February 24, 2009

• Hebrews 12 by Pastor Don

  Hebrews Chapters 12 and 13 are fundamental to our faith.

  Pastor Don told us that Chapter 12 & 13 show us the nature of God.  He told us that people sometimes ask questions, such as those asked after 9/11 when they said if God is God why did God not save people?  How can a loving God be a loving God and let evil happen?

  The truth is God plays by His rules, not ours.  Our views and sensibilities are not necessarily God’s.  If there are no accidents and no one died the world would be overpopulated.  Life on earth is training for eternity.  Yet we live life on earth as if it is the central part of our existence.

  God sets things in motion, but we have dominion over our lives.  When something does not go the way we want it to go, we can opt to change the rules. The validity of the existence of God is not determined by what we feel He should do.  Nothing in the Word says God will always intervene in the crises of man. 

  Heaven is a real place, and there will be much work to be done in Heaven. Since we are God’s Children, He will discipline us or not discipline us at His discretion.  We can either obey God or ignore His discipline.

  Chapter 12 is about discipline. Sometimes we accept or reject discipline.  God has a purpose in our obedience but good can even come out of our disobedience. For example, if you tell your child to not touch the hot stove and the child touches the stove, he learns that when you say he could get hurt, he could get hurt.

  Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

  Run the race set before us.  We may not always be sure what our part in the race is.

  Hebrews 12:2 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  Jesus started and finished it, and went to the Cross for the joy that was set before Him.  When He ascended to Heaven He saw Joy.  Heaven is a happy place.  Pastor Don told us that when we find something that is worth that joy it is also worth the sorrow necessary to attain it.

  Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

  Jesus endured a level of hostility that we have no conception of.  He was called a worker of satan, beaten, abused.  People will abuse you for being a believer.  The church will be labeled intolerant because of our message.  They don’t realize that you can love a person and not condone their actions.  This hostility, as time goes by will get worse, not better.

  Hebrews 12:4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

  No one has strove against sin until it causes bloodshed.  Most people are not willing to go that far.  That is why the antichrist will not meet with opposition when he is revealed. People will give up their rights when they find out that it interferes with their comforts.

  Hebrews 12:5-6 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

  Discipline helps a child (both our children and us as children of God) for it teaches us discipline so we don’t end up with the diagnosis of PINS – Person In Need of Supervision

  God will let us reap what we have sown.  Circumstances will keep coming to pass until we learn our lesson.

  Hebrews 12:7-8 If
  ^{The talk with my mom went fine in the end, and I felt so free for awhile. She hasn’t mentioned any of it since. But I understand her insecurity and her woundedness. I understand so well!
  I hope you are well and whole and happy and being made more and more holy by the day, sweet sister
  Love,
  Leah}

  • 2/24/2009 11:49 PM
  • EverythingLovely