“Looking To Jesus”

The Appomattox Court House Presbyterian Church Pulpit
Rev. Cameron S. Smith
The Lord's Day, September 4, 2005
Hebrews 12:1-3

Let me ask you a blunt question: Are there times when you just don't feel like being a Christian anymore? Life's too often cruel and unfair and this God-stuff seems like such a worn out crutch! Sometimes you think you can make it on your own just fine without the guilt trip of the church. Perhaps if we're all honest, we'd have to admit that we've been there and done that!

For those times in the past, and the inevitable times that those thoughts will come again in the future, I want you to hear some strong words from Scripture this morning that address that very mindset. The text that I'm preaching from this morning is Hebrews 12:1-3.

"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, 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. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

As a matter of background, let me tell you upfront that we don't know who wrote this beautiful letter; but we do know a little something about the first people to hear this letter. Let me tell you, this was a church that was being sorely tested to remain faithful to Jesus. From what we can gather, they were being pressured by their unbelieving neighbors to give up Jesus; to throw off that bizarre teaching and return to a real life - a normal life. Based on hints throughout the letter, some of these folks were ready to take that advice and chuck their new faith and leave it all behind. It's not worth the pressure. It's not worth the hassle. These early believers obviously didn't feel like Christians either! The message of Hebrews is: Don't give up, and don't give in! Jesus is worthy of our trust and following Him through thick and thin is well worth it.

There are so many things in the course of this life that have the potential of dragging you down to the point of discouragement. For practical purposes, I'm only going to suggest merely two; two seemingly innocuous scenarios that tend to steal your joy, and if they linger long enough, bring you to the point where you think that you really will throw in the towel and go it alone.

Here's the first scenario: Have you ever been disappointed by somebody in the church? That person does something that lets you down, either in word or deed. They bite your head off for seemingly no good reason. They turn on you or they criticize you. Perhaps you've had your feelings stepped on or taken offense at a careless word spoken by another. You're left thinking to yourself, "Hey, wait a minute, this is a Christian! It's not supposed to be this way." Now, you're thinking, "I'm outta here!" You either stop coming to church altogether or you leave to find another church home.

For me, I had just such a crisis many years ago when the pastor, who was a great mentor to me, left our church after a prolonged personal battle with the Session. He decided that he was going to cut all ties with everybody in the church. I saw him sometime later at a football game. As I spied him in the distance, I hollered with joy at him to catch his attention and waved - I yearned to talk to him. I wanted to know how things were going in his new church. I wanted to share my own joy with him about pursuing the pastoral ministry, which, I might add was due in part to his teaching ministry. After all, he is still my brother in Christ, even if he's not my pastor anymore. We made eye contact, but when he realized who it was, the smile on his face turned to a frown, and he turned and walked away.

That hurt deeply. I was bitter, and for the next few months, I was focused on that hurt. Then I remembered the passage that we are looking at this morning: "let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before us…!" I was focusing on the wrong thing. I'd forgotten the thing that mattered the most.

Our passage here in Hebrews 12 follows what's become affectionately known in Christian teaching circles as the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11. This "Hall" details the faithfulness of various Old Testament saints: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and others. Through good times and bad times; through personal failures and disappointments from family and friends; they kept on course because they understood that their present difficulties were far outweighed by the glory and joy that awaited them at the finish line.

The opening words in chapter 12 begin by telling us that those very Old Testament saints are now at that finish line in heaven waiting for us to complete the race. In fact, they're cheering for us! They're part of that "cloud of witnesses" in heaven. It's like Moses is watching me and saying, "Come on Smith, I had it much worse than you! Pick yourself up and get moving!" We can't run this race if we allow the sin of bitterness, anger or resentment to hold us back. That can be the sin that so easily entangles. When other Christians disappoint us, we take our eyes off the goal and get sidetracked.

Other people are going to disappoint you from time to time. But what does God have to say to you? "Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Your focus should never be on the faults of others. People will let you down, but Jesus never will! When you're tempted to leave because you've gotten hurt or offended; remember that you're sin is worse because you've taken your eyes off Jesus. You've lost sight of the finish line!

Here's the second scenario: What to do about all the hypocrisy in the Church?! I've heard so many say that they want no part of the Church because it's loaded with hypocrites! I'm sure you've heard the story of the man who came down from the hills all dressed up and carrying his Bible. A friend saw him and asked, "Elijah, what's happening? Where are you going all dressed up like that?" And Elijah said, "I've been hearing about Las Vegas. I hear there's a lot of liquor and a lot of gambling and a lot of real good naughty shows." The friend looked him over and said, "But Elijah, why are you carrying your Bible under your arm?" And Elijah replied, "Well, if it's as good as they say it is, I might stay over until Sunday."

Sometimes church people seem to be a bundle of contradictions! The Church also receives criticism because we have so many scandals. Christians do adultery, fraud, embezzlement and the like even better sometimes than the supposedly unbelieving world! Why be a part of that hypocrisy?

So what's wrong with "but the Church is full of hypocrites" line? For one thing, during the earthly ministry of Jesus, his passion seemed to be concerned with seeking out those who were far less than perfect. When criticized for this, he said simply, "I've not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matt 9:13).

The Apostle John says, "if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8). As I understand Jesus and John, we're a fellowship of imperfect people who are in the process (sanctification!) of being made perfect, which means that we're going to fall down a lot! But we're going to get back up again and keep on persevering until we reach the finish line.

You know from hearing me say many, many times before, God has given the Holy Spirit to those who belong to Him. That same Spirit is working in you all. Unfortunately, He's not working at the same speed on everyone!

Paul says in Philippians 1:6 "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…." The Church is in fact a combination of training camp and hospital! In reality, we're all hypocrites in one shade or another, but Jesus still loves us in spite of that. "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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…."

Sometimes, you just don't feel like a Christian: Disappointment with others letting you down; embarrassed by the pervasiveness of hypocrisy in the Church. These things make us want to pack our bags and go on permanent vacation. But, don't! Let me close by paraphrasing our passage from this morning:

Listen to this! Heavenly spectators who are cheering us on surround us each and every day! So don't get sidetracked and hampered by personal frustrations. Keep your eyes fixed firmly on Jesus, not the hypocrisy you see around you, because He is the true and only measure of the faith. For goodness sake, consider what Jesus had to go through. Now honestly, what's going to be big enough to derail you of the heavenly joy that is set before you?

My friends, God hasn't lied to you yet! Run the race with confidence. Amen.