Exhortations - Hebrews 12

“EXHORTATIONS”

Hebrews 12

                  “Let us Run...”

Introduction:        To understand properly the exhortations of chapter 12, we must first review chapter 11. In the light of the great faith of these “witnesses” we should be encouraged to imitate them.

I.           “Let us lay aside every weight…”

A.    The “weight” represents a hindrance.

1.     In a race, the runner travels as light as possible.

2.     Clothing is chosen to be lightweight.

3.     Shoes are designed to be as light as possible.

4.     Everything is designed so as not to be a hindrance.

B.     In running the Christian life, we must be careful not to become burdened with too many “extra weights”.

1.     First, we need to put away the weaknesses common to man.

a.     “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life...” (1 John 2:16).

b.     The weakness of character: envy, jealousy, covetousness, etc.

c.     By putting these aside, we are then ready to equip ourselves with those things which will enhance our run (Gal. 5:22, 23; 2 Pet. 1:5-6).

2.     Second, we need to disengage ourselves from those outside activities which serve to distract us from our main order of concern.

a.     There are many worthwhile organizations which are not wrong in and of themselves.

b.     However, it is possible to become so weighed down with the “extra-curricular” activities that one’s zeal for the Lord and his kingdom grow cold.

c.     What will we do with our time? Will we have commitments to the civic club, the political party, the alumni organization, the chamber of commerce, the board of directors, the PTA, the country-club, the volunteer group - and the list could go on forever - any one of which is a good cause, but who can do all of that and still be a good Christian?

d.     Let us not become too busy in the affairs of this world!

II.         “...and the sin which doth so easily beset us...”

A.    What is the besetting sin?

1.     A sin to which we may be especially vulnerable.

2.     Sins which are “conveniently” about us.

3.     Or, in the context of Hebrews, the sin of unbelief.

a.     Certainly, unbelief was the sin which surrounded these readers.

b.     Also, it was the one sin to which they were in constant danger of yielding.

c.     Further, it is the sin which is at the root of other sins.

B.    It must be laid aside, along with the other weights.

III.       “...1et us run with patience the race set before us...”

A.    Patience here means “perseverance.”

1.     The race is a long one.

2.     Comparable to a marathon rather than a sprint.

3.     Speed is not the main concern, but endurance.

B.    Consider the following analogies between a race and the Christian life:

1.     The contender in a race must be officially registered; one must enter the race of Christian living by becoming a Christian, being a member of the church, and accepting the obligations of Christian service, and “striving lawfully” (2 Tim. 2:5).

2.     Some win the crown, while others do not (1 Cor. 9:2-4).

3.     Discipline is essential to both races. (Heb. 12:1)

4.     A host of spectators urge the athletes to their goal; we are encouraged by the examples of those who have gone before (Heb. 12:1).

5.     Patient endurance is needed for both.

6.     A crown (reward) is given in each type of race (1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 4:8).

7.     Concerning how many may win, the analogy becomes a contrast. In the earthly race, only one may win the prize; but in the heavenly contest, all who “finish the course” may receive the crown. (Rev. 2:10)

IV.        “Let us have grace...” (v. 28)

A.    The having of the grace is based upon the nature of the kingdom to which we belong.

B.    The argument is, “Let us hold fast the grace which we have received by being admitted into the kingdom and its attendant privileges and blessings.”