WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.580 Well, please do have a seat and let's pray as we come to read and study and learn from God's word together. 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:08.240 Let's pray. 00:00:11.179 --> 00:00:15.460 Father God, we thank you so much that you love us in your son, the Lord Jesus. 00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:21.600 Father, that you encourage every step of the way as we pursue him. 00:00:22.140 --> 00:00:25.960 Father, thank you that he walks with us by his spirit. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:36.460 So, Lord, now as we come to study this word, may you send your spirit to make it alive for us, to challenge and change. 00:00:37.500 --> 00:00:43.880 Father, in order that we might see your son Jesus afresh anew this morning. 00:00:44.659 --> 00:00:53.140 Father, take feeble words, send your spirit that this sermon might come with power and deep conviction from yourself. 00:00:53.140 --> 00:00:57.500 Father, our greatest need right now is to hear your voice. 00:00:58.160 --> 00:01:00.039 So speak, your servants are listening. 00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:01.140 Amen. 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:08.799 We are near the end of our series in Hebrews, out from the shadows. 00:01:08.920 --> 00:01:10.140 We've got to chapter 12. 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:11.920 It's stretched us. 00:01:12.180 --> 00:01:13.519 It's challenged us. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:19.219 It's shown us the Lord Jesus, maybe in ways that we've never seen before. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:26.399 Certainly against the backdrop of the Old Testament, it has been such a thrilling journey to go on. 00:01:26.679 --> 00:01:32.620 And we come to probably the most famous bit of Hebrews this morning in Hebrews 12. 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:37.079 And so my opening question for you is this. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:42.759 Who, put your hands up, has been running in the last six months? 00:01:42.819 --> 00:01:47.280 I don't mean you were late for the bus and you thought, if I don't get the 26, I'm going to be late for work. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:53.099 I mean you wore shorts and you wore trainers and you thought, I'm going to go running. 00:01:53.180 --> 00:01:57.060 Put your hand up if you've been running in the last six months. 00:01:58.379 --> 00:01:59.180 It's very good. 00:01:59.219 --> 00:02:01.400 It's a lot more athletic than I thought we were at Brunsfield. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:07.320 Keep your hand up in the air if in the last year you've taken part in a running race. 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:09.819 Who's been in a race? 00:02:10.180 --> 00:02:13.060 Look at the Downies at the front in all their athletic glory. 00:02:13.219 --> 00:02:15.159 And Ailey, brilliant. 00:02:15.700 --> 00:02:18.200 What a sporty crew we are. 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:21.420 But I wonder if you've ever experienced this. 00:02:21.500 --> 00:02:25.080 Maybe you haven't been running in the last six months, but I'm sure you've done some kind of cross-country, 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:29.300 such as the brutality of the education system in this country. 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:31.540 Have you ever felt this? 00:02:32.700 --> 00:02:37.780 You're in the middle of a race when things start to fall apart. 00:02:38.260 --> 00:02:39.860 Your legs feel like concrete. 00:02:40.020 --> 00:02:41.400 Your breathing grows labored. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:44.240 Your strides turn into shuffles. 00:02:44.920 --> 00:02:49.160 Negative thoughts flood your mind and the urge to quit becomes overwhelming. 00:02:50.300 --> 00:02:56.860 Unfortunately, if you run long enough, this will inevitably be your experience. 00:02:56.860 --> 00:03:01.700 And unless you can push through, your race will be over. 00:03:02.200 --> 00:03:07.580 That is one of the most famous Kenyan athletes who's been running marathons for years. 00:03:07.960 --> 00:03:12.240 It's him describing the experience of hitting the wall. 00:03:12.900 --> 00:03:15.460 Of hitting the wall. 00:03:15.960 --> 00:03:20.480 It happened to Paula Radcliffe in 2004 at the Athens Olympics. 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:22.759 She'd been running. 00:03:22.859 --> 00:03:26.879 She'd actually got to 21.6 miles, which is some effort. 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:36.979 But at that point, she hit the wall she couldn't overcome and tapped out and just sat sobbing by the side of the road. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:44.899 What we have here in Hebrews 12 being described is this group of Jewish Christians. 00:03:45.699 --> 00:03:53.419 And in their Christian life, in their journey towards the Lord Jesus, they have, in every sense of the word, hit the wall. 00:03:54.139 --> 00:03:57.659 They've hit the wall in their race of faith. 00:03:57.659 --> 00:04:00.979 And I think three things have happened to them. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:06.019 And if you look down at Hebrews 12 and verse 12, I'll just point them out to you. 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:10.960 The first thing they've witnessed is they're prematurely exhausted. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:13.340 Look what he says in verse 12. 00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:17.139 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:24.000 Make level paths for your feet so that the lame may not be disabled but rather healed. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.019 They've come through a lot, these Hebrew believers. 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:31.319 They've suffered hardship. 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:32.420 They've struggled. 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:34.120 There's been difficulty. 00:04:34.339 --> 00:04:36.259 They've had possessions confiscated. 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:39.540 Their reputations in society have been crushed. 00:04:40.040 --> 00:04:45.199 They've really, in the crosshairs of a hostile society. 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:47.779 And they're exhausted. 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:50.959 And they're ready just to tap out. 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:57.779 And like Paula Radcliffe, to just sit sobbing on the side of what was their Christian race. 00:04:58.859 --> 00:05:00.299 Then look at verse 14. 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:03.939 And we see their second experience as they hit the wall. 00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:06.659 They've got stubborn deafness. 00:05:07.419 --> 00:05:10.459 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and be holy. 00:05:10.979 --> 00:05:13.500 Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. 00:05:14.179 --> 00:05:16.719 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God. 00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:23.060 And that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:31.640 The phrase bitter root here isn't some kind of divided relationship or some kind of friction experienced within the church. 00:05:31.700 --> 00:05:35.120 But as a reference back to Deuteronomy 29. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:38.120 Where Moses says, 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:47.840 Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:53.439 Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit. 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:59.660 One who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart. 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:04.640 Saying, I shall be safe though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart. 00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:09.820 What the writer to the Hebrews is saying is make sure you keep listening to God. 00:06:09.880 --> 00:06:12.340 That you don't just close your ears. 00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:17.980 That you don't rely on the distance that you've traveled so far and go, well I've got it. 00:06:18.520 --> 00:06:20.640 I don't need to listen to God anymore. 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:25.839 The Christian faith is not so much about the resume we've accrued. 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:29.639 But it is about listening to the Lord today. 00:06:30.459 --> 00:06:31.379 They've stopped listening. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:35.639 They've got stubborn deafness. 