WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.080 Amen. Amen. You may be seated. Children, we are ready for Children's Church at this time. 00:00:06.160 --> 00:00:16.199 ! You may make your way to the back. And remember, this week you're going to be going to the youth 00:00:16.199 --> 00:00:19.699 ! You're going to be making your way to the youth room for Children's Church. And so parents, make sure 00:00:19.699 --> 00:00:26.460 that when you pick them up, you go out and to the right to pick up your kids after the service. Now, 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:33.380 this story is a little bit before my time, but I've seen some documentaries and read the story. But 00:00:33.380 --> 00:00:42.540 who in here can remember the 1980 Olympics when the U.S. hockey team beat the Russians? Anybody 00:00:42.540 --> 00:00:48.480 can anybody remember watching that? Yes, many of you can remember seeing that. And it's a really a 00:00:48.480 --> 00:00:55.679 fascinating story. The United States had put together a group of college hockey players 00:00:55.679 --> 00:01:02.640 who were going to represent the U.S. in the Winter Olympics. Now, this was before professional 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:08.379 athletes could play. And so they were getting all of these college athletes from around the country, 00:01:08.539 --> 00:01:16.159 bringing them together to represent the United States in the hockey tournament there. And so 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:24.680 this group of hockey players, this group of college students, was set to play what was undoubtedly the 00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:30.900 greatest team in the tournament, the Soviet Union. They were going to play them. And they were set to 00:01:30.900 --> 00:01:36.800 play them. And just from a strictly statistical standpoint, they had very little chance of winning 00:01:36.800 --> 00:01:46.080 this game. Very little chance of walking away from this victorious. But Coach Herb Brooks gave a speech 00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:53.079 to his team. And he said, great moments are born from great opportunity. And that is what you've earned 00:01:53.079 --> 00:02:00.420 here tonight. He said, one game. He said, if we played them 10 times, they may beat us nine of those times. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:06.420 But not this game. Not tonight. I don't even like hockey. But I'm like, let's go play. You know, 00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:14.139 let's, that's exciting. That's a, that's a powerful speech, a powerful statement. No one expected them to win. 00:02:14.139 --> 00:02:21.559 But with about a minute left, the commentator said, do you believe in miracles? Do you believe in miracles? 00:02:21.699 --> 00:02:29.299 And the U.S. team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Now, was all of this through 00:02:29.299 --> 00:02:37.779 just sheer blind, dumb luck that, that the team managed to pull this off? Of course not. It wasn't just that. 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:45.479 A lot of it came down to the coach. Herb Brooks, who knew that he didn't have the best team in the world. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:50.699 They were not the most talented team in the world. But he said, no one's going to outwork us. 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:58.199 No one is going to outwork us. And they would be the most disciplined team. His philosophy was pretty simple. 00:02:58.580 --> 00:03:02.860 He said, we may not have the best team, but we will be the fittest team. 00:03:02.860 --> 00:03:08.620 And one of the reasons that the U.S. beat the Russians in this is because they never stopped. 00:03:09.100 --> 00:03:14.480 They never stopped skating. They never stopped with this level of intensity throughout the game 00:03:14.480 --> 00:03:20.580 that was hard to keep up with for the entirety of the game. And they were able to do this. 00:03:20.980 --> 00:03:24.840 In our next section in the book of Hebrews that we're going to be looking at, 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:31.700 the author explains how hard work and training not only pays off in the sports arena, 00:03:31.700 --> 00:03:37.060 but also in the Christian life. And so if you have a copy of God's Word, 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:43.020 I want to invite you to open with me as we begin to think about what it means to be disciplined followers 00:03:43.020 --> 00:03:49.659 of Christ. And so Hebrews chapter 12, starting in verse 4, and you'll remember from our previous 00:03:49.659 --> 00:03:56.479 section, the author is telling us to run this race that God has set for us. He's saying we must run it 00:03:56.479 --> 00:04:04.759 with endurance. We must run it as we look to Jesus. And now we begin to see how we are to train for this race. 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:08.120 It says this, starting in verse 4, Hebrews 12, it says, 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:13.579 In your struggle against sin, you have not resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:20.960 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard the 00:04:20.960 --> 00:04:28.360 discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:35.180 and chastises every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. 00:04:35.699 --> 00:04:41.240 God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:47.139 If you are left without discipline in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:54.460 and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. 00:04:55.040 --> 00:05:01.040 Shall we not much more be subject to the father of spirits? For they disciplined us for a short time 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:07.720 as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:15.380 For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful 00:05:15.380 --> 00:05:22.380 fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore, lift your drooping hands 00:05:22.380 --> 00:05:28.420 and straighten your weak knees and make straight paths for your feet so that what is lame may not 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:35.000 be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone and for the holiness 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:42.160 without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, 00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:49.279 that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:58.240 That no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:05.600 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found 00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:17.439 no chance to repent, though he sought for it with tears. In this passage, the author points to us, 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:23.160 is trying to tell us, the point he's trying to tell us is that in order to run this race that God has 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:30.260 called us to run, in order to run it well, in order to run it with endurance, we must run with discipline. