Steadfast Fortitude, Hebrews 12:1-11 Sunday School Mid-Week Review

Our upcoming Sunday School lesson this week will deal with Hebrews 12:1-11 where we continue our look into Biblical Faith. Faith is not hoping or wishing that something I want we will come true. Faith is Certitude, Certainty, I know and the reason why I know is because "Faith comes by Hearing and Hearing by The Word of God".

The challenge of Sunday is the lesson really deals with two different thoughts: The Race and The Relationship:. For both the Race and the Relationship, there are requirements: For today's blog, I will deal with the race.

In Hebrews 12:1-3, the writer sets before us the fact that the Christian race is no stroll or sprint. It is a long distance run which requires running with durability, running without distractions and running with determination. Some of those who would receive this letter were running the risk of dropping out because of persecution. But the Hebrew writer encouraged them to remember that the faith of their ancestors had brought them through victoriously. These Christians were also reminded to consider Jesus.

In 12:1, I believe "let us" may be used to refer to Jews who have made a profession of Christ, but have not gone all the way to full faith. They have not yet begun the Christian race, which starts with salvation—to which the writer is now calling them. The truths, however, apply primarily to Christians, who are already running.

The writer is saying, "If you are not a Christian, get in the race, because you have to enter before you can hope to win. If you are a Christian, run with endurance; don't give up." Unfortunately, many people are not even in the race, and many Christians could hardly be described as running the race at all. Some are merely jogging, some are walking slowly, and some are sitting or even lying down. Yet the biblical standard for holy living is a race, not a morning constitutional.

Race is the Greek agōn, from which we get agony. A race is not a thing of passive luxury, but is demanding, sometimes grueling and agonizing, and requires our utmost in self-discipline, determination, and perseverance.

The writer of Hebrews told the Christians to lay aside every weight. This requires self-control. Self-control requires us not only to avoid sin but it also demands the discipline to give up good things. Good things can keep us from being and doing our best for God.

The Christian race is not a "come as you are" race. It is a race that requires special preparation. Those who run effectively are those who lay aside the encumbrances and the sins which easily entangle the runner. It is important for us to understand that an encumbrance or weight is not the same thing as sin. An encumbrance or weight is a bulk or mass that may impede the progress of the runner.

Sin is missing the mark of God’s will and character. There are some things that are not outside God’s will and character, yet they may hinder our effective running of the Christian race. Weights are things that restrict activity. The weight is a burdensome load. But sin is the thing that really stops our performances. If you will notice this verse, both the weights and the sin entangle without much effort. The Hebrew writer said that the weight and sin "so easily entangle us."  Once the weights and the sin have been laid aside, the runner is ready for the race.

Nothing is more encouraging than the successful example of someone who has "done it before." The cloud of witnesses are all those faithful saints just mentioned in chapter 11. We are to run the race of faith like they did, always trusting, never giving up, no matter what the obstacles or hardships or cost.

They knew how to run the race of faith. They opposed Pharaoh, they forsook the pleasures and prerogatives of his court, they passed through the Red Sea, shouted down the walls of Jericho, conquered kingdoms, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, received back their dead by resurrection, were tortured, mocked, scourged, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, had to dress in animal skins, were made destitute—all for the sake of their faith.

Now the writer says, "You should run like they did. It can be done, if you run as they did—in faith. They ran and ran and ran, and they had less light to run by than you have. Yet they were all victorious, every one of them."

This writer is reminding his readers to be aware of those in the grandstand, but they should not focus their attention on them. He told them to keep fixing their eyes on Jesus, because Jesus once ran the same race. The Greek word translated "looking" or "fixing" (aphorao) is a word which means to look away from one thing to see another.

If the readers of this letter were watching the grandstand, they could not concentrate on the race. If they were to concentrate on the race, they needed to fix their eyes on Jesus. There are always rival attractions which seek to gain the attention of the runners, but we must keep our eyes on Jesus. Some rivals which seek our attention are; power, position, prosperity, poverty and pleasure.

