January 12, 2025

Looking Unto Jesus #

Heb 12:1-3

Introduction

Our theme this year is, "Looking unto Jesus". There is no greater example in our life than Jesus Christ. Know one knows what 2025 holds, no one knows what is going to transpire in your life this year. It may be good, prosperity, good health, good times... but there may be troubles, problems, loss, financial hardship, health problems, whatever it is that takes place in 2025, we MUST keep our eyes on Christ. Through the good and the bad! He is our great example in all!

I. Compassed about "Compassed about" (Heb 12:1) #

A. Who are the witnesses? #

1. "Honor roll of faith", "Hall of Faith" #

2. Saints who endured hardship, grasping onto that faith! #

Abel (11:4), died clinging to the promise of God! killed by Cain
Enoch (11:5)- walked with God, was taken out of this world
Noah (11:7)- When the world was wicked, obeyed God!
Abraham (11:8) - stepped out by faith, following God, not knowing where he was going!
Sara (11:11) - Counted God faithful to do the impossible!
Moses (11:24) - Left the world, all it's wealth, promise, and a bright future, to become poor, and follow God's promise!

Heb 11:32-40

B. What purpose do they serve? #

C. What are we supposed to do? #

1. Let us - "Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us" #

2. Let us "Run" How? - "with patience" - patience with self, #

3. There is "the race that is set before us" #

II. Concentrate "Looking unto Jesus" (Heb 12:2) #

A. They are not the Gold standard! #

B. Jesus is the Gold Standard! #

1. Author of our faith! - He wrote the manual on faith! - He exemplified the manual on faith! (Word of God) #

2. Finisher - He as man, kept faith #

"endured the cross" - felt every bit of the pain

Matt. 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

"despising the shame" - shame of publicly hanging on the cross, condemned as a vile sinner, beaten, bloodied, naked the most humiliating form of death

3. "set down at the right hand of the throne of God" #

III. Consider "Consider him" (Heb 12:3) #

consider - think seriously, to make examination, to reflect, to deliberate

A. Think of Jesus "consider" #

1. Sinless #

2 Corinthians 5:21 “^21\ ^For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

2. Suffering - on the cross of Calvary #

3. Serving - Love for us! #

Rom. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

commend - 2. To recommend as worthy of confidence or regard 4. to mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and good will.

B. Think of his life "endured such contradiction of sinners against himself" #

1. Constant attacks - When Jesus started teaching and preaching, the scribes and Pharisees were constantly against him! #

C. Don't become weary "lest ye be wearied" #

Galatians 6:9 “^9\ ^And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”