Last week we looked at the message the angel brought to the shepherds and all mankind, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” It only took one angel to bring the message but it takes a “multitude of the heavenly host” to share the purpose of the message. The joyful message on that day has two wonderful purposes!

Possibly the greatest words ever spoken were not from Jesus, or the Apostle Paul, Abraham Lincoln or tweeted by our Commander-in-Chief. Maybe the greatest words ever uttered were by an angel (no not Clarence!). The words are spoken in Luke 2:11 by an unnamed angel. The words are the core of the GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD!!

As we’ve mentioned before, Hebrews is written with Doctrine (what we believe) and Exhortation (how we behave) in mind. The last exhortation (there are 5 total) is found in Hebrews 12:18-29. The warning is stated simply, don’t fear! To come to Christianity is not to come to judgement, or wrath or fear. You’re not coming to Mt. Sinai (the Law). You’re coming to Mt. Zion (Grace).

“I used to think Satan loved suffering, that it was his weapon of choice against our faith. But while he certainly (and viciously) tries to make the most of it, I now suspect Satan secretly hates suffering. He’s simply seen it draw too many people closer to Christ. He has watched, for thousands of years, while God has taken all that he meant for terrible evil and worked it for undeniable good (Gen. 50:20).” Marshall Segal

As we “endure hardship as discipline” (Heb 12:7) remember, this discipline comes from the hand of a loving Father (Heb 12:6).

The teachings of Jesus are sometimes challenging and confrontational. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives one of the most difficult tasks as a Christian: to love your enemies. During His teaching on how to treat our enemies, Jesus changes the paradigm.

To run “the race marked out for us” we need endurance (12:1). The “cloud of witnesses” (12:1) endured terrible suffering, affliction and excruciating pain (11:35f) but remained focused on Jesus (12:2-3). Every Christian needs to remember that the Christian life is a marathon and there are obstacles all along the course. The question is, “How can I face these obstacles (suffering, chastisement, discipline) victoriously?” The answers are found in Hebrews 12:5-12.

The author of Hebrews knows nothing of coasting Christianity or “collecting shells.” There is a temptation for all old churches and “old” Christians to get tired and begin to coast. The “Hall of Faith” (Hebrews 11) actually culminates in Hebrews 12:1-3. Jesus is our example of faithfully enduring the strenuous race until the end. He crossed the finish line and authored and perfected our redemption. His reward was the joy that was “set before Him.” Are you running the race or “collecting shells?”

“The Prosperity Gospel (also known as the “health and wealth gospel” or the “Word of Faith” movement) is a perversion of the Gospel of Jesus that claims that God rewards increases in faith with increases in health and/or wealth and prosperity.” (Quote from The Gospel Coalition)

Last week we saw how faith in God worked miracles that brought about help and deliverance to God’s people (Heb 11:32-35a.) Today’s text shows that God does not always work that way no matter how strong your faith!

A miracle has simply been defined as, “God breaking into the normal way things work and in an extraordinary way makes them work differently.” This is clearly seen throughout Hebrews 11. In Hebrews 11:29-35a the author decides to just list six names and some particular miraculous events that show that God works in people who are faithful. Through faith God can break into our world in “extraordinary ways” and work in our lives miraculous events that bring Him glory. Other times He chooses not to (Hebrews 11:35b-40) but that is next week’s message!