Looking Unto Jesus

INTRO. It seems that in this day and time we are living in a world that is changing each and every day. Just think about how just in the past few years how things have totally changed in how people think and how they do things and what is expected of the child of God.

ILLUSTRATION: “Yesterday and Today”

In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English. Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.

In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family’s head, he was a success. Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that’s just the vacation home.

In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived. Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure film is in the video camera.

In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons. Today, kids wouldn’t touch Dad’s clothes.

In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business. Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and set the VCR

In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table. Today, a father comes home to a note: "Jimmy’s at baseball, Cindy’s at gymnastics, I’m at gym, Pizza in fridge."

In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream. Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons’ ears and shout, "WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE.."

ILLUSTRATION: “SCHOOLS 1960 AND TODAY”

Because of the many changes we have in our lives we must make sure we are prepared for what is before us. It is very difficult for us to really comprehend what many go through on a daily basis. Because of the many changes and uncertainties in our lives it is hard to know who you can really depend on and who we can really look to for help, guidance, encouragement and comfort.

The passage that we read early really encompasses much of the Old Testament and the main thrust of the Gospels as well as the entire New Testament.

This morning whether you and I realize it or not our life is just like a race. For us who are God’s Children it is a Christian race. The problem that 99.9 percent of us have in our lives is that we are not prepared for the race that we are in. As we go on in the race of life we find ourselves having to climb some gigantic hurtles that seem to be impossible to go over. The writer of Hebrews gives us some great advice on how we can prepare ourselves for life’s race. Refer back to v.1b

Runner takes off everything before entering the race. What is hindering you and me from running the race that is before us? What is hindering Fork Baptist Church from running the race that God has for us to run.

This morning God is calling us to, what ever it is to take off, lay it aside so we can have nothing that will hold us back. Not only do we lay aside every hindrance and every sin but we must run life’s race fixing our eyes on Jesus. Let’s look at how the writer has us to look at Jesus.

I. LOOK AT WHO JESUS WAS.

A. The writer tells us that He is the "author and finisher of our faith."

B. Jesus was the originator of the Christian faith.

1. He began our faith in a little town called Bethlehem in a small stable.

2. Consider how he began our faith, as a baby.

a. He began it in a very humble and simple way.

b. Most important things in life are not complicated but very simple and basic

c. Children spell love TIME!

C. We see that what Jesus started He finished.

1. You and I are always starting projects but many times never finish them.

2. Jesus always finished what he started.

3. Jesus’ dealing with the Blind man, Lame Man, Lazarus, feeding he 5000, etc.

D. Jesus finished our faith when he said on that old rugged cross "It is Finished" “Telestie”

II. LOOK AT WHAT JESUS DID.

A. The writer tells us He endured the cross despising the shame.

1. He died for you and me.

2. Look at how He died.

B. He endured the cross and bore the shame so we would not have to.

C. What he went through you and I can only imagine, we will never know he pain, torment and embarrassment he suffered.

III. LOOK AT WHY JESUS DID IT.

A. Again in verse two we see why Jesus did it. "Who for the joy that was set before him."