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:36.820 And it's my hope and prayer that as we look at this passage, we will clearly see the need to be 00:06:36.820 --> 00:06:42.760 disciplined in the Christian walk. Now, in order for us to see this, I want us to answer a question 00:06:42.760 --> 00:06:49.100 that I think this text asks of us. I want us to answer this question and then to see a few 00:06:49.100 --> 00:06:54.720 truths that build from this passage. And so to begin with, I want us to answer the question 00:06:54.720 --> 00:07:03.760 very simply, what is discipline? What is discipline? Just verses 4 through 11, we see the word discipline 00:07:03.760 --> 00:07:11.820 or disciplined appear nine times. Now, in addition to this repetition of the word discipline, the whole 00:07:11.820 --> 00:07:18.020 theme of this section is talking about being disciplined in our walk with God. That is the focus 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:26.719 of this passage. But let's be honest here. Very few people like the word discipline, or rather I should 00:07:26.719 --> 00:07:34.099 say very few people like to be disciplined. We tend to think of discipline as a negative thing, 00:07:34.299 --> 00:07:39.560 whereas something like training, that's positive, right? We don't like to think about discipline 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:45.139 or being disciplined, but training, yeah, that's okay. We're okay with that. But in reality, 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:51.959 what we see in this passage is that the two of them go hand in hand. In fact, I would say that 00:07:51.959 --> 00:08:00.379 discipline is the process in which God shapes us to be best used by Him. I would say that discipline 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:08.419 is the process in which God shapes us to be best used by Him. Sometimes this discipline looks very 00:08:08.419 --> 00:08:14.839 corrective. It looks very corrective. There are consequences for sin in our lives. Now, this is not 00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:21.439 saying that our sin is bringing about God's wrath or His punishment on us because as believers, 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:27.439 we believe that when Jesus went to the cross, He took the full weight of God's wrath and punishment 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:37.079 for us, but He also, He does discipline us. And part of His shaping is this corrective discipline. 00:08:37.839 --> 00:08:42.740 And so when we think of discipline, this is almost always where our mind goes, 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:49.379 is corrective discipline. Consequences set out to correct a negative behavior. And this is what 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:55.659 comes to mind when we think of the word discipline. But I also want you to think of what comes to mind 00:08:55.659 --> 00:09:01.820 when you think of a child who is disciplined. When you think of a disciplined child, what are those 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:07.639 characteristics? You think of a child that not only was corrected when they did something wrong, 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:14.179 but you also think of a child who was trained, who was taught, who was informed in what they were 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:21.799 supposed to do. The discipline was not only reactive, but it was also proactive. Any good 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:28.120 discipline in training understands this. And the author, he loves to use sports analogies here. So let's 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:35.659 just go along with those sports analogies. A coach who at least has a basic understanding of what it means to 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:44.240 train athletes, understands that discipline involves correcting a wrong behavior. But also, even more so, 00:09:44.339 --> 00:09:51.719 it involves teaching a right behavior, instructing a right behavior. Yes, you are going to correct a wrong 00:09:51.719 --> 00:09:58.179 behavior when you see it take place on the field, but you're going to spend much more time showing them 00:09:58.179 --> 00:10:06.779 what they are to do. In high school, I had an incredible offensive line coach who also happened 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:11.439 to be my neighbor growing up, Coach Johnson. Now, some of you may recognize that name. I told him 00:10:11.439 --> 00:10:16.379 yesterday that I was going to be using him in a sermon. He got a little worried, but I said, I promise, 00:10:16.459 --> 00:10:23.959 it's good. I promise. But Coach Johnson was someone who had, we had a great amount of respect for. 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:32.480 He was someone who would not shy away from correcting a wrong behavior. He would, how do I say this, he 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:39.080 would sometimes speak to us with a high level of intensity and a high volume with that intensity. He 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:45.220 wouldn't shy away from correcting a wrong behavior. We had a great amount of respect for Coach Johnson. 00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:51.820 In fact, I about fell out of my chair about a year ago. He's still neighbors with my parents, and I was 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:57.420 over there with my girls outside, and he was walking along the top of the hill along a trail up there, 00:10:57.720 --> 00:11:03.680 and my girls yelled out, hey, Mr. Brian. I was like, girls, you can't call him Brian. That's Coach Johnson. 00:11:04.060 --> 00:11:11.620 You can't say that. And so we have this high level of respect for him, but what made Coach Johnson such 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:19.000 a good coach was that he spent far more time teaching us what we were supposed to do as opposed 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:25.100 to constantly telling us what we did wrong. Now, when he would see wrong, he made sure that he corrected 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:32.980 it. But he spent far more time each and every day of showing us this is what you're supposed to do. 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:39.080 This is what it means to be disciplined. So as we think about the discipline in the Christian life, 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:47.100 let's make sure that we understand that discipline involves both correction and 00:11:49.000 --> 00:12:03.100 that discipline in the Christian life. 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:06.059 ...that God may be complete, equipped for... 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:13.620 ...that one of the greatest ways that God disciplines His children is through His Word. