“Consider Him”
Hebrews 12:1-4
Text: verse 3
Introduction:
I want to call your attention to the first 3 words of verse 3, in which the writer encourages the reader, “For Consider Him.” This is an appropriate exhortation because the entire book is a treatise on Considering Him. The key to understanding any book of the Bible is to understand how that particular book relates to the person and work of Christ. The Bible is God’s Book and its central theme is Jesus. Every book of the Bible has something to say about Him. The book of Hebrews is a perfect example of this truth. No other Book in all the Bible has more to say about the person and work of the Lord Jesus, as this Book of the Hebrews does. In every chapter, the writer focuses his attention on the Lord Jesus Christ and causes the reader to Consider Him. I know that I say this about every book and passage that I preach from, but Hebrews is my all time favourite book of the New Testament. Yes there are a lot of Jewish references and it is directly connected with the Old Testament –but no other book gives more details concerning the Passion of Christ (His death for the sins of the world) and the Present ministry of Christ (His work of mediation and intercession on behalf of God’s people). This is a phenomenal book! The truth is: my fascination and love of this book is simply because of its emphasis on the Lord Jesus Christ.
It does us good to frequently Consider Him. For the child of God there is nothing more thrilling, nothing more encouraging or enabling as a fresh look at the Son of God. Thoro Harris expressed it beautifully in his hymn in which he wrote:
Who can cheer the heart like Jesus
By His presence all divine
True and tender, pure and precious
O, how blest to call Him mine
All that thrills my soul is Jesus
He is more than life to me
And the fairest of ten thousand
In my blessed Lord I see
In Hebrews chapter 12, we are called upon to Consider Him. The word translated ‘consider’ is the source from which we get the English word “analyse” and it means to examine in detail, to study thoroughly, to observe with precision. It is more than a passing glance or an after thought. It is the focal point of our attention. And this must be our attitude when we think of Christ.
He is the source of all Joy
Embodiment of all Comfort
The fountain of Truth
The expression of Grace
This is Jesus – the one and only and we are called upon in Hebrews chapter 12 to Consider Him. We are called upon to focus our thoughts upon Him, to cast our gaze upon Him –Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. This morning, that is exactly what I want us to do. You see our attitude towards the Lord Jesus has a direct effect on our effectiveness in living for Him. The Overcoming Christian, the one who lives in victory, does so by maintaining the right attitude towards Christ. The child of God who lives his life in consideration of Him, lives his life with the joy and contentment of knowing he is pleasing God.
In these few verses we see three immediate areas that are impacted when we Consider Him.
Consider Him in:
1. Running the Race verse 1
What race is Paul talking about? Life is lived in the lanes of one of two races. The first race is commonly known as the Rat Race. This race is defined by the Oxford dictionary as: “a way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power.” In this race the runners are only concerned with themselves. They want their ‘slice of the pie’ and they will do anything to get it. By hook or by crook, they will endeavour to succeed. No sacrifice is too large, no friendship too dear and no price too high –they are addicted to the potential of power and wealth.
The other race is the Faith Race. It is the Christian life. It is run not by emphasising self, but emptying oneself. It is all about obedience and submission to the will of God. Its motto is “We should obey God rather than Men” and its anthem is “Consider Him”. The Christian runs this race not with the attitude of endeavouring to succeed but instead, we run endeavouring to persevere. We want to finish our course. We want to cross the finish line and hear our Heavenly Father say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
The problem for many Christians is that we often switch tracks mid week and sometimes multiple times in the day. We run the Faith Race on Sunday and come Monday morning we are in the Rat Race. Sometimes we try not run in either of them! We would rather stand on the sidelines and cheer others on. But verse 1 says the stands are already full. You place is to run. Which race are you running?
As we run in consideration of Him, we run with patience that race that is set before us. We run at His command. We turn with His leading. We move with His prompting. Nothing is dependent upon us or upon our self-will. We run with one goal and that is to please Him. This can only be accomplished when the runner runs while Considering Him.
