22nd February2012

CONSIDER HIM

HEB.12:1-3

IntroductionLent – a time to turn our focus

on the sufferings and achievement of the greatest example – the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus warned His disciples – tribulation, death, hatred – Matt.24:9; John 16:2

In Heb. 10:35-36 – there was reward for endurance.

Ours is a strenuous race demanding steady perseverance.

V.1 – Surrounded by witnesses. Testify that faith is worth it.

Now it our turn to run – 1 Cor.9:24; Gal.2:2

The witnesses inspire us but cannot strengthen us.

Only Jesus offers us help – Heb.2:18; 4:16.

The writer tells us:1. What to reject?2. How To run?3. Where to look?

1. What we must reject? – v.1a

Our race is a race of eternal consequences.

Two items can hinder us:A. Weight – physical – restricts activity.Anything that handicaps us.Eg. Jogging in heavy clothes.

B. Sin – spiritual – mars performance.That which can trip us or entangle

us.

2. How we must run? v.1.b

Run with perseverance (Endurance)Word used several times –

Heb.10:32;12:7Jesus also endured – v.2,3Disciples of Jesus must follow in His

footsteps – 1 Peter 2:21

> Will experience opposition, pain, suffering, rejection.

A life of rigorous demands.Need to keep looking at Jesus alone.

3. Where we must look? v.2-3

Our eyes must be firmly and continually on Jesus.

“Looking” means aware of rival attractions but deliberately looks away from other things.

Who are we looking at?

a. At Jesus the compassionate man.He knows our experiences of trail

and adversity.When we feel we cannot, think of

Jesus and the race that was set before Him.

More difficult, yet He triumphed.In His strength, so can we.

b. Jesus is the victorious pioneer. He has lead His people – 2:10His incarnation and passion are

personal examples.He did not fail then and will not

disappoint us.

c. Jesus the perfecter.Makes our faith perfect.Not our devoted service or our

spiritual experience or our moral integrity.

All this cannot make our faith perfect except Jesus.

Col.2:10 – ran the greatest race to its finish and our fullness is only in Him.

d. Jesus –the enthroned Lord.His redemptive work is complete.1st century Christians were about to

experience hardship.Their lives are in the strong hands of

the enthroned Lord.

ConclusionSo do not give up.Do not collapse until you pass the

winning post.We need divine help.Look to Jesus. Consider Him.Story1968 Olympic Mexico. 26 mile

marathon.

Mamo Waldi from Ethiopia won.John Steven Aquani – last runner.“Why did you not give up?”“My country did not send me 7,000

miles to start this race. My country sent me to finish.”