WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.000
 We looked last at Hebrews 10 with that exhortation to encourage one another,

00:00:05.100 --> 00:00:07.980
 to build one another up, to continue to gather together.

00:00:08.500 --> 00:00:11.679
 Hebrews chapter 11 is that great chapter of the faithful,

00:00:12.300 --> 00:00:14.780
 those who have gone before us by faith.

00:00:14.780 --> 00:00:19.339
 And that cadence repeated again and again,

00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:25.859
 reminding us of the life of faith expressed at different times

00:00:25.859 --> 00:00:27.320
 and in different experiences.

00:00:27.320 --> 00:00:30.539
 We now come to chapter 12.

00:00:31.500 --> 00:00:37.060
 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:44.039
 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:48.019
 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:53.100
 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith,

00:00:53.100 --> 00:00:59.560
 who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame,

00:01:00.100 --> 00:01:04.040
 and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

00:01:04.659 --> 00:01:08.040
 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men,

00:01:08.320 --> 00:01:12.420
 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

00:01:13.020 --> 00:01:17.879
 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

00:01:17.879 --> 00:01:24.119
 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons.

00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:28.759
 My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,

00:01:29.179 --> 00:01:32.039
 and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

00:01:32.259 --> 00:01:35.019
 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:38.840
 and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.

00:01:39.699 --> 00:01:41.479
 Endure hardship as discipline.

00:01:42.179 --> 00:01:43.840
 God is treating you as sons.

00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:46.859
 For what son is not disciplined by his father?

00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:51.400
 And if you are not disciplined, and everyone undergoes discipline,

00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:54.880
 then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:59.600
 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us,

00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:01.120
 and we respected them for it.

00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:05.900
 How much more should we submit to the father of our spirits and live?

00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:11.340
 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while, as they thought best.

00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:15.879
 But God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:20.539
 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:25.800
 Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace

00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:28.180
 for those who have been trained by it.

00:02:29.020 --> 00:02:32.379
 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:34.900
 Make level paths for your feet,

00:02:35.259 --> 00:02:38.340
 so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

00:02:38.340 --> 00:02:43.560
 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy.

00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:46.620
 Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.

00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:49.719
 See to it that no one misses the grace of God

00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:53.080
 and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:57.699
 See that no one is sexually immoral or is godless like Esau,

00:02:58.020 --> 00:03:02.439
 who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.

00:03:02.439 --> 00:03:08.439
 Afterwards, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected.

00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:13.300
 He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.

00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:17.879
 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched

00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:22.079
 and that is burning with fire to darkness, gloom, and storm,

00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:26.919
 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words

00:03:26.919 --> 00:03:31.359
 that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them

00:03:31.359 --> 00:03:34.280
 because they could not bear what was commanded.

00:03:35.239 --> 00:03:38.539
 If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.

00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:41.879
 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said,

00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:43.659
 I am trembling with fear.

00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:48.039
 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem,

00:03:48.519 --> 00:03:50.039
 the city of the living God.

00:03:50.299 --> 00:03:53.359
 You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels

00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:57.020
 in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn

00:03:57.020 --> 00:03:58.780
 whose names are written in heaven.

00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:02.400
 You have come to God, the judge of all men,

00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:05.300
 to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,

00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:08.280
 to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,

00:04:08.920 --> 00:04:11.860
 and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word

00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:12.860
 than the blood of Abel.

00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:16.939
 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.

00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:20.319
 If they did not escape when they refused him

00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:24.060
 who warned them on earth, how much less will we

00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:27.259
 if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?

00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:30.699
 At that time, his voice shook the earth,

00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:32.879
 but now he has promised,

00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:36.000
 once more, I will shake not only the earth,

00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:37.139
 but also the heavens.

00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.699
 The word once more indicate the removing

00:04:40.699 --> 00:04:43.899
 of what can be shaken, that is created things,

00:04:44.159 --> 00:04:47.839
 so that that which cannot be shaken may remain.

00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:50.959
 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom

00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:54.560
 that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful

00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:59.159
 and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

00:04:59.659 --> 00:05:03.199
 for our God is a consuming fire.

00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:07.199
 As we turn back to that portion of Hebrews 12

00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:10.000
 that we're going to look at, namely those first three verses,

00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:15.599
 I was reminded today that the church of Jesus Christ

00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:18.260
 is not small, but large.

00:05:19.340 --> 00:05:24.600
 The Joshua Project, which is one of the best statistical overviews

00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:28.180
 of the world's population and of its people groups,

00:05:28.580 --> 00:05:32.480
 tells us that there are over 17,000 people groups in this world

00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:36.800
 that comprise 7.59 billion people,

00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:40.700
 and at present they estimate that 2.375,

00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:44.519
 or 2 billion, 375 million people,

00:05:45.099 --> 00:05:48.420
 identify themselves as followers of Jesus.

00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:51.939
 So we should be encouraged, we should take heart,

00:05:52.259 --> 00:05:54.659
 because sometimes we look at our situation,

00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:59.539
 whether that's our congregation, our city, our country,

00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:02.860
 the area of the world in which we are situated,

00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:06.019
 and we might find ourselves disheartened.

00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:08.680
 We might find ourselves discouraged.

00:06:09.099 --> 00:06:12.159
 But when we take a step back and we look globally,

00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:16.819
 we realize that the church of Jesus is not receding,

00:06:16.979 --> 00:06:17.959
 but rather advancing,

00:06:18.539 --> 00:06:21.419
 and that the number of followers of Jesus Christ

00:06:21.419 --> 00:06:25.180
 has never, ever been greater than it is today.

