6/30/13 Hebrews 12:1-3 Spiritual Endurance

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Hebrews: Real Faith Practices

Week 3: Spiritual Endurance

June 30, 2013

 

GETTING THINGS STARTED

View the following special video: youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM

  • What’s your reaction to this video?
  • Can you possibly imagine how difficult it is for Dick Hoyt, the father, to do what he does for his son, Rick?
  • Do you think Dick Hoyt has ever wanted to quit or give up?  What do you think keeps Dick Hoyt going when things get tough?

 

There are times when any racer gets tired.  And there are moments where every racer must reach deep down and draw on some source of strength.  For Dick Hoyt, it is the incredible love and commitment he has for his son.  We get tired in our spiritual lives as well.  And in our struggle to lead the lives God wants us to lead, we need a source for renewing our strength.

 

Read Hebrews 12:1-3 (nlt)

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

 

 

The writer of Hebrews was addressing a primarily Jewish audience, people who had a lens of viewing God through the Law.  But through Christ there came righteousness apart from the Law that was available to all who believed.  The writer of Hebrews was concerned that his audience was living out a proper understanding of their newly established faith in Christ.

 

The writer of Hebrews calls his audience to endure for their faith.  The passage you will study in this lesson speaks right to the heart of this matter.  As the writer talks about endurance, he draws attention to Christ.  Urging his audience to “fix their eyes” on Jesus and draw great strength from Jesus’ example.

 

You live in an environment that is constantly opposed to your faith.  And if you are standing up for your faith and living the life you are called to live, there will be times you grow spiritually weary.  It happens to all Christ-followers who live as “salt and light” in this world. The cool thing is that we have a perfect example of what it looks like to stay strong in the midst of spiritual opposition.  When we look to Christ, we see the model of what it means to live boldly for God.  Though it can be spiritually tiring, God’s assurance and comfort and strength never run dry.  This lesson will call you to seek out this strength when you are spiritually exhausted.

 

 

Let’s spend a few minutes discovering some truths in this passage about renewing our strength.

 

 

1. Get rid of burdens to renew your strength

 

  • Imagine racing to the top of a hill or the stairwell of a skyscraper while carrying a huge, heavy backpack.  How would this burden hinder you?
  • How is the Christian experience similar to a race, as we see described in verse 1? How is it different?
  • What are some factors that can wear you out spiritually?
  • How is sin similar to the heavy backpack I mentioned a few moments ago?  How does sin become a burden in the race toward spiritual maturity?

 

There are quite a few ways that we can become tired spiritually: when we are constantly standing up for our faith, especially if it means having difficult conversations with others; when we feel left out or ridiculed because we have taken a specific stand for a principle we believe in; when we struggle with our own issues, trying to be the person Christ wants us to be.  Sin is an especially heavy burden that makes us weary.  That’s why the writer of Hebrews says we must get rid of every weight, every burden that keeps us from fully following God.

 

 

2. Turn to Jesus to renew your strength

 

  • When runners run a race, what do they focus on?  What is their goal?
  • What does it mean to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, as verse 2 says?
  • What can distract our attention away from Jesus and cause us to focus on our limitations, our weaknesses, or other things that knock us off course?
  • Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are what we are supposed to focus on, according to the author of Hebrews, in order to make sure we are spiritually strong and focused.  How do you think this is helpful in renewing our spiritual strength?
  • What is the alternative?  What if we lose focus on Christ as our source of spiritual energy?  What must we rely on then?

 

Like a runner looking at the finish line, we are to put all our focus on Christ.  We are to see Him and His ways as the object of our lives.  When we do this, we keep all the other distractions in our lives that can pull our focus away from God at bay.  We truly lock in on the One who is capable of seeing us through our spiritual journeys.  But it’s not just some mysterious spiritual trick to stay strong.  We can turn to Jesus to renew our strength.

 

 

3. Shift your perspective to renew your strength

 

  • As we consider the pressures we face in our lives, especially our spiritual lives, how is Jesus an example to us?
  • Verse 3 essentially says that when we think about everything Jesus experienced, it puts our lives into proper perspective.  What if Jesus had never been through suffering or temptation?  How would it change the way He serves as an example and helps us shift our perspective?
  • Knowing that Christ experienced more than any of us will ever go through, how is He the perfect source of strength?

 

Life is hard.  Things get tough.  But we have a Savior who went ahead of us and experienced all we might experience and so much more.  Jesus’ example of how He walked through the tough times is a perfect example for us.  We can look to Christ for strength. More than that, we can look to how He relied on the Father, on Scriptures, and on others for strength and encouragement.

 

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION

Philippians 4:13 (nlt)

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

  • Read Philippians 4:13.  This verse is familiar to many Christ-followers.  But how does it actually play out in our lives?

 

  • Do you think this only pertains to trials in our lives?  Or can it mean that Christ strengthens us in all aspects?  Explain your answer.

 

Galatians 6:9 (nlt)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

 

  • Read Galatians 6:9.  How can you become tired, or worn down, as you try to live your life as a follower of Christ?

 

1 Peter 2:21 (nlt)

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.  He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.

 

  • Read 1 Peter 2:21.  Does the idea of persecution for your faith intimidate or scare you?  Why or why not?

 

 

APPLICATION

  • Think about some times when you have been really tired spiritually, when maybe you wanted to just give up or give in.  What was that like?

 

  • How spiritually tired are you today?  What factors have contributed to your weariness and fatigue?  How can I pray for you?

 

  • What are some ways you can recharge your spiritual batteries?  How do you practically build back up your spiritual strength?

 

  • What if you aren’t spiritually tired right now?  How can you prepare yourself for those moments, if and when they do come in your life?

 

 

SUMMARY

Spiritual endurance is one of the key messages of Hebrews.  And while many in the original audience of Hebrews were living under the assumption that Christ would return in their lifetimes, the teaching from this book is still relevant today.  This world has a tendency to make us weary.  If we are standing for our convictions and devoting our lives to serving God and His mission, we can grow spiritually tired.  However, this passage is an encouragement to stay strong by looking to Christ as an example, as you discovered in this lesson.