EXCEPTIONAL DISCIPLINE

Hebrews 12:3–13 CSB

For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives. Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.

Main Idea: God disciplines His children.

Key Question: Have you experienced God’s discipline?

1. Discipline must be endured. (v. 3-6)

Hebrews 12:3–6 CSB

For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.

Hebrews 12:1–2 CSB

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Galatians 6:9 CSB

Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

Job 5:17 CSB

See how happy is the person whom God corrects; so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.

2. Discipline is for His children. (v. 7-9)

Hebrews 12:7–9 CSB

Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?

Revelation 3:19 CSB

As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent.

Deuteronomy 8:5 CSB

Keep in mind that the Lord your God has been disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.

Proverbs 13:24 CSB

The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.

LOVE WITHOUT END, AMEN — GEORGE STRAIT

I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye Fightin' was against the rules and it didn't matter why When dad got home I told that story just like I'd rehearsed Then stood there on those tremblin' knees and waitin' for the worst

And he said

Let me tell you a secret about a father's love A secret that my daddy said was just between us He said daddies don't just love their children every now and then It's a love without end, amen It's a love without end, amen

When I became a father in the spring of '81 There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father's son And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end I took my daddy's secret and passed it on to him

3. Discipline is clearer in time. (v. 10-11)

Hebrews 12:10–11 CSB

For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

1 Peter 1:6–7 CSB

You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 32:17 CSB

The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.

4. Discipline must lead us to change. (v. 12-13)

Hebrews 12:12–13 CSB

Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.

Isaiah 35:3–8 CSB

Strengthen the weak hands, steady the shaking knees! Say to the cowardly: “Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; he will save you.” Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy, for water will gush in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the parched ground will become a pool, and the thirsty land, springs. In the haunt of jackals, in their lairs, there will be grass, reeds, and papyrus. A road will be there and a way; it will be called the Holy Way. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for the one who walks the path. Fools will not wander on it.

Galatians 6:9 CSB

Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

Proverbs 4:26 CSB

Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.