Looking Unto Jesus (2)

Hebrews 12:1–4 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

“We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses”

The great heroes of faith are witnesses

Principalities and Powers s in heavenly places are witnesses

Ephesians 3:10 NKJV

10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

Perhaps you have known many great Christians who have gone on and are now witnesses

indeed, perhaps all of Christianity are witnesses of our current plight

There they are rooting for you - interceding for you - hoping for you

You can do it !!!

We overcame - so can you!!

You have all you need and more!!

You are more than a conqueror !!

We are surrounded ---

there is an unseen realm you cannot see - but it is real

This is as scientific a fact as it is a spiritual one

The bible tells us to look to this unseen realm — those things which are above

one is temporal - one is eternal

Look unto Him!

Lay Aside Every Weight

He compare our journey to a race set before us

many of us have to lay aside some weights if we are going to win

you could hardly be expected to win a race carrying an extra 100 lbs

there are many things that “weigh” us down - and keep us from “looking unto Jesus”

worries about tomorrow

ambition - selfish and unselfish

friends, family, career

keeping up with he Jones’s

peer pressure - fitting in

And the sin - which so easily ensnares us

Sin is a trap

many of you listening today have been caught in that trap - some still denying

The very nature of a trap is to catch those who do not expect to get caught

so many people are snared by the deceitfulness of sin

the lure of its reward

the lust for its pleasure

the lie of its dangers

the longing for more of it

Until they no longer even see, or remember, what was lost before the trap

Run!

We are talking about running race, but sometimes you just need to run!!

run from sin - Like Joseph ran from Potifer’s wife -

as Paul told Timothy to “flee from youthful lusts — (2 Tim. 2:22)

then run in the race for the prize!

everyone runs in a race, but only one gets the prize!

run like you want to win

Looking Unto Jesus —

Really looking to Him may require us to lay aside some weights and avoid some sins

but it is always worth it.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith

…” (Heb. 12:2).

Look to Jesus in Everything

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

Many Christians are ready to look to Jesus when trouble strikes, but when everything is going well, they lean on their own limited strength and fail.

We must look to Jesus in everything—in good times as well as bad, in joy as well as sorrow, and in triumph as well as trial.

Is Christ in the forefront of your thoughts every day?

or is it only on Sunday, or when you are in trouble?

Do we look to Him in every situation - for guidance as well as provision?

The Scripture admonishes us to look to Jesus “that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

Look to Jesus for Everything

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do” (John 14:13).

Some Christians do not depend on the Lord to supply all their needs. They rely on self-effort and other people. They come to disappointment.

He Jesus you source of provision for all you need?

If He is, then we should not compromise - as many do

We should look to Jesus for life, love, food, clothing, and shelter—everything.

We are promised ample supply for all our needs, “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

He really is able to supply all your need - but usually not until you have put your trust in Him

this often requires us to stop trusting others for our needs

So many people never really come to experience this great liberating truth becasue they won’t quite let go

Look to Jesus with Everything

“And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless” (1 Thess. 5:23).

So many Christians fail to totally look to Jesus. They reserve a portion of their life for self.

If you want to truly be victorious, you must look to Jesus with everything—time, talent, and treasure. We must be totally dedicated to him.

A great many people feel as though they are doing God a favor by looking to Him with a couple of hours of their time on Sunday

if you had a blessing today- would you look to Him to decide how to spend it?

Do you look to Him with your talents? With you money? How is that demonstrated in your life?

Paul urged us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” (Rom. 12:1).

Look to Jesus Through Everything

“After that ye have suffered a while … stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).

Christians may look to Jesus during happy times, but complain and even blame God when suffering strikes.

that blame game is so easy to fall into

it is one of the devil’s oldest tricks - to try to harm us, then use his own evil as evidence that God has forsaken you

so many times we can find ourselves blaming God -

even Elijah fell into this trap when the widow’s son died

Yet, he still looked to God through it

So, even if things are not going your way, see that we look to God through everything

God often allows suffering to strengthen our faith and fulfill his purpose. We must continue to look to Jesus and seek his purpose with patience and trust.

When traveling through our valley experiences, Peter wrote that we should:

1 Peter 4:13 NKJV

13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Look to The Author and Finisher of Our faith

He wrote the story - He is the beginning and the end

You can look to Him - becasue He knows your story

The work that He began, He is faithful to Finish (Phil. 4:6)

He began it , and He will bring you to a good finish

He knows the plans He has for you - they are good plans

He came that you would have life - and life abundantly

Look Unto Him!