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:21.100 And His Word tells us what we should be doing, but it also is corrective in our lives when we apply it to it. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:27.919 And so with this understanding of discipline, let's take a deeper dive into this passage. 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:33.799 And after understanding what discipline is, I want us to clearly see the privilege of discipline. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:37.060 Very clearly see the privilege of discipline. 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:38.980 Verses 4 through 9 says, 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:48.000 Now, this is not primarily talking about fighting personal sins in our life, 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:55.720 but this is talking about describing the challenges and difficulties of living a life that faithfully follows after Jesus. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:13:00.899 And the persecution that you will receive when we live this disciplined life, 00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:03.360 when we run this race that God has called us to do. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:05.620 And He continues and He says this, 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:11.360 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:17.700 My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:24.320 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves and chastises every son whom He rejects. 00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:27.840 No, it doesn't say rejects, it says who He receives. 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:31.600 It is for discipline that you have to endure. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:35.899 God is treating you as sons. 00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:39.980 For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:44.180 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, 00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:47.460 then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:53.820 Besides this, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. 00:13:54.399 --> 00:14:00.000 Shall we not much more be subject to the father of spirits and lived? 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:05.299 I've heard it said that there's two basic things that our children need from us. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:10.039 Now this is not talking about just the basic necessities of food, water, shelter, all those things. 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:14.179 But there's two basic things that our children need from us as parents. 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:21.220 And the first thing that our children need from us as parents is they need a parent who follows Jesus. 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:24.080 This isn't something you can delegate. 00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:26.720 This isn't something that you can send off. 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:31.600 They don't need just primarily a pastor who follows Jesus, a youth pastor who follows Jesus, 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:34.080 a Sunday school teacher who follows Jesus. 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:43.399 They need a mom and dad who love Jesus and are spending their lives trying to follow after Him to the best of their ability. 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:51.519 Second thing that was said was that all children need parents who actually parent. 00:14:51.699 --> 00:14:52.899 I know it's earth-shattering. 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:53.620 It's groundbreaking. 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:56.840 But they need parents who actually parent. 00:14:57.399 --> 00:15:02.199 Having children may make you a parent, but it doesn't mean that you are parenting. 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:08.939 A word that is very helpful to understand what parenting entails is the word discipline. 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:16.200 Now again, I'm not just talking about correcting the wrong behavior, but also teaching the right behavior. 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:25.300 In fact, I would say that the vast majority of parenting and discipline would be more informative than corrective. 00:15:25.780 --> 00:15:31.580 The vast majority of parenting is teaching them, training them, raising them up, 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:35.980 and not just pointing out every time they fail to do what you ask them to do, 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:39.220 but it's teaching them what they are to do. 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:41.399 This is the challenge of parenting. 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:46.300 It means being intentional in how we spend time with our kids. 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:48.639 It means taking the time to teach them. 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:55.240 It means having the hard conversations when they are needed and correcting the behavior. 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:59.019 There are so many times that I tell my kids, 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:01.639 I'm doing this because I love you. 00:16:02.580 --> 00:16:05.240 And sometimes that's hard for them to understand. 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:08.180 Sometimes it's hard for them to wrap their minds around this, 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:11.259 but I'm telling you, I'm doing this because I love you. 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:16.840 There are times when it would be far easier to just let them get away with something. 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:18.940 And let's be honest, we do sometimes. 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:22.279 Just let them get away because it's just easier not to address it. 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:27.740 But it's important that we take the time to correct and train. 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:31.240 But I do this because they are my children. 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:36.960 I do this because I love them too much not to discipline them. 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:45.120 The author is showing that the fact that the Lord disciplines us is evidence that we are His children. 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:49.320 And there is nothing greater than being a child of God. 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:51.039 There's nothing greater. 00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:56.139 If we ever lose sight of the fact that we are His children, then it changes everything. 00:16:56.139 --> 00:17:04.299 This is a privilege to be disciplined by God because it means that He is our Father who is loving His children. 