Go! And Fix Your Eyes on Jesus - Hebrews 12:2
Introduction
Today, we embark on a journey through Scripture inspired by themes that draw our hearts closer to God and help us to focus on our relationship with God and His transformative presence in our lives.
Our foundational text for today is Hebrews 12:2:
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT): *"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne."
This verse captures the heart of our message: to "Go! And fix your eyes on Jesus." Let us explore this through five key points:
Go! And Cultivate a Heart of Worship.
Go! And Rest in the Goodness of God.
Go! And Seek Shelter in His Presence.
Go! And Soar on Eagles' Wings.
Go! And Live Worthy of Praise.
1. Go! And Cultivate a Heart of Worship
Psalm 95:6-7 "Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!"
Worship begins with humility and reverence before our Creator. The Hebrew word for "worship" here is shachah, which means "to bow down or prostrate oneself." This physical posture mirrors the attitude of our hearts.
John 4:24 "For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
Worship involves both spirit and truth—our inner being and our understanding of who God is.
As we gather to worship corporately, let us remember that worship is not limited to songs or Sundays. It’s a lifestyle of surrender and adoration. Ask yourself: Is my worship rooted in gratitude for what God has done and who He is?
Matt Redman writes, "Worship is about what we give to God, not what we get out of it."
Think of a farmer preparing the soil for a harvest. Worship is like preparing our hearts, making them ready to receive and respond to God’s presence. In the same way, consistent time spent in personal devotion prepares us for deeper encounters with Him.
2. Go! And Rest in the Goodness of God
Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!"
The psalmist invites us to experience God’s goodness firsthand. The Hebrew word for "good" is tov, encompassing God’s character, actions, and blessings.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
Even in difficult circumstances, God’s goodness prevails for those who trust Him.
Reflect on a time when you doubted God’s goodness but later saw His hand at work. Trusting God’s goodness means letting go of fear and embracing His plans with confidence.
Charles Spurgeon declared, "God is too good to be unkind and too wise to be mistaken."
Imagine a child resting in their parent’s arms, completely at peace. That is the assurance we have in God’s goodness. Just as the child has no fear, we can find peace knowing that God’s plans are for our ultimate good.
3. Go! And Seek Shelter in His Presence
Psalm 91:1-2 "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him."
The Hebrew name for God here, El Shaddai, conveys His sufficiency and power. To dwell in His shelter is to remain in close communion with Him.
Matthew 11:28 "Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’"
Jesus invites us to find rest and refuge in Him.
When life feels overwhelming, remember that God’s presence is your refuge. Are you regularly spending time with Him, seeking His peace and protection?
A.W. Tozer wrote, "The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One."
A bird finding shelter in the cleft of a rock during a storm illustrates our safety in God’s presence. God’s shelter doesn’t just protect us; it gives us confidence to face life’s challenges.
4. Go! And Soar on Eagles' Wings
Isaiah 40:31 "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
Trusting in the Lord renews our strength. The imagery of eagles signifies rising above challenges with God’s power.
Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
With Christ, we are equipped to overcome life’s difficulties.
Think of an area in your life where you feel weary. Trust God to renew your strength in that specific area. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
Billy Graham said, "The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. But I have learned to go to God in prayer."
An eagle uses the wind to soar higher, just as we rely on God’s Spirit to rise above life’s storms. Even strong winds can lift us higher when we depend on Him.
5. Go! And Live Worthy of Praise
Psalm 145:3 "Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness."
God’s greatness is beyond comprehension. The Hebrew word for "praise" (halal) signifies exuberant adoration.
Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased."
Our worship reflects God’s worthiness and majesty.
Evaluate your daily life. Does it reflect a heart of praise and gratitude? Let your actions and words glorify God in every circumstance.
John Piper says, "Missions exist because worship doesn’t."
A diamond reflects light beautifully, just as our lives should reflect God’s glory. Each facet of our lives can display His greatness.
Conclusion and Call to Action:
Cultivate a heart of worship.
Rest in the goodness of God.
Seek shelter in His presence.
Soar on eagles’ wings with renewed strength.
Live a life worthy of praise.
Invitation to Faith:
If you have not yet trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, today is the day. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, the One who gave His life for you. Surrender to Him and experience His love, grace, and power.
Let us pray together.