00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:28.919
 The author to the book of Hebrews

00:06:28.919 --> 00:06:32.339
 wants to encourage the followers of Jesus,

00:06:32.339 --> 00:06:34.399
 wants to encourage them,

00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:36.299
 and wants to encourage us this evening.

00:06:37.159 --> 00:06:40.079
 And having read that chapter, chapter 11,

00:06:40.159 --> 00:06:41.279
 if you haven't read it recently,

00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:42.519
 read it again tonight.

00:06:43.019 --> 00:06:47.759
 And having recounted these great stories of the faithful,

00:06:48.419 --> 00:06:51.000
 has a message for the here and for the now,

00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:52.059
 and for you and for me.

00:06:52.859 --> 00:06:54.839
 Therefore, since we are surrounded

00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:57.299
 by such a great cloud of witnesses,

00:06:57.300 --> 00:07:00.579
 let us throw off everything that hinders

00:07:00.579 --> 00:07:03.699
 and the sin that so easily entangles,

00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:06.020
 and let us run with perseverance

00:07:06.020 --> 00:07:07.840
 the race marked out for us.

00:07:08.520 --> 00:07:10.180
 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:13.180
 the author and perfecter of our faith,

00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:15.900
 who for the joy set before him

00:07:15.900 --> 00:07:17.240
 endured the cross,

00:07:17.900 --> 00:07:18.860
 scorning its shame,

00:07:19.400 --> 00:07:21.259
 and sat down at the right hand

00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.420
 of the throne of God.

00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:25.340
 Consider him who endured such opposition

00:07:25.339 --> 00:07:26.659
 from sinful men,

00:07:26.919 --> 00:07:28.939
 so that you will not grow weary

00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:30.859
 and lose heart.

00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:35.139
 There are many modern-day Proverbs,

00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:37.739
 and one of them goes like this.

00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:39.519
 When the going gets tough,

00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:40.939
 the tough get going.

00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:43.139
 But what about the weak?

00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:45.679
 What happens when the going gets tough

00:07:45.679 --> 00:07:46.579
 and you're weak?

00:07:47.039 --> 00:07:49.120
 What happens when the going gets tough

00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:52.539
 and you're discouraged or disheartened?

00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:56.460
 It's not as snappy, is it?

00:07:56.520 --> 00:07:58.000
 You know, when the going gets tough,

00:07:58.100 --> 00:07:58.920
 the weak give up.

00:07:59.260 --> 00:08:00.720
 Or when the going gets tough,

00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:02.160
 the discouraged turn back.

00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:04.100
 Or when the going gets tough,

00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:05.600
 the disappointed give in.

00:08:06.320 --> 00:08:08.280
 Doesn't make as nice of a proverb,

00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:08.980
 does it?

00:08:09.660 --> 00:08:11.759
 But many of us often realize

00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:13.140
 that we are not in the category

00:08:13.140 --> 00:08:15.700
 of the tough or the resilient,

00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:19.280
 that we don't have the personal reserves

00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:21.179
 or the personal strength

00:08:21.179 --> 00:08:24.319
 to persevere in the face of

00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:26.579
 challenge or opposition.

00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:29.259
 So the going is tough

00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:31.039
 for the audience here,

00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:32.860
 and the going is tough

00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:34.459
 for the audience here.

00:08:35.319 --> 00:08:37.939
 Life is hard, unpredictable,

00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:39.299
 unexpected.

00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:43.419
 And now, there's a spoiler alert here,

00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:46.079
 because we're looking at

00:08:46.079 --> 00:08:47.059
 the suffering of Jesus.

00:08:47.059 --> 00:08:48.819
 We're trying to answer the question,

00:08:49.079 --> 00:08:51.319
 why did Jesus suffer and die?

00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:53.219
 Now, the spoiler alert

00:08:53.219 --> 00:08:55.579
 is that the suffering and death of Jesus

00:08:55.579 --> 00:08:57.779
 is not the last part of the story.

00:08:58.479 --> 00:09:00.279
 That as we are joining

00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:01.959
 with the worldwide church

00:09:01.959 --> 00:09:03.719
 in what is described as Holy Week,

00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:06.039
 Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday,

00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:08.059
 proceeds through Holy Thursday,

00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:10.059
 when Jesus celebrated

00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:12.899
 his last supper with his disciples,

00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:15.639
 and that night that he was betrayed

00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:17.620
 and handed over and arrested,

00:09:18.199 --> 00:09:21.080
 and that next day when he was tried

00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:22.620
 and condemned and crucified,

00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:24.840
 we're celebrating or remembering,

00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:26.519
 reflecting upon Good Friday,

00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:27.840
 this coming Friday.

00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:29.539
 But the spoiler alert

00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:31.319
 is that Jesus does not remain dead

00:09:31.319 --> 00:09:31.840
 and buried,

00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:33.500
 that suffering and sorrow

00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:35.379
 does not have the final word,

00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:38.100
 because Jesus is alive,

00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:41.439
 and that Jesus is risen,

00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:43.000
 risen from the dead.

00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:45.179
 Jesus is ascended from earth to heaven,

00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:46.700
 and Jesus is seated

00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:48.600
 at the right hand of God,

00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:50.620
 the Father in heaven.

00:09:51.259 --> 00:09:53.320
 So the author to the book of Hebrews

00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:55.320
 is telling his audience

00:09:55.320 --> 00:09:58.159
 that Jesus Christ is better,

00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:01.019
 and that Jesus Christ is best.

