‘LOOKING UNTO JESUS’ Hebrews 12:1-3
Introduction: One of the common dangers in Christian life is ‘RELAPSE’ in John 6:67, Jesus asks His disciples a very deep question, “WILL YOU ALSO GO AWAY”?
Jesus knows His disciples, and the disciples also know Jesus, but still He asks …the reason is found in Verse 66 of same chapter, “Many went back and never walked with Him again” Many Christians are doing many good things and also ministry, but they are not walking with the Lord! There is a ‘RELAPSE’
Even in the early church a similar situation was seen. The Early Christian were at the verge of a Relapse, they were discouraged and wanted to give up…why?
There are 2 reasons 1. Severe Persecution
2. Delay in the fulfillment of the Divine Promises*
The delayed promises were: Jesus’ immediate return
Resurrection of believers
New Jerusalem
See Heb 10:23 & 36 , the writer to Hebrews is encouraging the church and Christians to hold on and not to give up hope.
This chapter was very instrumental to revive the Christians of that day…each of us are encouraged to run…Looking unto Jesus.
Why should we run?
Vs 1 says, we are surrounded by a great Cloud of witnesses
What is the great cloud? The faithful believers in chapter 11 are the cloud of witnesses. Even those of our dear ones who died in Christ are witnesses. They are watching us run the race.
Vs 1b Says, Let us Run with Endurance
Christian life is compared to Running and not simply running, like a morning jogging or a 100 meters dash! It is running in a race! It can be said a Marathon or a relay race!
In this race it is not Competition but Concentration and singleness of aim! This race is for eternal life, for godliness, to know God, to have fellowship with Him now and forever!
Thirdly, in Vs 1 we see, the rules for running in this race Throw away the Hindrance!
There are 2 hindrances mentioned 1. Lay aside every weight
2. Sin which so easily entangles
Lastly Hold on to your Confidence
Our confidence in running this race is Jesus Christ! We are encouraged to Look unto Him and run. Turn away from your past failures, past sins, past life, past successes , past glory, and Look unto Jesus Christ!
You may ask why?
Well, for 3 reasons
We look to Him because of WHO HE IS
We look to Him because of WHAT HE DID
We look to Him because of WHERE HE REIGNS!
Vs 2 & 3-
Who is He? He is the author and finisher of our faith! Before you and me, Jesus ran this race successfully! He knows everything about this race! He ran this race in faith because HE is the author and finisher of your faith.
What did He do? He endured the Cross! Despising its shame! He did it for you and me.
Where He reigns? At the right hand of the Father, He is on the Throne of the Universe!
Jesus did all this so that you will not be discouraged in your souls.
Conclusion
Outline-
Title : “LOOKING UNTO JESUS”
Passage: Hebrews 12:1-3
Introduction
1. CLOUD OF WITNESSES –Vs 1
2. RUN WITH ENDURANCE –Vs 1
3. THROW AWAY THE HINDERANCE –Vs 1
4. HOLD ON TO YOUR CONFIDENCE: LOOK TO JESUS – Vs 2&3
• We look to Him because of WHO HE IS
• We look to Him because of WHAT HE DID
• We look to Him because of WHERE HE REIGNS!
Conclusion
