"LAST ONE IN IS A ROTTEN EGG!"
Hebrews 12:1; Ephesians 1:18-23
Read at beginning of service:
Ephesians 1:18-23 (NIV)
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
INTRODUCTION
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
It’s seems that life is like a race. You know what I mean…It all begins with the trip we make down the birth canal (some of us got to take the shortcut – but then you missed all the fun!). It continues through our childhood years as parents compare their child’s growth progress, "Oh, Tommy can speak sentences now – how’s little Steven doing?" Then there are the childhood games some of you may remember that illustrate the point that life seems to be a race. We played tag where the race is to avoid being it – we played hide-and-seek where the race is to avoid being found – we played Red-Red-Rover where the race is to break through the other teams line – we played Duck-Duck-Goose where the race is to get in the empty spot! Isn’t it interesting as you think upon these childhood games that not much changed as we grew into adults? We still play tag – isn’t it always someone else who is responsible for our actions? We still play Hide and Seek – we don’t want to be found…OUT!…get the picture?
Not only does life seem to be a race but it also seems to be a characteristic of this world that everyone is striving to WIN this race. Whether it be the race of success in career or family; or the race against time with the things that just have to be done; or the race towards perfection in health and looks; or even the race for prosperity in riches and fame. We are inundated in our world with the call casually cried in our childhood years, "Last one in is a rotten egg!" Certainly we were never mysteriously transformed into an egg or considered rotten if we happened to be the last one in the water as a child but later in life when we find ourselves trailing in the race we feel every bit like a rotten egg. For some this feeling is terribly crippling – it robs them of their joy, of their sense of self-worth, of their hope, and sadly for some – their life.
I know that there have been times that I have really felt the pressures of this race close in on me and I want to quit, I want to run away, I want to go and hide. Then there are other times that I’m oblivious to the race as I ride the crest of a "win", when I finish something and feel a sense of satisfaction with the completion of the task.
For many of us this "race" we run in life brings a lot of tasks to accomplish. These tasks can range from the big ones like raising a family to the small ones like having vitamins in the morning. Do you ever notice that there are some things that we set out to do that never seem to get finished? (I see Kerryanne is nodding her head at me, and yes, I must admit – the kitchen still isn’t finished!) For the things we don’t care about it’s no big deal – but for the things that we do care about it is a big deal.
It’s one thing to start something. It’s something else entirely to complete it. But is it important to finish everything we start? (I’m treading on careful ground here…) The fact of the matter is there are certain quests better left undone, some projects wisely abandoned (although the kitchen is definitely not one of them!).
Yes there is a race that is run in life but the Bible talks about a race that is far more important than the one we run in the world. In this race it is not important that you win…it’s more important that you finish – even more, how you finish.
The Greeks had a unique race in their Olympics. The winner was not the runner who finished first! It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit! This morning my desire is to encourage you the run the race that God has set out for you – not the world. My desire is to encourage you to finish this race – and finish it strong. I want you to understand this morning that in all the races of life we’ll find that some are optional – like reading the latest book, or getting the perfect physique. Other races are essential – like the race of faith. Which is why the author of the book of Hebrews writes:
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
We have spent a number of weeks talking about Supernatural Transformation, grasping the fact that God loves us just the way we are, but refuses to leave us there. He wants to replace our heart with His heart. You’ve heard a number of messages about the heart of Christ – what it means to be just like Jesus.
The world has never known a heart so pure, a character so flawless. His spiritual hearing was so keen he never missed a heavenly whisper. His mercy so abundant he never missed a chance to forgive. No lie left his lips, no distraction marred his vision. He touched when others recoiled. He endured when others quit. Jesus is the ultimate model for every person. (Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado, p.166)In this last message of this series I want to finish with a challenge – a challenge to fix your eyes on Christ and run the race He marks out for you. Let God transform you – supernaturally – so that you finish the race and finish it strong!
the race
The word race used in Hebrews 12 is from the Greek agon, from which we get the word agony. The race of faith is not a jog but rather a demanding and grueling, sometimes agonizing race (likely some of you have noticed this!). It takes a massive effort to finish strong.
Perhaps some of you have noticed that many don’t Perhaps you’ve observed that there are many who have paused or stopped running? There was a time when they kept the pace. But then weariness set in. They didn’t think it would be this tough. Or they were discouraged by a bump and daunted by a fellow runner. Whatever the reason, they stopped running. They may be Christians – they may be here this morning. They may put a buck in the plate and warm a chair, but their hearts aren’t in the race. They retired before there time. Unless something happens, their best work will have been their first work, and their finish will be pitiful.
By contrast, Jesus’ best work was his final work, and his strongest step was his last step!. Jesus was the model of endurance. If you read further in Hebrews you find that Jesus, "endured…opposition from sinful men…" (vs13). The Bible says that he endured – he didn’t give up! He could have quit the race. But He didn’t – even in the face of opposition.
the resistance
And that brings us to another point, in the race marked out for Christ there was opposition. Just as in the raced marked out for us we will face opposition.
Have you ever thought about the terrible things Christ faced? Can you think of times when Jesus could have given up?
temptation
Think about His time of temptation for instance. We all know what it is like to endure a moment of temptation or an hour of temptation – even a day of temptation. But the Bible says Jesus faced temptation for forty days!
Luke 4:1-2 (NIV)
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
Sometimes we think of the three times Jesus was tempted as isolated events scattered over the forty days but in reality, Jesus’ time of testing was nonstop. "…for forty days he was tempted by the devil" – satan hounded Jesus relentlessly, refusing to leave. Every moment whispering in His ear. Every turn in the path, sowing doubt. Was Jesus impacted? Well, it seems He was!
Luke doesn’t say that satan tried to tempt Jesus, he didn’t say that the devil attempted to tempt Jesus. No, the passage is clear: "he was tempted by the devil." Jesus was tempted, he was tested. Tempted to what? To change sides? To go home? To settle for a kingdom on earth? What we do know is that He was tempted! A war raged within. Stress stormed without. And since Jesus was tempted He could have quit the race, He could have given in and given up. But He didn’t. He was not finished!
accusations/discouragement
So temptation didn’t stop Christ, but neither did accusations. Have you ever been in a position where you were doing something and you were criticized by bystanders? How does it make you feel? Have you ever wanted to lash out, "Fine, YOU do it!" It’s one thing to be discouraged by those you don’t know but what if its by friends or family?
How would you like somebody to yell these words at you as you run the race? (taken from Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado, p. 157)
"Hey, liar! Why don’t you do something honest with your life?"
John 7:12 (NIV)12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No, he deceives the people."
"Here comes the foreigner. Why don’t you go home where you belong? Since when do they let children of the devil enter the race?"John 8:48 (NIV)
48 The Jews answered him, "Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"
That’s what happened to Jesus. His own family called him a lunatic. His neighbors treated him even worse. When Jesus returned to his hometown, they tried to throw him off a cliff (Luke 4:29). BUT JESUS DIDN’T QUIT RUNNING THE RACE!
shame
Temptations didn’t sway his resolve. Accusations didn’t discourage his purpose. Nor did shame diminish his willingness.
Let’s take a moment to think carefully about the supreme test Jesus faced in the race.
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus’ death on a cross was shameful, yet He scorned it or despised it. He thought nothing of it.Shame is a feeling of disgrace, embarrassment, or humiliation.
Forgive me for stirring the memory, but don’t you have a shameful moment in your history? Can you imagine the horror you would feel if everyone knew about it? What if a videotape of that event were played before your family and friends? How would you feel? (Ibid. p. 158)That is precisely how Jesus felt. "Why? He never did anything worthy of shame!". No, but we did. And since on the cross God made him become sin (2 Cor. 5:21), Jesus was covered with shame. He was shamed before his family. Stripped naked before his own mother and loved ones. He was humiliated before the men around him. Forced to carry a cross until the weight caused Him to stumble. Shamed before His church. The pastors and elders of his day mocked him, calling Him names. He was humiliated before the city of Jerusalem and condemned to die a criminal’s death. Parent’s likely pointed to him from a distance and told their children, "That’s what they do to evil men."
But this shame before men was nothing compared to the shame Jesus would have had before His father. To us, our individual shame seems too much to bear at times. Can you imagine bearing the collective shame of all humanity?
One wave of shame after another was dumped on Jesus. Though he never cheated, he was convicted as a cheat. Though he never stole, heaven regarded him as a thief. Though he never lied, he was considered a liar. Though he never lusted, he bore the shame of an adulterer. Though he always believed, he endured the disgrace of an infidel. (Ibid. p. 158-159))In the face of this disgrace and shame we are left pondering How Christ endured? How could the writer of Hebrews refer to Jesus as thinking nothing of the shame? In answering this we answer the question for our own lives don’t we? In the race marked out for us we find that like Jesus we are tempted. Like Jesus we face opposition. And like Jesus we are ashamed. But unlike Jesus, we give up, we stop running – we fall down – we fail. How can we keep running as Jesus did? How can our hearts have the endurance Jesus had?
