to the many saints who have stood for the Lord through all kinds of hardship. THese are the cloud of witnesses that are watching, spectators if you will to what is occuring right now. What are they ataching? They are watching us in the midst of the arena of this life continuing to stand firm for the Lord.
The Arena We are in
The Arena We are in
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 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,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
The Love of God at Work in the Arena
The Love of God at Work in the Arena
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 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! 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. 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.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.