Hebrews 12:12-17
Purpose: To describe how a Christian should live his life.
Aim: I want the listener to find needed changes in their walk with Christ.
INTRODUCTION: Today we are going to look a text that is imbedded in the book of Hebrews. We find the word THEREFORE three times in this chapter. The first two will help us understand the verses we will look at today. In verse 1 THEREFORE points back to the first 11 chapters of fascinating truths about God and what He has done for us. The second THEREFORE that introduces our text points back to the first 11 verses of this chapter.
An Overview of Hebrews 12
Vs. 1-2 The command: Run the race for Christ
Vs.3-11 The preparation: Train in order to run the race for Christ
Vs.12-27 The practice: What the race looks like
Vs.28-29 The goal: Pleasing God
Imagine a marathon runner who after two miles stops running because he can’t figure out what it was that he was supposed to be doing. Jesus tells us: Mark 8:34 ... "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. (NAU) What does that look like? How do we know if we are following Christ?
Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Before you answer let’s look at God’s Word together today. Our text today shows us two ways that we can know that we are following Christ.
Vs.12-13 I. God’s Servants Focus on Helping Others
Notice that we have instructions here that apply to all Christians. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (NAU)
When we focus on helping others it strengthens us in return. 2 Timothy 2:4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. (NAU)
Obeying the Great Commission does a lot to purify our everyday lives. Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NAU) If you want to get closer to Christ find someone else you can encourage to get closer to Christ.
Vs.12a A. By challenging the lazy "strengthen the hands that are weak"
STRENGTHEN means to "restore, to straightness" Doctors used this word when they resent a dislocated joint. So we need to be willing to help the WEAK to get back where they can be useful to the Lord.
WEAK means "to disregard, neglect, or to relax." When we notice that believers have gotten distracted from following Jesus then we need to challenge them to get refocused. Hebrews 10:24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, (NAU)
We can help them by asking good questions like:
1. How’s your thought life?
2. How are you handling the balance between work and home?
3. Have you been in the Word over the last few days?
4. What has God been teaching you recently?
5. How are you doing in handling God’s provision of time, talent, and money?
Vs.12b B. By encouraging the fearful "strengthen the...knees that are feeble"
Sometimes the problem is different. The word FEEBLE in Greek means "a relaxing of the nerves" and means to paralyze. When the hands don’t work it’s due to laziness, when the knees don’t work is because they are paralyzed by fear.
The solution to fear is prayer. Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, (NAU)
When someone is paralyzed by fear they need hope. Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NAU) Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NAU)
When someone is fearful point them to the God of hope. When our God speaks He brings peace and courage to those who trust Him. Isaiah 41:9-10 ... ’You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. ’Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (NAU)
Vs.13 C. By setting an example for others "straight paths for your feet"
If God is going to use us to help other believers to follow Christ then we have to going the right direction ourselves. PATHS refers to "wheel tracts, or ruts" and STRAIGHT means "right, plain, or smooth." So, we need to be cutting right wheel tracts in the decisions we make.
In other words, we can’t expect others to do right if we aren’t doing right. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. (NAU)
Vs.14-17 II. God’s Servants Prevent Problems in Others
It’s not good enough to just solve problems that we see. We must also be proactive and look for ways to prevent future problems.
Vs.14 A. The goals
If we are going to be consistent then we must balance two objectives.
1. Peace "Pursue peace"
Notice that peace and holiness must be pursued. They don’t happen by accident. Sometimes this is very hard, but we must Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (NAU) Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. (NAU)
2. Holiness "Pursue...sanctification"
This is much like Paul’s command to speak Ephesians 4:15 ...the truth in love... (NAU) Both are necessary. Luke 6:27-28 "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (NAU) We are not pursuing peace and holiness until we are doing those four things.
James 3:16-18 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (NAU)
Notice that these two things are required in order to have relationship with Jesus Christ. Perfect peace and perfect holiness only come from Christ.
What God implants in our hearts needs to showing in our everyday lives. Philippians 2:12 ... work out your salvation [or let your salvation show] with fear and trembling; (NAU)
Vs.15 a B. The only way to reach the goals "the grace of God"
Coming short of the grace of God happens if we are not trusting God’s work completely to wash away our sin.
We come short of the grace of God anytime we attempt to add our efforts to God’s work.
Galatians 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (NAU)
Vs.15b-17 C. The results of denying God’s grace
What happens when a person wanders away from the pure grace of God?
Vs.15b 1. Bitterness "root of bitterness"
Bitterness results when we are not committed to grace because life always seems unfair and hard. In other words, we will tend to think that we deserve better.
We get bitter when we feel that our rights or the rights of someone we care about are violated. When the grace of God is minimized we care more about rights than righteousness.
That’s because life becomes centered around what we do and what we think we deserve.
Grace reminds us that we deserve hell and nothing more.
Vs.15c 2. Personal trouble "causes trouble"
Bitterness causes us trouble because we lose our peace of mind. Psalm 119:165 Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble. (NAU)
Vs.15d 3. Trouble for others "many be defiled"
Our bitter attitudes will always affect those around us. Bitterness starts buried in the heart, but it always springs up like a weed in a garden. When bitterness appears it must be dealt with quickly and severely. The only hope is to find the root and dig it out.
The root always has something to do with a wrong focus on God’s grace.
Vs.16a 4. Impurity "immoral or godless person"
The Bible often describes immorality and wrong doctrine to the same people. Jude 16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.(NAU) Jude 18 ..."In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." (NAU)
A bitter person lacks joy and happiness so they are more prone to turning to immorality to fill their lack of happiness.
Vs.16b 5. Messed up priorities "sold his own birthright"
The birthright was a double portion from the father, but it was also a spiritual responsibility to represent God to the rest of the family. Esau didn’t care about having the responsibilities that he was supposed to have.
Genesis 25:33-34 And Jacob said, "First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (NAU)
Jesus told us that we cannot love material things and the blessings of God. Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. (NAU)
Vs.17 6. Hopelessness "found no place for repentance"
His desire to satisfy his fleshly cravings robbed him of any desire to do right. Genesis 27:38 Esau said to his father, "Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father." So Esau lifted his voice and wept. (NAU)
Esau wanted God’s blessing, but he did not want God. Genesis 27:34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me, even me also, O my father!" (NAU)
CONCLUSION: OK. Now we have seen what a follower of Jesus Christ looks like. How do we measure up? Can you still say that you are a follower of Christ?
Many will weep for God to help them out of a jam, but few will weep because they caused God great grief.