00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:02.440
 And that's the message

00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:03.399
 they need to hear

00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:05.220
 again and again and again.

00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:06.639
 And as you read through

00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:08.460
 these 13 chapters of Hebrews,

00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:10.100
 there's lots of illustrations

00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.420
 from the Old Testament,

00:10:11.420 --> 00:10:12.980
 lots of references

00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:15.720
 to priests or sacrifices,

00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:17.399
 but that lesson

00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:19.600
 is constantly being refrained.

00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:21.340
 Jesus better,

00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:23.040
 Jesus best.

00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:25.460
 It's tough life.

00:10:26.040 --> 00:10:26.700
 It's hard.

00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:27.540
 It's difficult.

00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:29.639
 And we're weak and weary.

00:10:30.100 --> 00:10:31.740
 We don't have the reserves.

00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.480
 We don't have the strength.

00:10:34.040 --> 00:10:35.560
 And you don't keep going

00:10:35.560 --> 00:10:37.220
 because of who you are.

00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:38.519
 You don't summon

00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:41.779
 some sort of internal source of strength

00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:44.160
 or internal source of wisdom.

00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:47.500
 You carry on because of who he is.

00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:48.779
 And you carry on

00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:50.320
 because of what he has done.

00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.639
 And you carry on

00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:53.340
 because he in fact did suffer.

00:10:53.660 --> 00:10:55.320
 And he in fact did die.

00:10:55.660 --> 00:10:56.840
 But that suffering and death

00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:58.279
 did not have the final word,

00:10:58.399 --> 00:11:00.519
 but rather life, resurrection,

00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:02.320
 ascension, and glory.

00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:04.120
 And that's the paradigm.

00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:06.179
 And we're going to explore that more

00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:07.240
 in a few moments,

00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:08.360
 but that's the picture.

00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.600
 That there is suffering

00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.560
 and there is hardship

00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:11.940
 and there is death.

00:11:12.560 --> 00:11:13.980
 But just as death did not have

00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:15.899
 the final victory over the Lord Jesus,

00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:17.379
 nor does death and suffering

00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.860
 have the final victory

00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:21.620
 over the followers of our Lord Jesus.

00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.220
 That he is the center

00:11:24.220 --> 00:11:26.740
 and it's all about him.

00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:30.019
 Now here's the question,

00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:31.419
 or here's the problem.

00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:34.539
 There was a revolution in thinking

00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:36.360
 that took place in astronomy.

00:11:37.079 --> 00:11:38.620
 There was the old model

00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:40.219
 of how this universe

00:11:40.219 --> 00:11:42.620
 or how this solar system worked.

00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.539
 And the old model was that

00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:47.379
 all the planets revolve around the earth.

00:11:48.099 --> 00:11:50.939
 We still kind of allude to that thinking

00:11:50.939 --> 00:11:52.500
 when we talk about the sun rising

00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.339
 and the sun setting.

00:11:53.439 --> 00:11:54.439
 We don't believe that anymore.

00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:56.860
 But even that illusion

00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:58.539
 kind of gives us a sense

00:11:58.539 --> 00:11:59.879
 that we are stationary

00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:01.100
 and it's the sun that rises

00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:02.100
 or the sun that sets.

00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:04.320
 But that old way of thinking

00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:06.159
 gave way to a revolutionary

00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:07.419
 new way of thinking.

00:12:08.059 --> 00:12:09.379
 That Copernicus reminded us

00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:10.539
 that actually, no, it's the sun

00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:12.460
 is the center of the solar system

00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:14.340
 and the planets, all the planets

00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:16.659
 revolve around that solar system.

00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:19.340
 Now this is not a lesson in cosmology,

00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.600
 but it's a question

00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.700
 that we need to answer

00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:27.259
 because is this world revolving around us,

00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:29.160
 me or you?

00:12:29.780 --> 00:12:32.400
 You know, are we at the center of this world

00:12:32.400 --> 00:12:35.200
 and we expect everything to revolve around us?

00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.360
 Because if we do,

00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.820
 I think we're going to be greatly disappointed

00:12:38.820 --> 00:12:42.220
 because it doesn't revolve around us.

00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:45.640
 But if this world revolves around Jesus,

00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:48.700
 if he's the center of this world,

00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:50.440
 then we do have hope.

00:12:50.680 --> 00:12:52.480
 If he's the center of this universe,

00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.700
 then we do have help.

00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:55.720
 But if we are the center

00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:58.160
 and then the going gets tough,

00:12:58.780 --> 00:13:00.259
 well, that's where you take over

00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.500
 or I take over.

00:13:01.800 --> 00:13:02.980
 We need the resources

00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.080
 or we need the strength

00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:06.320
 or we actually need to carry this world

00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:07.420
 and all of its problems

00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:08.820
 along with all of our troubles

00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:10.100
 and all of our sorrows.

00:13:10.660 --> 00:13:13.379
 So if we find ourselves honestly saying,

00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.899
 I can't cope,

00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:18.379
 I can't deal with life,

00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.100
 my life,

00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.960
 I can't deal with my problems,

00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:22.679
 I can't deal with the problems of others,

00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:25.379
 I can't fix what's broken in this world.

00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:27.379
 Well, if you're at that particular point

00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.379
 in your understanding

00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:30.439
 that actually the world

00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:32.220
 does not revolve around you,

00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:34.120
 the writer to the Hebrews

00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.500
 is telling us take heart

00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.460
 and be encouraged

00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:39.679
 because everything revolves around him.

00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.659
 We have hope tonight.

00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.019
 We have help tonight.

