Sermon Text: Heb 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NKJV
Intro: Life is full of distractions. When we lose our focus, we can be distracted, and disaster can happen. In the movie “Apollo 13” the Apollo space craft has suffered a catastrophic explosion. The two members of the crew begin to blame each other for what has happened. The Commander of the spacecraft Jim Lovell reminds the other two astronauts Fred Haise and Ken Mattingly that bickering with each other will not solve the problem. Lovell quickly brings their attention back to the problem of surviving this catastrophic event and returning to the safety of earth.
In the very same way life is like this situation. We are on a journey not a journey in space but a journey in life. That journey of life is full of distractions and those distractions can cause us to take our eyes off what is important and get sidetracked. Those orchestrated distractions are design by Satan to lose sight of what is important and will lead us to disaster in our lives and those around us.
Steven Covey author of the book “Seven Habits of Highly Successful Habits” said Begin with the End in Mind-Start with a clear destination in mind. Covey says we can use our imagination to develop a vision of what we want to become and use our conscience to decide what values will guide us.
Most of us find it rather easy to busy ourselves. We work hard to achieve victories — promotions, higher income, more recognition. But we don't often stop to evaluate the meaning behind this busyness, behind these victories — we don't ask ourselves if these things that we focus on so intently are what really matter to us. This habit suggests that, in everything we do, we should begin with the end in mind. Start with a clear destination. That way, we can make sure the steps we're taking are in the right direction.
For me as a Christian my “Main Thing’ is to spend an eternity with Jesus. Each night when I lay my head on my pillow, I ask God to take me to be with Him if and when it is my time to go. I strive each day to not allow the distractions of the world to cause me to get sidetracked. Paul makes this statement in Rom 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJV
It is Satin who is the distractor but when we allow ourselves to be distracted from God and His will for our lives, we are the losers. Scripture tells us that He is the father of lies and he will use anything to rob us from the joy that can be found in living for Christ. The Bible describes Satan in this way-
The god of this world who blinds men’s minds (2 Corinthians 4:4)
The deceiver of the world (2 Corinthians 11:3)
The tempter (Matthew 4:3)
The evil one (Matthew 6:13)
The father of lies (John 8:44)
1st Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus -Heb 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
When I was in high school, I played on our school baseball team. As a player on the team, I had to focus on the ball. When batting my eye was on the ball, when running the base, I had to keep my focus on the bases and not losing sight of where the ball was in play. When playing as an outfielder and was called to catch the ball my focus was on the ball.
As a Christian I must always keep my spiritual eyes on Jesus. The world wants us to put worldly living as a priority. That often may seem to be the right way to travel through this world but that is not the case. Let me ask you a question: “Who or what are you focusing on?” In God’s Word Saul, king of Israel focused on being popular with the people and not being obedient to God and He lost his throne. In 1 Sam 15:22, Samuel the last Judge of Israel told King Saul that “obedience is better than sacrifice or forgiveness. That obedience could be translated as “focus.”
Luke 8:14-15 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. NKJV
Luke 18:22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." KJV
Luke 21:34-35 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. NKJV
Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. NKJV
1 Peter 2:1-2 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, NKJV
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. NKJV
ILLUS: There's an old story of the boy who stood on a sidewalk, waiting on a bus. A man walking by spotted the boy and gave him some gentle instruction. "Son," he said, "if you're waiting on the bus, you need to move to the street corner. That's where the bus stops for passengers."
"It's OK," said the boy. "I'll just wait right here, and the bus will stop for me."
The man repeated his argument, but the boy never moved. Just then, the bus appeared. Amazingly, the bus pulled over to where the boy stood, and the child hopped on. The man on the sidewalk stood speechless. The boy turned around in the doorway and said, "Mister, I knew the bus would stop here, because the bus driver is my dad!"
When you've got a family relationship with the bus driver, you don't need a bus stop. If your mother is a US Senator, you won't need an appointment to slip into her office. If you've given your heart to the King of Kings, you're in a royal family of unspeakable proportions.
2nd Keeping Our Focus- Heb 12:1-2 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
ILLUS: In John 6:40 Jesus says, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
But wait a minute, there is something within every person that prevents us from looking to Jesus. It is the belief that we’re really pretty good. We know we’re not perfect, but hey we’re not too bad. And the world teaches us we’re ok, I’m ok, you’re ok, we’re all ok. and if I’m ok, what do I need to look to Jesus for? A well person doesn’t need a doctor.
See we’re all like Jim Henson of the Muppets. He didn’t feel perfect, but he thought he was alright, he just had a little cold. 12 days later he was dead, he had walking pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is a deceptive illness; it makes you think you’re ok when you might be dying of a fatal disease.
You and I are born with spiritual walking pneumonia; we think we’re ok, the reality is we have a fatal disease called sin and we will die (sin) in our sins from it one day.
Phil 1:6-7 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; NKJV
Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. NKJV
Heb 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, NKJV
Recall that Steven Covey said for us to begin with the end in mind. What end do you have in mind? There two different outcomes to that statement when you apply it to your life. The first is that you have all the world has to offer. To enjoy the pleasures of this life without Jesus to guide you leads to have eternal separation for God. There is a place prepared that all who don’t know Jesus will go it’s called hell. The second outcome is a place prepared for those who have committed their lives to Jesus, we call it heaven. Jesus said in John 14 that He has prepared a place for and where He is we too will be with Him. Which end do you have in mind. Those without Jesus may feel as if they are ok but their end is eternal separation from God. Those felt they did not need to go to the Doctor, Doctor Jesus for he has the cure to a terminal illness which we all suffer from. It is sin and because of His redeeming sacrifice on the cross we are immune to the certainty of death and eternal penalty of hell.
3rd Keeping the End in Mind- Heb 12:1-2 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
ILLUS: Thursday, December 21, 1899. After cutting short a Kansas City crusade and returning home in ill health, D.L. Moody told his family, “I’m not discouraged. I want to live as long as I am useful, but when my work is done, I want to be up and off.” The next day Moody awakened after a restless night and in careful, measured words he said, “Earth recedes, Heaven opens before me!” His son, Will, concluded his father was dreaming. “No, this is no dream, son. It is beautiful. If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.”
When a man knows the end is near - only the important surfaces. The trivial is bypassed. The unnecessary is forgotten. Only that which is vital remains. So, if you and I would know Christ, let us ponder His final days. He knew the end was near. He had read the last chapter before it was written. He had heard the final chorus before it was sung. As a result, each step was calculated, every act was carefully undertaken. In looking once more at the events leading up to the Cross, let us consider what we are told in Matthew 26:47-56.
From a sermon by Joseph McGaha, Angels on Call, 12/11/2009
What end do you have in mind. Enjoying the things of this world till there is no more or focusing on all the thing that God has prepared for us in eternity with Jesus the choice is yours.
There is a song in our Hymnal entitled “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things (the thing) of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Happy with your life without Jesus, I am not referring to just saying you’re a Christian but living your life to the fullness of all that a life with Jesus has to offer. Come to Christ today by letting Him into your heart and life. With Christ to guide your life you will still face the ups and downs this life has to offer however you won’t face it alone. Turn your eyes on Jesus!
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me. Rev 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Rev 3:22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' "
