October 19th, 2025 -- Enduring Faith in Spiritual Weariness

Spiritual weariness is a reality for every follower of Christ. Life as a Christian is not always easy—in fact, it often complicates things, as we find ourselves living with a different worldview and set of priorities than the world around us. The recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were feeling this deeply: they were tired, discouraged, and tempted to give up or return to their old ways. Yet, God calls His people to endure, not by sheer willpower, but by cultivating a faith that looks up to Christ, thinks straight about our circumstances, and gets moving in obedience.

Looking up means fixing our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. This isn’t just a Christian cliché; it’s a call to consider deeply what Christ has done, what He endured, and where He is now—seated at the right hand of God, in authority, with the mission accomplished. When we focus on our struggles instead of Christ, we risk falling into bitterness or being crushed by our circumstances. But when we look to Jesus, we see the One who endured hostility and suffering for us, and who now reigns with all authority.

Thinking straight is about keeping our struggles in perspective. The hardships we face are real, but they are not ultimate. The author of Hebrews reminds us that, for most of us, our suffering has not reached the point of martyrdom. More importantly, for those in Christ, our trials are not signs of God’s condemnation, but of His fatherly discipline and training. God’s discipline is not punitive, but formative—it is evidence of our sonship, our secure place in His family, and His commitment to our growth in holiness and righteousness.

Finally, we are called to get moving. Endurance is not passive; it requires action. We are commanded to strengthen what is weak, to make straight paths for our feet, and to press on, even when it feels unnatural or difficult. No one else can run this race for us. The daily choice to follow Christ, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross is both our responsibility and a work that God Himself empowers in us. Faith does not sit still; it steps forward, trusting that God is at work for our good, even when we cannot see the path ahead.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Fixing our eyes on Christ means more than just thinking about Jesus; it’s a deliberate act of considering what He has done, what He endured, and where He is now. This focus shifts our perspective from our own fatigue and struggles to the sufficiency and authority of our Savior, reminding us that the mission truly is accomplished in Him. [16:55]
• 2. Spiritual weariness often tempts us to focus on our difficulties, which can lead to bitterness or despair. The antidote is to look up to Christ, who endured far greater hostility and suffering, and to remember that our hardships are not unique or insurmountable in light of His example and victory. [22:07]
• 3. God’s discipline in our lives is not a sign of His rejection or anger, but of His love and our secure place as His children. Even when His training feels painful or confusing, it is always for our good, shaping us into people who reflect His holiness and righteousness. [27:34]
• 4. Keeping our struggles in perspective means recognizing that just because we cannot see a good reason for our trials does not mean one does not exist. God’s purposes are often hidden, but His track record—seen in stories like Joseph’s—shows that He can use even the most painful circumstances for profound good, both in our lives and in the lives of others. [40:44]
• 5. Endurance is an active, daily choice. We are called to strengthen what is weak, make wise decisions, and press on in faith, even when it feels unnatural. God works in us, but we must also take responsibility to run the race set before us, trusting that faith never sits still but always steps forward. [45:05]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:55] - Praying for Belleville Bible Study
• [03:27] - Context of Hebrews and Its Recipients
• [05:18] - The Complications of Christian Life
• [06:27] - The Reality of Spiritual Weariness
• [09:19] - Faith That Looks Up: Fixing Our Eyes on Christ
• [11:22] - Jesus: Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
• [14:08] - Considering What Jesus Endured
• [16:55] - The Significance of Christ Seated at God’s Right Hand
• [20:34] - The Danger of Focusing on Our Struggles
• [23:10] - Faith That Thinks Straight: Keeping Struggles in Perspective
• [27:34] - Discipline as a Sign of Sonship
• [33:42] - Discipline for Our Good and Holiness
• [36:11] - Joseph: God’s Good Purposes in Suffering
• [40:59] - Faith That Gets Moving: Strengthening What Is Weak
• [43:43] - Choosing Wise Paths in Weariness
• [45:05] - Endurance as a Daily Choice
• [46:25] - Final Encouragements and Closing

Bible Reading

Hebrews 12:1-13 (ESV) —
> 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 12:2-3, what are we told to do when we feel weary or discouraged in our faith?
2. What does the passage say about the purpose of God’s discipline in the lives of believers?
3. In verses 12-13, what specific actions are believers commanded to take when they are spiritually tired?
4. The sermon mentioned that the original readers of Hebrews were tempted to give up or go back to their old ways. What were some of the hardships they were facing? [[05:18]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The author of Hebrews tells us to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” What does it practically mean to do this, especially when we can’t physically see Jesus? [[10:50]]
2. The sermon says that God’s discipline is not punishment but training. How does understanding discipline this way change how someone might respond to hard times? [[27:34]]
3. The passage says that Jesus is “seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Why is this significant for someone who is feeling spiritually weary? [[16:55]]
4. The preacher said that endurance is not passive, but requires action. What are some ways that “getting moving” in faith might look different from just “trying harder”? [[41:22]]

Application Questions

1. When you are spiritually tired or discouraged, what do you usually focus on—your struggles or Jesus? What is one practical way you could shift your focus to Christ this week? [[20:34]]
2. The sermon talked about two “ditches” we can fall into when we focus on our problems: bitterness or being crushed. Which of these are you more prone to, and what would it look like to respond differently? [[22:07]]
3. God’s discipline is described as a sign of His love and our secure place in His family. Can you think of a recent challenge that, in hindsight, God used to grow you? How did your perspective change? [[27:34]]
4. The preacher said that just because we can’t see a good reason for our trials doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to trust God’s hidden purposes? What would trusting Him look like in that area? [[40:44]]
5. Hebrews 12:12-13 commands us to “strengthen what is weak” and “make straight paths.” What is one area of your spiritual life that feels weak right now? What is a small step you could take this week to strengthen it? [[41:22]]
6. The sermon mentioned that endurance is a daily choice and that no one else can run the race for you. What is one daily habit you could start (or restart) to help you keep moving forward in faith? [[45:05]]
7. When you feel weary, what are you tempted to do that actually makes things worse (like isolating, doom scrolling, or skipping church)? What is one thing you could do differently next time you feel that way? [[44:18]]