THE GOSPEL OF
CHRIST
SPREADING THE SOUL-SAVING MESSAGE OF JESUs
(Chapters 12-13)
Introduction by narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Spreading the soul-saving message of Jesus. And now, Timothy Sparks and Ben Bailey.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). I’m
Timothy Sparks.
Ben Bailey:
And I’m Ben
Bailey. Welcome to our study of the Book of Hebrews. These lessons are being
brought to you by individual members and congregations of the churches of
Christ. The
Timothy Sparks:
The background for the remarks with which Hebrews 12
begins is found in Hebrews 11. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we
are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The phrase “so
great a cloud of witnesses” refers to those people in the “hall of fame of
faith” in chapter 11—people who are held up as examples whom we should follow.
These people are (to use a modern-day analogy) those who are “watching us from
the stands,” as it were. We are running the race of life, and the folks in the
stands are rooting for us—cheering us on. But there is One Who is rooting for
us more than all the rest—Jesus. He is at the finish line, waiting for us to reach
the goal. When the writer of Hebrews refers to “looking unto Jesus,” his point
is that we are to keep our eyes and our gaze permanently fixed on Him. We must
not give up or quit. In fact, in this chapter, the writer offers us a lesson on
endurance. When the writer says that Jesus is the “the author and finisher of our faith,” he is referring to the
fact that Christ is the One Who initiated the plan that leads to our ultimate
salvation, and He is the only One Who can help us complete the plan.
Ben Bailey:
In Hebrews 12:3 the writer goes on to say, “For consider
Him who endured such hostility from sinners against
Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” When I get
discouraged—when Christianity is not all that I want it to be—and when I therefore
struggle, what should keep me focused and determined to succeed? It is the example
of Jesus! When I think about all the difficulties, trials, tribulations,
suffering, and persecution that He faced, that ought to lift me up and
encourage me as I live the Christian life. For example, think about Jesus as He
dealt with His disciples. There were a lot of things about which they were
confused. They were prideful, and wanted to know who among them would be the
greatest in the kingdom. Yet Jesus patiently taught them and instructed them.
Think about the moments leading up to Gethsemane and
Timothy Sparks:
The writer of Hebrews admonishes us in chapter 12 to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (vs. 1). We are to cast off unbelief, and the sin to which it leads. In Hebrews 3:12-13, the writer said, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” We are urged to “throw off” or “lay aside” anything that might slow us down in our Christian race. Satan will try to “ensnare” us. But we are to keep our eyes on Jesus, remembering all the while that He “endured such hostility from sinners” (vs. 3) on our behalf. If we fail to consider all that Christ endured, then we are likely to become discouraged, and our faith may weaken (or disappear altogether). In verse 4, the writer of Hebrews says, “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” His point was that while the Christians to whom he wrote had indeed endured some persecution, they had not yet shed their own blood—as Christ had been called upon to do. Then, the writer turns his attention to how God loves us, and therefore disciplines us on occasion. In verses 5-9, he says,
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
Just as an earthly father corrects a child whom he loves, so God corrects us because He loves us. In the gentle rebuke found in Hebrews 12:5-9, God is explaining that Christians need to be more mature and dedicated—even if the time comes when it is necessary to undergo trials, tribulations, and persecution.
Ben Bailey:
The writer of Hebrews does not want the Christians to whom he writes to become discouraged by the things he is saying. This is why he states, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens.” An earthly father knows that he disciplines his children in order to help train them and teach them, so they can be people who grow up to love the Lord and live the Christian life. This is the very point the writer of Hebrews is making. He wants the Christians to whom he is writing to know that God does not discipline His people because He hates them, but because He loves them. If God did not care, He would not offer up His discipline. But He does care! The things we say in these broadcasts are also spoken out of love. It is our goal to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). We urge you to study your Bibles to see if the things we say are true and in accordance with God’s Word. In Hebrews 12:12-13, the writer goes on to say, “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” He is saying, in essence, “Help the spiritually lame and weak.” This is a plea for faithful Christians to help one another. We need to be alert to others who are downtrodden and discouraged, so that we can lift them up, help them walk a straight path, and encourage them at every opportunity. Remember the writer’s statement in Hebrews 3:13, “Exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 10:24 repeats the same idea. We must encourage each other on a daily basis. We, as Christians, are to help one another in our struggles. Sometimes, a kind word, or a prayer offered, can accomplish something truly significant. And these are the types of things that we as Christians ought to be doing.
Timothy Sparks:
Hebrews 10:24 teaches us to “stir up one another to love and good works.” One of our “jobs” is to encourage those around us so they can “do more and better.” They, in turn, can then encourage us in the same fashion. In Hebrews 12:14, the writer says, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt. 5:9). We, too, are to pursue holiness—because God is holy (Ps. 99:9). Being “holy” means that we are dedicated and consecrated. David asked, “Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?” (1 Chr. 29:5). If we fail to live a holy life that is devoted to God, then we cannot go to Heaven. In Hebrews 12:15, we are warned to look carefully, “lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” This is yet another passage that militates against the false concept of “once saved, always saved.” We can “fall short of the grace of God.” Paul wrote, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Peter said, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked” (2 Pet. 3:17). We are to “grow in grace,” not “fall from grace.” Paul wrote in Galatians 5:4, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” We are thus encouraged by the writer of Hebrews not to give up, but rather to endure—even if we have to undergo persecution. If we do not remain faithful, then we will forfeit the salvation that Christ gave His very life to purchase for us.
