This Sunday, we will finish the section of Hebrews 12 we began last week. As chapter 12 began, the author exhorted us to run the race set before us with endurance, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. As we learned last week, v. 4-13 shows us what fixing our eyes on Jesus looks like. We studied v. 4-8 in depth and saw that the suffering Hebrew Christians had forgotten God’s promise of discipline to every one of His children. The author quoted Proverbs 3:11-12 to demonstrate this. Amazingly, the author is saying that their suffering and trials are the disciplining hand of God. We also saw that this discipline is more like what we refer to as training. For the believer, God’s discipline doesn’t come from His wrath or justice for sin. Sin was fully atoned at the cross. Yet, like every good father, the Lord disciplines His children for their growth and benefit. As those united to Christ, adopted by the Father, the author commands us to endure all our trials and hardships for discipline’s sake (v. 7). Even in the hardest and most painful circumstances, we are told "God is treating you as sons." Understanding this, however, doesn’t make enduring God’s discipline any easier. Hebrews also tells us that all discipline is unpleasant as we go through it, but it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it (v. 11). With our eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that God is working all things for our good, we need not turn from Christ, disobey His word, or descend into despair when faced with suffering. That is easier said than done, but in this text we are given four principles to apply and to help one another in times of trial. We looked at the first two last week. 

I. Remember God’s Promise of Discipline (v. 4-6)

II. Recognize The Necessity of God’s Discipline (v. 7-8)

This Sunday, we will concentrate our study on the remaining two:

III. Remember The Benefit of God’s Discipline (v. 9-11)

IV.  Respond To God’s Discipline Together (v. 12 -13)