Subject: S> For the New Year (Hebrews 12:1-2) Date: Sun, 07 Jan 2001 16:58:45 -0600 From: Grady Scott To: gopnana@hotmail.com Brethren, Here is a sermon that I preached this morning. I hope some can use it. YOu can modify it from the New Year theme and still use it. I got it from somebody (at least the main point) so if you think it looks like one you did and posted, it probably was!! Let me know if you want an attachment copy! - Grady FOR THE NEW YEAR Hebrews 12:1-2 INTRODUCTION: New Years cause new year’s resolutions and new opportunities for change and renewal. Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us some things to remember as we start the new year! BODY I. REMEMBER THE WITNESSES A. There is a great group of witnesses watching our race. 1. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses," 2. The context of this passage certainly refers to all those heroes of faith who walked in faith and also, in many cases had to give their lives, wealth, health, and families for the sake of Jehovah. 3. Hebrews 11:32_39 "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33_ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34_ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35_ Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36_ Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37_ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38_ of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39_ And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise," B. These great heroes who had, “given the fullest measure of valor,” are witnesses to our struggles today. 1. Christians are promised their own struggles and trials. We too, must come through victorious. 2. 2 Timothy 3:12 - "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 3. 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."" 4. Acts 14:22 - "strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."" 5. 1 Peter 4:12 "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;" 6. 1 Peter 5:9 - "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." I. IREMOVE THE HINDRANCES A. Just as the athlete who discards the leg weights before the race, we should shuck the sins that hold us back from remaining faithful. 1. “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” 2. Runners cannot properly run their races without removing the weights from their ankles. They may be a proper training tool, but never able to help them win a race. 3. B. We need to make up our minds to lay aside the temptation and problems that hinder us from faithfulness to our Lord. 1. James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." 2. 1 Corinthians 9:27 "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." 3. Hebrews 6:1_2 "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2_ of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." 4. 1 Peter 2:11 - "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul," 5. Notice that the Hebrew writer says to lay aside every weight and sin that is besetting us. There may be those things that are not wrong in themselves but are keeping us from seeking Christ’s kingdom above all else. We must shed those things! a. Matthew 6:33 III. RUN THE RACE A. Those witnesses await our successful race. 1. “...and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” 2. B. We have all started our run, let’s not get discouraged and not run it with all our might! 1. The Christian life is not a 100 meter dash. It is a marathon, and the prize only goes to those who are willing to give their all for the contest 2. 1 Corinthians 9:24_25 "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25_ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." 3. Christians must go forward and not be stuck at the starting line. 4. Philippians 3:12_14 "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13_ 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, 14_ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." IV. REFLECT ON JESUS A. We are to “look unto Jesus.” 1. Hebrews 12:2 - "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." 2. The Hebrew writer tells us that we should reflect on Jesus and his suffering in order to die for us. a. Verse 3 - "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." B. Christians are to keep their eyes on Jesus in order to remain faithful. 1. This shows that, even though we should take courage from the “cloud of witness” who died faithfully for God and are watching us, the one we are to look upon for guidance and strength in our daily walk is Jesus. a. Matthew 17:4_5 "Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5_ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"" 2. When Peter “took his eyes off Jesus” he began to sink. a. Matthew 14:25-31 3. Just as a runner must keep his eyes on the finish line, so too much Christians keep their eyes on Jesus and the final goal of living with him eternally, rather than those distraction that the world can offer. CONCLUSION: It is essential that we begin our race. That means making a commitment to Jesus as Lord of our lives. But it also means running faithfully, looking to him for encouragement to remain faithful!