Looking Unto Jesus

Mayor Gerardo Balmori

The Salvation Army

INTRODUCTION: Many times in preaching we use phrases such as "Trust Jesus." Many times we are

told to trust the Lord and the Bible tells us that Jesus is the Lord.

Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my

buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalms 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior

of all men, specially of those that believe.

The Bible tells us to "believe" in Jesus Christ that a person be saved. The word means to put have

faith, and to put one's trust in Jesus Christ, which means making a commitment to Him. There is no such

thing in the Bible as saving faith without a commitment. That commitment is the result of salvation and

means to faithfully follow the Lord Jesus.

The phrase "trust Jesus" has many applications in our lives. We put our trust in the Lord in many ways.

There is another phrase often used that is found in God's word. It is instruction that also convenes a

powerful and live changing message. That phrase is found in Hebrews 12:1-3 and it is the action of belief and

trust in Jesus Christ.

"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, 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of

sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

That phrase is "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."

The statement's context is important to understanding it full meaning. The statement follows

Hebrews 11 which is the Bible's "Hall of Faith." Here are examples from history of men God greatly used

who lived by faith in challenging times and we called upon by God to carry out difficult tasks.

The one thing common to these men and women was their faith in God. The believed Him, accepted

His words as truth, realized that it was God their Creator who called them to salvation and service and

therefore they put their trust in God and obeyed Him. Obeying Him simply means they accepted His will

and purpose for their lives.

These faithful men and women were not perfect, and were the same as you and I. They had the same

carnal nature, the same desires, the same lusts, the same pride and fallacies you and I are subject too. Yet

they were victorious in accomplishing God's will for their lives and are at the moment enjoying in Heaven

the presence of the Lord and the blessings of Heaven.

Hebrews 11 gives these people to us as examples and Chapter 12 begins by telling us that ". . . seeing

we also are compassed ("surrounded by") 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, Looking unto Jesus the

author and finisher of our faith."

I. Looking unto Jesus

When our eyes are on Jesus we can lay aside or overcome those things that hinder us from coming to

a full and mature relationship and service to Jesus Christ.

A. Is there something that may be hindering you from fully living for the Lord?

1. Is it the sinful world we live in? All these in the Hall of Faith lived in a sinful world too.

2. Is it your family? Abel had a brother that hated and killed him. Abraham's father was an idol maker. His

nephew Lot was a selfish and a burden to him. Joseph was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery. He

was then falsely accused of advances to his master's wife and thrown in prison.

3. Is it living in a sinful family or worldly education? Moses was the Pharaoh's adopted son.

4. Is it past sins? Thank of Rahab who was a prostitute before she trusted in the Lord. David sinned by