Intro: The entire message of Hebrews seems to be that there is something better. What we find is that faith in Jesus doesn’t take away from our lives actually it brings better things. As I like to say, “The longer you know Jesus the gooder life gets.” Hebrews is a letter written to Jews who are thinking about going back to religious practices as their way of worship and salvation.
The writer to the Hebrews clearly communicates that Jesus is far superior to anything that was found in the Old Testament. The festivals, feasts, and sacrifices were a shadow a picture that is fulfilled in Jesus. He is a superior person, a superior priest and he teaches us a superior principle and practice for living. Jesus is better than the prophets, better than the angels, better than Moses, better than Aaron Jesus brings a better order of things, a better covenant, a better sanctuary, a better sacrifice. Really we shouldn’t say better we should say best. Jesus brings to our lives the best of what God had and has planned for our lives.
There is a lot of talk about vision these days and Larry’s teaching sparked something in me to finish for now this series on Giving up Superficial Christianity. If we are to clearly see the task for each of us as the body of Christ and the Church called Immanuel the only way that happens is to look to Jesus. We are told in Hebrews 12.2 “Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith.” We are counseled, challenged, called, maybe commanded to look to Jesus. True vision doesn’t come from us coming up with a plan but accepting the one already wrapped up in Jesus. The Great Commission is Jesus’ plan for us. We are called to look to Him to receive the compassion, endurance, wisdom, needed to live as fully devoted followers of Christ.
I. Spiritual vision comes from looking away from the outward appearance (getting rid of baggage)
The Greek word here means to look away in order to look at. Be careful you don’t miss the forest for the trees.
A) Encouragement from the witnesses to lay aside the encumbrances
Based on the life of faith of the people of God from chapter 11 and faithfulness of God we are called to lay aside anything that hinders us in our relationship with Jesus.
Apotithemi, is the Greek word translated lay aside and it literally meant take off your clothes in order to compete in the races of the Coliseum. The word is in the aorist tense meaning an effective once for all action. It is in the middle voice which speaks of the subject initiating the action to lay aside and participating in the action.
We must learn that we don’t run the race of the Christian life by asking is this ok to do, or is there anything wrong with smoking, gossip, etc. Ask does it hinder my relationship with Jesus, does it help me run the race and end up a good and faithful servant having endured. Don’t ask about your movies, music, parties, habits, attitudes, is it a sin, is there something wrong with it ask does it help me know Jesus more! Hebrews 12.1 is a command to examine your life in light of your relationship with Jesus. What needs to be taken off or out of your life so that you can be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ? It is not saying get rid of these things to come to Jesus, it is saying because of the encouragement of the people of faith get rid of what hinders your growth in Jesus. Pay attention to what seems innocent and which is not condemned clearly in the Bible but you know hold you back from growing in faith, love, holiness, and freedom. Pay careful attention how you make excuses for computer games, hidden candy, hidden alcohol, television, videos, magazines, novels, relationships. What about people that weaken you? Write all this down and bring it before your heavenly father and ask Him to guide you to lay aside all that hinders your relationship with Him. God will break the strongholds; give you new holy habits, healthy relationships. Know this He will not force you to lay it aside but He will fortify you so you can.
B) Encouragement from the witnesses to look away from circumstances
Let us run the race that is set before us. If you are trying to change the conditions of your life you are missing what God is trying to do in you. He wants us to run the race set before us. That means that we must change not what circumstances may surround or seem to strangle us. It is walking with God in whatever we face that transforms us. Not Him always taking the pain, pressure, or persons out of our lives that are difficult.
God has set people before you that He wants you to love. So how can we get this vision? Take your eyes off what is set before you and look to Jesus!! He doesn’t say look to the race He says run it. He says look to Jesus. Stop looking down at your feet! It is not in changing your husband or wife, your children, your finances, your job, it is in looking to Jesus in whatever good or bad situation you find yourself in.
The encouragement from the great mass of witnesses or people of faith that went before us is not to be distracted by our own selfish desires, circumstances, failures, frustrations, etc. . .
How do we do this? The writer to the Hebrews says look to Jesus!
II. Spiritual vision comes from looking toward the person of Jesus
Luke 4.18 says that Jesus came to give sight to the blind. I personally don’t believe that only means physical sight. Jesus told Nicodemus “unless you are born again you cannot even see the kingdom of God.” What is involved in looking to Jesus?