00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:44.019
 We have comfort tonight.

00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:46.159
 And the Bible addresses us

00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.819
 in real life settings

00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:49.779
 with real life challenges,

00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:51.299
 with real wisdom,

00:13:51.579 --> 00:13:52.480
 with real comfort

00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:53.639
 and real encouragement.

00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:56.639
 I feel sorry for anyone

00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:57.939
 who has come to

00:13:57.939 --> 00:14:00.179
 or has been introduced

00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:01.579
 to the Christian message

00:14:01.579 --> 00:14:03.100
 and has been told,

00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.100
 believe in God

00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:05.620
 and your problems disappear.

00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.899
 Follow Jesus

00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.159
 and everything will be rosy

00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:10.220
 because that's not a genuine

00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:12.340
 or a fair presentation of the gospel.

00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.440
 It's not true to life.

00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:15.139
 It's not true to the word.

00:14:15.540 --> 00:14:17.500
 And people who find themselves

00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:19.440
 introduced to the gospel in that way

00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:21.000
 will find themselves quickly

00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:23.379
 disheartened on the journey.

00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:25.200
 So if you remember the power,

00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.879
 if you remember the main message

00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.480
 of Hebrews

00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:29.379
 that Jesus is better

00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:31.180
 because Jesus is best.

00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.680
 He's better than us.

00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.860
 He's better than anything else.

00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:36.300
 He's the best.

00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:38.399
 So anything other than Jesus

00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:39.500
 is second best.

00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:41.319
 If we settle for

00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:43.099
 or if we turn to anything

00:14:43.099 --> 00:14:45.179
 or anyone other than Jesus,

00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:47.539
 we are turning to a source of power

00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.699
 or a source of wisdom

00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:51.439
 that by definition is inferior.

00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.039
 So I'd like to begin

00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:56.539
 with two exhortations

00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:58.740
 or two words of encouragement.

00:14:59.079 --> 00:15:00.919
 But before we get to those

00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:03.539
 let us words or phrases,

00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:05.079
 I'd like to notice

00:15:05.079 --> 00:15:06.719
 that we are not alone.

00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.519
 Beginning of verse 12 says,

00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.219
 since we are surrounded

00:15:10.219 --> 00:15:14.159
 by such a great cloud of witnesses.

00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:17.699
 We're not alone in the Christian life.

00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:21.379
 That's why Hebrews chapter 10,

00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:23.099
 we're reminded of the fellowship

00:15:23.099 --> 00:15:23.799
 of believers.

00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:27.000
 That's why in Hebrews chapter 11,

00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:28.559
 we're reminded of those

00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:30.779
 great generations of the faithful

00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:33.219
 who have gone before us.

00:15:33.719 --> 00:15:35.359
 And the picture now here

00:15:35.359 --> 00:15:37.939
 is almost of a picture of a stadium.

00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:40.799
 It's of an athletic contest

00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.839
 or a race.

00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.259
 And there's a stadium.

00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:45.000
 There's a crowd gathered.

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.899
 And this crowd is gathered

00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:48.459
 to cheer us on,

00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:51.019
 to encourage us along the way.

00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:53.740
 And I find that's a helpful picture.

00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.500
 Because if you think

00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:57.559
 that life is a solitary journey

00:15:57.559 --> 00:15:59.500
 that you walk alone,

00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:02.259
 that you begin and walk

00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:04.179
 and continue on your own

00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:06.859
 with your own set of circumstances,

00:16:06.859 --> 00:16:09.879
 it can become pretty disheartening.

00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.519
 And I think that's one

00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:13.240
 of the great benefits and blessings

00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.719
 that we have in fellowship,

00:16:15.359 --> 00:16:16.959
 that worshiping together,

00:16:17.339 --> 00:16:18.179
 serving together,

00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:20.079
 studying the Bible together,

00:16:20.079 --> 00:16:21.819
 that we realize that together

00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:23.760
 we are stronger than we are apart.

00:16:24.260 --> 00:16:25.240
 We can encourage.

00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.600
 We can be encouraged.

00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:29.580
 We can carry one another's burdens.

00:16:30.140 --> 00:16:31.640
 We can love one another,

00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:34.100
 serve and help one another.

00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:37.040
 And the writer here is telling us

00:16:37.040 --> 00:16:39.440
 that there's a great cloud of witnesses.

00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.879
 That this great cloud of witness

00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:43.680
 surrounds us, encourages us,

00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:46.860
 cheers us on, encourages us along the way.

00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:49.320
 That if life is a race,

00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.120
 and we'll see that image in a moment,

00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:52.120
 if life is a race,

00:16:52.180 --> 00:16:54.519
 and we realize that many, many people

00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.279
 have run this race,

00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:58.399
 have gone through these hardships,

00:16:58.700 --> 00:17:00.440
 have dealt with these problems,

00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.940
 and have made it through,

00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:05.819
 we realize that we too can make it.

00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:07.500
 Not with our own strength,

00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.360
 but with the strength of God,

00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.759
 with the help of Jesus,

00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.859
 but knowing that there is

00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:14.079
 this cloud of witnesses,

00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.359
 the fellowship of believers,

00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:18.019
 and those who have gone before us

00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.220
 in the journey.

00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:22.759
 So there's two exhortations,

00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:23.740
 let us.

00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:26.299
 The first is negative,

00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:28.440
 let us throw off

00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:30.319
 everything that hinders

00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:32.740
 and the sin that so easily entangles.

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.839
 So in this race,

00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:35.920
 or in this journey,

00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:39.140
 there is a lot that will hold us back.