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:37.879 So just imagine Mo Farah. 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:44.099 That greatest of British imports that we've ever managed. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:47.919 Who did so well at the London Olympics. 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:53.080 And this summer we'll be competing in Rio. 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:56.759 But just imagine if he said, oh, London was great. 00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:59.080 I don't need to train for Rio. 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:08.060 I can just sit on my couch and use Deliveroo till my heart's content eating burgers and Chinese and Thai. 00:07:08.340 --> 00:07:10.080 I can just eat as much as I want. 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:11.319 Because I did it before. 00:07:11.580 --> 00:07:15.280 I don't really need to train for Rio in the summer. 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:17.119 I can't be bothered. 00:07:17.299 --> 00:07:19.319 He said, I've did enough before. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:21.119 I can just do whatever I want. 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:27.619 Now that's the experience that the Hebrew Christians feel that they've gone far enough. 00:07:28.739 --> 00:07:33.000 And then the third experience as they hit this wall in the race of faith. 00:07:33.119 --> 00:07:34.099 Look at verse 16. 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:39.140 See that no one is immoral or is godless like Esau. 00:07:39.379 --> 00:07:43.100 Who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the older son. 00:07:43.640 --> 00:07:48.300 Afterwards, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. 00:07:48.460 --> 00:07:50.500 Even though he sought the blessing with tears. 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:53.280 He could not change what he had done. 00:07:54.340 --> 00:07:56.879 This reference to Esau is very stark. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:00.000 We maybe remember the story from back in Genesis. 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:03.420 That Esau comes in from hunting. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:06.159 It's not been very successful and he's absolutely famished. 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:12.000 And his brother Jacob, who's never slow in taking an opportunity that presents itself, 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:14.920 says, oh Esau, have some of my stew. 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:17.079 But in return, I want your blessing. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:24.540 And Esau, so distracted by the immediate, loses perspective on the eternal. 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:25.420 And he says, deal. 00:08:26.460 --> 00:08:32.139 And it makes a massive difference that Esau pursues comfort now. 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:36.019 And the fleeting pleasures of sin and compromise. 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:46.460 And at the same time, in that instant, forsakes the eternal blessing that is his in, through God's. 00:08:47.320 --> 00:08:49.539 And that's what's happening to these Hebrew Christians. 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:51.000 They've hit the wall. 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:53.759 They're suffering premature exhaustion. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:57.860 They're closing their ears to what God is saying. 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:04.419 And they're distracted by all sorts of things in the world and sin. 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:09.399 But I guess this is where God's word is so fresh and real to us. 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:14.379 Because the experience of these Hebrews is so readily our experience. 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:26.879 I mean, who amongst us, the longer we've been in this race, haven't just wanted to sit by the side of the road, tap out, exhausted, overwhelmed. 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:30.360 It's all too much. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:38.899 Who amongst us, hasn't been tempted to rely on the distance traveled rather than being obedient to the Lord today? 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:44.519 Who hasn't been tempted to go, well, I've done enough. 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:56.920 And now I'll just go to the hammock and put my slippers on and watch National Geographic rather than pursuing God with all that he promises and tells us each day. 00:09:56.919 --> 00:10:09.299 And who amongst us doesn't know the very real temptation to be sidetracked and diverted, to stop pursuing Jesus but start pursuing other things? 00:10:09.299 --> 00:10:22.120 To exchange an eternal dividend that is ours in Christ for the fleeting pleasures of sin and satisfaction now. 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:29.079 And so what the writer to the Hebrews is saying is that the Christian life is an ultra-endurance marathon. 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:33.439 This starts when you meet Jesus and trust in him. 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:38.180 It continues all of your early life as you pursue Jesus. 00:10:38.300 --> 00:10:41.220 All of your earthly life as you pursue Jesus. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:53.060 And it ends gloriously when we meet Jesus and receive the unimaginable reward that is ours because of him. 00:10:54.140 --> 00:10:55.760 And so what would God say? 00:10:55.759 --> 00:11:07.159 What would God say to encourage these people and us when we're tempted to, like Paul, to sit by the side of the road and cry rather than keep on going? 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:13.419 How is God going to encourage us when we're tempted to tap out and give up? 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:18.059 Well, he encourages us in two very surprising ways. 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:21.840 Verses 1 to 3, he encourages us in the arena. 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:28.420 And verses 4 to 11, he trains us in the gymnasium. 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:30.700 He encourages us in the arena. 00:11:30.800 --> 00:11:31.720 Verses 1 to 3. 00:11:31.920 --> 00:11:34.379 And he trains us in the gymnasium. 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:36.080 Verses 4 to 11. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:38.920 So let's look at this. 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:41.519 Hebrews 12, verse 1. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:46.280 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:51.259 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:55.519 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 00:11:56.039 --> 00:12:00.419 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:04.139 For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:08.120 scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:18.299 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:27.019 I think he gives us five things that we're to do if we're not going to be those that tap out and give up. 00:12:27.099 --> 00:12:28.259 And the first one is this. 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:30.620 He says, learn from. 00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:34.879 We've just come through Hebrews chapter 11, which has been this, 00:12:34.979 --> 00:12:40.059 this marvelous list with small biographical details of these great saints of old 00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:44.059 who kept on pursuing Jesus in faith. 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:49.719 He says, these people are to encourage us and we're to learn from them. 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:54.019 These are not so much supporters in the stadium clapping us along, 00:12:54.219 --> 00:12:58.279 but it is more the honors board. 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:06.319 The honors board listing their achievements of the past so that as we go out to run our race, 00:13:07.199 --> 00:13:11.799 we go, well, they did it and they did it and they suffered more than me. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:14.480 So it encourages us to keep on going. 00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:18.079 We're running a race. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:23.200 And the writer to the Hebrews says, many people have run this race before you and learn from them. 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:28.820 Learn from what they did and how they persevered and how they kept going, 00:13:29.400 --> 00:13:34.060 even through struggles that are greater than what you are facing. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:37.080 Here are some of the names. 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:41.139 And then the second thing he says is strip off. 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:47.919 Back when Hebrews was written, there wasn't lycra or high performance fabric or neoprene. 00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:52.840 When you took part in the games, you took part in the way that nature intended. 00:13:57.939 --> 00:14:02.080 You would do it in a very vulnerable way. 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:07.700 And it's this analogy that the writer to the Hebrews builds on next. 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:11.580 He says, shed everything that isn't absolutely essential. 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:13.740 Get rid. 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:16.700 Make sure that there is nothing holding you back. 00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:20.500 Make sure wind resistance is to an absolute zero. 00:14:21.660 --> 00:14:26.720 So this is Sir Bradley Wiggins, another great British treasure. 00:14:26.900 --> 00:14:29.820 Hebrews 12 is illustration central. 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:36.580 And so Bradley Wiggins in 2009, he was a middle distance track athlete. 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:40.620 And in 2009, he switched to the road. 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:43.640 And his first major race was the Tour de France. 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:48.160 And Bradley Wiggins, who, let's face it, wasn't exactly obese to start with, 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:52.240 in order to get ready for the Tour de France, shed 16 kilograms. 00:14:54.080 --> 00:15:02.360 In order to give himself every chance of completing the three-week endurance race up and down mountains. 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:07.360 He turned up at the start line with 0% body fat. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.779 He was giving himself every chance. 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:17.539 The papers changed his nickname from Wiggo to Twiggo. 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:21.279 Because so skeletal had Wiggins become. 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:25.180 It's the same thing that the writer to the Hebrews is saying. 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:26.699 Strip off. 00:15:27.359 --> 00:15:31.259 Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:35.039 My friend Paul has just started working for Mission Aviation Fellowship. 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:39.279 And his job is when the planes come in as they're donated from different organizations, 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:41.399 is to just strip out everything. 00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:43.479 The fabric in the seats. 00:15:43.859 --> 00:15:47.379 Any instruments on the dashboard that aren't utterly necessary. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:52.480 He takes every other step out from the landing steps. 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:53.679 Why? 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:56.379 Because they're shedding every single bit of weight. 00:15:56.600 --> 00:16:00.379 To give them every chance of stopping on these less than salubrious runways. 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:04.519 And making sure they can fit as much in as they possibly can. 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:09.500 It's that same idea that the writers of the Hebrews is telling his people. 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:14.320 Strip off everything that's not absolutely necessary. 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:17.200 Notice that he says two things. 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:20.679 He says, let us throw off everything that hinders. 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:22.019 This can even be good things. 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:23.159 Permissible things. 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:25.419 These aren't necessarily sinful things. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:28.700 But these are good things that have become ultimate things. 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:33.019 When family is so pedestaled that you can't do anything else. 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:37.059 When your job envelops all of your energy and takes all of your time. 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:40.480 When your house and your possessions. 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:43.440 When your sports team and your friends. 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:45.080 When they start to dominate. 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:47.460 And Jesus has to start to diminish. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:50.560 That's the kind of thing that Mr. Hebrews is saying. 00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:51.259 Let us throw. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.540 Throw it off. 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:57.200 Even good things need to find their priority. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:17:02.660 Need to find their place behind our pursuit of the Lord Jesus. 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:08.700 And then he says, also throw off the sin that so easily entangles. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:13.379 And so many of us are running this race dressed like this. 00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:16.559 With a huge comfortable scarf. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:18.759 With inappropriate shoes. 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:21.159 With a mink coat on. 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:25.180 Things that are so comfortable to wear that we've got so used to wearing. 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:28.099 And yet we're just tripping ourselves up. 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:32.079 We've got this sin that we've become so used to. 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:37.980 And it's completely destroying our efforts to pursue Jesus. 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:44.359 Unless we shed everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:49.579 We're in every danger of getting the did not finish qualification. 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:54.259 Because we're laboring and carrying too much stuff. 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:57.879 Then he says, dig deep. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.460 Thirdly. 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:01.879 Let us run the race with perseverance. 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:04.379 To just keep on going. 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.279 It's not a sprint. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:08.019 It's an ultra endurance marathon. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.339 The Christian life is long. 00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:11.740 Largely uphill. 00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:12.740 Energy sapping. 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:14.779 Tough. 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:19.359 And immensely costly. 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:23.960 You read the Gospels and seemingly every time Jesus speaks to people. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:27.019 He says, this is tough. 00:18:28.399 --> 00:18:31.319 Don't sign up for the race unless you're committed. 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:35.619 And just see how difficult it is going to be. 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:40.639 Any prospective disciple is told it's going to cost. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:45.480 Jesus' offer of forgiveness is absolutely free. 00:18:45.600 --> 00:18:46.920 It is all by grace. 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.960 Not by works. 00:18:50.020 --> 00:18:51.820 But being a disciple is all or nothing. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:57.500 He makes us fully aware of the implications before he accepts our applications. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:02.060 Unless we're ready for the race marked out for us. 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.100 We're sure. 00:19:04.020 --> 00:19:05.000 As we know it's tough. 00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:05.860 We'll give up. 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:10.859 And we'll do a pull and Radcliffe and sit by the side crying. 00:19:10.979 --> 00:19:11.699 It's not a sprint. 00:19:12.699 --> 00:19:13.979 And it's not a saunter. 00:19:15.159 --> 00:19:16.599 Keep on running. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.319 Dig deep. 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.699 And then he says, look. 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:21.659 Look to Jesus. 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.819 Fixing our eyes on Jesus. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:27.619 The one who is our ultimate encouragement. 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:32.000 The one who is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:35.000 Borrowing language from chapter 2, verse 10. 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:38.459 I was trying to think of an illustration for this. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:40.599 And I went to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:43.459 And the team triathlon relay. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:48.500 And the beautiful thing about England is that we have two triathletes. 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.479 The Brownlee brothers. 00:19:49.899 --> 00:19:52.279 And they are just better than everyone else. 00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:54.559 So when it came to the team triathlon. 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:57.659 The two of them had run such a brilliant time. 00:19:58.319 --> 00:20:01.000 That all the two ladies in the middle had to do was finish. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:03.900 They just had to cross the line and the gold. 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:06.599 Another gold would go to England. 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:09.980 That's kind of what we have in view here. 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:12.359 That Jesus has run this race so well. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.180 So fast. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.099 So perfectly. 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.640 So obediently. 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.599 So wonderfully. 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:19.799 That all we need to do is cross the line. 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:21.799 We just need to keep on going. 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:25.599 And the most glorious reward will be ours. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:29.519 That makes Olympic gold look like worthless trash. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:34.819 Just need to keep on running to finish. 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:38.700 Fixing our eyes on Jesus. 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:40.359 The wonderful champion. 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:43.379 Who's ensured victory for our team. 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:45.879 And welcomes us onto the podium. 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:48.759 If we'll just finish. 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.639 And not give up. 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:53.819 Lastly from here it says. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.039 Not only look to him. 00:20:55.639 --> 00:20:56.859 But consider him. 00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.519 Verse 3. 00:20:58.939 --> 00:21:01.220 Mr. Hebrews also exhorts us. 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.879 To not just look to. 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.780 But to learn from Jesus. 00:21:05.280 --> 00:21:06.880 To consider him. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:10.240 To consider him as the ultimate one. 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:13.300 Who endured so much for our sake. 00:21:13.620 --> 00:21:15.200 Who suffered opposition. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:15.980 And suffering. 00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.600 And shame. 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.260 And mockery. 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:17.960 And brutality. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.800 And injustice. 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:22.560 Who was faced with relentless traps. 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:23.480 That he escaped. 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:25.960 Who was faced with manifold temptations. 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:27.860 That he never gave into. 00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:29.780 That he willfully submitted. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:31.700 And obeyed his father. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:33.319 The bare face lies. 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.660 The wanton rejection. 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:36.200 The perpetual disappointment. 00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.600 The voluntary surrender. 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:39.480 The obedient sacrifice. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:41.720 The setting his face like flint. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:44.440 To complete the course for which he came. 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:46.400 And the writer to the Hebrews says. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.220 Consider him. 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:50.240 Consider what he went through for you. 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:52.059 Consider all. 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.860 That lay in his way. 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:55.220 And yet he overcame. 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:57.420 And suddenly you'll find. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.500 Strengthen your stride. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.940 And hope. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.400 That you'll finish. 00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:03.900 Consider him. 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.799 Who threw it all. 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.920 Despite it all. 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.960 Laying down his all. 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.740 He finished for us. 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:10.779 No one suffered more. 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:12.360 No one endured more. 00:22:12.360 --> 00:22:14.660 No one accomplished more than Jesus. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:17.100 And so consider him. 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.720 As you run your race. 00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:21.920 In pursuit of him. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:24.259 In the arena of faith. 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:26.240 When we're tempted to sit down. 00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:27.380 By the side of the road. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.279 Having hit the wall. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:30.480 God cheers us on in the arena. 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.980 Through the first three verses of Hebrews. 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:34.980 And he says five things. 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.940 Learn from the saints of old. 00:22:39.560 --> 00:22:41.440 Strip off everything that hinders. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:44.320 And the sin that so easily entangles. 00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.360 Dig deep. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.480 The race is long. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.920 And it is hard. 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:50.120 Look to Jesus. 