Ben Bailey:
In Hebrews 12:18-24, there is an interesting commentary. The writer says,
“For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. (For they could not endure what was commanded: ‘And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.’ And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.’) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”
The writer is drawing an important comparison here. He
wants the Christians to whom he writes to know that they did not come to
Timothy Sparks:
In Hebrews 12:27, the writer speaks of “those things that are being shaken.” Then he says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (vs. 28). The phrase “those things that are being shaken” refers to the foundations of Judaism, which had been done away with. Christians, however, are in a kingdom—Christ’s church —that cannot be shaken. In Ecclesiastes 12:13 we are told, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” After talking about the unshakable kingdom, the writer of Hebrews then says, “For our God is a consuming fire” (vs. 29). Those who serve God faithfully have something amazing that awaits them. But those who have refused to obey God have only doom and destruction awaiting them. In Hebrews 10:31, the writer said, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” God’s justice and righteousness demand that He punish sin. But His grace will allow Him to forgive us because we have been cleansed by the blood of His Son, and because we have been faithful to Him. He loves us so much. He has given into our hands His precious Gospel, so that we can be saved from our sins. As Christians, we can look forward to a home in Heaven with Him.
Ben Bailey:
In Hebrews 13, the writer presents some practical points for everyday living. Apparently there was some strife among the Christians. So, the writer says, “Let brotherly love continue” (vs. 1). Some wanted to remain faithful to Christ; some wanted to return to Judaism. Thus, there may have been some bickering, complaining, and infighting over these issues. What terrible damage it inflicts on the church when Christians gossip about one another, backbite against each other, and cannot get along with one another. Those in the world see such things! In John 13:35, John said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” I must love others to the point where I am willing to put their best interests ahead of my own. In Hebrews 13:2, the writer continues by saying, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Christians must be hospitable people—even to strangers. The point he is making by referring to the fact that some “unwittingly entertained angels” has to do with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 16-21. They unknowingly entertained angels. So, although we today should not expect angels to appear at our front door, we never know who else might show up! We might “unwittingly” be able to do a great service for the kingdom by being hospitable to someone who is a hard worker for the kingdom.
Timothy Sparks:
As he continues offering practical advice for everyday
living, the Hebrews writer says, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4). As
early as Genesis 2, God set forth the divine arrangment for marriage—one man,
one woman, for life. In Matthew 19:6, Jesus reiterated this when He said, “What
God has joined together, let not man separate.” The only exception to the “one
man, one woman, for life” rule is provided in Matthew 19:9, where one of the
mates commits fornication. The person who is guilty of fornication can be “put
away,” and the person who did not commit fornication can remarry. God hates
divorce (Mal. 2:16). Thus, “fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb.
13:4). In Hebrews 13:5-6, the writer says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you
have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will
never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” We, as Christians, are not to be
covetous or greedy people. Rather, we are to be content with what we have. In
the context of the Book of Hebrews, it may be that the writer is telling the
Jewish Christians not to be “greedy for Judaism,” but instead to be content
with what they have—Christianity—since it is far superior to Judaic Law. In
Hebrew 12 and 13, we find great encouragement to remain faithful to Christ and
to press on toward the goal of Heaven. We are to “lay aside” whatever sins may
beset us, and instead grow in our service and to and worship of God.
This lesson is brought to you by individual
members and congregations of the
Narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST is brought to you by loving, caring members of the church of Christ. The McLish Avenue church of Christ in Ardmore, Oklahoma, oversees this evangelistic effort. For a free CD or DVD of today’s broadcast, please write to:
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
You may call 580-223-3289. Please visit us on the web at www.thegospelofchrist.com. We encourage you to attend the church of Christ, where “the Bible is loved and the Gospel is preached.”
1. What did the writer of Hebrews mean when he referred to Jesus as “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2)?
2. The comments found in Hebrews 12 are predicated on something else in the Book of Hebrews. What is that “something else”?
3. What did the writer of Hebrews mean when he said that we are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1)?
4. Explain the mean of the statement in Hebrews 12:3 that Christ “endured such hostility from sinners.”
5. What is the message for us today from Hebrews 12:3?
6. What did the writer of Hebrews mean when he told the Christians to whom he was writing that “you have not yet resisted to bloodshed”?
7. According to Hebrews 12:5-9, why does God chastise His people?
8. What is the purpose of the chastisement mentioned in Hebrews 12:5-9?
9. Explain the meaning of the following statement from Hebrews 12:12-13—“Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”
10. What is the connection between Hebrews 3:13 and Hebrews 12:12-13?
11. What does it mean for Christians to be “holy”?
12. Explain the connection between Matthew 5:9 and Hebrews 12:14.
13. Hebrews 12:15 admonishes Christians to “look carefully.” Why?
14. In Hebrews 12:18-24, the writer used a geographical location to make a spiritual point. Explain what he was saying to the Christians of his day.
15. How does Hebrews 12:18-24 apply to Christians today?
16. When, in Hebrews 12:27, the writer of Hebrews spoke of “those things are being shaken,” to what was he referring?
17. When, in Hebrews 12:28, the writer of Hebrews spoke of “a kingdom which cannot be shaken,” to what was he referring?
18. What was the writer’s point in Hebrews 12:29?
19. Explain the connection between Hebrews 13:1 and John 13:35.
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST,