Think About Jesus Series

Think About Jesus

Hebrews 3:1-6

Intro.

What do you think about?

From the moment we are born, all think about something:

Baby – own comfort, enjoyment, “dryness” and food.

Child – what to wear, who will sit by me at lunch, should I take a sack lunch or eat in the cafeteria

Adolescent – does she like me? Should I ask her on a date, or would she laugh at me? Where should I go to college? Should I get married? How will I support myself, and what will I do for a career?

Adults – plethora of things to think about – doesn’t let up. Details of job and family. Tasks to be done. Always something to think about!

(E.g.: consumed with thinking about details of moving into new home: paint, carpet, utilities . . .)

Our whole lives are spent thinking about something.

We think about silly things that make us laugh, sad things that make us cry, serious things that make us stop.

How much time to we spent thinking about spiritual things?

What you think about is an accurate indicator of where your REAL values and priorities are.

Read verse one:

Middle of vs. 1: “Fix your thoughts on Jesus” = not mere casual or occasional glance. Rather = “consider attentively.” Apply mind dilig¬ently, to determine the significance of something.

LXX – translates verb with words “spy” and “watch.” Think about private investigator on a stake out and the way he is watching the one he is hired to spy on.

Never been a PI, but have been a reporter. Apply investigative tools to unlock this passage, use reporting essential questions: “Who, what, why, when, where, how.”

1. How and When to think about Jesus: 4 essentials

Starts with desire

David: One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple (Ps. 27:4)

Paul: I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. (Phil. 3:10)

b. Calls for concentration

My wife to me: “you have the classic symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder.” (I always thought I just had a lot of interests!)

Isaac Newton said the key to his understanding was, “I keep it before me.”

Avoid distractions.

c. Must have discipline

Athlete Hebrews 12:1,2 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. 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

d. Requires time. Reflection can’t happen with a glance.

Can’t see beauty of country as travel interstate or travel overhead in a jet. Have to take the small roads. Stop, sit and gaze.

How much time are you spending with the Lord?

Several years ago, doing D. Min. at Denver Seminary, challenged “you say that prayer is a priority. Show me your Daytimer.”

Why do we have so many weak Christians? Why are we struggling with faith and life?

Could it be because we’re desiring the wrong things?

“ “ “ we’re concentrating on the wrong things?

“ “ “ we’re not disciplined, and

we’re not spending the time fixing our thoughts on Jesus?

He should be the object of our thoughts, our heart’s affections.

To recipients: turn thoughts from (1) trials and persecution and (2) fixation with angels, and fix your thoughts on Jesus!

2. Why think about Jesus?

Vs. 1 – first word “Therefore” - because:

Ch. 1 - Who He IS (creator, sustainer, image and reflection of the Father, purifier of our sins, sovereign ruler);

Ch. 2 - What He’s DONE for us!

- he died to save us

- he has freed us from Satan’s grasp

- he understands our temptations and so can empathetically respond to our cries for help

3. Who should think about Jesus?

“Why, everyone should think about Jesus.” Of course yes, but frank wishful thinking. Not everyone does. Really don’t expect those who are strangers to God to think much about Christ. We think about those we love. And if you’ve never met Jesus, you can’t love him.

Vs. 1 - “Holy Brethren who share in the heavenly calling”that’s WHO

Those who are Christ-followers, in love with him and truly grateful to Him are the ones who are to fix their thoughts on Jesus..