Preach the Word

September 16, 2012

Lesson: Hebrews 12:1–11

Key Verse: Hebrews 12:1

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Introduction

Paul admonished Timothy, his son in the faith: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). Timothy was chosen of his Lord for a special service in the ministry of the Word, the preaching of the Gospel. All Christians have a race to run in this life on earth. Like Timothy, we are to be faithful in and out of season, whether there is fruit or not.

Paul had come to the end of his ministry. He was ready to be offered up for the sake of his Lord. His departure was at hand. Paul’s testimony was this: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). Before him was a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, would give him (4:8).

We are to fight the good fight while we serve and worship Christ on this earth. The word ‘fight’ is the same word in our text: to ‘run.’ It means to enter into a contest, to struggle for victory. The Christian does battle with the enemy, as he fights the good fight of faith. By the Holy Spirit, the Christian is enabled to run the race as one who is faithful to His Lord, proclaiming His love and glory to those around him. The same word is used in 1 Thess. 2:2, translated ‘contention’: “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated …we were bold in our God to speak unto the gospel of God with much contention.”

As the body is put to the test, being strained to its limit; so the Christian’s battle with evil, and the proclamation of the righteousness which exalts nations for the glory of the King of kings, is tested with much struggle and suffering. As with those who, “through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions” (Heb. 11:33), so must the Christian of this age run the same race.

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Looking to Jesus—Hebrews 12:1–2

Moving from the men and women of faith in chapter eleven, the book of Hebrews concludes: “Wherefore, seeing we 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.”

These witnesses are not just onlookers, they are those who have run the race, fought the battle, and have received the crown of righteousness from their faithful Lord. We are not encouraged as the ball players of today who hear the yelling of their fans. We are encouraged with the thunder of God’s voice as He surrounds us with the saints who have gone on before. Their victory is not the fleeting victory of today’s sport, but the eternal victory of God’s glory. They conquered the enemy with the righteousness of Christ. They bore the scars of battle, which speak of the greater scars bore by their Savior.

Therefore, why would we carry with us the weight of our sins, though it seems that our old nature burdens us with them? Let us lay aside those things for which Christ died, and, with the help of Spirit, replace them with acts of righteousness. Do we look to our own strength for victory? Or do we look to Christ Jesus “the author and finisher of our faith”? Do we trample upon the work of Christ when we rest upon our own programs? Did not this marvelous gift of faith come to us by way of the cross? For our Savior, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,” now is at the “right hand of the throne of God.” We were redeemed with a price. Our race, our struggle with our sin and the evil principles in high places, our faithfulness in the Gospel, our service, etc., should radiate the glory of Christ and His sacrifice.

Discussion: To whom do we owe our allegiance in the race that is before us?

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Consider Christ—Hebrews 12:3–4

Strength belongs to the Christian whose faith and trust sets the heart and soul upon the Christ who is their King and Savior. As you face the tasks and struggle and battles of the day, consider your Savior. Did He come in vain? Does not what He did for us warrant that we put aside those selfish desires, those sins which so easily turn us aside from walking with Him? Consider Christ who “who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Christ patiently endured the slanderous mouths of the enemy, the crown of ridicule upon His brow, for the benefit of those that the Father gave Him. The joy that was set before Him was complete victory over our sins, that we might receive forgiveness and life eternal. Shall we dare to complain and grow weary in our minds?

Be reminded that we “have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” We do carry out a war against our sin, but it is Christ who has shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. He is the only Savior who has, once and for all, died for the sins of His people. We must battle with the sin which seeks to beset us. However, our race is one of Gospel victory. It is for the Gospel of our Lord that we, at times, must suffer and even die.

Discussion: How is the consideration of Christ a remedy for the sin which hinders us in the race we must run?

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The Lord Loves—Hebrews 12:5–6

There is another encouragement for us in the running of the race with patience. It is an encouragement which we wish to do without, but it is very much needed. We must not forget the exhortation we receive as children of God our Father. Scripture teaches us: “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction” (Prov. 3:11). We must not reject the discipline of the Lord. We are His disciples, to learn by both the rod and the staff which comforts us. The rod comes upon us when we sin against Him, directing us to that which is righteous. The staff directs us as He leads us through His Scripture, guiding and comforting us by His Spirit.

Why does our Father chastise us? Did not Christ bear the chastisement for our sins? His discipline in our lives strengthens us in His way, draws us to Him who forgives us in His Son. It is because our Lord loves us that He “chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” God’s chastisement is His loving hand drawing us to Himself. We must not resist this love.

Discussion: How does God’s discipline in our lives reveal His great love for us?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.