Looking Unto Jesus


Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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. – Hebrews 12:1-2

Join us this Resurrection Sunday, April 24, as we gather to worship the Risen Christ!

Concluding our sermon series through Hebrews 11, titled” Do You Believe?”, we hear the Word of God as He tells us that all of these listed in the Hall of Faith serve as a cloud of witnesses, encouraging us to continue to run the race of faith.

From their example we see the profit of faith, the pain of sin, and the preciousness of Christ. We also learn that the Christian life is indeed a race that must be run with patience. In order to run rightly we must lay aside every ensnaring incumberance, learning daily to deny self, repent of sin, and press on in holiness.

We also see that we cannot remain stationary. We are either moving forward, or we are backsliding in sin. There is no standing still, no neutral, no resting for us here in this life. We are commanded in Scripture to run, to press on, to finish, and to endure. Indeed, this is a race of endurance, and “he who endures to the end will be saved.” This race helps us see that we run now, and will continue to run for the rest of our earthly lives. It is a lifelong commitment.

How can we do this? Only one way – we must look unto Jesus. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He gives us our faith as a gift by the power of His Spirit. He is also the finisher or perfector of our faith. He gives us grace, saving and sanctifying us, conforming us more and more into His image as we walk with Him and abide in Him and His Word.

But even more than the Author and Finisher of our faith, we see that we look to Jesus because of what endured on our behalf. For the joy that was set before Him He endured the humiliation and horror of the cross. He lived as an innocent and righteous man and died as a convicted sinner. But it was not His sin for which He died. It was ours. And in the shame and humility of dying like He did He saw joy! He despised the shame. And He finished the course.

After He died and was raised to life again on the third day, He sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God. He had triumphantly finished the work for which He had become a man. Indeed, when He declared from the cross “It is finished,” He sealed our eternal fate. He paid the debt for our sin, gave to us His righteousness, and finished the work necessary to secure eternal life for us.

Hebrews 12 begins, “Therefore we also…”. Are you included in “we”? Have you believed Jesus? Are you a member of the Hall of Faith? Are you one who has repented from your sin and trusted Christ? If not, today is the day of salvation! Even as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, He is even now calling you to repent of your sin and place your faith in Him, our Risen Lord and Savior.

This resurrection Sunday, do you believe?

LISTEN or DOWNLOAD for FREE here: Looking Unto Jesus – Heb 12:1-2

Categories: Hebrews 11

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