Looking Unto Jesus

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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Introduction:

“The key to joy”, we’re looking at today’s text which I believe is another key to our endeavours to live a life of  faith…JOYFULLY

Today’s text not only encapsulates crucial elements of our faith but also so much of what it should mean to be a believer. 

In chapter 11 [and I’m so glad pastor touched on that last week], we saw an extensive list of those who lived by faith [and received a good report] and yet (as we read) received not the promise, yet looked unto a city whose builder and maker was God

This automatically begs the question:

WHAT WAS THE PROMISE?

As believers, we’ve been promised 3 things in regards to our faith:

The promise of a Saviour

The promise of eternal life and a heavenly home

The promise of the Holy Spirit: “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession…” (Ephesians 1:14)

It’s this last promise that is most pertinent to today’s message.

Remember from our series on our doctrinal statement:

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” (John 15:26)

For the purpose of our study, it pays to keep in mind:

*The Holy Spirit testifies of Christ and therefore reveals Christ to us

*He is the Spirit of truth and leads us into all truth; especially in matters of faith and confirming the word of God to us.

*He is the Comforter and therefore helps us to endure hardship 

The promise of the Holy Spirit is confirmed in several places  in the book of Acts:

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1:4-5)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” (Acts 2:33)

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Act 2:38-39)

Now, in light of these exemplary figures in chapter 11 and the witness of their lives…[remember, they received not the promise]

In Hebrews 12:1 we’re exhorted to put off sin in order to live a faith filled life…

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

Remember: we’ve received the promise and consequently the advantage that these in chapter 11 did not. This leaves us with very little excuse. 

It’s worth reading this again:

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) 

The focus of our message today is verse 2

Our 4 points today:

Jesus:The Epicentre of Our Faith

Jesus: The Establishment of Our Faith

Jesus: The Enjoyment and Endurance of Our Faith

Jesus: The Elevation of Our Faith 

Let’s pray 

Jesus: The Epicentre of Our Faith: 

“Loo