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:08.379 Being disciplined by God as seeing it as a privilege. 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:13.460 The next thing that I want us to see in this passage is the purpose of discipline. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:20.420 Yes, we understand the privilege of discipline, but also there's a purpose behind this discipline. 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.519 It says, 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:21.539 It says, 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:23.380 For they disciplined, starting in verse 10, 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:28.180 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:34.279 but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:39.300 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:47.200 but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.900 You see, there's a purpose for this discipline. 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:53.300 God's discipline changes us. 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:58.200 It says that our parents disciplined us as it seemed best to them, 00:17:58.320 --> 00:18:02.000 but God disciplines us for our good. 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:08.100 The author recognizes that sometimes the discipline we give as parents 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:11.640 and sometimes the discipline we receive as children is flawed. 00:18:12.140 --> 00:18:14.640 Sometimes it's not as it should be, 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:18.020 but God's discipline is always right, 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:20.400 and it is for our good. 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:26.860 See, as a parent, there are times when I have handled a situation that I thought, 00:18:27.060 --> 00:18:29.259 Man, it couldn't have gone better. 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:32.300 I really knocked this one out of the park. 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:34.420 I mean, I should write a book on parenting, 00:18:34.540 --> 00:18:36.400 on how I handled this situation. 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:38.740 But then there's other times I'm like, 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:42.000 Man, I really messed that one up. 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:46.460 I really did not handle this the way that I should. 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:51.180 Last night we were on our way home late from a wedding, 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:53.780 and the kids were being kids in the backseat, 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.800 and they were just, you know, laughing. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.799 They got silly. 00:18:56.919 --> 00:18:58.579 They were just all having a good time. 00:18:58.639 --> 00:19:00.379 We just kept getting on to them and on to them. 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:04.240 And so I was, you know, losing my temper a little bit, 00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:06.039 and Catherine finally turned around and said, 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:08.500 All right, guys, if I hear one more thing, 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:10.399 if we have to address it one more time, 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:12.940 you're going to have to go to both services 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:14.419 and not go to children's church. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.960 And I said, 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:21.000 Is my preaching that bad? 00:19:21.139 --> 00:19:23.119 Where this is a punishment for them 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:26.639 that they have to sit and listen to me two different times? 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:30.039 But so we don't always handle it the right way. 00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:32.739 We don't always do this perfectly. 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:37.899 Sometimes, though, in those situations, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:41.899 the most helpful thing that I can do 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:45.679 to right this wrong and help the situation 00:19:45.679 --> 00:19:47.459 is to look to my kids and go to them 00:19:47.459 --> 00:19:49.899 and apologize for how I handled a situation. 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:52.899 You see, our kids, they don't need perfection. 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.960 Thank goodness they don't 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.460 because they won't get it from us. 00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:58.820 But what they need is a mom and dad 00:19:58.820 --> 00:20:01.160 who can admit when they are wrong 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:05.140 and show their need and dependence on the Lord. 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.880 This is what they need. 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:08.460 They need to see parents 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:11.259 who may not get it right every single time, 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.660 but they need to see parents 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:16.220 who are depending on the Lord in their own lives. 00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:19.120 And while my actions may not always be 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:20.440 what they need to be, 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:23.660 one of the things that is primarily true 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:25.240 is that my intentions are. 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:28.740 My actions are not always the best, 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:31.180 but usually my intentions are right 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:32.220 because as a dad, 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:34.640 I love my kids so much 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:37.180 and I want the very best for them. 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:39.200 When they are sick and hurting, 00:20:39.580 --> 00:20:41.580 I want to take it from them. 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.640 I don't want them to be sick and hurting. 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:45.120 I want to take it from them. 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:47.039 I want the very best for them. 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:49.079 And so while my intentions are usually 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:50.919 where they need to be, 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.539 my actions are not always. 