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:52.039 Who's completed the race. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:53.640 Perfectly for us. 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.720 And consider him. 00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:57.860 What he overcame. 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.860 So that you too. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:22:59.920 Can overcome. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.220 And so that's the. 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:04.000 Encouragement in the arena. 00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:06.680 But verses four to eleven. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.360 Talk about the training. 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:10.180 In the gymnasium. 00:23:11.300 --> 00:23:12.940 Talk about the training. 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:13.880 In the gymnasium. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.779 In God's. 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.820 Preparation program. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.680 Nelson Mandela said this. 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.680 Running taught me valuable lessons. 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:25.640 In cross country competition. 00:23:25.860 --> 00:23:28.140 Training counted more than intrinsic ability. 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:32.299 And I could compensate for a lack of natural aptitude. 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.759 With diligence and discipline. 00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:35.680 I applied this in. 00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:36.759 Everything. 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:39.460 So look at verse eleven. 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.600 Verse eleven. 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.599 See the very end. 00:23:42.719 --> 00:23:43.139 That word. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.759 Trained by it. 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.419 That word trained. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.379 Is the Greek word. 00:23:47.459 --> 00:23:48.619 From where we get our word. 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.500 Gymnasium. 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.899 And that is what. 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:52.119 What God is doing. 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:53.419 As we run this race. 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:53.839 He is. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.299 Training us. 00:23:55.719 --> 00:23:56.379 He is. 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.019 Disciplining us. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:58.759 He is. 00:23:58.879 --> 00:24:00.299 Putting things in our way. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.919 In the training regime. 00:24:01.919 --> 00:24:02.659 Of our life. 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:04.519 In order that we might become. 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.339 Holy. 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:08.619 He says to us. 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.500 In verse fourteen. 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:11.059 That without holiness. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:13.619 No one will see the Lord. 00:24:13.959 --> 00:24:14.699 That God's. 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.579 Disciplined. 00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:16.500 Training regime. 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.740 Using anything. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.500 And everything. 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.219 In your life. 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.299 Using your situations. 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.339 And circumstances. 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:23.859 In order that you might put on holiness. 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:26.099 In order that you might be. 00:24:26.219 --> 00:24:27.219 Being sanctified. 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:27.859 And growing. 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.459 In order that you might be. 00:24:29.459 --> 00:24:31.359 More suitable for the race. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:33.459 In which you're engaged. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.539 The Hebrew. 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.659 Hebrew Christians. 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.459 Are bemused. 00:24:37.639 --> 00:24:38.959 Why is it so hard? 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.819 Why do I want to give up? 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:42.360 Is God letting me down? 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.759 And the writer to the Hebrew says. 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.400 No, no, no. 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:48.680 He's just training you. 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:51.500 He's just working all things together. 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.340 To conform you. 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:53.779 To the image of the Lord Jesus. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:55.259 God this morning. 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.600 Is much more interested. 00:24:56.600 --> 00:24:57.460 In your holiness. 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.720 Than he is about your happiness. 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.840 Because your happiness. 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:01.779 Will be fleeting. 00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:02.620 But your holiness. 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.200 Will last. 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.400 And be joyful. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.319 Forever. 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:06.399 Forever. 00:25:07.439 --> 00:25:08.259 And so what we see. 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:09.200 In this passage. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:11.179 Are the ways. 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.359 That our training. 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.779 Is working. 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.359 The first thing he says. 00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:17.339 Is in verse four. 00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:19.480 In your struggle against sin. 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.779 You have not yet resisted. 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.299 To the point. 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.399 Of shedding your blood. 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:24.779 Seems like quite a brutal point. 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.279 Doesn't it? 00:25:26.439 --> 00:25:27.379 That when we're tempted. 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:27.899 To give up. 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.359 God says. 00:25:28.439 --> 00:25:29.379 Well you shouldn't give up. 00:25:29.419 --> 00:25:30.059 You're still alive. 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.480 You won't find that. 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:34.619 In many pastoral counseling. 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:36.479 Manuals. 00:25:37.379 --> 00:25:37.939 That when people. 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.719 Are really struggling. 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.039 You go. 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.859 But you're still alive. 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:41.000 What are you complaining about? 00:25:42.739 --> 00:25:43.539 But that's what. 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:44.579 The writer to the Hebrews. 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.099 Is saying. 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:47.719 Compared to some of the people. 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.859 At the end of chapter 11. 00:25:49.239 --> 00:25:50.339 Your heart's still beating. 00:25:50.439 --> 00:25:50.899 And your lungs. 00:25:50.939 --> 00:25:51.619 Are still inflating. 