Persevering in One’s Faith

Pastor Martin begins Hebrews 12, Part 1

Happy MOTHER’S DAY

Heb 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

Heb 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. 

Heb 12:3  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 

Heb 12:4  You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 

Heb 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

“Therefore”…

In light of what has preceded….

The Hall of Faith – Hebrews 11 – begins in Chapter 10:19:

Heb 10:19  Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 

Heb 10:20  by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 

Heb 10:21  and having a High Priest over the house of God, 

Heb 10:22  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

Heb 10:25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 

Heb 10:26  For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 

Heb 10:27  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 

Heb 10:28  Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 

Heb 10:29  Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 

Heb 10:30  For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” 

Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

Heb 10:32  But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 

Heb 10:33  partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 

Heb 10:34  for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 

Heb 10:35  Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 

Heb 10:36  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 

Heb 10:37  “FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY. 

Heb 10:38  NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.” 

Heb 10:39  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. 

This is the instruction, Chapter 11 is examples of those who lived out their faith according to the instructions.

Having received the truth, known the truth, they received, believed it, and lived it!  When given clear instructions, they pressed forward into the Lord in faith and didn’t timidly shrink back into the lives they knew before the Lord called them.

We could consider Hebrews 10:19-25 and 12:1-2 as bookends of The Hall of Faith: 

Heb 10:19  Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 

Heb 10:20  by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 

Heb 10:21  and having a High Priest over the house of God, 

Heb 10:22  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

Heb 10:25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 

Heb 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (martus- witness, martyrs, records. Expound…..), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, (Galatians 5:17-18) and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

Heb 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. 

Heb 12:3  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 

Heb 12:4  You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 

Mother’s Day

Marathon, not sprint…

Endurance…

Eyes, Ears, Hands, 

Lois, Eunice…