00:20:52.699 --> 00:20:54.119 But with our heavenly father, 00:20:54.459 --> 00:20:58.459 we have a father who not only has perfect intentions, 00:20:59.179 --> 00:21:00.339 we have a heavenly father 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.899 who is perfect in his wisdom. 00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:04.339 The discipline we receive 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:07.259 is not always what we want in the moment, 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:09.500 but we can take comfort in knowing 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.319 that it is for our good. 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:14.879 Sometimes it's hard for children to understand 00:21:14.879 --> 00:21:16.899 why we give the instruction that we do. 00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:19.019 Charlotte, my seven-year-old, 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:20.839 would love nothing more than a phone 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:22.059 that she could have right now, 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:24.079 but she's not getting it. 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:28.500 She may not understand why she's not getting it, 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.460 but as a parent, 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:32.740 I know that's not what's best for her right now. 00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:35.019 I know that this may not be 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.939 what is ideal for her right now. 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:39.139 We know what is good for her 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:42.780 and oftentimes it's hard for us to understand this. 00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:45.660 Oftentimes it's hard for us to read God's word 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:48.740 and see the life that he's called us to live 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:50.720 and how that is far different 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:52.440 than the life that we are living. 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:55.560 That doesn't always feel like it's for our good. 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:57.440 Sometimes we may feel like it's unfair, 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.840 but we trust the fact 00:21:59.840 --> 00:22:02.580 that the one who created everything 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:05.700 knows what's best for his creation. 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:08.440 We trust that his ways are better. 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:11.000 We trust that his ways are for our good. 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:12.880 And if we ever doubt this, 00:22:13.080 --> 00:22:15.019 if we ever doubt his intentions 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.980 and his motives and things, 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.539 all we have to do is take a look at the cross 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:21.799 where Jesus took our sin, 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:23.960 our shame, the full weight of God's wrath, 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:27.080 and he took it on himself for us. 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.720 And so after doing this, 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:32.480 after we submit our lives to his discipline 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:35.140 and understand that he is the perfect parent 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:36.920 and he disciplines us 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:39.280 and it is for our good that he does, 00:22:39.340 --> 00:22:41.540 the final thing that I want us to see from this 00:22:41.540 --> 00:22:44.200 is the fact that we all need encouragement 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.560 in our walk with the Lord. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:48.380 We all need encouragement in this. 00:22:48.780 --> 00:22:50.840 We all need people to walk alongside us 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:54.300 to remind us that this discipline is for our good, 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:57.000 to keep us accountable when we read Scripture 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.320 and we begin to apply to our eyes. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:01.679 We need people who will speak into our lives. 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.359 It says, 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:04.220 Therefore, lift your drooping hands 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:06.059 and strengthen your weak knees 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:08.639 and make straight paths for your feet 00:23:08.639 --> 00:23:11.539 so that what is lame may not be put out of joint 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.980 but rather healed. 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:15.759 Strive for peace with everyone 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:18.059 and for the holiness without which 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.639 no one will see the Lord. 00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:23.759 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:26.599 that no root of bitterness springs up 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.720 and causes trouble 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:31.119 and by it many become defiled, 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:33.579 that no one is sexually immoral 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:35.240 or unholy like Esau 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:38.700 who sold his birthright for a single meal. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.740 For you know that afterward 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:43.220 when he desired to inherit the blessing, 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.779 he was rejected 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:47.359 for he found no chance to repent, 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:51.079 though he sought it with tears. 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:54.819 You know, I heard a saying one time that said, 00:23:55.439 --> 00:23:57.799 Everything that is accomplished in this world 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:59.220 is done by tired people. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:01.220 Can we say amen to that? 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.539 I think we're all tired. 