Hebrews 12:1-2 Series

Introduction

Praise God! The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive!

Just like some of the kids expected something to be inside the egg, the disciples expected the body of Jesus to still be in the tomb. Wouldn’t we?

We understand the importance of the crucifixion, but do we fully understand how vital Christ’s resurrection is to the gospel?

[1 Corinthians 15:3-8] For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

[1 Corinthians 15:17-19] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Paul writes in Romans 4 that Jesus “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

Justification = the act of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God.

[Wiersbe] This means that the resurrection of Christ is the proof that God accepted His Son’s sacrifice, and that now sinners can be justified without God violating His own Law or contradicting His own nature.

All this is received by faith. And not just a single act of faith when a person repents and turns to Jesus, but an enduring faith that remains intact to your final breath.

Let’s note the writer’s progression to this point in the letter…

[Hebrews 10:35-39] Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

It's not enough to simply start the race; we’re supposed to finish it! And that takes walking by faith and having the endurance to cross the finish line.

Then in Hebrews 11:1-3, he defines faith.

• The essence of faith

• The evidence of faith

• The expression of faith

Then in the rest of chapter 11 we’re given examples of faith, concluding with these verses…

[Hebrews 11:39-40] And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

These people in chapter 11 put their faith in something that was yet to come, something they saw and welcomed at a distance. But for the Hebrew audience and all who would follow afterward, including us today, the promise has come!

[2 Corinthians 1:20] For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

Praise be to God! What these OT faithful could only anticipate, we can experience! Christ in you, the hope of glory!

Paul explains to the Colossians that what was a mystery hidden for ages and generations is now revealed to the saints. What is this mystery: Christ in you, the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:26-27)

So whether a person came before Christ or after Christ, it’s always been about faith. And this faith is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. It’s not an easy race. In fact, many start the race, but few will finish it because of the challenges that come.

We have need of endurance!

[2 Timothy 2:11-13] The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

We have need of endurance!

[Matthew 24:3-14] As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.