Having the Right Focus For The Race
Following Jesus: The Letter to the Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted
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TEXT: Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
INTRODUCTION:
I. DON’T FOCUS ON PEOPLE OR PROBLEMS (Hebrews 12:1).
I. DON’T FOCUS ON PEOPLE OR PROBLEMS (Hebrews 12:1).
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
(Τοιγαροῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς, τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων, ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν, διʼ ὑπομονῆς τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα,)
Therefore (τοιγαρουν ). Triple compound inferential participle (τοι, γαρ, οὐν ) like the German doch denn nun, a conclusion of emphasis, old particle, in N. T. only here and 1 Thess. 4:8. There should be no chapter division here, since 12:1–3 really is the climax in the whole argument about the better promises (10:19–12:3) with a passionate appeal for loyalty to Christ. Us also (και ἡμεις ). We as well as “these all” of 11:39 and all the more because of the “something better” given us in the actual coming of Christ. Compassed about (ἐχοντες περικειμενον ). Literally, “having (ἐχοντες , present active participle of ἐχω) lying around us” (περικειμενον , present middle participle of περικειμαι , old verb as in Luke 17:2). Cloud of witnesses (νεφος μαρτυρων). Old word (Latin nubes), here only in the N. T., for vast mass of clouds. Νεφελη is a single cloud. The metaphor refers to the great amphitheatre with the arena for the runners and the tiers upon tiers of seats rising up like a cloud. The μαρτυρες here are not mere spectators (θεαται ), but testifiers (witnesses) who testify from their own experience (11:2, 4, 5, 33, 39) to God’s fulfilling his promises as shown in chapter 11. Laying aside (ἀποθεμενοι). Second aorist-middle (indirect, from ourselves) participle of ἀποτιθημι, old verb as in Col. 3:8 (laying off old clothes). The runners ran in the stadium nearly naked. Every weight (ὀγκον παντα ). Old word (kin to ἐνεγκειν, φερω) like φορτος, βαρος . Here every encumbrance that handicaps like doubt, pride, sloth, anything. No trailing garment to hinder or trip one. The sin which doth so easily beset us (την εὐπεριστατον ἁμαρτιαν ). “The easily besetting sin.” There are a dozen possible renderings of this double compound verbal from εὐ [eu], well, and περιιστημι , to place around or to stand around (intransitive). The Vulgate has circumstans nos peccatum (the sin standing around us). Probably this is the true idea here, “the easily encompassing (or surrounding) sin.” In this case apostasy from Christ was that sin. In our cases it may be some other sin. The verbal adjective reminds one of the ring of wild beasts in the jungle that encircle the camp-fire at night each ready to pounce upon a careless victim. Let us run (τρεχωμεν). Present active volitive subjunctive of τρεχω , “let us keep on running.” With patience (δἰ ὑπομονης). Not with impatience, doubt, or despair. The race that is set before us (τον προκειμενον ἡμιν ἀγωνα). Note the article and the present middle participle of προκειμαι, old compound (already in 6:18, and also in 12:2). Dative case (ἡμιν) of personal interest.
A. Be mindful of people, but don’t focus on them. (Hebrews 12:1a).
A. Be mindful of people, but don’t focus on them. (Hebrews 12:1a).
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
νέφος = here only in the N. T., for vast mass of clouds. Νεφελη [Nephelē] is asingle cloud. The metaphor refers to the great amphitheatre with the arena for the runners and the tiers upon tiers of seats rising up like banks of clouds.
The seats are filled with people (more specifically witnesses -μαρτύρων )
There are two possibilities concerning the people. They can be encouragements to faithfulness or can serve as distractions. It all depends on their level of commitment to Jesus.
1. People sometimes disappoint us. (2 Timothy 4:10).
10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.
2. People sometimes betray us
a. Judas betrayed Jesus.
b. Demas deserted Paul.
3. People sometimes attack us (3 John 1:9-10).
9 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us.
10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.
4. People are not to be feared because they really have no power over us ultimately. (Ps. 56:4; 118:6; Heb. 13:6)
4 I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?
6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
B. Recognize and deal with problems but don’t focus on them. (Hebrews 12:1b)
B. Recognize and deal with problems but don’t focus on them. (Hebrews 12:1b)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
1. Cares and circumstances are to be dealt with properly, but no become your focus.
a. Paul learned this lesson (Letter to the Philippians).
b. Negative circumstances did not ruin his joy.
2. Sin should be dealt with but not become your focus.
a. Deal with it through confession and repentance (1 Jn. 1:9; Rom. 14:23)
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
C. Run the race, but don’t make it your focus. (Hebrews 12:1c)
C. Run the race, but don’t make it your focus. (Hebrews 12:1c)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
1. Making the race your focus will cause you to worry and fret.
a. Like Martha (Luke 10:38-42).
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.
39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.
40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!
42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
2. Making the race your focus will make you stumble and fall.
a. Looking at the length of the race or the race already run will have deadly results.
II. DO FOCUS UPON JESUS (Hebrews 12:2).
II. DO FOCUS UPON JESUS (Hebrews 12:2).
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
(ἀφορῶντες εἰς τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν Ἰησοῦν, ὃς ἀντὶ τῆς προκειμένης αὐτῷ χαρᾶς ὑπέμεινεν σταυρὸν αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας, ἐν δεξιᾷ τε τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ θεοῦ κεκάθικεν.)
Looking unto (ἀφορωντες εἰς ). Present active participle of ἀφοραω , old verb to look away, “looking away to Jesus.” In N. T. only here and Phil. 2:23. Fix your eyes on Jesus, after a glance at “the cloud of witnesses,” for he is the goal. Cf. Moses in 11:26 (ἀπεβλεπεν ). The author (τον ἀρχηγον). See 2:10 for this word. “The pioneer of personal faith” (Moffatt). Perfecter (τελειωτην). A word apparently coined by the writer from τελειοω as it has been found nowhere else. Vulgate has consummator. For the joy (ἀντι της χαρας). Answering to, in exchange for (verse 16), at the end of the race lay the joy “set before him” (προκειμενης αὐτῳ), while here was the Cross (σταυρον) at this end (the beginning of the race) which he endured (ὑπεμεινεν, aorist active indicative of ὑπομενω), despising shame (αἰσχυνης καταφρονησας). The cross at his time brought only shame (most shameful of deaths, “yea, the death of the cross” Phil. 2:8). But Jesus despised that, in spite of the momentary shrinking from it, and did his Father’s will by submitting to it. Hath sat down (κεκαθικεν). Perfect active indicative of καθιζω, and still is there (1:3).1
1 A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Heb 12.
A. He is the beginning of your life. (Hebrews 12:2a)
A. He is the beginning of your life. (Hebrews 12:2a)
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
1. It is he who created you and sustains you (Col 1:16-17).
16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
2. It is he who saved you (John 10:9; Titus 3:5).
9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
B. He is the end of your life. (Hebrews 12:2b)
B. He is the end of your life. (Hebrews 12:2b)
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
1. It is he who will preserve you safely until the end (1 Peter 1:5).
5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
2. It is he who has prepared you a home (Jn. 14:1-3).
1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
C. He is the one who insures the victory. (Hebrews 12:2c)
C. He is the one who insures the victory. (Hebrews 12:2c)
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
1. It is He who provides your security through his completed atonement (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7)
7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
a. He paid for all of your sins past, present, and future.
CONCLUSION: