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August 29, 2021

The Way of Glory is the Way of Endurance

August 29, 2021 • Pastor Josh Kee • Hebrews 12:1–3

Hebrews 12:1-3 Sermon Information

Title: "The Way of Glory is the Way of Endurance"

Outline:
1. Run with discipline (12:1a) // The Way of Self-denial and Holiness
• “weight” – any incumbrance that would hinder or distract
• “sin” – anything that opposes God’s character or is not aligned to Christ

2. Run with endurance (12:1b) // The Way of Perseverance
• The race has been set for us
• We who are in Christ are runners and the only goal is that we finish
• This race is long and requires both planning and discipline
• There is much that threatens our ability to finish
• We have been given everything needed to finish in the person and work of Christ
• There is a glorious reward for those who finish

3. Run with Christ (12:2) // The Way of Suffering and Triumph
a. Faith is begun and completed by Jesus (2a) (Hebrews 2:10-11, 14-18; 5:7-10)
b. Faith embraces the way of joy (2b)
c. Faith embraces the way of disgrace (2c)
d. Faith embraces the promise of glory (2d)

4. Run with courage (12:3); Matthew 11:28-30 // The Way of Remembrance

MAIN IDEA:
Everyone who has been reconciled to God through Christ has been called to run a God-ordained race that embraces Christ’s sufferings, overcomes sin, and ultimately enjoys the eternal reward of resurrected life with Christ.

We do not run by our own strength or endure by our own fortitude, but by orienting our lives to Jesus and by receiving his sustaining grace to enable us to endure.


Discussion Questions:
1. What “weights” currently hinder you from running well after Christ?
2. What “sin” ensnares you and keeps you from running well? What are afraid of losing if we were to throw off the weights and sin? What are we convinced they can give us that God will withhold?
3. Have you embraced the race God has set before you, or are you trying to define the race and the rules as you desire? Are you resentful of the particular race God has you running?
4. How does our current culture tempt us to soften the expectation (and diminish the resulting joy) of self-denial and holiness?
5. How do the promises of glory (Christ is exalted at God’s right hand) enable us to endure the trials, suffering, and disgrace that faithfulness to Christ might bring?
6. How often do you consider the glories of Christ’s kingdom? The implications of the work of Christ? The promises you stand to enjoy as a co-heir with Christ? Is your heart and mind fixated on earthly things or things belonging to Christ (Colossians 3:1-3)?
7. Read Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 2:10-18, and 5:7-10. How do these passages encourage you to keep running when you get “weary and fainthearted”? Are you expected to endure on your own? What role does the church play in your endurance?

More from Hebrews

October 3, 2021

October 3, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Hebrews 13:18–25

Theme: Final Remarks for the Way Forward Passage: Hebrews 13:18–25 Three final calls to action as the book of Hebrews closes: 1. Pray for leaders to possess the conviction to powerfully display the Gospel (vv. 18–19). 2. Trust the work God is doing for you through Jesus (20–21). 3. Continue to persevere in the gospel (22). Main Idea: God’s has mapped out the way forward on life’s journey in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Application Questions: • What do vv. 18–19 teach us about the content of our prayers as well as how to pray? • How does the content of v. 20 serve as the basis for the request of equipping believers to do God’s will in v. 21? What does this indicate about God’s will in our lives? • What does it mean that God “works in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ” in v. 21? How should this impact the way that you live? • What has Hebrews taught you about perseverance in the gospel?

September 26, 2021

September 26, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Hebrews 13:7–17

September 26, 2021 - The Way Forward Following Your Leaders Passage: Hebrews 13:7–17 Title: The Way Forward Following Your Leaders Main Idea: God provides us with guides for our spiritual journey. Thus, we must: 1. Imitate our spiritual mentors (7–8). a. Remember their teaching. b. Observe their life choices. 2. Trust Christ’s Sacrifice (9–16). a. Don’t follow faddish teaching (9). b. Follow Christ’s path (10–14). c. Offer God sacrifices that praise him (15–16): i. Speech that confesses his name ii. Service that benefits others 3. Submit to your church leaders (17). a. They watch over your souls. b. They will give account. c. The more joyous their task, the more benefit to you Application Questions: • Name the spiritual mentors that have impacted your life. What was it about them that made such an impact on you? • How are you vulnerable to false teaching today? • What does Christ’s path suggest about the way our lives should look (vv. 12–14)? How does this differ from your current reality? • What does submitting to your current church leaders mean and not mean? How can we make their work joyous and not a burden?

September 19, 2021

September 19, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Hebrews 13:1–6

Theme: The Way Forward in Service Passage: Hebrews 13:1–6 How thankful service to God (12:28–29) acts toward the people in our lives: 1. Spiritual Siblings: Lovingly care for your spiritual brothers and sisters (1) 2. Strangers: Hospitably care for those you don’t know (2) 3. Suffering: Think about those suffering for Christ and act accordingly (3) 4. Spouse: Vigilantly remain sexually pure (4) 5. Self: Conduct your life free from the care of money (5–6) Main Idea: Service focuses on the situation and needs of others by deemphasizing the desires of self. Application Questions: • Are you connected with this body of believers so that you can lovingly care for your brother and sisters here? How can you connect more deeply to obey the command in v. 1? • Why might believers struggle showing hospitality to those they don’t know, even in the context of the church? What can be done to address a lack of hospitality in your life? • What can you do to empathize with and help those who are suffering for the cause of Christ? • Where are you weakest in the battle to remain sexually pure? What steps do you need to take to remain sexually pure in our current context? • What practical ways can you implement in your life to free yourself from the love of money?