November 16, 2014 The Discipline of Suffering Background: Hebrews 12:1-13 Lesson: Hebrews 12:1-7 Motivation: Running a race is very different for a sprinter and a marathoner. A sprinter uses a concentrated burst while a marathoner must run with patience. This passage compares our spiritual journey to a marathon which requires patience, endurance and perseverance. Examination: I. Enduring (12:1-3) A. Look Who s Watching Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us (1). This refers back to the Faith Hall of Fame referenced in the previous chapter. In an athletic contest, it s one thing to be cheered on by spectators who have never been tested; for instance, a marathon runner is not particularly trying to impress the onlookers. However, an athlete feels an additional motivation if the crowd contains people who have not only participated but excelled in the event; NFL teams scheduled on Monday night speak to the pressure of feeling that every team who played on Sunday is now evaluating them. B. Get Into Shape let us lay aside every weight (1) Rick Warren says For many people, the barrier to spiritual growth is not a lack of commitment, but commitment to the wrong things. The weights which hinder our spiritual race may not be evil things; rather they may be good things that war with the best. Attorney Richard Racehorse Haynes was quoted as saying The will to win does not provide victory because everyone wants to win; rather, it is the will to prepare to win that ensures success. Preparation includes evaluation and rigorously prioritizing and time and effort. 1 / 7
C. Watch For Pitfalls and the sin that so easily ensnares us (1) The word picture for ensnares is not just that of tripping over a vine in the path; rather, it pictures a runner who becomes so fascinated with the vine that he allows it to grow up his leg. Sin doesn t just occasionally trip us up, it ensnares (2 Cor. 10:4). D. Study the Course Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us (1) A sprinter s mindset is much different from that of a marathoner. Preparation, pace and purpose may all change as we study the course. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Oliver Wendell Homes said, I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it but we must sail and not drift or lie at anchor. The course set before us at HFBC is described in our mission statement. to gather our hearts, grow our souls and give our lives away. Pastor Gregg s emphasis on volunteers is designed to help members get on track in running the course. In a sermon preached at HFBC by our Pastor (4-21-02), he noted the differences between a heavenly appointed race and an earthly mindset: His Race Our Race God s Glory Man s glory Focuses on Christ 2 / 7
Focuses on things of the world Righteous Ridiculous Endurance is the ability to get back up and keep running after a stumble. Walter Payton accumulated over 9 miles rushing in his NFL career, but someone knocked him down every 4.6 yards. His fame is based on his ability to keep getting up and running again. E. Run for the Prize keeping our eyes on Jesus (2) 1. He is our source the source and perfecter of our faith (2) Paul wrote to the Philippians being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (1:6). God doesn t lead anyone to quit the race! 2. He is our example who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God s throne. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, (2b-3a). Jesus is our example of patient running. He kept His eyes on the prize ( the joy ) and was not discouraged by the cross the shame or hostility. (Phil 3:10, 13-14; Rom. 2; Prov.19:18) 3. He is our antidote so that you won t grow weary and lose heart. (3b). Satan s most often used weapon against patient running is discouragement. The defense against Satan s weapon is Jesus example. 3 / 7
greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4) II. Disciplined (4-7) A. Struggles In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (4) The athletic metaphor shifts from a race to something more combative, perhaps boxing or even gladiatorial fights. Sin may be personified as the vile world that is our adversary. In contrast to the martyrs listed in the previous chapter, the recipients of this message had not yet shed blood, perhaps a euphemism for death. B. Strive And you have not forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord s discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves. ( 5b-6). The writer uses a quotation from Proverbs 3:11-12 to frame his argument. Struggles and trials are not always discipline from the Lord. However, they will inevitably make us bitter or better. So, we are exhorted to endure trials with the full recognition of God s love for us. C. Sons Endure suffering as