00:25:51.739 --> 00:25:52.199 Keep going. 00:25:53.139 --> 00:25:54.259 You're still alive. 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:55.879 Knowing that. 00:25:55.959 --> 00:25:56.459 Should encourage. 00:25:56.459 --> 00:25:57.379 To keep us going. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.299 That we're still alive. 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.219 In order that we might. 00:25:59.219 --> 00:26:00.359 Keep going. 00:26:01.219 --> 00:26:01.899 Verse five. 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.319 He says. 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.259 You're being trained. 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:06.079 Have you completely forgotten. 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.220 This word of encouragement. 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.119 That addresses you. 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.700 As a father addresses his son. 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.640 It says. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.180 My son. 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.240 Do not make light. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.319 Of the Lord's discipline. 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:15.200 And do not lose heart. 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.319 When he rebukes you. 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:18.539 So when difficult times come. 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:20.379 We need to keep walking. 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.319 The tight rope. 00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:24.019 We can't make light of it. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.539 And just laugh it off. 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.879 And pretend that nothing's happening. 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:28.119 And we've got nothing to learn. 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.920 In the situation. 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.519 But nor are we. 00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.879 To be completely crushed. 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:33.099 By it. 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.599 And give up. 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:36.119 Don't make light of it. 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:38.099 Don't lose heart. 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.740 Because of it. 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.559 But grow. 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.319 In the midst of it. 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:44.180 God is aligning circumstances. 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.019 And situations. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.960 In your life. 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.619 In order that you might learn. 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.180 And grow. 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.660 In order that you might. 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.599 Put on holiness. 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:52.079 And have greater stamina. 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.500 For the race. 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:55.420 That is marked out before you. 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.220 You're still alive. 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:00.160 You're being trained. 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.339 And thirdly. 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.500 You're legitimate children. 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:04.859 I was in Sainsbury's yesterday. 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.400 Sainsbury's on Saturday. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.400 Is excruciating. 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:09.019 And it was made all the worse. 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:10.480 By a two year old little girl. 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.400 Who in the veg aisle. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.900 Is having a proper tantrum. 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:15.279 She is kicking the floor. 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:16.359 She's face down. 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.960 She's punching and screaming. 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:18.640 Her parents. 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.799 Her head is revolving. 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:21.119 360 degrees. 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.400 360 degrees. 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:25.300 But no part of me thought. 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.300 Oh I should go over. 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:28.120 And say to this little girl. 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:29.300 That's not the appropriate way. 00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:30.120 To act in public. 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.340 I don't know if you would do that. 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.360 I certainly wouldn't. 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:34.740 Why? 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.840 Because it's the parents job. 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:37.920 To discipline their children. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:38.340 Isn't it? 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.900 And that's the great encouragement. 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:42.500 That comes to us in verse 7. 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:45.460 That God is disciplining us. 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.600 Because he loves us. 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.919 and is treating us like children. 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:52.619 That he's doing whatever he can in order to make us fit 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:55.000 for the race you're legitimate children. 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:58.759 So counterintuitively, when we face hardship, 00:27:59.419 --> 00:28:00.919 the discipline of the Lord, 00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:05.519 he's doing it because he loves us and wants the best for us 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:08.980 and wants to use any means possible in order that holiness 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:11.859 might be the end result. 00:28:14.439 --> 00:28:15.419 Oh, that's the picture. 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:18.060 That wasn't that child, just in case you thought that was a bit weird. 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:22.500 Verse 9, you're learning respect. 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:26.880 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:29.300 and we respected them for us. 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:32.460 Now, generally speaking, and I know some people here 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:36.120 had very difficult and abusive relationships with parents, 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:40.500 but broadly speaking, parents who discipline their children 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.560 earn their respects. 00:28:42.340 --> 00:28:45.340 When we'd done something wrong and my dad came in from work, 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.500 like we hid in our bedrooms. 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:50.539 Because we were afraid of him because we respected him. 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:53.139 And it wasn't so much when he shouted to us, 00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:56.799 it was when he adopted that very disappointed in you, 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:57.599 Jonathan Whisper. 00:28:58.339 --> 00:29:01.980 And you were totally crushed because you really respected your parents 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:06.019 your parents because they loved you and wanted the best for you. 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:09.059 And so God is disciplining us. 