Living By Faith

Incomparable Christ

Hebrews 12: 1-2

Our ENCOURAGEMENT

• Because we are SURROUNDED by so great a cloud of witnesses we should be encouraged to move FORWARD in our faith

Our CHALLENGE

• The term used for hindrance means – something that interferes with PROGRESS
• Anything in our lives that is SIN is a hindrance or weight interfering with our SPIRITUAL growth as a follower of Christ
  • Psalm 107: 10-11
  • Proverbs 5: 22
  • 2 Timothy 2: 26
• Sin, if not dealt with, is arresting and will take over CONTROL of our lives
  • Romans 6: 22-23
• Through faith in Christ we can find FORGIVENESS of sins and FREEDOM from sins penalty and sins power in our lives

Our RACE

• The writer of Hebrews is referring to the JOURNEY of faith all Christians are in
• Philippians 3: 12-14 – Forget what is BEHIND and press on, keep the faith, move FORWARD, don’t quit, don’t give up – run your race

Our MODEL

• Our DESTINATION is Christ and therefore we need to keep our eyes FOCUSED on Him and Him alone
• The goal for the believer in Christ is not to have fire INSURANCE, it is not simply to avoid Hell; it is to become like CHRIST
  • Romans 8: 29
  • Romans 13: 14
  • 2 Corinthians 4: 7-10

His MOTIVATION

• Philippians 2: 8
• The Bible describes for us three specific joys that Jesus was looking to when he died on the cross:
  • The first is our SALVATION
    • Luke 15: 4-10
  • The second is our understanding of SPIRITUAL truth
    • Luke 10: 21
  • The third is our OBEDIENCE to His truth
    • John 15: 9-11
  • Jesus REJOICES when we take the truths of God’s Word seriously and APPLY them to our life

Will you EXCHANGE a life separated from God as a result of sin and through faith in Christ began a personal RELATIONSHIP with God?

 

 

Matt Wethington