Jesus the Author and Perfector of our faith has some instructions at times that are difficult to endure but necessary if we are to grow in grace.
Hebrews 12: Jesus, Founder and Perfector of Our Faith
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Do Not Grow Weary
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.
20 For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned."
21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear."
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.
26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."
27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken---that is, things that have been made---in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Things to think about…
1. This life can often be endured rather than enjoyed. Jesus endured the cross to enjoy future glory with His people, Heb 12:2. This is why we are called to run the race of endurance, vs 1. Races are hard work and are endured until the finish line arrives. Let’s do as the writer says and ‘run the race set before us’ regardless of the course the Lord has mapped out for us. Run to win the prize where there is joy at His right hand. Easier said than done at times. But there is an exceeding weight of glory at the end of the race, hallelujah!
2. Sometimes we need to be corrected. We are spiritually unfit at times and need to be disciplined as part of our preparation, Heb 12:5-11. The goal is ‘the fruit of righteousness’, vs 11. The purpose in it all is conformity to Christ’s image and not our own, even though it is painful at times, vs 11.
3. This is why encouragement is so important, so that we don’t become like Esau who was an immoral, worldly man who despised his birthright. When he sought the blessing there was no place in his heart to repent, even though he cried many tears Heb 12:17. Esau had a worldly sorrow and he wept because he lost his birthright blessing but did not weep over his sin and thereby inherit the heavenly blessing. We should not make a bed of comfort down here that leads to loss in eternity. Endurance involves discipline. Earthly comfort satisfies the flesh but squashes the Spirit.
4. In Heb 12:18 the verse says God is a blazing fire and in Heb 12:29 it says He is a consuming fire. These are the bookends that give the context to the verses in between. The passage concerns the ‘voice’ of God, Heb 12:18&26. The Israelites who came to Mt Sinai did not listen and perished, but we have come to Mt Zion to the heavenly Jerusalem, vs 22 and hence we are those who should be listening to God’s voice. God will return and shake things ‘yet once more’, vs 27 to establish the eternal things that cannot be shaken. As such we are called to offer ‘acceptable worship, with reverence and awe’, vs 28. Why? Because ‘our God is a consuming fire’. We must get over any notions that God somehow drops this characteristic out because people don’t like to talk about it. Hell fire is frightfully real and so is God’s purpose in consuming everything that rebels against His order in creation.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Keeping an open mind and heart” – Reading Hebrews 3:7-19.
1. We have all done some things in our past that we are not very proud of. We have gone against wise counsel or done some things that we knew were plain wrong. Can you share something dumb that you have done and later regretted?
2. The writer to the Hebrews is writing to Jews who knew the law of Moses very well, yet they were not following after Christ the way they should. He says that the ancient Israelites in the wilderness didn’t enter the promised land because of unbelief. He used the example of the hardness of heart to what they received in the wilderness. What did they receive, who did this represent?
3. Many disciples turned away from Jesus when He said eat my body and drink my blood. He said he was the manna that came down from heaven in John 6. How are the Jews still missing this today? In what ways do we do the same thing through religion, lack of bible study, lack of meeting together?
Prayer Points
1. That the reversal of Rowe v Wade has a profound effect on future children yet unborn.
2. Safety for those travelling over the school holidays.
3. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
4. Folk sick with Flu A and Covid – relief and healing.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. More new folk came to CBC on Sunday.
2. Worship on Sunday – thankyou and technical team.
3. Café helpers on Sunday – thanks Melinda and Maddison.
4. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for June...
Q. 4. What becomes of men when they die? A. The body returns to dust, and the soul goes back to God to be judged.
