Hebrews 12
Hebrews: Jesus is Greater • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
I grew up loving sports. (NY Mets, Giants, Knicks, Islanders and sometime the Yankees)
Paul … Christian life can be compared to a boxing match, as well as wrestling match (Eph 6).
I don’t know about you but I HATE RUNNING!
The Bible also compares the Christian life to a race. Not a sprint, but a marathon. (100 yard dash vs.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
The author of Hebrews sets the atmosphere of a footrace in an arena. (Similar to the Olympic games)
“Therefore” a connecting word … the author is trying to stir us up!
“Surrounded … great cloud of witnesses”
Hebrews 1. Application of the Examples of Enduring Faith in Hebrews 11 (1)
“Both the Greeks and the Latins frequently use the term cloud, to express a great number of persons or things.” (Clarke)
Who are these witnesses?
Old Testament, New Testament (18 listed in Hebrews 11), but did not end when the Canon of Scripture was completed … early church history and those who came before us.
This word “witnesses” doesn’t mean spectators. Our english word Martyr comes from this Greek word. The world in their time may have considered them LOSERS, but in reality, they are WINNERS!
Theological Thoughts: The text implies that they are looking on. Can people who are in heaven “look on?” Answer: I don’t know.
How could heaven be heaven if they are looking down? Wouldn’t they be discouraged when they see us struggle? Maybe they see now in full!
God simply wants the knowledge of them surrounding us to spur us on … to encourage us.
Charles Spurgeon said it this way:
Angels, and principalities, and powers, and hosts redeemed by blood, have mustered to behold the glorious spectacle of men agonizing for holiness, and putting forth their utmost strength to copy the Lord Jesus.
“Lay aside every weight”
Athletes use to wear training weights to help them prepare for the events, but no athlete would compete wearing these weights. (Example: baseball player warming up swinging a bat with a weight)
Sin can hold us back but I believe the author is referring to other hinderances that can keep us from running effectively. What are the things that weigh you down that you need to lay aside?
Some of these things can even seem like good things to others, especially those in the world. (example: those who work so hard, long hours to get ahead)
“sin which clings” or “easily ensnares”
Hebrews 1. Application of the Examples of Enduring Faith in Hebrews 11 (1)
The words easily ensnares translate a difficult ancient Greek word (euperistaton), which can be translated four ways: “easily avoided,” “admired,” “ensnaring,” or “dangerous.”
easily avoided
admired
ensnaring
dangerous
“Let us run with endurance”
Running great distances is as much mental as it is physical.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
In this passage, Paul speaks of “my race” - he had his race to run, we have our race to run and God calls us to finish the race with joy!
“the race that is set before us”
This is the path that God has selected for us. We can’t select our own coarse, or try to run another one because we don’t like the one laid out for us.
“Race” is a Greek word used for conflict or struggle of many kinds. One of Paul’s favorite words …
1 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
“looking to Jesus” or “fixing our eyes on Jesus”
We can only run the race with endurance by looking to Jesus … having our eyes locked on Him! He is our focus, our inspiration, and our example.
Hebrews 2. The Ultimate Example: Jesus Christ (2)
In the ancient Greek, looking unto Jesus uses a verb that implies a definite looking away from other things and a present looking unto Jesus.
Charles Spurgeon points out that this word “looking” is a much fuller word than we can find in the English language - It emphasizes the importance of looking away from everything else.
Hebrews 2. The Ultimate Example: Jesus Christ (2)
Fix not thy gaze upon the cloud of witnesses; they will hinder thee if they take away thine eye from Jesus. Look not on the weights and the besetting sin-these thou hast laid aside; look away from them. Do not even look upon the race-course, or the competitors, but look to Jesus and so start in the race.” (Spurgeon)
Example: Trying to exercise on an elliptical trainer (no finish line, people around you)
Jesus is the “author” and the “finisher”
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus wasn’t sadistic, He didn’t regard the cross itself as joy, but He was able to look past the horror of the cross to enjoy what it accomplished. The author of Hebrews wanted the same thing for the Jewish Christians he was writing to.
“Despising the shame”
One of the demented things that the Romans enjoyed when torturing someone on a cross was the extreme shame it would bring. (Often times crucifying an individual naked)
This is a stumbling block for many Christians - they do not want to experience shame or embarrassment that comes with serving the Lord. (Me struggling with fitting in as a young Christian)
One more thing from the great preacher Charles Spurgeon …
Hebrews 2. The Ultimate Example: Jesus Christ (2)
“Yet you are a coward. Yes, put it down in English: you are a coward. If anybody called you so you would turn red in the face; and perhaps you are not a coward in reference to any other subject. What a shameful thing it is that while you are bold about everything else you are cowardly about Jesus Christ. Brave for the world and cowardly towards Christ!”
Example: Jr High football (trying to outrun the upper class-man)
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.
My prayer for you … Lay aside the things that weigh you down and repent of the sin that ensnares you!