"Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3)
Weary: Lacking strength, energy, or freshness (Merriam Webster)
It is virtually impossible to count all of the things in this life that can make us weary; at some point we all face relational tensions, financial stressors, difficult decisions, and more. Thankfully, the Lord has a solution! This week's sermon will focus on how we "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Hebrews 11:1-2)
The entire eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews is dedicated to listing great acts of faith. Before listing all of these examples, the author gives insight into exactly what faith is, noting that "faith is being sure of what we hope for."
In the original Greek, the word translated here as "hope," means "to expect or confide," and it was clearly used in reference to the Lord's promises, which were the driving force behind the actions of those listed in chapter 11.
In Hebrews 12:1-3 we read that faith -- having hope, or confidence -- in the Lord's promises is the remedy for weariness. But it is impossible to know the Lord's promises unless you know His Word.
Many today are imprisoned for their faith and witness, often for years with little or no contact with families. Others are often tortured endlessly in every imaginable way.
Thousands have fled into the mountains, hills, forests, and caves, with only the clothes on their back, subsisting on roots and leaves.
Thousands more have fled their homes, and are crowded into refugee camps, jostling and competing with one another for the minimal resources available.
Many have been beheaded, riddled with bullets, and mutilated. Women have been captured, violated, and forced into unholy marriages.
Crushed, a rose gives off its sweetest aroma. Bruised, beaten, and tortured, these martyrs are a cloud of witnesses – to their captors, to their fellow prisoners, to their families, to their churches, to their communities, and to us.
Their final words are often – Father, forgive them for they know not what they do; Into thy hands I commit my spirit; I see Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5)
The psalmist was taunted by his enemies who asked, "Where is your God?" Through the ages that challenge has been given by those who cannot or will not put their hope in the Lord. Through these things my faith is tested, but because the Lord is with me it will not be found wanting. Indeed, James wrote, such testing is a source of encouragement, even joy. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-5, NASB) "Where is your God?" He is here. Having suffered before me, He is eve now suffering with me. "Where is my God?" He is with me, giving me the hope and strength I need to persevere, with a promise to preserve my soul until I join the great cloud of witnesses at the throne.
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)
My wife's Bible (a study Bible) has an aside to this verse, which is fitting for this week's sermon:
"How do the Scriptures encourage? They give hope: by revealing God's glorious future for believers; by reminding us of God's grace and power---resources to strengthen believers; by providing examples of those who because of faith persevered, challenging us to do the same." (Quest Study Bible, Copyright 2003, The Zondervan Corporation)
Often times trials and the ensuing weariness lead us to put aside our Bibles, letting them collect dust in the corner. As we clearly read in Romans 15:4, however, those are the times when we should engross ourselves in God's Word.
"[L]et 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." (Hebrews 12:1b)
If we want to avoid weariness then we need to be honest with ourselves: Weariness is caused by our own bad choices.
When the author of Hebrews calls us to "throw off everything that hinders," he is referring to the things of this world. If we are chasing after the approval of men, that little extra money to put in the pocket, a Hollywood-movie-style relationship, etc. -- or if we respond to people and situations in a worldly manner, without love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control -- then we are going to grow weary because these things are not of God but are, in fact, "sin that so easily entangles." If, however, we pursue God's will for our lives and respond to challenges living by the Spirit (Galatian 5:16-26), then we will enjoy "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), and we will not grow weary.
"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 lost hear." (Hebrews 12:2-3)
While -- like almost every Bible passage -- there is more to Hebrews 12:1-3 than meets the eyes (as has been noted in previous blog posts), the passage is completely transparent when presenting us with a practical application for defeating weariness: When we start to feel weary, we need to remind ourselves of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us; doing this will put things into a "Kingdom Perspective," allowing us to let go of thoughts that are not of the Spirit, and giving us peace and strength.
Several weeks ago someone from our church shared their experience with this practical application on the church's "Grace Notes" blog; I encourage you to read that account if you have not already done so:
"Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3)
ReplyDeleteWeary: Lacking strength, energy, or freshness (Merriam Webster)
It is virtually impossible to count all of the things in this life that can make us weary; at some point we all face relational tensions, financial stressors, difficult decisions, and more. Thankfully, the Lord has a solution! This week's sermon will focus on how we "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Hebrews 11:1-2)
ReplyDeleteThe entire eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews is dedicated to listing great acts of faith. Before listing all of these examples, the author gives insight into exactly what faith is, noting that "faith is being sure of what we hope for."
