Hebrews 12

Bible study with Pastor Terry Gray

THE RACE SET BEFORE US

Hebrews 12:1
Our life is the race God has given us to run. Don't compare with other people. Focus on our own race. We often see the good that happens in other people's lives, but we don't see their downs. We all have ups and downs that others don't know about, so stay focused on our own race, because only we know how to run our own track, whereas others know how to run theirs best. Accept and embrace the race God has given to each of us. God has a mission for each of us. To look at others with envy neglects the mission God has placed in front of us.

Look at Paul as an example, how he pressed forward. He fought a good fight. How?
1. Lay aside everything that hinders. Avoid things or people that would hold us back.
2. Lay aside sin that entraps us. Avoid cheating, lying, immortality, etc. 

Christian life is a marathon, not a dash. We have to run with endurance, as a people who can withstand the pressure. Be encouraged by the saints who have gone before us. Be inspired by Jesus! This is the only race worth running. This is the only race that has an eternal blessing. The Hall of Faith reminds us that there are many before who have completed their race; they are in Heaven cheering us on!

Remember Job, if we have lost much. Remember Paul, if we have a physical ailment. Remember Joseph, if we had a rough childhood. Remember Jesus, our ultimate role model. He, too, finished the race that God had put before Him!

Just like Peter walked on water when he kept his eyes on Jesus but began to sink when he started to look away (Matthew 14:29-31), as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will have the strength to finish our race.

Hebrews 12:3
Remember the race Jesus ran for us! No one has suffered worse than what Jesus has suffered. 


CHRISTIANS IN TRAINING 

Don't give up when things get tough. Think of tough times as a training camp. Remember the context of this Book. The author is addressing Christian Jews back in the days where they were getting persecuted for following Christ and leaving the Law. The persecutions got so terrible that they wanted to give up and return to the old ways.

Tough periods are times when God is training us.

Hebrews 12:6-11
"Chasten" (KJV): To instruct, to train in Greek.

Chastening from God is...
1. A sign that we are loved
2. A sign that we are His children
3. A sign of God's best for us. God's chastening is perfect. 

It is the parents' job to train their children up in the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 4; Proverbs 13:34; proverbs 29). 

God chastens to prevent us from doing something wrong.

2 Corinthians 12 
God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh, and Paul viewed it as a reminder to not get prideful. The thorn keeps Paul humble!

God chastens us to teach us something about Him, to allow us to obtain a new and profound understanding of God. For example, Job's life.

God chastens us to correct us: David entangled himself in a scandal when he lusted after Bathsheba. David lost his child with her, and that was just the beginning of his straying away from God. However, David eventually found his way back to God and wrote in Psalm 119:67-68 (KJV)--"Before I was afflicted I went astray. But now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes." 

Just remember this whenever we are afflicted: God has a purpose. And God always disciplines us with the right motives. That is, God always disciplines us with the heart of a LOVING FATHER! It is always out of love. Moreover, He knows what we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). He doesn't make any mistake. His chastening is perfect. It is good, and it is right.

Hebrews 12:10
God's chastening brings good things. Submit ourselves and allow us to be taught by God.


RUNNING THE RACE TOGETHER

Hebrews 12:13-17
As encouraged above, we have our individual races to run. However, we are also to help others, because we are ONE body in Christ.

We help each other by...

1. Making straight paths
Clear away misunderstandings with God's truth, not worldly truth.

2. Encouraging one and another (Hebrews 10)
One of the best ways to encourage is at church. It is our huddle before a big play, where we gave each other courage.

3. Living a straight life
Let people see how we handle trials and tribulations. Do not be a stumbling blocks for others. 

4. Pursuing peace with all people and holiness (Hebrews 12:14)

5. Watching each others' backs (Hebrews 12:14)
Watch for those who may be falling short of the grace of God. Watch out for bitter Christians. Watch out for profane behavior: Learn from Esau. Do not trade away our future for a bowl of soup. Do not look for only the now. Look to the future God has promised us, and do not trade it away for temporary satisfaction!


WE'VE COME SO FAR

It is heartbreaking to give up running a marathon 24 miles into it. So much has already been put into it, it is difficult to just stop and not push harder to finish the race.

Similarly, don't give up when we hit the wall.

Hebrews 12:8
This passage describes what we have NOT come to, what we have left behind. This passage speaks of the time when God visited the people of Moses' time at Mt. Sinai. The experience was so terrifying, people couldn't bear His presence. God is a God to be feared because of His holiness and majesty.

Mt. Sinai represents the legalistic approach to God: "Obey the Commandments, and I will be your God."

The New Testament explains that God gave the Law to Israelites so that they would clearly understand the standard of God's righteousness, to prove to all that none can keep the Law by their own strength. And through them, the world was suppose to learn the same lessons. 

We cannot meet God's standards on our own. We need God's help. We need to seek God.

The Law was proof that a man-oriented approach to God would never work. Mt. Sinai thus represents all religious approach to God.

Christianity is not a religion. Christians do not reach God by our own attempt. Christianity is God reaching man. 

Christians have left Mt. Sinai. It is, however, easy to build our own little Mt. Sinais in our lives and become religious and legalistic. For example, get overly caught up with finances, career development, etc. These are examples of putting materialistic things in front of God. There are also examples of becoming legalistic within the Church. What is more important? Following Jesus with our heart or fasting for the sake of fasting, for example? Any time we start doing things "because we're supposed to," we run the risk of becoming legalistic. Jesus knows our HEART. Therefore, if we do not follow Him with our heart, then we are not truly following Him, even if we do things in His name (Matthew 7:22)!

Hebrews 12:22
This passage describes what we have come to, how far the Lord has brought us. We have come to a wonderful place: Mount Zion = Jerusalem = Heavenly Jerusalem. Jesus has brought us to the heavenly dwelling place of God.

The Law was given on Mt. Sinai. Jesus died for all lawbreakers on Mt. Zion.

We are not in heaven now, but we will be. Our permanent dwelling is Heaven. We are on Earth, walking through our pilgrimage. Don't lose sight of our Home and fail to see beyond the difficulties we face during our pilgrimage! Instead, be encouraged! We are in company of innumerable angels! 

Hebrews 12:23
"Spirits of righteous men made perfect" = Saints who are in Heaven today

Saints who followed Jesus are in Heaven today because of their walk in Christ. They are declared righteous and STAND BEFORE GOD PERFECT, because Jesus dealt with our sin forever. When we hit a wall in our marathon, consider the elite group of company that cheers us on. Do not lose sight of the finish line as we run our race!