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:04.000 Some of you look a little tired right now. 00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:08.399 But now we understand that many times 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:10.659 the things in this world are accomplished by tired people. 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:13.679 We joke about this, but it's true in many ways. 00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:17.480 We are tired a lot of times. 00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:18.480 But here's the thing, 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:20.119 it's not a bad thing to be tired. 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:22.639 I believe that it's good to wake up, 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.559 go to work, have a hard day's work, 00:24:24.639 --> 00:24:25.779 do your very best there. 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:28.739 Come home and not give your family the leftovers, 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:29.739 but say, you know what? 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.759 I'm going to push this 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.759 and give them my very best today. 00:24:32.959 --> 00:24:35.279 I'm going to give them the intention that they deserve. 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:37.399 I'm going to give my very best to them, 00:24:37.479 --> 00:24:38.899 to love them well, 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:40.179 to honor them well, 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.519 to have that. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:41.879 And then, 00:24:50.119 --> 00:25:00.639 take a back seat when we're like, 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:07.540 the first thing that takes the back seat 00:25:07.540 --> 00:25:07.920 when we're like, 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:09.380 I just don't have anything left today. 00:25:09.800 --> 00:25:11.920 The first thing that takes the back seat 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:14.300 is our walk with the Lord. 00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:16.780 What is the first thing to go 00:25:16.780 --> 00:25:18.600 when life gets busy 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:20.060 and we're exhausted with life? 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.980 Our discipline. 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.759 Our walk with the Lord 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.840 is the first thing that goes 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:25.800 when life gets full of work, 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.340 kids, 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.680 extracurricular activities, 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:29.759 and everything that you could think of, 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:31.279 we start making excuses. 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:34.200 I don't have time to read my Bible today. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.539 I'll try to catch up on that tomorrow. 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:38.120 I don't have time to pray today 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.680 because I have too much to do. 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:42.360 I don't have time to come to church. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.880 This is why we need encouragement 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:47.200 from fellow believers. 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:50.200 This is why we need gospel community. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.560 This passage here in the middle 00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:53.920 of Hebrews chapter 12 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:56.860 is reminding us that in order to run the race 00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:58.279 that God has called us to, 00:25:58.619 --> 00:26:00.639 we must stay focused. 00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:03.459 We must heed the warnings of Scripture. 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:05.479 We need the encouragement of others 00:26:05.479 --> 00:26:07.139 to help us to do this. 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.559 The passage tells us 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.459 we need encouragement 00:26:09.459 --> 00:26:11.719 to lift our drooping hands 00:26:11.719 --> 00:26:13.579 and strengthen our weak knees. 00:26:14.159 --> 00:26:15.899 We need people to come alongside and say, 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:17.719 I know that you're tired, 00:26:17.939 --> 00:26:19.259 but don't stop. 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:21.399 This is what is most important. 00:26:21.719 --> 00:26:23.459 Make straight paths for your feet. 00:26:23.939 --> 00:26:26.139 Stay focused on the lane 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:27.920 that God has called you to run in. 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:30.500 Keep your eyes fixed on the prize, 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.420 on the end. 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:33.240 We need encouragement 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:36.060 to strive for peace with everyone. 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:38.540 You know, we really don't need encouragement. 00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:39.480 I don't know if you've ever noticed this. 00:26:39.520 --> 00:26:40.740 You don't really need encouragement 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:42.920 to live in peace 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:44.960 with people that get along with you, 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.860 that share the same beliefs with you, 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:48.740 that just go along with whatever you say. 00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:50.480 That's pretty easy to stay at peace with this, 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:52.480 but this says we need encouragement 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:54.740 to stay in peace with everyone. 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.920 We need encouragement for that. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.200 Amen? 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:01.079 It's hard to do at times. 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:03.099 We need encouragement 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:06.019 to flee from sexual immorality. 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.279 It says we need people 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:09.759 who will ask the hard questions. 