00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:41.280
 So if the going is tough,

00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:42.620
 and if the race is long,

00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:45.000
 and if it feels like the burdens are many,

00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:48.180
 sin, placing yourself

00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:49.660
 at the center of the story,

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:52.400
 only adds to the problem,

00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:54.960
 only makes the journey harder,

00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:57.680
 only makes the trials tougher.

00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:00.740
 So if the picture here

00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:02.640
 is of a race and of a runner,

00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:04.759
 you want every advantage

00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.759
 for that runner,

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.240
 and you want to eliminate

00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.820
 every disadvantage.

00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:11.560
 And sin is described

00:18:11.560 --> 00:18:13.600
 as that which entangles

00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:16.020
 and that which hinders.

00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.680
 Now sin is described

00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:19.080
 as many different ways in the Bible.

00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.759
 It's described as rebellion,

00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:22.120
 doing things your own way.

00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:24.340
 It's described as missing the mark

00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:25.680
 or crossing the line.

00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:28.380
 But if life is a race or a journey,

00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:30.660
 then sin is everything

00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:32.420
 that distracts you or diverts you

00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:34.759
 or makes the journey even harder.

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:37.900
 So we are being exhorted here

00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:40.819
 to throw off everything,

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:43.299
 everything that runs contrary

00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.900
 to what God is like.

00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:47.680
 That we are to live with holiness

00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:49.579
 rather than selfishness,

00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:51.019
 rather than self-centeredness,

00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:54.500
 rather than sin that clouds our minds

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:56.359
 and sin that distracts our heart

00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:58.799
 and sin that diverts our path.

00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:00.819
 So there's the negative

00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:02.299
 and then there's the positive.

00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:05.220
 And let us run with perseverance

00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:08.139
 the race marked out for us.

00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.619
 That there is a race

00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.000
 and it is marked.

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:13.399
 We don't need to mark the race out ourself.

00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:15.599
 We don't need to determine the path.

00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:18.940
 The path is already marked out.

00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:21.900
 So the negative, let us throw off.

00:19:22.080 --> 00:19:24.600
 And the positive, let us run.

00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:27.720
 So those are the exhortation

00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:31.799
 that we are journeying with this great crowd

00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:33.380
 that's cheering us on.

00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:35.759
 So we have the people of God

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:39.779
 and above all, we have the Son of God.

00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:42.700
 So life is a race.

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.200
 It is a journey.

00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:46.480
 And it's not a sprint.

00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.120
 It doesn't happen like that.

00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:51.019
 But at 52, you realize

00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.939
 that there's many years that are behind you

00:19:52.939 --> 00:19:54.059
 and you hope and pray

00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:56.299
 that there might yet be a few years ahead of you.

00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:58.779
 But you realize that the Christian life

00:19:58.779 --> 00:20:01.239
 is not simple or straightforward

00:20:01.239 --> 00:20:04.219
 or quick or carefree.

00:20:04.739 --> 00:20:06.719
 And there's something that I can do

00:20:06.719 --> 00:20:08.719
 to make this journey easier,

00:20:09.479 --> 00:20:11.479
 i.e. that I focus my mind

00:20:11.479 --> 00:20:13.759
 and focus my heart upon God and his truth.

00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:16.159
 So we need each other.

00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:18.620
 But above all, we need Jesus.

00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:21.440
 So if there are two exhortations,

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:26.200
 we now are told that we are to pay close attention.

00:20:27.300 --> 00:20:30.120
 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.

00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:32.080
 Not a quick glance,

00:20:32.840 --> 00:20:34.840
 not a temporary, you know,

00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:37.000
 not just a look here or a look there,

00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:40.820
 but let us focus our attention on him.

00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:44.000
 Because if this journey is long

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.519
 and if this journey is tough

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:49.379
 and if we need every comfort

00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:50.720
 and every encouragement,

00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:52.899
 he is the source.

00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:54.700
 He's the author.

00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:56.299
 He's the perfecter.

00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:59.740
 So if Jesus is better because Jesus is best

00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.339
 and if the letter to the Hebrews

00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:03.839
 is a reminder that it's all about him,

00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:07.000
 the Christian life is all about him.

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:09.660
 Yes, it's a life that we run.

00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:11.619
 It's a race that we run,

00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:14.140
 but we run looking to him.

00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:17.039
 It's a race that's begun with Jesus

00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:19.859
 and it's a race that's continued with Jesus

00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:22.839
 and it's a race that is ultimately concluded

00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.559
 with Jesus.

00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:27.720
 So he is the one that we look to.

00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:30.200
 He is the one that we focus upon

00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:33.059
 and he is the one that we need to start,

00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:36.660
 to continue, and to finish.

00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:39.480
 Who is this Jesus?

00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:41.900
 What has this Jesus done?

00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.360
 And this is the key.

00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:46.039
 This is the key that unlocks the message of the Bible,

00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.680
 the person of Jesus,

00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:48.920
 that he's the son of God.

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.080
 He's the savior of the world.

00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.840
 What has this Jesus done?

00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:53.440
 Well, he's come into this world.

00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:55.700
 He's come down to our level.

00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:58.799
 He's lived the life that we have not lived.

00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:02.119
 He's died the death that we ought to have died.

00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:04.159
 He's given us this paradigm

00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:07.319
 or this picture of suffering, of death.

00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:09.859
 But yet that picture of suffering and death

00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:11.079
 that does not end with death,

00:22:11.159 --> 00:22:14.619
 but rather there is a next step.