And here is where we return to the text for this morning. As the writer of Hebrews put it,
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
the reward
I’ve emphasized it over and over again in this messages – when we fix our eyes on Christ – when we focus on His heart, His life, His strength – the door begins to open for God to work a Supernatural transformation in our hearts and lives. In this instance, when we focus on what Christ focused on you notice that HE endured temptation, discouragement, and shame because of the joy placed before Him. What was the joy Christ had set before Him? Yes, it probably was heaven (after all Jesus is the only man who can hold to the claim of living on earth after living in heaven!), but I think it was more than that. Yes, I think Jesus was joyfully anticipating the feast awaiting Him in heaven but more invigorating I believe was Jesus’ eager anticipation of who would be feasting at the table with Him! I believe the joy Jesus had set before Him was the redemption of Mankind. What gave him strength, what gave Him endurance, was the knowledge that His sacrifice would bridge the gap between lost humanity and a loving God. His sacrifice would provide the impetus for a restored relationship between God and His people. Friends, you and I were the joy set before Christ! He endured because He knew that you and I would then be able to have a relationship with Him.
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
This was the prize of the race for Christ. This is the prize of the race He sets out for us - a prize that we can experience right now and every day of our lives – a loving relationship with God. Friends, you can finish the race and finish it strong if you fix your eyes on Christ!
fixing our eyes on Christ
As Max Lucado puts it, there are times when we see – and there are times when we see.
Everything changes the morning you see the "for sale" sign on your neighbor’s boat. His deluxe bass boat. The bass boat you’ve coveted for three summers. All of a sudden nothing else matters. A gravitational tug pulls your car to the curb. You sigh as you behold your dream glistening in the sun. You run your fingers along the edge, pausing only to wipe the drool from your shirt. As you gaze, you are transported Balsam Lake , and it’s just you and the glassy waters and your bass boat.
Or perhaps the following paragraph describes you better:
Everything changes the day you see him enter the English lit classroom. Just enough swagger to be cool. Just enough smarts to be classy. Not walking so fast as to be nervous, nor so slow as to be cocky. You’ve seen him before, but only in your dreams. Now he’s really here. And you can’t take your eyes off him. By the time class is over, you’ve memorized every curl and lash. And by the time this day is over, you resolve he’s going to be yours. (Ibid, p. 165-66)There are times when we see. And then there are times when we see. There are times when we observe, and there are times when we memorize. There are times when we notice, and there are times when we study. Most of us know what it means to see something we’ve only dreamt about…but do we know what it’s like to see Jesus? Do we know what it’s like to "fix our eyes on Christ?"
God is urging us to fix our eyes upon Him. Heaven invites you to set the lens of your heart on the heart of the Savior and make him the object of your life. But what does it mean to see Jesus – not just see Him but see Him?
The shepherds can tell us. They saw angels but that wasn’t enough. They saw the night sky shattered with light, but that wasn’t enough. Never had they seen such splendor – but that wasn’t enough. They wanted to see the one who sent the angels.
Since they wouldn’t be satisfied until they saw him, you can trace the long line of Jesus-seekers to a person of the pasture who said, "Let’s go…and see" (Luke 2:15)
Luke 2:15 (NIV)
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Then there came a man named Simeon. We learn from Luke that Simeon was a good man who served in the temple during the time of Christ’s birth. We are also told that,
Luke 2:26 (NIV)
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
This prophecy was fulfilled shortly after the shepherds saw Jesus. Somehow Simeon knew that the blanketed bundle he saw in Mary’s arms was the Almighty God. And at that moment, seeing Jesus was enough. Now he was ready to die. Some say they don’t want to die before seeing the world – Simeon’s dream was a little more bold. He didn’t want to die until he had seen the maker of the world. He had to see Jesus.
The Magi had the same desire. They weren’t satisfied with the spectacle of the star. They pursued the light over Bethlehem to see the light of Bethlehem!
And they succeeded! They all succeeded. More remarkable than their pursuit was Jesus’ willingness to be found. Jesus wanted to be seen! Whether they came from the pasture or the palace, whether they lived in the temple or among the sheep, whether their gift was of gold or honest surprise…they were welcomed. Try looking for one example of a person who desired to see the infant Jesus and was turned away and you won’t find it.
You will find examples of those who didn’t seek him. Those, like King Herod who were content with less. Those, like the religious leaders, who preferred to read about him than to actually see hem. The ratio between those who missed him and those who sought him is thousands to one. But the ratio between those who sought him and those who found him was ONE TO ONE. All who sought him found Him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.How about a few more examples? Let’s look at John and Andrew. They were rewarded. For them it wasn’t enough to hear what John the Baptist was saying. They weren’t content with serving in the shadow of the world’s most famous evangelist. But when they saw Christ, they left John the Baptist and followed Jesus. Note the request they made,
John 1:38 (NIV)
38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
Pretty bold don’t you think? They didn’t ask Jesus to give them a minute or an opinion or a message or a miracle. They asked for his address. They wanted to hang out with him. They wanted to be in His presence. They wanted to stick close to Him and see what He was doing. They wanted to know what made Him laugh, what made Him cry, where He was going, and how He was getting there. But most of all, they wanted to know, Is Jesus really who John said He is – and if so, what on earth is God doing HERE!
