Union Church of Christ

Hebrews 12:1-3

Introduction

1. Text.
2. Patience - "the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and suffering" (Thayer).
3. The lack of this quality in the lives of many Christians is a great affliction upon the church.
4. We must not make the mistake of underestimating the importance this great principle.
   1. 2 Peter 1:6 - it is one of the Christian graces.
   2. 2 Thessalonians 1:4
   3. 1 Timothy 6:11
   4. Titus 2:2
   5. Luke 8:15
   6. Revelation 14:12
   7. James 1:3
   8. Luke 21:19
   9. Romans 8:25
   10. Hebrews 10:36
   11. Romans 2:7
5. The word translated "patience" in v. 1 occurs 3 other times in Hebrews 12: v. 2 - endured; v. 3 - endured; v. 7 - endure.

Discussion

1. The Challenge Set Before Us - v. 1
   1. The Witnesses to Remember.
      1. "Witness" is never used in the NT as a spectator, as in a stadium.
         1. One who can bear testimony to what they have seen.
            1. Acts 7:58
            2. Acts 22:5
            3. Luke 24:48
            4. Acts 2:32
         2. One who is willing to bear testimony to the point of death; a martyr.
            1. Acts 22:20
            2. Revelation 2:13 2. Who are these witnesses? those in chapter 11 - "wherefore" (12:1).
               1. They bear witness that one can remain faithful in the midst of persecutions and trying circumstances.
               2. Romans 15:4
               3. Not that these witnesses are spectators of what we do - rather, that we should be "mental spectators" of what these OT worthies did.
   2. The Weight to Reject.
      1. Luke 14:26, 27
      2. Luke 18:22
      3. Colossians 3:5
      4. 2 Timothy 2:4
      5. 1 John 2:15-17.
      6. Matthew 6:33
   3. The Way that we Run.
      1. "Race" - conflict.
         1. Colossians 2:1
         2. 1 Thessalonians 2:2
         3. 1 Timothy 6:12
         4. Philippians 1:30
      2. At times Christianity is a struggle and a conflict.
         1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
         2. Matthew 7:13, 14
         3. John 15:20
      3. The Christian life is never portrayed as something that is easy - but it is always recognized as that which is worthwhile.
      4. Philippians 3:13, 14
      5. 2 Timothy 4:7, 8

{The next three points give Incentives to Run With Patience . . .}

2. The Cross of Shame - v. 2
   1. Philippians 2:6-8.
   2. Consider the shame that those who crucified him heaped upon our Lord.
      1. John 18:12
      2. Mark 14:65
      3. Matthew 27:26
      4. Mark 15:16-20 - the mocking of the soldiers.
      5. John 19:18
      6. Mark 15:29-32 - the mocking of the Jews.
   3. But Jesus endured the cross and its shame "for the joy that was set before him."
      1. Acts 2:36
      2. His shame was turned into glory; the humiliation was turned into honor.
   4. Matthew 16:24
      1. Galatians 6:14
      2. Song - I'm Not Ashamed To Own My Lord.
      3. If I "bear my cross," I'll be willing to stand up for the right.
3. The Contradiction of Sinners - v. 3
   1. Consider what Jesus endured from those who opposed him.
      1. Matthew 10:25
      2. Matthew 11:19
      3. Luke 5:21
      4. Luke 15:2
      5. John 7:12
      6. 6ohn 8:13
      7. John 8:41
      8. John 8:48
      9. John 15:18
   2. Contrast this with our behavior at times.
      1. Some act as if they are waiting for someone to say the wrong thing - or in the wrong way - or fail to say something.
      2. Before we use that as an excuse, consider Jesus him as he endured the "contradiction of sinners."
         1. 1 Peter 2:23
         2. Luke 23:34
         3. Hebrews 2:9, 10
         4. Even those who mocked and ridiculed - he was willing to save.
4. The Chastening of Sons - v. 7
   1. Chastening is a sign of God's Affection - v. 5, 6.
      1. Quotation of Proverbs 3:11, 12.
      2. Deuteronomy 8:5
      3. Deuteronomy 7:8
      4. 2 Samuel 7:14
      5. Proverbs 13:24
   2. Chastening is a sign of God's Acceptance - v. 7-8.
      1. Fathers are assigned the duty of discipline - 3x in this passage.
      2. Failure to discipline is not a sign of love - it is a sign of neglect and even rejection.
      3. Ex. kitten that the cat would not "clean up;" if we don't seek to "clean up" our children by discipline, it is tantamount to rejection.
   3. Chastening is for our Advantage - v. 9-11.
      1. Here is why chastening is proof of God's love and acceptance.
      2. Psalms 119:71
      3. Jeremiah 10:23, 24
   4. The good that comes from Chastening is only seen "Afterward."
      1. v. 10 - "partakers of his holiness."
      2. v. 11 - "the peaceable fruit of righteousness."
      3. Chastening enables us to be more like God and to be at peace with those around us.

Conclusion

1. We cannot afford to neglect the importance of patience.
2. Let us follow the admonition of the passage.