Jesus is an important person if we are to successfully run the Christian race because he is the author and finisher or perfecter of faith. The word "author" (archegos) suggests one who takes the lead. The word "author" also suggests the source from which a thing proceeds. The word "finisher" or "perfecter" (teleiotes) suggests the accomplishment of the intended purpose in view. If we are to run the Christian race, it must begin, proceed and finish in Jesus.


Verse 3
“For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

Because of all Christ accomplished we are urged to “consider him.” “Consider” is the Greek word analogizomai, and means “to think it over, ponder, and examine him completely and from all angles.” “Contradiction of sinners against himself” refers to the hostile treatment in both word and deed that Jesus received from the world.

This could possibly be a much needed encouragement for these young Hebrew believers who were on the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse for their new found faith. Thus, the warning, “lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” was given to encourage the readers to not grow “weary” or fatigued and worn out which would result in “fainting” or collapsing in the race.

The next time the devil tempts you to quit, “consider” Jesus. The next time your employer makes your day difficult, “consider” Jesus. The next time your employees won’t work, “consider” Jesus. The next time you’re lied about, “consider” Jesus. The next time you fail to do the Father’s will, “consider” Jesus.

I will add the relationship requirements in another blog:

Owens

One-Woman Man

I am looking forward to our Sunday School lesson this week as it deals with the qualifications for spiritual leadership for Pastors and Deacons. It is significant that in describing the qualifications, the apostle Paul focuses on the character rather than the function. A man is qualified because of who and what he is, not because of what he does.

I also must admit this lesson is very personal for me. Many of my members are attacked in this town for attending, joining and worshiping at a church where the Pastor is single. They have been told by other church members, non-church members and a few Pastors that they are wrong for coming to this church and their basis for this is I Timothy 3:2.

"The husband of one wife" is not the best translation of I Timothy 3:2 according to the Greek. "Wife"(gunaikos) and "husband"(aner) are better translated "woman" and "man" with the construction of the Greek placing the emphasis on the word "ONE" which communicates the idea of a one-woman man. There are many interpretations over what this verse means:


Interpretation#1: Many Commentators believe this to mean an elder can't have more than one wife at a time. ANSWER: Understanding the religious and cultural climate of the day this is written, this view is unlikely as neither Jews nor Romans engaged in this practice.

Interpretation#2: Some believe this verse means a man can't be a Pastor if he has remarried for any reason. ANSWER: This view cannot be true because God permits remarriage after the death of one's spouse, (cf. Rom.7:2-3; I Cor. 7:39; I Timothy 5:9-15)

Interpretation#3: Some contend this was a prohibition for divorced men being unfit or unable to serve as elders/pastors. ANSWER: This verse is not a prohibition against divorced men serving as Pastors because the Bible teaches that under two(2) Circumstances, remarriage after a divorce is within God's will. (cf. Matthew 5:31-32, I Corinthians 7:15)

Interpretation#4: Some people contend this verse prohibits single men from serving as Elders/Pastors. ANSWER: This view cannot be true as Paul operated within the office of elder/Pastor as a church planter; giving Pastoral advice; conferred through the laying on of hands as an elder statesman pastor(cf. I Timothy 4:14, II Timothy 1:6) and he did all of this while single.(cf. I Corinthians 7:7-9)

Therefore, the concept of a one-woman man has nothing to do with marital status, social status or external conditions but rather it deals with the state of heart of the person seeking this job. IT DEALS WITH CHARACTER.

John MacArthur states it better than I can in his book, "The Master's Plan for the Church", If he is married, he is to be devoted solely to his wife. If he is not married, he is not to act or behave as a "Ladies man". For the man who looks down upon the single pastor, "Unfortunately it is possible to be married to one woman and yet not act or behave as a one-woman man." (cf. Matthew 5:28)

What Paul told Timothy is that a married----or unmarried man who lusts after many women is unfit for ministry.

Sunday School will be fun! I am tempted to teach this one to all the adults myself.