“ Faith’s Author

and Perfector ”Hebrews 12:1-4

Not an athlete…•I was never a good athlete– circumstances of life always seemed to pop up that kept me from joining sports or becoming any good at them•Loved basketball, but messed up my knees•I wanted to play baseball, but a hernia surgery stopped that from happening•No football•Track in High School

Not an athlete…•Then I discovered Archery and guns•I practiced and practiced until my fingers and forearms were bloody•When I was a Sophomore, I got the trophy for best marksman with the M-16 at ROTC camp•It’s great to work hard to achieve goals, but more worthwhile to achieve something for eternity– time to put what we’ve learned into practice•Chapter 12, Author encourages the Jewish Christians to endure and win the prize…

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin…”

Hebrews 1:1-4, NASB

A. Preparation for the Race•Vs 1a, Becoming a Christian has all kinds of perks, but its no rose garden…

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us…”

Hebrews 1:1a, NASB

A. Preparation for the Race•Vs 1a, Becoming a Christian has all kinds of perks, but its no rose garden…•Before we talk about the two things we need to do to prepare to run…•Cloud of witnesses surrounding us•Greek words are “perik’imai nephos martus”•Literally, ‘cloud of martyrs encircling, hampering, bound with us, hanging about

A. Preparation for the Race•Running the race is not a bed of roses•The Greek word for race is ‘agona’•Jesus told us plainly in John 16:33•“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”•This is why I am so tough on Prosperity Theology

2 things to prepare…1. Laying aside every weight•Can you imagine an Olympic runner showing up for a race looking like this?•Every weight? Anything that hinders our Christian progress •Get rid of Bad? Not enough– the winner chooses between “better” and “best?!

2 things to prepare…2. Laying aside the sin which so easily

entangles us•Did you notice that it doesn’t say, sins?• Instead it says the sin•The author is referring to the sin of unbelief– oit kept the Israelites out of the Promised Land, and it keeps us from our spiritual inheritance in Christ!

B. Attitude for the Race•Vs 1b-2, these two things had to be done before and continually during the race

“…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 1:1b-2, NASB

B. Attitude for the Race•Vs 1b-2, these two things had to be done before and continually during the race•The author gives us two more hints at how to do the two preps

1. Run with endurance the race…•Greek word is hypomone• In the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

B. Attitude for the Race2. Looking to Jesus, the Author and

Perfector of our faith…•Greek word is aphorao•Not just looking, but fixing your gaze on Him non-stop while running•Remember when Peter walked on the water? What happended?•Perfector? Finisher?

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6, NASB

B. Attitude for the Race•V2 says that Jesus endured the shame for ‘the joy set before Him…”•What joy?1) The joy that Jesus fulfilled the Father’s will and glorified Him.

“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”

John 17:4, NIV

B. Attitude for the Race•V2 says that Jesus endured the shame for ‘the joy set before Him…”•What joy?1) The joy that Jesus fulfilled the Father’s will and glorified Him.2) The joy that Jesus opened the Way of salvation for anyone who accepts His invitation.

“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”

John 17:4, NIV“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”

Jude:24-25, NIV

C. Enabler and Exemplar•Vs 3-4,

“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin…”

Hebrews 1:3-4, NASB

C. Enabler and Exemplar•Vs 3-4, American Christians have never experienced the persecution of early Christians, as our brothers and sisters world-wide are experiencing now•Jesus never tells us to do something impossible; He empowers us to do it

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13-14, NIV

C. Enabler and Exemplar•Vs 3-4, American Christians have never experienced the persecution of early Christians, as our brothers and sisters world-wide are experiencing now•Jesus never tells us to do something impossible; He empowers us to do it•Just remember the sufferings Paul had– He remained faithful, you can too!!

Take Home!1. Fix you eyes on Jesus! Don’t let

our short 21st century attention span hinder you!

2. Jesus is our Exemplar and Enabler! He went before us to show the way; as we yield ourselves more to His Spirit more, He increases our faith in Him and enables us to do what glorifies Him