Hebrews 12 1-2 Lutheran
Run the Race
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Text: “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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1,2, NIV.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
I. Introduction
A. Boy going deer hunting
1. Trudged through snow
2. Wore heavy boots & multiple layers of clothing
3. I was the one who carried the guns
4. By the time we’d walked about a mile to our spot, I was exhausted
5. I found myself sleeping a lot in the tree
B. Only thing that kept me going was my family
1. I knew I needed to keep up to get there
2. It’d do no good to stop
3. There was nowhere else to go
II. We have a cloud of witnesses around us
A. The author here is speaking of those who’ve gone before us
1. Starting out with good news
a. Proof that the destination is achievable
b. Many have been saved
c. No matter how tired of this world you get, there is a finish line
III. Throw off sin.
A. Sin drags us down
1. Luther says it clings to us
2. Takes the form of bad habits
3. Takes the form of resisting God’s will
4. Tugs us away from God
B. We are to throw it off
1. Get rid of it
2. Get it out of your life
3. If it’s not godly, you don’t need it
IV. Run the race before us.
A. We don’t know where the finish line is
1. For some, it’s earlier than others
2. Might come all at once for all of us if Jesus comes back today
B. We know how to stay on course
1. God’s Word provides direction
2. Keeps us on the narrow path
3. Helps us resist temptations to stop or go off course
C. We’ll know the finish line when we see it
1. We’ll see Jesus’ face there
2. He’ll announce us the winner
V. Fix our eyes on Jesus: leader & finisher of faith.
A. Secret is to focus on our Lord
1. Remember what He did for us
2. Remember that He loves us
3. Remember that we are sons of God
B. Finishes our faith
1. Makes it complete
2. Also the starter of our faith
3. He not only gives us faith, but is the One whom our faith is in
VI. For joy, He blew off the shame of the cross.
A. Jesus, the mighty God, allowed Himself to be crucified for lousy worthless slaves
1. “Considered it nothing” means He blew it off
2. He knew what He had to face for us
3. Definitely not nothing
4. Faced the wrath of God on a cross, suffered & died
5. Did that all for us, as if it were nothing
B. He did it for joy
1. Joy of spending eternity with us
a. Would you face the full wrath of God for the person across the aisle from you so you could spend eternity with that person?
b. Jesus did
c. Did it so we could live forever
2. We don’t deserve it
a. If we did, He wouldn’t have needed to die
b. He did it anyway
VII. He’s seated @ the throne of God.
A. There to judge us
1. Sounds scary
2. We are judged based on Jesus’ works
3. At the finish line, it’s Jesus carrying us across with His nail-scarred hands, running with nail-scarred feet
4. Yet we get the medal, the crown of eternal life
5. Because God declared us the winner in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Now the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Children’s Sermon
Object: Who’s good at racing? Today’s lesson talks about racing.
Message: With God’s race, everyone can win. Jesus carries us across (Gets us into heaven).
Lesson Summary
The sub-theme of this series tells us that God's Word prepares us for judgment The Psalm teaches that God is a wonderful God Who guides us by His precepts. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" points out that life must be centered in Him Who has revealed Himself in His Word. The Old Testament Lesson tells of the vision of the glorious Son of man taking His seat to judge. In the Hebrews 12 Epistle selection, we are told to let the example of previous saints encourage us to turn from sin, look to Jesus, and live for Him. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the destruction of this universe, then He will come in glory. Signs are revealed which speak of His return, but His Word is a sure source of hope.