I am so excited to begin a new sermon series this morning called UNSHAKEABLE. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at Hebrews chapter 12. In this study we will look at the big picture of God’s wonderful kingdom.
• Hebrews 12 teaches us to grab hold of an unstoppable momentum that propels us toward an unwavering obedience to Christ because of His unconditional love for us.
• This all leads to the reality that, as believers in Christ, we have been brought into a kingdom that cannot be shaken by the troubles of this world or the whims of humankind.
This morning we are going to take a brief look at some background on the book of Hebrews and then jump right into the first message in this series: UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM.
Have you ever had a moment where you witnessed greatness? For many of us when we think of greatness we gravitate toward sports.
• The unbelievable comeback of the Red Sox over the Yankees in the 2004 world series.
• Who could ever forget the first time you saw Michael Jordon play for the Chicago Bulls – you just knew this guy was superior to anyone in the game of basketball.
• Mary Lou Retton (who I had the privilege of meeting in 1986) winning gold in the 1984 Olympics…
• Or, this moment in history…
SHOW VIDEO
They were not supposed to win against the USSR. They were not even supposed to make past the first few games. They were a bunch of college players who had never faced the Soviet powerhouse of hockey. But Herb Brooks pulled this team together and many of us in here today remember the result.
(TRANSITION) In all sports and in all history there are moments of greatness and there are people who do great things. These people, whether they are athletes or politicians, are looked at as the supreme image of greatness in their particular field.
If the book of Hebrews could be summed up in one word it would be BETTER. More specifically JESUS IS BETTER (supreme/sufficient)
The entire book is written to a group of Jewish Christians who were being tempted to turn back to Judaism instead of pushing forward in their faith in Christ.
The writer of Hebrews doesn’t just present Jesus as an alternative to be considered against the ritual and tradition of being a Jew. The writer asserts with clarity and confidence that Christ is SUPERIOR in every way JESUS is superior to Judaism.
JESUS is not just superior like an athlete or historical figure. These people will be replaced. JESUS is supreme over everything – the ruler over everything and His REIGN (Kingdom) is without end and will never be replaced with something better – it is the model of BETTER
According to the writer of Hebrews JESUS as better than Moses, better than angels, better the OT priests – JESUS is the central focus of the writer’s message.
When this book was penned Christians were under tremendous persecution; especially those who had converted from being Jewish to a relationship with Christ.
But now the persecution seems to be so hard that they are tempted and some have already gone back to the Law. They are being snared back into the trap of religion and away from the freedom found in relationship with JESUS CHRIST.
By the time we get to Hebrews 12 the writer has already demonstrated the superiority of Jesus to the system they had left behind. Now he turns his attention to encouraging these beleaguered saints to persevere.
HE ENCOURAGES THEM TO REMEMBER THAT CHRIST IS AN UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM THAT WILL CARRY THEM THROUGH THE PERSECUTION TO AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM
RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST PULLS US FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE – WE ARE SWEPT INTO THE UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM THAT IS CHRIST’S KINGDOM
Let’s read Hebrews 12:1-3
“Therefore…”
• The writer is summing up everything he has written in previous 11 chapters. He is telling the reader – because JESUS IS SUPERIOR YOU CAN MAKE IT…
“…since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses”
• Image of a sports arena (think persecution/thumbs up/down)
• Who are these witnesses? To understand we have to look back at Chapter 11 where the writer gives us a list of those who acted in faith – looking for a day when Christ would come. They did great things for God with only the hope that Christ would come. Abraham, Enoch, Isaac, Noah, Jacob and more are witnesses to the fact that we should…
“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”
• We can throw off every hindrance = load or weight (KJV)
• What does this mean – for the first readers of this it is probably a reference to the legalistic load of Judaism’s traditions
• For you and me it can refer to the throwing off of legalism and burdens that are placed on us through religion that does not keep Christ and the gospel at its center.
BUT>> BALANCE IN THE NEXT PHRASE (AND SIN)
• Sometimes if we are not careful we will throw the baby out with the bathwater. Our freedom in Christ is not a freedom to sin or to abandon all rule of law.
• There are some boundaries that must be established that help us not move from legalism to the sin of lawlessness.
• We are to THROW OFF those burdens and sins that ENTANGLE US.
ILLUSTRATION: something that entangles us also keeps us from moving forward. An entanglement in either legalism or sinfulness keeps us from the MOMENTUM Christ intends for us to have.
Jesus tells us we have to detangle ourselves from the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and our unnatural desire for things.
But why do we need to be untangled?
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
• We untangle ourselves through repentance and obedience to Christ SO THAT THE WORK OF MOMENTUM HE BEGAN IN OUR LIVES WILL NOT BE HINDERED.
• THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST OVER SIN MEANS WE CAN RUN AN UNSTOPPABLE RACE – but how do we keep the momentum that Christ intends for us?
“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
• Folks, it is hard to keep your eyes on Jesus and on sin at the same time!!
• The Greek language used by the author of Hebrews points the definite idea of looking AWAY from one thing and a present looking AT another thing
• You cannot continue to run an effective race by looking behind you or to the side. You will trip! You will fall!
• If you are going to run – then run with your eyes fixed on the finish line not the opponent or the persecutor – JESUS IS BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM!
• Turn your eyes upon Jesus….who is the PIONEER and PERFECTER of our faith.
• In other words, Jesus is the STARTING LINE and the FINISHING LINE –
AND HE IS THE MOMENTUM THAT SUSTAINS OUR PERSEVEARANCE TO GET FROM THE START TO THE FINISH
>>>How do we know that Jesus is able to get us from the start to the finish? Why is He the superior momentum that carries us through?<<<
SIMPLY PUT –THE CROSS
LOOK AT WHAT THE WRITER SAYS
“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
• Jesus endured the persecution of the Cross.
• He was able to see the end result of His suffering would mean the redemption of humankind.
• He endured the Cross knowing the difference it would make.
• He kept his eyes focused on the mission His Father had given Him even in the midst of horrible suffering.
• BUT LOOK…He not only began the work but He finished it and is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God!
• The writer tells us then too consider the example of Christ.
“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
>>>Because of what He has done – because His sacrifice is superior to all other sacrifice in that it purchased the redemption of all who place their faith in Christ – we can be assured that even in the midst of trouble – WHEN THE WORLD IS SHAKEN – we have an UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM to carry us through to the finish line – JUST KEEP RUNNING! Do not grow weary. Do not lose heart!
(YOU)
• Is there something today that you need to detangle yourself from?
• Is there an attitude or bitterness - a sinful habit – you need to repent of and unburden yourself from this morning.
• Maybe your walk with God has grown stagnant and you feel like you are simply going through the ritual of church attendance and talking the Christian talk – but your walk with God has lost all energy.
• It does not have to be that way! You can RUN with God!
1. Talk to God and repent of those weights you have picked up that He never meant for you to carry
2. Accept that God forgives and, like the prodigal son’s father, He is running toward you AND NOT AWAY
3. THEN RUN!
What would happen this morning if we would determine to treat sin and the entanglements of life like a disease - a disease that drains our energy and sucks the life out of us?
Imagine how much more we could accomplish for the kingdom of God! Imagine how much less stress and anxiety we would feel. Imagine how free we would be to run this race!
Imagine a life of true freedom – real power – and UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM that empowers us to expand an UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM.
I want to challenge you to pick up a Take Home Study and dig deeper into the word this week. You can pick one up at the Welcome Center. I would encourage you to use this in your personal devotion time or get together with friends.
