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“Hall of Faith” (Mess.#17) “The Greatest Hero of Faith”
Text: Heb.12: 1-3 Intro.: Chapter twelve verse’s one through three is the climax of Chapter eleven. We have finished our walk through the Hall of Faith. The martyrs, prophets and patriarchs of the past have all been summoned before us to bear testimony of the nature, necessity and power of faith. We are now introduced to the greatest hero of faith whoever lived, none other than Jesus Christ Himself! Our Lord humbled Himself and dwelt among us. He too has run His race and finished it. We are now encouraged to run our race, keeping in mind all of the other “witnesses,” and keeping our eyes on the goal, the Lord Jesus Christ. The scene is that of an Olympic game. We are in the arena and the stadium is filled with former “athletes,” or runners who are cheering us onto victory. We must make sure we are “looking” in the right direction. Looking down at the earth we will see darkness, disappointment, and despair. Looking around we see a world in confusion. But gazing up at Jesus we see through the darkness, and confusion and we can see the path which leads to victory. It’s time to take a look at this text and see what encouragement we can derive from our greatest hero of faith!!
A) Let us see the cloud of witnesses! (v.1) 1) All the heroes of chapter eleven as well as all others in the Church Age comprise these witnesses. 2) They are seated in the stadium and are watching and cheering us on! 3) We don’t focus on them, we are merely encouraged by their presence and their faith. Just as a runner is encouraged by the cheering fans. 4) They are more than just mere spectators. They are the heroes who have had witness borne to their faithfulness. They have run their leg of the race and now they are eagerly waiting and watching to see how we will do!
B) Let us lay aside every weight! (v.1) 1) Just as a runner would get rid of anything that would hinder him in his race, so too we must get rid of anything that keeps us from running ours! 2) This is not referring to an overt sin, but that which hinders one in making progress, and therefore it becomes a sin. In other words, is a thing a weight or a wing? Is it that which speeds you on your course, or does it hold you back? 3) Fleshly indulgence, lack of dedication, pride, laziness – All of these could hinder us in our race! 4) “And the sin which doth easily beset us” - This could include not fitting into God’s purpose, lack of faith and rebellion, attachment to this world and its evils. It could be summed up in “no faith.” Don’t be found guilty of any of these sins lest you fail to run your race to completion! 5) We must not take our eyes off of Christ, for as soon as we do sin will beset us!
C) Let us run with patience! (v.1) 1) The believers at Galatia had run well. Their faith was so bright, it was if Christ had been crucified before their very eyes. Their love was so fervent they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to Paul. But they began to falter. Questions came about the law. Teachers were steering them away from the gospel. They had been hindered! 2) It’s not enough to run well up to the present. We must continue to run in spite of trials, obstacles, and difficulties. 3) Never give up!! 4) The “runners” who preceded us are counting on us to finish our leg of the race. Will you finish yours? D) Let us look unto Jesus! (vs.2-3) The greatest hero of faith! 1) The greatest example: “the author and finisher of our faith.” (v.2) A) The author (pioneer, leader) and finisher (goal, completer) of our faith. He blazed the trail of faith before us and is now our goal! B) We are to “look” - gaze, fix our attention upon Christ as we run our race. 2) The greatest trial: “who for the joy . . . endured the cross.” (v.2) A) Our greatest example endured the greatest of all trials! B) In comparison to His sufferings ours are nothing! 3) The greatest exaltation: “is set down at the right hand . . . of God.” (v.2) A) After He endured the greatest trial and set the greatest example, He was then given the greatest exaltation! (Phil.2: 8-11) B) We too shall be exalted if we stay in the race! 4) The greatest reproach: “endured . . . contradiction of sinners.” (v.3) A) “contradiction” - To oppose verbally, to resist, to go against, to be contrary to, to assert the opposite of what someone else has said, to deny the statement of a person. Christ endured all of this every day of His life and we are to consider this – to analyze, to think upon, to compare – lest we be wearied and faint (give up, or quit) in our minds. His suffering such great reproach is to us the . . . 5) The greatest encouragement: “lest we be wearied” As we think about all that Christ endured, it will encourage and strengthen us to carry on!
Conclusion: We are nearing the finish line of our race. Not only do we have the former runners cheering us on, but waiting at the finish line to welcome us and reward us is the Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest hero of faith. The hardest and most important leg of a relay race is the last one. We are the anchor men, all the others are depending on us to win the race. Will they find you faithful? Will you run patiently and cross the finish line exhausted, but victorious, or will you give up before the race is over?
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