Do Not Grow Weary (Hebrews 12:1-17, Isaiah 40:25-31)
Rev. William L. Barron, February 13, 2022Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
What does a witness witness? He presents a testimony. Normally, it is, "Trust in the Lord!" The cry is about how we are to live. Jesus is the object of our trust, an example to us on how we are to live. We believe into Him more than in Him, meaning entering into a relationship. Jesus is the source, the power of our being transformed from death to life. When we get tired, we must wait upon the Lord, who is our strength. Consider in vs. 3 means to make a record. Paul considered that the sufferings he sustained were nothing compared to the glory to be revealed. We must take joy in doing the will of God and hold onto endurance in God's race for us. In this race, we cannot set the course; God does. We are part of the body of Christ, with a specific role. We must carry out our role with endurance and joy, putting excuses aside. We must remember that Jesus is the perfecter of our faith. James tells us that testing brings endurance, for God's glory, through God's discipline, and this brings joy to us. There are three ways to face difficulty: stoicism, wallowing in woe though a veil of tears that produces anger, and considering difficulty to be all joy. This is producing Christ-likeness in us. We must remember that God disciplines those whom He loves. We are His, and the apple of His eye. So how are we to live? We are to strive for peace and to love one another, seeking holiness and pressing on through difficulties as His witnesses. His purpose in saving us is to grow in holiness, living for Him. There are three warnings: without striving to make peace there is no salvation. Second, we are to avoid the root of bitterness that comes with focusing on ourselves. We are to seek humility and unselfishness. Third, we are to flee from sexual sin, pursuing holiness. In overcoming these three warnings, God's Word becomes a delight.
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Hebrews 12:1–17 (Listen)
12:1 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 perfecter 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.
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.
(ESV)
Isaiah 40:25–31 (Listen)
25 To whom then will you compare me,
that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
and because he is strong in power,
not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
(ESV)