Not only should we Consider Him in Running the Race, we should also Consider Him in:
2. Relinquishing Weights verse 1
Not everything is conducive with running a race. Sometimes at charity marathons people show up dressed in all kinds of strange apparel. I remember seeing one runner dressed as a large turkey and another dressed in scuba gear. Charity events often light hearted but in a serious race, no one comes to the line with anything that would hinder their running.
For the child of God, we must be willing to relinquish the weights, the sins and those things that restrict our faithfulness to God. Some things are easy to turn loose of. Some things are just common sense. We know what is right and what is wrong. It is easier to choose between what is good and what is bad. But for most Christians the challenge is choosing between what is good and what is best. It is in this context that we find great help when we Consider Him.
We are running the race. We are seeking to be faithful to the Lord and to honour Him. As we run, the difficulties of doing right and dying to self become easier as I focus my attention upon the Lord. As I run, I maintain a steady gaze –Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. And Looking unto Him, Considering Him, I am enabled to discern what areas of my life are impeding my growth. As I consider Him, the seeming grey areas are refined to a crisper black or white. As I consider Him, I am given the strength I need to set aside the weights and overcome the sins that so easily beset me.
You see, as we run this race looking unto Jesus and Considering Him relinquishes the weights. It breaks the chains and suddenly I am free to run. The inhibitors are taken way. The governor is switched off. When I was a boy we had access to numerous motorbikes and go-carts. My father refused to buy us any kind of motorised vehicles because he did not want us to get injured. But most of our friends and family had some sort of motorbike. As youths, the parents always set the governor really low. This was a switch that regulated the amount fuel that went through the carburettor and by default how fast the vehicle would go. When it was switched completely on you could have the throttle wide open and snails would over take you. We could never figure our why these things went so slow. But it was a happy day when we finally learned how to adjust the governor and turn if off. It was a happy day when were able to unleash the power of that engine. The power was there all the time, but it was restricted.
Friend we have so much power available to us. There is so much strength that is included in this liberty in which Christ has made us free. Yet with all that dynamite power we live such firecracker lives because it is restricted by weights and besetting sins. But all that is turned loose when we live and Consider Him.
We should Consider Him in Running the Race, in Relinquishing the Weights and then thirdly:
Consider Him in
3. Receiving the Prize verse 1-4
Do you want to win the race? Do you want to cross that finish line in victory? Do you want to avoid defeat? Do you want to keep from quitting part way through the marathon? The only way to do that is to Consider Him. The writer is dealing with endurance. He is motivating the readers to stay in the race and not give up. The Hebrew believers were facing great persecution and immense pressure to give up on Christianity and to return to Judaism. And the writer says, “Don’t Quit! Take a look at Jesus! Consider Him!”
Note again verse 3: “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Jesus is the example! By the way, the primary battlefield for the Christian is in the mind. Did you catch that in verse 3? Triumph or defeat is determined in the mind before the battle is even fought. That is why every thought must be brought into the submission of Christ. He says consider Him. Think about what He went through. In other words, if Jesus can be victorious, so can you. The capstone of his argument is in verse 4. He writes “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” He says, “Keep going, you’re not dead yet. Keep running you’re not dying. Keep in the race you’re still breathing!” But Consider Him –He died and even death could not keep Him from victory.
In Christ Jesus we have both the exemplar and the enabler! Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! When we consider Him, we run the race, we relinquish the weights, and we finish the race and receive the prize.
Conclusion:
This morning you are looking to one of two people. Your eyes are on your self or your eyes are on your Saviour. Let me encourage you: Consider Him!
Consider Him
When the storm is raging high,
When the tempest rends the sky,
When my eyes with tears are dim,
Then, my soul, consider Him.
When my plans are in the dust,
When my dearest hopes are crushed,
When is passed each foolish whim,
Then, my soul, consider Him.
When with dearest friends I part,
When deep sorrow fills my heart,
When pain racks each weary limb,
Then, my soul, consider Him.
When I track my weary way,
When fresh trials come each day,
When my faith and hope are dim,
Then, my soul, consider Him.
Clouds or sunshine, dark or bright,
Evening shades or morning light,
When my cup flows o'er the brim,
Then, my soul, consider Him.
Author Unknown