The only way to get the answer to that question is to talk to the man himself not someone else!
What was Jesus’ answer? "Come and see" (v. 39) Don’t just come for a peek, or a glance. But come and see – let your eyes and heart drink in the life of Christ!
The fisherman fixes his eyes on the boat. The girl fixes her eyes on the boy. The disciple fixes his eyes on the Saviour.
Matthew did this. Here was a man converted at work. As a collector of revenue for the government he kept a tax booth and a hand extended at the street corner. He was there the day He saw Jesus. Jesus said to the man who was called a crook by his neighbors, "Come follow me" and that’s exactly what Matthew did. And then in the next verse we find Jesus’ sitting at Matthew’s dining room table.
Matthew 9:10 (NIV)
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.
Just a simple curbside conversation wasn’t enough for Matthew – he took Jesus home. Something happens over a dinner table that doesn’t happen at the office – spending the evening with the creator of the universe – "You know, Jesus, forgive me for asking but I’ve always wanted to know…"Once again we have an example of the giving of an invitation to see Christ – but more impressive perhaps is the acceptance. It didn’t matter to Jesus that Matthew was a thief. It didn’t matter to Jesus that Matthew had prospered from his deception. What did matter was that Matthew wanted to know Jesus, and since God "rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6), Matthew was rewarded with the presence of Christ in his home and his life.
Matthew wasn’t the only tax collector that Jesus had an impact on. Some of you may remember a little guy named Zacchaeus. He was so small he couldn’t see over the crowd that lined the street the day Jesus came to Jericho. Zacchaeus, like Matthew had a hunger in his heart to see Christ.It wasn’t enough to stand in the back of the crowd. It wasn’t enough to listen to someone else describe the parade of the Messiah. Zacchaeus had to see Jesus.
So he went out on a limb. Zacchaeus shimmied up a tree in hopes of seeing Christ.
I wonder if you would be willing to do the same? Would you go out on a limb to see Jesus? Not everyone would, not everyone does. In the same Bible where we read about Zacchaeus crawling across the limb we read about a young ruler. Unlike Zack, the crowd parted to make room for this man – he was a rich young ruler.
This young man heard that Jesus was in the area and promptly cruised across town in his limo and approached the carpenter. What did he ask?
Matthew 19:16 (NIV)
16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
Right to the point. No time for formalities or conversations. "Tell me how I can get saved, and I’ll leave you alone."
What was wrong with the question? Nothing – but there was a problem with his heart. Contrast his desire with that of Zacchaeus, "Can I make it up that tree?"
Or John and Andrew, "Where are you staying?"
Or Matthew, "Can you spend the evening?"
Or Simeon, "Can I stay alive until I see him?"
Or the Magi, "Saddle up the camels. We aren’t stopping until we find him."
Or the Shepherd, "Let’s go…and see"
See the difference? The young ruler wanted medicine. The others wanted the Physician. The ruler wanted an answer to the quiz. They wanted the teacher. He was in a hurry. They had all the time in the world. He settled for a cup of coffee at the drive-through window. They wouldn’t settle for anything less than a full-course meal at the banquet table. They wanted more than salvation. They wanted the Savior. They wanted to see Jesus. (Ibid. p. 171)CONCLUSION
God rewards those who seek Him. Friends, I implore you this morning, with passion I challenge you – Run the race that God has set out for you – and finish it strong by fixing your eyes on Christ.
Don’t just glance at Him – don’t be satisfied with angels. Don’t be content with stars in the sky. Seek him out as the shepherds did. Long for him as Simeon did. Worship him as the wise men did. Do as John and Andrew did: ask for his address. Do as Matthew: invite Jesus into your house. Imitate Zacchaeus. Risk whatever it takes to see Christ. (Ibid. p. 172)God rewards those who pursue him. The reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself. And the reward? The heart of Christ – 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Can you think of anything greater than being like Jesus? Let Him transform you…
This sermon was preached by Darren Ethier at Hanover Pentecostal Church on March 18, 2001. This message is Part 10 and the conclusion of the sermon series: Supernatural Transformation. It is recommended that the book, Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado be read as it served as the inspiration for much of this series. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1873, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
