Enduring Faith: Looking to Jesus in Our Struggles
Summary
In our journey as believers, we are called to lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, to run with endurance the race set before us. This race is not a sprint; it is a marathon that lasts until our final breath. The key to success in this spiritual marathon is not found within our own strength or resolve, but in looking to Jesus. He is the secret to successfully laying down the burdens that weigh us down and releasing the sin that entangles us. Jesus invites us to come to Him, not after we have freed ourselves from our burdens, but in the midst of our struggles. He is the transformer in our lives, the one who changes us day by day.
When we find ourselves stuck in sin, perhaps even feeling addicted, it is not our repentance that delivers us from sin, but Jesus Himself. Repentance restores our relationship with Him, allowing Him to work His transformative power within us. We are reminded that Jesus, our High Priest, sympathizes with our weaknesses. Unlike the high priests of old who could only sympathize to a point, Jesus' sympathy is pure and perfect. He feels what we feel and calls us to Himself in our moments of weakness.
The Book of Hebrews tells us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, those who have gone before us and lived by faith. We are encouraged to lay aside every weight and sin, looking to Jesus as our example and source of strength. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and to walk in His ways, we must keep our eyes fixed on Him. We must resist the temptation to earn God's love or acceptance through our actions, for this leads to legalism and a lack of genuine love for others.
To look to Jesus, we turn to the Word of God. We have the privilege of having the Scriptures readily available to us, a treasure that many before us did not have. Through the Word, we can discover Jesus in the Gospels, the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Our connection with Jesus is by faith, believing He is who He says He is.
Jesus, as our High Priest, represents us before God. He is not limited by death like the earthly high priests but lives forever, making intercession for us. He entered the holy places in heaven with His own blood, securing an eternal redemption for us. This allows us to boldly approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. Our relationship with God is not severed by sin; rather, our fellowship is disrupted, and it is through Jesus' sacrifice that we are restored.
In summary, our focus must be on Jesus, our High Priest and intercessor, who invites us to come to Him with our burdens and sins. He is the one who can transform us and lead us to victory in the race set before us. Our relationship with Him is sustained by faith and is the source of our strength and endurance.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint, and our endurance is drawn from keeping our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is not a distant observer but an active participant in our struggles, offering us His strength and guidance every step of the way. [11:22]
- Jesus' invitation to come to Him in our weariness and burdened state is an open call to experience His rest and transformation. He does not require us to clean up our act before approaching Him; rather, He meets us where we are and carries us forward. [12:07]
- Our High Priest, Jesus, sympathizes with our weaknesses to a degree that surpasses any human compassion. His perfect empathy draws Him closer to us in our failings, and His intercession on our behalf is a testament to His unending love and commitment to our well-being. [28:16]
- The Word of God is our primary tool for looking to Jesus. It is through Scripture that we come to know Him, understand His character, and align our lives with His will. Our access to the Bible is a gift that comes with the responsibility to engage with it faithfully and allow it to shape our lives. [13:34]
- Jesus' role as our High Priest is central to our confidence in approaching God. His eternal priesthood guarantees that His sacrifice is sufficient for all time, and His continual intercession ensures that we are always represented before the Father. This truth should embolden us to live in the freedom and grace that He provides. [17:29]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 12:1-2: "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, 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."
2. Hebrews 4:14-16: "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
3. Hebrews 7:23-25: "The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 12:1-2, what are believers encouraged to lay aside, and what are they encouraged to do instead?
2. In Hebrews 4:14-16, what qualities of Jesus as our high priest are highlighted, and how do these qualities benefit believers?
3. What does Hebrews 7:23-25 say about the permanence of Jesus' priesthood and its implications for believers?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of running a race in Hebrews 12:1-2 help us understand the Christian life? What does it mean to "run with endurance"?
2. In what ways does Jesus' ability to sympathize with our weaknesses, as described in Hebrews 4:14-16, provide comfort and encouragement to believers? [28:16]
3. Hebrews 7:23-25 mentions that Jesus "always lives to make intercession" for us. How does this ongoing intercession impact our daily lives and relationship with God?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a specific "weight" or sin that is currently hindering your spiritual race. What steps can you take this week to lay it aside and focus more on Jesus? [11:22]
2. Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens and weariness. How can you practically respond to this invitation in your daily routine? [12:07]
3. Considering that Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses, how can you approach Him more confidently in prayer, especially in moments of failure or struggle? [28:16]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of looking to Jesus through the Word of God. What specific plan can you implement to engage more deeply with Scripture this week? [13:34]
5. How does understanding Jesus' role as our eternal high priest and intercessor change the way you view your relationship with God? What actions can you take to live more boldly in this truth? [17:29]
6. Think about a time when you tried to earn God's love or acceptance through your actions. How can you shift your focus from self-effort to relying on Jesus' transformative power? [04:53]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to experience Jesus' rest and transformation. What practical steps can you take to invite Him into that area this week? [12:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Endurance Through Christ's Example
In the Christian walk, endurance is not innate but is cultivated through a steadfast gaze upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. He is the exemplar who has run the race before us, enduring the cross and despising its shame for the joy set before Him. As believers, one is encouraged to shed the burdens and sins that hinder spiritual progress, not by sheer willpower but by drawing strength from Christ's own journey. This race is lifelong, and the perseverance required comes from a deep-rooted connection to Jesus, who provides the necessary fortitude and guidance at every turn. His presence is a constant source of renewal and encouragement, ensuring that one does not grow weary or lose heart. [11:22]
"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." - Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Reflection: What 'weight' or sin might you be holding onto that is hindering your spiritual race, and how can you look to Jesus' example to help you lay it aside today?