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:12.500 He's giving us this training regime 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:16.799 in order that we might grow in holiness and respect him 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:18.480 and have a right fear of the Lord. 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:22.400 In order that we might keep on going. 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:26.360 I think we get this when really difficult things happen. 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:29.539 When we know that we can't get through it ourselves, 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:31.759 we throw ourselves on the Lord and pray to him. 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:36.259 But I wonder how many opportunities to learn and to grow 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:39.380 and deepen our relationship with God we lose. 00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:42.300 Because when things aren't quite at that extreme, 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:45.680 we just try and tough it out and go it alone. 00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:50.320 Two more little encouragements. 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:52.120 Verse 10, your training will work. 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:56.520 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best, 00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:58.380 but God disciplines us for our good 00:29:58.380 --> 00:30:01.240 in order that we may share in his holiness. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:05.700 In contrast to earthly fathers who discipline us 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:07.740 to the best of their ability 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:12.400 in order to bring about what they hope will be good results. 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:15.900 Our father God disciplines us 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:18.779 in order to achieve the desired outcome of our holiness. 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:21.519 He's not making it up as he goes along. 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:23.880 He's not reading the latest parenting manual 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:25.900 or sporadically using the naughty step. 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:29.039 God is orchestrating and training 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:33.539 even through hardship in order to cultivate holiness in our lives. 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:36.720 In order that we might be those that 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:39.639 throw off everything that hinders 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:41.700 and the sin that so easily entangles. 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:44.240 He is so all over this training program 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:46.980 that that might happen in your life and mine. 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:50.220 And the final encouragement, verse 11. 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:53.180 No discipline seems pleasant at the time. 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:55.440 I don't know if you ever got a smacked bottom 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:57.399 when you were growing up, but it wasn't pleasant. 00:30:58.119 --> 00:30:59.559 But you learnt from it. 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:03.839 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, 00:31:03.919 --> 00:31:05.579 but painful later on, however. 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:10.379 It produces a harvest of righteousness 00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:13.619 and peace for those who have trained, 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.779 been trained by it. 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:19.299 If we remain enlisted in God's gymnasium, 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:21.480 continuing to face hardship 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:24.559 as part and parcel of God's training regime of discipleship, 00:31:25.419 --> 00:31:26.759 then it will be tough. 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:28.579 It will be painful. 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:30.359 It will be unpleasant. 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:33.960 Like a sculpture God is working on 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:35.420 that he's chipping away 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:38.359 and stripping away everything 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:40.859 in order that we might be conformed 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:42.720 to the glorious image of the Lord Jesus. 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:46.700 In time, this training regime will work. 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:48.619 So when we face discipline, 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:50.519 we're so ready to ask, 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.180 why me? 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:52.379 Why is this happening? 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:55.400 God, why are you treating me like this 00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:58.680 when what we should be asking is what? 00:31:59.280 --> 00:32:01.900 What are you teaching me in the midst of this hardship? 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.800 And the second question, 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:05.400 how can I get through it in a way 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.880 that brings you maximum glory 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:10.660 and me, maximum growth in holiness? 00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:13.440 That we might develop a muscle memory 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:16.140 in living rightly and peaceably 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:17.460 before a holy God 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:20.080 in order that, as verse 14 says, 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:22.679 we might have the hope of seeing him. 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:26.379 Muhammad Ali famously said this, 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:29.300 I hated every minute of training, 00:32:29.780 --> 00:32:31.880 but I said, don't quit, suffer now 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:34.760 and live the rest of your life as a champion. 00:32:35.800 --> 00:32:37.400 If that was what he said 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:39.480 about his relatively short boxing career 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:42.280 and the prospect of wearing an oversized belt 00:32:42.280 --> 00:32:43.400 for a few years, 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:45.780 how much more should it be our attitude 00:32:45.780 --> 00:32:49.280 not to quit amidst God's perfect training regime 00:32:49.280 --> 00:32:51.700 in this life to make us holy 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:53.960 with the sure and certain prospect 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:56.819 of sharing eternal glory with God forever. 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.740 So what do we do 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:01.799 when we hit the wall of our Christian life? 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:04.000 Well, we're encouraged in the arena. 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.360 Learn from the saints of old, 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:08.140 strip off everything that hinders, 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:11.120 dig deep and run with perseverance. 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.380 Look to Jesus, 00:33:13.080 --> 00:33:15.360 who's already completed the race for us 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:17.580 and consider how he did it. 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:20.779 And learn everything you can in God's gymnasia. 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.840 You're still alive. 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.580 Keep going. 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.440 You're being trained. 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.299 That's a good thing. 