00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:17.319
 There is a motivation and there is a destination.

00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:20.240
 So if we are fixing our eyes,

00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:22.940
 if we are paying attention to Jesus,

00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:25.819
 that he begins and he continues.

00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:30.159
 He is the source of our life.

00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:32.939
 He's the source of our strength.

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:36.639
 And he is the key to this journey.

00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:39.740
 Yes, the faithful that have gone before us

00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:42.319
 point us time and time again to God,

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.639
 point us time and time again to Jesus.

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.779
 The crowd of witnesses,

00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:48.939
 the cloud of witnesses that are surrounding us

00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:50.000
 and cheering us on,

00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:52.779
 they've run the race,

00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:53.819
 they've reached the destination.

00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.500
 Destination.

00:22:54.919 --> 00:22:56.339
 But here we still are.

00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:59.000
 And the sorrows, the trials, the troubles,

00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:00.119
 the discouragements,

00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:03.619
 the times where we feel like it's time to give in

00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:06.700
 and the times that we feel that it's time to give up

00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:08.399
 or the times that we think,

00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:11.339
 actually, it's time to turn back.

00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.379
 Following Jesus is hard.

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:16.240
 Being faithful is hard, is difficult.

00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:19.519
 But if we focus our eyes upon him,

00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:22.859
 we see a pattern or a paradigm.

00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:25.420
 Because we see that, yes, of course,

00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:29.559
 there is suffering and there is shame.

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:34.440
 But there is a reward and there is a motivation.

00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:38.779
 Now, in the East, you know, we're in the West.

00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:42.079
 In the East, I saw this when I was living in Japan.

00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:44.039
 You see this when you are in the Middle East,

00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:47.159
 that there's a culture of shame, shame and honor.

00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:51.539
 That if you are caught doing wrong,

00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:54.440
 that is incredibly shameful for you.

00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:56.139
 It's shameful for your family

00:23:56.139 --> 00:24:00.559
 because this public dishonor sticks to you.

00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.200
 And in the East,

00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:05.500
 that's why that first miracle of Jesus

00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:07.659
 in Cana of Galilee was so remarkable.

00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:09.480
 Because that young couple,

00:24:09.560 --> 00:24:11.000
 remember the wine ran out?

00:24:11.580 --> 00:24:13.120
 That was going to be the wedding

00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:15.600
 that everybody remembered for the wrong reason.

00:24:16.540 --> 00:24:18.380
 That family, those two families,

00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:21.060
 would be remembered for putting on a wedding banquet

00:24:21.060 --> 00:24:23.680
 where they ran out of one of the key elements

00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.759
 of the celebration.

00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:29.500
 But Jesus comes and transforms the shame into honor.

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:32.900
 Because that was a wedding that was remembered.

00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:34.880
 Not because the wine ran out,

00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:37.960
 but because they saved the best wine to last.

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:40.660
 So we see here in a culture

00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:43.519
 that understands what shame looks like.

00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:46.279
 That Jesus endured shame.

00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.680
 He endured the cross.

00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.759
 He scorned its shame.

00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:53.759
 So you see this pattern is set by Jesus.

00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:56.480
 But you see there's a motivation here.

00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:58.660
 There's joy that lies ahead.

00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:01.500
 For the joy set before him.

00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:05.960
 And there's a place that lies ahead,

00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:08.400
 namely that he is at the right hand

00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:09.900
 of the throne of God.

00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:13.599
 So Jesus did endure the cross.

00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.240
 He suffered.

00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.759
 Jesus scorned the shame.

00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.799
 And Jesus sat down

00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:21.360
 at the right hand of the throne of God.

00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:25.039
 So we too, as we fix our eyes on Jesus,

00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:27.480
 we see what he has done.

00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:30.019
 And we see what he has achieved.

00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.420
 And we see that, yes,

00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:34.059
 there was suffering on the cross.

00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:35.139
 There was death.

00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.500
 There was shame.

00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:38.379
 And that shame was public.

00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:41.039
 He was publicly ridiculed.

00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:43.059
 He was publicly mocked.

00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:45.700
 He was publicly spat upon

00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:47.759
 and scorned and mocked

00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:51.059
 and abused physically and verbally.

00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:54.019
 And he there died publicly.

00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.339
 A place of shame.

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.539
 A place of punishment.

00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.059
 Why?

00:25:58.399 --> 00:26:01.679
 So that ultimately that is no longer our place.

00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:04.679
 Yes, there's trial.

00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.480
 There's trouble.

00:26:05.659 --> 00:26:06.319
 There's hardship.

00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:10.179
 But what he experienced was absolutely unique.

00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:14.379
 He who deserved no, nothing but praise

00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:17.799
 endured the shame and the suffering.

00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:21.180
 The ridicule, the abuse, the mocking.

00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:25.180
 He had every right to expect and deserve and demand

00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:28.279
 worship and praise and glory and honor.

00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:30.879
 But he deliberately placed himself

00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:33.079
 in that place of suffering,

00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.799
 in that place of scorn,

00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:36.799
 and in that place of shame.

00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:41.240
 So that we never will ultimately experience that ourselves.

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:43.759
 Yes, it's a long race.

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:46.319
 And yes, there may be many challenges

00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:48.379
 and many difficulties along the way.

00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:51.259
 But if our eyes are fixed on Jesus,

00:26:51.879 --> 00:26:54.559
 we know that he has gone before us.

00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:58.279
 And that he has overcome all those obstacles

00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:01.279
 that would otherwise overwhelm and destroy us.

00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:04.299
 That there is joy set before Jesus.