In the original Greek, the word translated here as "hope," means "to expect or confide," and it was clearly used in reference to the Lord's promises, which were the driving force behind the actions of those listed in chapter 11.
In Hebrews 12:1-3 we read that faith -- having hope, or confidence -- in the Lord's promises is the remedy for weariness. But it is impossible to know the Lord's promises unless you know His Word.
Hebrews 11, continued:
ReplyDeleteMany today are imprisoned for their faith and witness, often for years with little or no contact with families. Others are often tortured endlessly in every imaginable way.
Thousands have fled into the mountains, hills, forests, and caves, with only the clothes on their back, subsisting on roots and leaves.
Thousands more have fled their homes, and are crowded into refugee camps, jostling and competing with one another for the minimal resources available.
Many have been beheaded, riddled with bullets, and mutilated. Women have been captured, violated, and forced into unholy marriages.
Crushed, a rose gives off its sweetest aroma. Bruised, beaten, and tortured, these martyrs are a cloud of witnesses – to their captors, to their fellow prisoners, to their families, to their churches, to their communities, and to us.
Their final words are often – Father, forgive them for they know not what they do; Into thy hands I commit my spirit; I see Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
"Why, my soul, are you downcast?
ReplyDeleteWhy so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God."
(Psalm 42:5)
The psalmist was taunted by his enemies who asked, "Where is your God?" Through the ages that challenge has been given by those who cannot or will not put their hope in the Lord. Through these things my faith is tested, but because the Lord is with me it will not be found wanting. Indeed, James wrote, such testing is a source of encouragement, even joy. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-5, NASB) "Where is your God?" He is here. Having suffered before me, He is eve now suffering with me. "Where is my God?" He is with me, giving me the hope and strength I need to persevere, with a promise to preserve my soul until I join the great cloud of witnesses at the throne.
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)
ReplyDeleteMy wife's Bible (a study Bible) has an aside to this verse, which is fitting for this week's sermon:
"How do the Scriptures encourage?
They give hope: by revealing God's glorious future for believers; by reminding us of God's grace and power---resources to strengthen believers; by providing examples of those who because of faith persevered, challenging us to do the same." (Quest Study Bible, Copyright 2003, The Zondervan Corporation)
Often times trials and the ensuing weariness lead us to put aside our Bibles, letting them collect dust in the corner. As we clearly read in Romans 15:4, however, those are the times when we should engross ourselves in God's Word.
"[L]et 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." (Hebrews 12:1b)
ReplyDeleteIf we want to avoid weariness then we need to be honest with ourselves: Weariness is caused by our own bad choices.
When the author of Hebrews calls us to "throw off everything that hinders," he is referring to the things of this world. If we are chasing after the approval of men, that little extra money to put in the pocket, a Hollywood-movie-style relationship, etc. -- or if we respond to people and situations in a worldly manner, without love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control -- then we are going to grow weary because these things are not of God but are, in fact, "sin that so easily entangles." If, however, we pursue God's will for our lives and respond to challenges living by the Spirit (Galatian 5:16-26), then we will enjoy "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), and we will not grow weary.
"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 lost hear." (Hebrews 12:2-3)
ReplyDeleteWhile -- like almost every Bible passage -- there is more to Hebrews 12:1-3 than meets the eyes (as has been noted in previous blog posts), the passage is completely transparent when presenting us with a practical application for defeating weariness: When we start to feel weary, we need to remind ourselves of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us; doing this will put things into a "Kingdom Perspective," allowing us to let go of thoughts that are not of the Spirit, and giving us peace and strength.
Several weeks ago someone from our church shared their experience with this practical application on the church's "Grace Notes" blog; I encourage you to read that account if you have not already done so:
http://gracenotesatbsdb.blogspot.com/2015/04/over-past-week-or-so-i-have-been-target.html#comment-form