LOOKING TO JESUS
Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 34:22
0 ratings
· 32 viewsFiles
Notes
Transcript
Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 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, 2 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.
1 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, 2 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.
I. OLD TESTAMENT WITNESS OF FAITH
I. OLD TESTAMENT WITNESS OF FAITH
Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 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…
1 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, 2 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.
II. THE ULTIMATE SOURCE AND EXAMPLE OF FAITH
II. THE ULTIMATE SOURCE AND EXAMPLE OF FAITH
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV) —2 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.
2 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.
The righteous shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11).
The author encourages believers, reminding them that the one who was the source and originator of their faith will also complete and perfect it.[1]
He begins the work, and He brings it to completion (Philippians 1:6).
For sinful people, saving faith involves reliance on Jesus’ blood and righteousness as we recognize our own unworthiness. But for Jesus, the sinless priest and unblemished sacrifice, faith was his trust in his Father’s assurance that, after he fulfilled God’s will through death on the cross, his cries for deliverance from death would be “heard” and answered in his resurrection (Hebrews 5:7–10; 7:26–28; 10:10; 13:20).[2]
Faith comes as a result of hearing the message about Christ (Romans 10:17).
Matthew 13:13–17 (ESV)
13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “ ‘ “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Maybe this is why, as believers, we continue to pray for God to give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, enlightening the eyes of our heart or understanding that we might know the hope he has called us to and the glorious riches of his inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of his power toward those who believe (Ephesians 1:17-19).
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
III. LOOKING TO HIM
III. LOOKING TO HIM
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV) —2 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.
2 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.
“It is not the strength of your faith that saves you, but the strength of Him upon whom you rely! Christ is able to save you if you come to Him - be your faith weak or be it strong.”[3]Charles Spurgeon
[1] Schreiner, T. R. (2021). Hebrews (T. D. Alexander, T. R. Schreiner, & A. J. Köstenberger, Eds.; p. 378). Lexham Press.
[2] Johnson, D. E. (2018). Hebrews. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Hebrews–Revelation: Vol. XII (p. 185). Crossway.
[3](https://www.azquotes.com/author/13978-Charles_Spurgeon)