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:08.420
 And that right now, Jesus is at that place

00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:11.339
 of ultimate power and ultimate authority.

00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.899
 Repro Jamesした.

00:27:12.899 --> 00:27:14.819
 So we have the unique experience of Jesus,

00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:17.059
 but the unique experience of Jesus

00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:19.659
 is set down before us

00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:23.019
 as a pattern for the followers of Jesus.

00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:26.579
 Jesus experienced trouble and hardship.

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:28.000
 The followers of Jesus, not surprisingly,

00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:31.000
 experienced trouble and hardship.

00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:34.039
 Jesus experienced opposition and persecution.

00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:37.059
 The followers of Jesus, not surprisingly,

00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:40.480
 experienced trouble, persecution, and opposition.

00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:44.420
 But notice that Jesus overcomes all enemies.

00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:46.620
 Jesus defeats all foes.

00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:49.019
 Jesus deals with the shame.

00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:51.019
 Jesus deals with the suffering.

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:57.720
 And now Jesus is in that place of ultimate power and ultimate authority.

00:27:58.140 --> 00:28:00.759
 So not only do we have the cloud of witnesses,

00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:03.860
 not only do we have the fellowship of believers,

00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:09.960
 not only do we have that great honor role of the faithful,

00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:15.579
 but we have him at the right hand of the majesty in heaven.

00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:17.220
 That we have Jesus.

00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:20.839
 We have a friend in a high, high place.

00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:24.900
 Remember when Jesus was speaking to his disciples in John 15.

00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:27.279
 He said, I no longer call you servants.

00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:29.099
 A servant doesn't know his master's business.

00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.360
 I call you friends.

00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:34.539
 So this evening, if the going is tough and if the trials are many,

00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:36.980
 and if it's discouraging and disheartening,

00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:40.599
 and if you feel tempted to despair and tempted to give up,

00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:42.059
 think of him.

00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.559
 Think of Jesus.

00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.140
 Think of the cross.

00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:46.559
 Think of the shame.

00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:49.319
 But think of his victory.

00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:53.480
 Because he now is at that place of power.

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.740
 What's he doing?

00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:59.079
 Because the image of sitting down means that work is done.

00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:01.120
 He's done the work.

00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.740
 He's paid the price.

00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:04.079
 He's satisfied the debt.

00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:10.559
 But what we're told in the book of Romans is that he's constantly interceding for us.

00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:12.559
 He's praying for us.

00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:15.740
 He's praying that we persevere.

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:18.379
 He's praying that we keep to the path.

00:29:18.679 --> 00:29:21.199
 He's praying that we continue the race.

00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:24.419
 And he's at that place where all resource,

00:29:24.699 --> 00:29:25.579
 all power,

00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:26.939
 all honor,

00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:29.699
 and all glory belongs to him.

00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.039
 So you see,

00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:32.039
 it's not all about us,

00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.359
 is it?

00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.019
 It's not about you,

00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:35.200
 how strong you are.

00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.339
 It's not about you,

00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.579
 how wise you are.

00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.700
 It's not about you,

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:42.339
 about how you persevere in the face of disappointment.

00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:44.359
 It's not about the going,

00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.420
 getting tough,

00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.680
 and the tough getting going.

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.740
 But it's all about him.

00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.639
 It's all about the cross.

00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:52.980
 It's all about the shame that he bore.

00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:56.180
 And it's all about the victory that he achieved.

00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:57.320
 And in verse 3,

00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.100
 it says,

00:29:58.580 --> 00:30:03.000
 consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men,

00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:04.560
 so that.

00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:10.160
 So now the unique experience of Jesus becomes an encouragement to the followers of Jesus.

00:30:10.840 --> 00:30:11.539
 He endured,

00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:16.039
 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:18.080
 This is what he did.

00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.279
 This is what you do.

00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.779
 This is what he experienced.

00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.460
 This is what you,

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.660
 in a very small measure,

00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.399
 experience.

00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.539
 But you experience that,

00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.559
 not in isolation.

00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:28.680
 You're with the people of God.

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.500
 You're with the cloud of witnesses.

00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:33.460
 But the Son of God has gone ahead of you.

00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:37.460
 There's joy that accompanied Jesus on the cross.

00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:40.339
 That for the joy set before him,

00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.700
 what was the joy?

00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:43.119
 Joy in heaven.

00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:47.539
 Remember the parables that Jesus told in Luke chapter 15?

00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:49.139
 That there's celebration.

00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:50.519
 There's rejoicing in heaven.

00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:50.980
 Why?

00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:53.519
 When one sinner repents.

00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.399
 You see,

00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:56.599
 there was joy that was set before Jesus.

00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:58.420
 He had work to do.

00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.940
 He had a price to pay.

00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.379
 But what did he see?

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.559
 He saw us,

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:04.059
 the people of God.

00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:06.799
 He saw us without hope and without help.

00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:09.220
 He saw us in despair and in defeat.

00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:12.420
 And he did all this for us.

00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:16.339
 So that we can persevere to the end.

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.379
 So,

00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:20.819
 and this is the challenge of the Christian life.

00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.839
 That it is all about him.

00:31:23.199 --> 00:31:25.659
 And yet this is a race that we run.

00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:27.539
 It's all about what he did.

00:31:27.659 --> 00:31:28.179
 And yet,

00:31:28.399 --> 00:31:30.079
 the life that you and I live

00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:32.500
 is filled with hardship and disappointment.

00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:34.099
 And yet we continue.

00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.079
 We carry on.

00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.579
 We don't give up.

