Series: Jesus Is The Better Endurance
Speaker: Mike Laughrun
(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.
Hebrews 12:1-2
(3) Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (4) In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Hebrews 12:3-4
(5) 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. (6) For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:5-6
(7) 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? (8) If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Hebrews 12:7-8
(9) Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? (10) For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (11) 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 12:9-11
Big Truth:
Faith in Jesus Brings Discipline
What is the nature of the Lord’s discipline?
Big Idea:
The Lord’s discipline reproves and corrects.
My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
Hebrews 12:5
Big Idea:
The Lord‘s discipline trains and instructs.
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
Big Idea:
The Lord’s discipline is painful.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:6
What is our attitude toward the Lord’s discipline?
(5) 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. (6) For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:5-6
Big Idea:
The Lord’s discipline expresses the perfect love of our Father.
(12) Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, (13) and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Hebrews 12:12-13
What is the outcome of the Lord’s discipline?
Big Idea:
The Lord’s discipline confirms our identity.
(7) 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? (8) If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Hebrews 12:7-8
Big Idea:
The Lord’s discipline yields righteousness and holiness.
(10) For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (11) 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 12:10-11
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14
Big Idea:
The Lord’s discipline enables us to strengthen others.
(31) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, (32) but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:31-32
(15) 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; (16) that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. (17) For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
Hebrews 12:15-17
How do we respond?
(8) We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; (9) persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; … (16) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. (17) For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (18) as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-18
(7) So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. (9) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Hebrews 12:3
Application
- KNOW
An identifying mark of a true disciple of Jesus is the consistent, loving, corrective, and instructive discipline from the Lord. - FEEL
Recognize hardship, difficulty, and pain in life as the active loving pursuit of the Lord. Feel loved by the Father, not defeated by life. - DO
Endure well in hardship (Heb. 12:7). Hostilities, pain, and loss are ultimately the discipline of our Heavenly Father. Do not disregard the discipline of the Lord (12:5). Do not be discouraged by it either (12:5). - WANT
Long for and pray that God’s discipline would have its full impact in our lives. He disciplines us that we might share in His holiness and that we would experience the peaceful fruit of righteousness in our daily lives. (12:10-11)