discipline; God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? (7) Holman Christian Standard Bible, pa ge 2129: 12:3-13 Familial language appears throughout the book of Hebrews. The First Person of the Trinity is God the Father, and the Second Person of the Trinity is His Son. The Son became a human being in order to unite Himself with his believing brothers. The Son can then bring His brothers into the presence of the Father, who will consider them His sons. Citing Pr. 3:11-12, the author argued that because believers in Christ are sons of God, they have a superior source of comfort. They are more than mere servants; God addresses them as sons. And yet, a father displays his love for his sons by disciplining them. Just as the readers have accepted discipline from their natural fathers, so too should they receive discipline from the Father of spirits. God does not discipline His sons to harm them, but to bless them. The benefit of the Father s discipline is fellowship in His holiness and receiving His peace 4 / 7
and righteousness. III. Authentic (8-11) A. Alternative But if you are without discipline-which all receive-then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (8) When in the process of discipline, a child of God should not feel picked on by God. Godly discipline directs us away from sin and toward obedience. Discipline may involve a constraint which keeps us from doing what we desire. When allowed by God, it is never unfair but always designed to conform us to His Son s image. The alternative, sin with no visible consequences, is an indication that we may not be truly saved. B. Admonition Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness. (9-10). A frequent question in the midst of suffering involves the source: Am I being persecuted by the world or disciplined by the Father? The writer of Hebrews would probably argue that the source of the problem doesn t matter as much as our reaction to the problem; will we lose heart or endure? If it is a trial sent from Satan, we need to endure and seek God. If it is discipline from God, we still need to endure and seek God. Too often we ask Why? instead of What now? C. Admission No discipline seems enjoyable at the time but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (11) Believer s Study Bible, p. 1753: 12:11 Rather than a painful promise, these verses present the basis for happy optimism for all Christians. The strongest evidences of spiritual sonship may be deduced from the intervention of God in the life of the believer for chastisement (v. 8). Furthermore, God s discipline yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness in the lives of His children, and it is for their profit (vv. 10, 11). Finally, such acts of God are incontrovertible evidence of His life (v. 6). Human parents do well to observe this beautiful pattern of education, discipline, and correction accorded by responsible love in relating to their children (cf. Prov. 22:6). 5 / 7
IV. Consistent (12-13) A. Strengthen Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees (12) Any experienced runner can see the word picture of tired hands and hurting knees. Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers used to say Fatigue makes cowards of us all. As we run the race, we must remember to replenish our strength (Isa. 40:31). B. Straighten and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead. (13) Perhaps from this verse someone coined the phrase walking the straight and narrow. This straight path is God s course, the course of obedience. (Prov. 4:26-27; Matt. 7:13; Luke 13:24). Godly discipline leads to healing. Application: 1. To run with endurance requires preparation and training. (Eph. 4:11-16; Col. 2:6-7; Phil 4:4-9) 2. To run with endurance involves imitating Jesus. (Eph. 4:32; Rom. 8:29) 3. To run with endurance results in a holy lifestyle. (1 Pet. 1:14-22) Leader Pack: Item 10: Poster: Running Shoes; Item 15: Chart: Let Us Biblical Illustrator (center insert) Athletic Venues in the Greco-Roman World Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format and notes at: www.hfbcbib 6 / 7
lestudy.org Dates: 11/10 Women s Event; 11/14 Truth @ Work Conference; 11/16 Make it Your Church Orientation; 11/16 HUB Girls Event; 11/18 Staff Appreciation Lunch; 11/19 Last Midlink; 11/23 Christmas Store Collection; 11/23 Preschool DTW Appreciation Lunch/AMP/Wired; 11/27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday, church offices closed; 11/30 No LBS; 12/3-4 Christmas Store; 12/5 ReCreate Date Night; 12/7 Natalie Grant 3 Services @ Loop; 12/13 Deacon Christmas Party; 12/14 HUB Christmas Event-Palooza; 12/14 SPF Merry & Bright; 12/21 Multi-Gen Christmas all svcs.; 12/24-25 Christmas Holiday, church offices closed; 12/28 No LBS; 12/31 Summit New Year s Eve Party. 7 / 7