The Glory that is set Before Us
Notes
Transcript
The Glory that is set Before Us
Text: Hebrews 12:1–2 (KJV 1900)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Introduction:
* Earlier this week I went to visit my sister’s husband Van, who as you know, has been suffering with cancer.
* As I visited with Van and Vicky I tried to offer them words of comfort and hope as they endured the suffering that they were going through.
* As I looked at van there in the hospital bed, unable to sleep for the pain, he softly mumbled todays message this morning- It’s ok, it’s worth it.
* What on earth could possibly cause a man suffering with cancer say that it’s worth it?
* This is Easter morning, a time that the church has set aside to remember the resurrection of Jesus, our savior, from the dead.
* I believe we can find the answer to the question “What on earth could possible cause a man with cancer to say it’s worth it?” in the message of the resurrection this morning.
* In chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews we find the greatest verse in all the Bible about faith:
Hebrews 11:1–3 (KJV 1900)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
* A little further down in verse 6 we read the following words about faith:
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV 1900)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
* Then the rest of Hebrews chapter 11 is called the “Hall of Faith.” You have heard of the baseball hall of fame, well here in Hebrews chapter 11 is the “Hall of Faith.”
* The remainder of this chapter is a long list of people taken from all throughout the Bible who suffered terribly while on this earth, while they waited on God.
Hebrews 11:32–40 (KJV 1900)
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
* Now this sets us up for our text verse this morning:
Text: Hebrews 12:1–2 (KJV 1900)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and
let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
* There are two things about our text I want you to see this morning:
let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
* How can a man stricken down in his youth with cancer, say that alright, it’s worth it?
* Well our answer is found in these two verses this morning. Van has learned that He must run his race in this life with patience, waiting on God, even when he is called on to suffer.
* The video clip that I played for you this morning was sent to me by Van and Vicky the morning following my visit.
* The song repeats the words of that man of God who suffered so much, the man Job.
Job 13:15 (KJV 1900)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:
* Job had learned to trust God in his suffering. Van also has learned to trust God in his suffering.
* So what does Van mean when he says that’s ok, it’s worth it?
* That is where the second part of our text comes in:
let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
* Van, like this long list of people who suffered in faith in Hebrews chapter 11, has learned from our blessed Savior
*the author and finisher of our faith, that the suffering that we endure as we follow God on this earth will bring Glory to us one day
* just like the suffering that Jesus endured brought to Jesus Glory on that great resurrection morning, the first east Sunday, so will we on our own resurrection morning! And it will be worth it all!
* Let me remind you of our text once again:
Text: Hebrews 12:1–2 (KJV 1900)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and
let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
* You may be crying out to God in your suffering this morning, but follow the faith of that great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us and be patient in your suffering, because it is worth it!
* Jesus endured the suffering of the cross this morning because it was worth it! It was worth the glory that would come after that he had suffered!
* The apostle Peter had much to say about suffering and that glory that comes by suffering in I Peter chapter 4 and verse 12:
1 Peter 4:12–13 (KJV 1900)
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that,
when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
* The apostle Peter, according to history, was crucified upside down because he didn’t feel he was worth to die in the same manner that Jesus did on the cross.
* Peter says it was worth it! Why? Because of the glory that will come at our own resurrection morning! Just like Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!
* On that same day that Jesus rose from the dead, he encountered several of his disciples walking to another small town, after leaving Jerusalem and the terrible events of the trial and execution of Jesus.
* Notice what Jesus said to these men in Luke 24 and verse 25:
Luke 24:25
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
* Why did Jesus endure the suffering and humiliation if the cross? Because it was worth the Glory that He received that fist Easter morning!
* Why can a man lie in a hospital bed with cancer and say it’s ok, it’s worth it? Because of the Glory that he will receive at his own resurrection!
* Where does this hope come from? It comes by the resurrection of Christ from the dead!
1 Peter 1:3–12 (KJV 1900)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant
mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice,
though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,
when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Conclusion:
* You may be at the end of your rope this morning. You may feel like you can’t possible go on.
* You man fell so low that you are hanging on to the grass to keep from falling this morning, but I am here to tell you that because of the hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you can keep going, because of the joy and the glory that is set before you!
* Keep your eyes on the savior this morning and follow His example- you can do it! You can make it! You can endure the suffering and the shame just like Jesus did for you!
* You have the same goal before you that Jesus did- the same reward of glory that was set before Jesus is set before you this morning!
* Gather strength from this hope this morning! Encourage yourself in this hope this morning!
* A little further down in our text Hebrews chapter 12 says:
Hebrews 12:12 (KJV 1900)
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
* Jesus said if you would be a follower of His, you must be willing to take up your own cross and follow Him!
* Some of us here this morning may feel like laying down the cross of our suffering this morning, but the writer of the book of Hebrews says Lift up those hands that are hanging down in discouragement, strengthen those weak knees that are shaking with fear and dread, because it will be worth it!
* That is why a man in a hospital bed can say, oh, it’s bad, but it is worth it!
* Peter said glory in your suffering! Have great joy in suffering, because it will be worth it!
* I close with the words of the Apostle Paul in II Corinthians chapter 4 and verses 14-18:
2 Corinthians 4:14–18 (KJV 1900)
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.