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:12.720 We need people who love us enough 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.860 to keep us accountable, 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:15.680 whether that's an inappropriate relationship 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:17.839 with someone other than our spouse, 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:19.939 turning away from God's design 00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:22.220 for the family and sexual relationships, 00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:24.619 or the less talked about problem 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.939 of pornography addiction 00:27:25.939 --> 00:27:28.139 that plagues so many in churches 00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:29.799 across this country. 00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:33.079 We need encouragement in that. 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:35.679 We need people who will ask those questions. 00:27:36.699 --> 00:27:39.159 We need encouragement to not be like Esau. 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.299 You remember the story of Esau? 00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:42.839 He was willing to sacrifice 00:27:43.419 --> 00:27:45.759 his long-term standing 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.920 for a short-term pleasure. 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:51.019 We need the encouragement from others 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.420 to keep our focus 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.879 on the real treasure, 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.799 the greatest gift that we have, 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.759 and that is Jesus. 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:59.440 We need help in running the race 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:01.240 that God has called us to. 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:03.619 But this idea of running 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:05.319 the race that God has called us to 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:07.359 is found throughout Hebrews, 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:11.440 along with this idea of Jesus 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:13.640 being greater and better than everything. 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:15.640 This idea permeates everything. 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:17.340 This idea of running permeates everything. 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:20.220 But also, this idea, 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:23.340 this concept of encouragement, 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:26.520 we see it all throughout this book as well 00:28:26.520 --> 00:28:27.960 because he understands 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:30.259 that in order to see Jesus as better, 00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:32.300 in order to run this race 00:28:32.300 --> 00:28:33.620 that God has called us to, 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:36.740 we need the encouragement from others. 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.580 We need this. 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.740 I don't know if you remember 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:41.759 back from Hebrews chapter 3, 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:43.180 the author says, 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:46.480 but exhort one another every day, 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:49.539 as long as it is called today, 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:51.640 that none of you may be hardened 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:53.920 by the deceitfulness of sin. 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.879 I love how he says this. 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.740 Encourage everyone today. 00:28:58.660 --> 00:29:00.259 How often should you do it? 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.980 Well, as long as it's called today, 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:03.019 do this. 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.220 In other words, 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.579 all day, every day, 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:07.740 we need people in our lives 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:09.419 that will encourage us 00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:11.039 to live the life 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:12.599 that God has called us to live. 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.859 We need people 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:15.299 who will keep us accountable, 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:17.079 who will love us enough 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:19.579 to ask the difficult questions. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:20.980 In other words, 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:23.639 we need to take the warning seriously 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.419 and urgently. 00:29:24.919 --> 00:29:26.379 While it is still today, 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:29.419 we should regularly be exhorting one another 00:29:29.419 --> 00:29:30.960 to live the life 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:32.539 that God has called us to live. 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:34.740 Again, this is one of my reasons 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:37.000 that I love life groups 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:38.359 and Sunday school so much. 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.779 You know, we can encourage one another 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:42.559 when we're all gathered together like this, 00:29:42.659 --> 00:29:44.039 and we should do that. 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:46.019 But there's something about it 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:48.299 when you get to have relationships 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:50.819 that go beyond just seeing each other 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.960 from a distance here, 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:54.680 but where you share your concerns, 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:56.740 where you share your prayer requests, 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.240 where you say, 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:58.539 hey, this is something 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.619 that I'm struggling with, 00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:02.399 and you have brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:04.180 who love you enough 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:05.700 to put their arm around you 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:07.319 and say, hey, I'll walk through this with you. 