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:27.539 God's treating you as sons 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:29.720 because you're legitimate children. 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:31.700 You're learning respect 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:33.360 and a healthy fear of God 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:36.880 with a view to please him in every way. 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.940 Your training will work. 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:42.299 Your training will deliver 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.500 and you'll have the hope 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:45.299 of seeing God forever. 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:47.319 And so we come into land 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:48.660 with this African proverb. 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:51.220 Every morning in Africa, 00:33:51.380 --> 00:33:52.440 a gazelle wakes up. 00:33:53.080 --> 00:33:54.720 It knows it must run faster 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.500 than the cheetah 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.640 or it will not survive. 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.640 Every morning, 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.880 a cheetah wakes up 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:02.259 and it knows it must run faster 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.380 than the slowest gazelle 00:34:03.380 --> 00:34:04.600 or it will not survive. 00:34:05.540 --> 00:34:06.500 It doesn't matter 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:07.519 if you are the cheetah 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:08.360 or the gazelle. 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:10.180 When the sun comes up, 00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:11.880 you better be running. 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.659 Dear friends, 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.779 when the sun comes up, 00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:16.239 run towards Jesus 00:34:16.239 --> 00:34:17.139 and keep on running 00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:18.059 the rest of the day. 00:34:18.839 --> 00:34:19.219 Tomorrow, 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:21.039 simply repeat 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:22.899 and the same the day after. 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:24.460 Keep on repeating 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:26.179 until you finally cross the line 00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:28.099 and collapse exhausted 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:28.819 from the race 00:34:28.819 --> 00:34:30.019 into the eternal presence 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:31.159 of Jesus Christ, 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.299 the author 00:34:32.299 --> 00:34:33.699 and perfecter of our faith. 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:35.339 It may hurt now. 00:34:35.679 --> 00:34:36.899 It may cost now. 00:34:37.359 --> 00:34:38.799 We may struggle now. 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:40.559 We may know hardship now. 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:42.940 But if we run with perseverance, 00:34:43.860 --> 00:34:45.779 the race marked out before us, 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.880 it will be worth it then. 00:34:47.699 --> 00:34:48.840 And it will be worth it 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.380 in the light 00:34:49.380 --> 00:34:50.639 of the glorious eternity. 00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:52.820 We'll get to share with God 00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:54.759 because of the Lord Jesus. 00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:55.380 Let's pray. 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.139 Father God, 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:05.940 thank you so much 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:07.099 that you don't leave us alone 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:08.400 but you treat us as children. 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:10.539 And so, 00:35:10.680 --> 00:35:10.800 Lord, 00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:11.639 I pray that you would 00:35:11.639 --> 00:35:13.260 encourage every stride. 00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:15.460 Father, 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.119 I pray 00:35:16.119 --> 00:35:17.639 that you would 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:19.019 continue to cultivate 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:20.619 holiness in our lives. 00:35:22.720 --> 00:35:23.420 And Father, 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.460 you would do it all 00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:27.200 in order that we might 00:35:27.200 --> 00:35:28.079 be conformed 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.940 to the image 00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:29.800 of the Lord Jesus 00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:32.940 and that we might know 00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:34.960 the sure and certain hope 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.740 of at the end 00:35:35.740 --> 00:35:37.059 running into his 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.779 gracious arms. 00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:40.940 And so, 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.119 Lord, 00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:41.900 help us, 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.279 train us. 00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.759 We invite you 00:35:44.759 --> 00:35:45.619 to do whatever 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.639 is necessary 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:48.440 in order that we 00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:49.019 might be fit 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:49.779 for this race. 00:35:50.840 --> 00:35:51.279 Father, 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.119 encourage those 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:52.860 who are struggling. 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:54.159 Father, 00:35:54.259 --> 00:35:55.099 open the ears 00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:55.519 of those 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.099 that have stopped 00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:56.519 listening. 00:35:57.840 --> 00:35:58.639 And Father, 00:35:58.779 --> 00:35:59.360 may there be 00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:00.599 undivided hearts 00:36:00.599 --> 00:36:02.539 in the lives 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:02.980 of those 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:03.539 that attempted 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.639 to look elsewhere 00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:06.099 for joy 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:07.219 and pleasure 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:08.059 and happiness. 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:09.319 Father, 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:10.179 thank you so much 00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:10.719 for Jesus 00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:12.239 who endured 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:13.119 so much 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:14.380 so that we 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:15.400 would not grow weary 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:16.259 or lose heart. 00:36:16.779 --> 00:36:17.159 Father, 00:36:17.259 --> 00:36:17.900 thank you so much 00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.299 for him. 00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:19.259 Amen. 00:36:19.260 --> 00:36:25.520 and 00:36:25.520 --> 00:36:26.580 thank you. 00:36:26.580 --> 00:36:26.840 Amen. 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:27.000 Amen. 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:27.740 Amen. 00:36:28.240 --> 00:36:28.480 Amen. 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:28.560 Amen. 00:36:28.560 --> 00:36:28.740 Amen. 00:36:28.740 --> 00:36:28.880 Amen. 00:36:29.120 --> 00:36:29.180 Amen. 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:31.640 Amen. 00:36:31.660 --> 00:36:33.100 Amen.