Day 2: Jesus Meets Us in Our Mess
The invitation from Jesus to come to Him is not conditional upon self-improvement or the resolution of our issues. Instead, He calls the weary and burdened to find rest in His presence. This transformative rest is not a passive state but an active engagement with the One who can change hearts and lives. Jesus does not wait for perfection; He creates it within us. His grace is sufficient in weakness, and His power is made perfect in our imperfections. The call to come to Him is an open door to experience the peace and restorative work that only He can provide, even amidst our messiest struggles. [12:07]
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively seek Jesus' rest and transformation today, even if you feel unworthy or burdened by ongoing struggles?
Day 3: The Sympathetic High Priest
Jesus, as the High Priest, offers a sympathy that surpasses human understanding. His empathy is not limited by human frailty but is divine and perfect, fully comprehending our weaknesses and failings. This profound compassion is what draws Him closer to us in our moments of need. Unlike earthly priests, Jesus' intercession is based on an intimate knowledge of our experiences, making His advocacy before the Father both personal and powerful. His role as the mediator is a testament to His unending love and commitment to our well-being, ensuring that we are never alone in our spiritual battles. [28:16]
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." - Hebrews 4:15 ESV
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to more fully embrace the sympathy of Jesus as your High Priest, and how can that acknowledgment change your approach to your weaknesses?
Day 4: Engaging with the Living Word
The Word of God is the primary means by which believers can look to Jesus, understand His character, and align their lives with His will. Scripture is not just a historical document but a living and active text that reveals the heart of Christ. Engaging with the Bible is a privilege that carries the responsibility to allow it to shape one's life. Through the Gospels, Law, Prophets, and Psalms, Jesus is revealed, and faith is strengthened. This engagement is not a casual reading but a deep dive into the life-giving words that connect believers to the Savior. [13:34]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to deepen your engagement with Scripture, and how can this practice help you to better know and reflect Jesus in your daily life?
Day 5: Boldness Before the Throne
The eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ is the foundation of a believer's confidence in approaching God. His sacrifice, once for all, has secured an eternal redemption, and His continual intercession ensures representation before the Father. This truth empowers believers to approach the throne of grace with boldness, not because of their own merits, but because of the sufficiency of Christ's work. The freedom and grace provided through Jesus' high priestly role are the catalysts for living a life unburdened by sin and filled with the joy of salvation. [17:29]
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' role as your High Priest affect your confidence in approaching God, and what might change in your prayer life as a result?
Quotes
1) "Jesus is always begging us to come to him no matter where you're at right now. So the way of Jesus requires us to be looking to Jesus for everything about the way so he can be the transformer in your life." [12:54] (Download | )
2) "Jesus is not appalled by your weaknesses; he's drawn to you because of them. He's calling you to look to him every day, all the time, so he's able to sympathize, he's affected with the same feeling of another, that's you." [31:12] (Download | )
3) "Jesus delivers from sin. Repenting from sin doesn't deliver you from sin; repenting from sin gets you restored in relationships so you're connected with Jesus so he can deliver you from sin." [27:28] (Download | )
4) "Jesus, who is our great high priest continually representing us before God with the one Eternal type of sacrifice that he created, makes that possible for us to live forgiven before God." [19:31] (Download | )
5) "Jesus passed through the heavens, taking his own blood into heaven and presenting it to God for us, securing an eternal redemption. This is why we needed Jesus's blood; he became the sacrifice." [22:26] (Download | )
6) "No matter what your day looks like, Jesus Christ is your high priest before God, making him your advocate. His ministry now is to continually represent you before God." [26:13] (Download | Download cropped video)
7) "When you sin, you're not separated from God's presence; we're just talking about Fellowship. The only way to get that Fellowship back is to get back into his presence first." [37:06] (Download | )
8) "He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them. He can save us from the gutter most to the uttermost." [41:28] (Download | )
9) "Jesus offered his own blood in the holy of holies on your behalf because God desires you so much. He died for you, and this high priest continually represents you before God." [25:24] (Download | )
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