00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:38.019
 And we don't turn back.

00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.779
 And we don't throw in the towel.

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:41.919
 And we don't put up our hands in despair.

00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:45.199
 But rather we fix our eyes on him.

00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:47.920
 He starts the journey with us.

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:50.200
 He continues the journey with us.

00:31:50.340 --> 00:31:55.080
 And he will ultimately bring us to his intended conclusion.

00:31:56.080 --> 00:31:57.539
 So by all means,

00:31:58.100 --> 00:32:00.400
 let's throw off anything that will hinder us.

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:03.740
 Let's not make the journey more difficult than it needs to be.

00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:07.299
 Let's not try to make this journey on our own,

00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:08.319
 with our own strength,

00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:10.000
 because we simply cannot do it.

00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:14.299
 But let's not try to accompany this journey with our own agenda,

00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:15.279
 our own desires,

00:32:15.420 --> 00:32:16.200
 our own interests.

00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:18.920
 Let's throw off anything that entangles us.

00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:23.839
 And let's continue to run with perseverance as we focus on him.

00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.900
 Why did he suffer?

00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:29.900
 He suffered so that we will ultimately be received into his kingdom.

00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:33.180
 He experienced and he scorned the shame of the cross.

00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:33.579
 Why?

00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:37.000
 So that we will never experience that shame for ourselves.

00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:38.539
 Where is he now?

00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:41.619
 He's at that place of honor and that place of glory.

00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.660
 Where will we be?

00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:45.220
 We too will be in that place of honor.

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.740
 Not at the right hand.

00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:48.079
 That's his unique position.

00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:51.180
 But we will be with him in glory.

00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:54.299
 We will be with him celebrating his victory

00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:57.140
 and enjoying the fruits of his labor,

00:32:57.579 --> 00:33:01.259
 enjoying the benefits of his victory for this time forever.

00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:04.180
 We'll join with that great cloud of witnesses.

00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:08.140
 We'll join with that great honor role of the faithful.

00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.100
 All because of him.

00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:14.779
 The beginner, the middle, and the ending of our journey.

00:33:15.820 --> 00:33:17.980
 I'm going to close by just reading a few verses

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:20.160
 that were written about 700 years

00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:24.380
 before the time of the letter to the Hebrews was written.

00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:28.340
 And this was written to a group of people that were far from home.

00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:30.840
 A group of people that were in exile.

00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:32.279
 They were discouraged.

00:33:32.439 --> 00:33:33.179
 They were disheartened.

00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:35.659
 They were wondering maybe God has ignored us

00:33:35.659 --> 00:33:37.399
 or maybe God has left us.

00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:39.959
 Maybe our sin has been too great

00:33:39.959 --> 00:33:43.339
 and maybe God's patience has been tried one too many times.

00:33:43.919 --> 00:33:45.939
 At the end of Isaiah chapter 40,

00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:49.559
 we have this image that again captures this idea

00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:51.059
 that life is a race,

00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:54.179
 that there's running to be done or walking to be done,

00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:56.859
 but that there's weariness along the way.

00:33:56.859 --> 00:34:00.319
 Isaiah 40, this is page 725.

00:34:01.459 --> 00:34:04.759
 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel?

00:34:05.159 --> 00:34:07.039
 My way is hidden from the Lord.

00:34:07.139 --> 00:34:10.039
 My cause is disregarded by my God.

00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:12.599
 You can almost hear the heaviness and the weariness

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:14.299
 of the questions that are being answered.

00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:15.900
 Do you not know?

00:34:16.359 --> 00:34:17.519
 Have you not heard?

00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:19.779
 The Lord is the everlasting God,

00:34:19.859 --> 00:34:21.539
 the creator of the ends of the earth.

00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:24.179
 He will not grow tired or weary

00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:27.340
 and his understanding no one can fathom.

00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:29.259
 He gives strength to the weary

00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:31.079
 and increases the power of the weak.

00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:33.460
 Even youths grow tired and weary

00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:35.779
 and young men stumble and fall.

00:34:36.340 --> 00:34:38.619
 But those who hope in the Lord

00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:40.719
 will renew their strength.

00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:43.579
 They will soar on wings like eagles.

00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:46.619
 They will run and not grow weary.

00:34:47.239 --> 00:34:49.739
 They will walk and not be faint.

00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:52.339
 Those who hope in the Lord.

00:34:52.919 --> 00:34:55.000
 That's the people of God in every generation.

00:34:55.759 --> 00:34:56.779
 That's you this evening.

00:34:56.919 --> 00:34:58.779
 If your hope is in Jesus Christ,

00:34:59.479 --> 00:35:01.519
 you'll run, you'll walk.

00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:03.919
 You'll come to his intended destination

00:35:03.919 --> 00:35:06.539
 with his strength and with his encouragement

00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:09.119
 because he promises to do so.

00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:11.699
 And the one thing that we find in God's word

00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:15.279
 consistently true is that whatever he promises,

00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.859
 he always delivers.

00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:18.879
 So the going gets tough.

00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:22.119
 We don't summon resources from within ourselves.

00:35:22.700 --> 00:35:24.519
 We fix our eyes on Jesus.

00:35:25.180 --> 00:35:25.860
 He's the author.

00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.360
 He's the perfecter.

00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:34.200
 He's the first one.

00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:44.700
 You know,

00:35:44.700 --> 00:35:46.740
 he's theJIGอง,

00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:48.980
 so the little thing comes to this event

00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:49.460
 because of the power of charging

00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:51.120
 that it is the Incorporated