Eyes on Jesus

Introduction:

Hebrews 12:1-5 (ESV) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

• The walk of faith.
• The race of faith.
• We ended last week talking about laying aside the sin which easily ensnares us in the race.
• Journey light with as few attachments as possible.

1. The finished work of perseverance.

James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)

James 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

• There is no way to get around the need for perseverance in our journey towards maturity in Christ.

Job’s hypomono:
to remain and tarry, not recede or flee. to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ
to endure and bear bravely and calmly.

“What the Lord finally brought about.” Not becoming fixated on life’s misfortunes.

2. Eyes on Jesus.

Hebrews 12: 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 (NKJV) 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

• Keeping our eyes on Jesus keeps us from becoming discouraged and defeated.
• Being Filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
• Despising the shame – to think little or nothing of it.
• To be depressed is to think much of our misfortunes.
• We allow our thoughts to be overtaken and controlled by discouragement.

3. Jesus finished His work of perseverance so that we could finish our work.

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

• Eyes fixed on Heaven, eyes fixed on Jesu.
• Jesus walked out faith through perseverance fueled by the joy of returning to His heavenlyabode.
• Jesus’ life was the living example of faith even more so than that of Abraham.
• As Jesus said it Himself “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” John8:58
• Just the opposite Charles Price writes ” In our blindness we have taken faith out of the spiritual and put it into the metaphysical realm. Our emotions and desires have driven faith from the heart into the mind” (metaphysical: abstract theory with no basis in reality.)
• Jesus divinely imparts His type of faith into our heart, not our mind, imparting the grace needed for any situation.

4. When we pray according to our mind and not according to faith.

Luke 22:42 (NKJV) saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

• If the prayer of faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains then maybe what we prayed was not faith.
• If when we have prayed what we thought was a prayer of faith and the results were not what we prayed then we have to take a closer prayerful persevering look at what we prayed.

5. When we are weak then He is strong

Matthew 4:10-11 (NKJV) 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

• Angels come to minister to the people of God.
• Angel is one who is sent as a messenger.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJV) 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong

• When we are weak in the flesh then we have the standing opportunity to be strong in Christ.

6. So, do not become weary and discouraged.

3 (NKJV) 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

John 9:1-7 (ESV) 1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

• Much of our days here on earth are to be waiting for Jesus to pass us by:
• This blind man waited his whole life for this moment.
• The disciples were still trying to figure who did something wrong.
• Believing God is a healer is different than the faith to see it come to pass.
• On the one hand we have faith.
• On the other there are times when a gift of faith is required to see it come to past.
• In the book The Real Faith Dr. Price emphasis the vast difference of believing God forhealing and Jesus imparting the faith to receive it.
• Dr. Price tells the story of a crippled lady who visited his meetings time and time again begging him to heal her. He says when he first saw her he knew: 1. she did not have the faith to be healed, 2. he did not have the faith to heal her, and 3. only Jesus had the faith that was needed.John 9:3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.