Why are you first told to lay aside and look away from? Getting distracted from Jesus can lead to discouragement, depression, misdirected energy. God’s plan is to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ and that is to be ongoing in this lifetime.
A) The attitude of looking to Jesus
Aphorao is the Greek of looking and is in the present tense. That means it carries the idea of a habitual attitude. It carries the idea of having eyes only for Jesus. This is not just a single act as in a Sinners prayer it is a lifelong attitude of submission, devotion, and attention to the person of Jesus. Don’t look at those failing in their relationship with God. Don’t look at famous, “successful” Christians. Look to Jesus he is the only one who can tell you the plans he has for you.
B) The action of looking to Jesus
This is why studying you Bible is so important. It is in the pages of the Bible we continually see the person of Jesus. On the road to Emmaus Jesus opened the Law and the Prophets to show them all the things concerning Himself.
1) Look for Him in the Bible
Get beyond dry boring reading and understand each page reveals the beauty of Christ. Look for the truths of who He is author and perfector of our faith, what he did, died for us. What He does lives and intercedes for us.
2) Memorize passages that He uses to speak to you
Psalm 119:11 “You word I have hidden (treasured) in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
3) Apply the truth
If you want strong spiritual bones and muscles absorb the meat and milk of God’s word. Where it challenges your character submit to God’s truth. Where it encourages you press on. Where it corrects you rejoice. Where it changes you praise.
Irving Jensen writes that...
The main theme of Hebrews may be stated thus: The knowledge and assurance of how great this High Priest Jesus is should lift the drifting believer from spiritual lethargy to vital Christian maturity.
III. Spiritual vision mobilizes practical faith (12.3 “consider Him”)
A) We see the finish and press on with Jesus
Jesus is the author but also the finisher of the race. He is always a few steps ahead showing us where to run. Any relationship can be handled with Grace in light of Jesus.
B) We see our importance and interact with confidence
Our importance is not that God needs us but that He wants us! Jesus didn’t just live here he was involved in the life of people. He invites us to be involved where he is at work in the lives of others.
C) We see our inheritance and lay aside the things of this life
D) We see our future and forget our past
E) We see our mission and forge ahead with faith
God never commands something that he doesn’t provide the energy, resources, and faith to accomplish. William Carey, Gideon, (look up other improbable sources)
Tertullian, (an early church father), commenting on the witnesses of Hebrews 11 wrote that...
You can judge the quality of their faith from the way they behave. Discipline is an index to doctrine.
We are called to run. It carries the idea of competition, singleness of mind, consumed with running with Jesus the race of life. Our one aim is to finish the race faithfully and glory God completely.
F) We see our faith is supposed to be practical -- Belief becomes real when you begin to keep His commandments.
When the very nature of your character is transformed from the inside out. Desires become directed towards God’s glory. Attitudes begin to be attuned to God’s Holy Spirit. Plans begin to be principled from God’s word. This is an infiltration of the Spirit of God. Many of us are still experiencing the superficial Christianity of culture. (Examples.)
What do you see when you look away from this world to Jesus?
1) His glory – His value, beauty, and invitation to enjoy Him and allow him to be not only Savior but Lord
2) His passion – Jesus’ passion was, is, and ever will be those He created. Everything was created in Him, by Him and for Him but so was everyone!!
3) His command – Go and make disciples of all nations – This is clear call to a missional lifestyle. What does a missional lifestyle require? (I’m Glad you asked)
a) Giving up your life and lifestyle for the one Jesus is calling you to (lay aside here in Hebrews, Peter and Paul’s letters)
b) Giving up your calendar and plan for God’s karios moments – proper moments
c) Getting involved in the fellowship and ministry of this body of believers
d) Getting a glimpse of our call to rescue people that are broken, beat down and hopeless
e) Give up you idea of church and grasp Jesus idea of family, community, bride
Conclusion: We have a mission statement for this church but not a vision statement. The mission statement usually tells how we will fulfill the vision.
As the church known as Immanuel we are called to Know God intimately, Worship God truthfully and spiritually, and Share God relationally.
What is the vision for Immanuel Baptist Church? To cultivate life in common by developing fully devoted followers of Jesus.
This all comes from looking to Jesus.
