Unfinished Grace Series

"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

The trouble is between the founding moment of our faith…and the perfection moment of our faith…

Now the writer continues

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Hebrews 12:3-7

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

Discipline may at times be corrective but it’s always instructive

We are being commanded to act like people who are utterly persuaded that we are already adopted through faith, and that our omnipotent Father loves us, and that the most painful adversities of our lives are expressions of his loving discipline and not his hateful vengeance.

That’s what the “therefore” means at the beginning of verse 12: God is ruling over the lives of his people. The persecution and sickness and adversity we endure are part of God’s sovereign design for our good and our holiness.

Therefore – truth to application…if it’s true then do this…

Hebrews 12:12-17

We move from God being the disciplining parent to the demanding track coach.

Multiple commands given in these verses based upon what he had previously said…but one stands out to us because of the unique wording… Notice the terms – strengthen, make straight, pursue, and to see it to it

See to it – overseer… See to it…is the controlling phrase…list for the Christian life

Verse 15 - Fail to obtain the grace of God

This doesn’t mean that we don’t have grace or to miss salvation…the reason we know this is because the context is on the discipline of God in the race of life…this is more so the idea of failing to keep up with the movement of grace in our lives…or the growth of grace in our life…the experience of grace.

hustereo – to be left behind in a race, to lack, to fall back

Comes short – to come too late, to be left out

More grace…falling behind with the movement of divine grace which moves the Christian…fall short of the grace ***Chasing the rabbit

BIG IDEA: WHEN GRACE BECOMES AN IDOL, IT BECOMES A SOURCE OF BITTERNESS INSTEAD OF A PLACE OF BREAKTHROUGH IN YOUR LIFE

Grace that is supposed to be this wonderful thing…the greatest of God’s gifts…becomes a burden you must carry…grace doesn’t hinder sin but excuses it, identity is set in our own sufficiency, it cripples our growth, it causes escape instead of endurance, and it doesn’t extend.

That’s what this whole series has been about…grace that is an idol will lead you to bitterness…now what do I mean by that?

This is a quote… In that chapter Moses had again brought before the people the covenant which, nearly forty years before, had been made and ratified “in Horeb”

You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. And you have seen their detestable things, their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, which were among them. Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, 'I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.' This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike. Deuteronomy 29:16-19