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.799 I'll be there 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:10.339 through this difficult season with you. 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:12.619 I'll be there to help hold you accountable 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:15.099 when it is difficult to do this. 00:30:15.159 --> 00:30:17.240 And so this is why we need this. 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:19.220 We need this in our lives. 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:20.299 We need people 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:22.299 who will be used by God 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.559 to encourage us 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:25.680 and be a part of the discipline 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:27.940 that God has for us. 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.460 Whether that discipline 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:31.240 is correcting behaviors, 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:34.140 or whether it is teaching right behaviors. 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:38.059 This is why gospel community 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:39.660 is so important. 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.880 And so let's go to the Lord in prayer 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:43.039 and thank Him for that 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:45.259 and ask Him to give us the boldness 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:47.279 to step into that gospel community. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:49.319 Father, thank You so very much. 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:52.480 Thank You so very much for this passage, 00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:54.539 for what it teaches us about You, 00:30:54.620 --> 00:30:57.000 the importance of discipline, 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:59.700 and the importance of walking with You. 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:01.640 And so, Lord, we are thankful 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:03.460 that You are a Father 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:06.180 who loves us enough to discipline us. 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.960 We thank You for the privilege 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:09.480 of being able to call You 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.920 our Heavenly Father. 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.539 And Lord, I pray that 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.799 if there's someone here today 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:16.279 that hasn't had that opportunity, 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:18.539 that hasn't placed their faith 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.599 and their trust in You, 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:22.419 that they'll see the beauty 00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:23.939 and the grace 00:31:23.939 --> 00:31:25.219 that we get to experience 00:31:25.219 --> 00:31:27.480 by having You as our Heavenly Father. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.379 And so, Lord, we thank You 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:30.299 that You're a Father 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:31.619 that loves us enough 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:33.259 to discipline us. 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.959 We thank You for that privilege. 00:31:36.939 --> 00:31:38.159 And Lord, help us to see 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:39.159 the purpose of it. 00:31:39.679 --> 00:31:41.480 That the purpose of this discipline, 00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:43.259 the purpose of this training 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.279 and correcting, 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:46.160 is for our good. 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:49.059 To mold us and to shape us 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:51.240 into who You've called us to be, 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:53.480 to be better used by You. 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.559 And Lord, I pray 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:57.119 that You help us 00:31:57.119 --> 00:31:59.220 to step into that gospel community, 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:01.619 to open up with brothers 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.920 and sisters in Christ 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:04.059 who love us enough 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.900 to be used by God 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:07.440 to help in this process, 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:09.019 to encourage us 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:10.960 to constantly look to You 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:12.519 when life gets busy, 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.639 when life gets difficult, 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:15.440 when the challenges come. 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:17.160 Lord, we need people 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:18.279 to encourage us. 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.319 And so, Lord, 00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:20.700 we thank You for this passage. 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.420 We thank You 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:23.559 for what it teaches us about You. 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:25.160 And we ask all this 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:26.079 in Jesus' name. 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:26.759 Amen. 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.920 We're going to stand together 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:29.539 and we're going to sing 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.660 a song of invitation. 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.420 And if the Lord 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.720 is speaking to you this morning, 00:32:33.119 --> 00:32:33.759 won't you respond 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.740 as we stand together 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.680 and sing?