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?