The Epistle to the Hebrews Lesson 20 Running
The Epistle to the Hebrews Lesson 20 Running with Endurance & Discipline Hebrews 12: 1 -13
Running with Endurance Hebrews 12: 1 -4 • Consider the great cloud of witnesses • Lay aside excess weight and ensnaring sin. – We must run with endurance or patience. • Defined as “cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy” (Strong) – There is a promised prize (1 Cor. 9: 24; 2 Tim. 4: 7 -8) • Look to Jesus – He is the author and finisher of our faith – the One who originated and completed it. – He endured the cross • Despising the shame (Acts 8: 33; Gal. 3: 13; 5: 11) • He endured “for the joy set before Him” – Considering His example will keep us from becoming tired and discouraged – we have not had to shed our blood striving against sin!
Running with Discipline Hebrews 12: 5 -11 • Chastening or discipline is training through teaching, rebuke, correction and affliction. • We must remember not to despise the Lord’s chastening or be discouraged by His rebuke. – He chastens and scourges the children that He loves and accepts. • “For what son is there whom a father does not chasten? ” • This may occur through His word (Revelation 3: 19), or through trials of life (2 Corinthians 12: 7) – Our reaction to chastening determines the status of our relationship with God (12: 7 -8)
Running with Discipline Hebrews 12: 5 -11 • Compare the chastening of our human fathers with the Lord’s chastening – We paid our earthly fathers respect; we owe much more to “the Father of Spirits” • We must “readily be in subjection” to Him! – They chastened us for a few days the way that pleased them, but He chastens us for our profit. • “That we may be partakers of His holiness!” (1 Peter 1: 15 -17) – While chastening is painful and unpleasant when given, it yields peace and righteousness in the lives of those who have been trained by it. • “Trained” = exercised (from the Greek gymnazo)
Condition and Plan for the Race Hebrews 12: 12 -13 • To overcome being spiritually lame and unable to run the race, we must… – Strengthen the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. • We may need mutual encouragement to do these things (Isaiah 35: 3 -4) – Make straight paths for our feet. • We must ensure that we stay on course! (Proverbs 4: 26 -27)
- Slides: 5