1. Hebrews 12:4-11 November 13, 2011 Hebrews Series #30b

2. The Historical/Contextual Setting is “Suffering”. At this time suffering is about to descend on the readers. They needed instruction regarding suffering. The instruction that the Holy Spirit intended included an explanation of God’s discipline of His own children. We must regard suffering as a vital and grand part of God’s discipline. We must see suffering as necessary. Children of God, let us bear up under our Father’s discipline.

3. Explanation In the context of suffering, discipline or chastisement is broader Discipline includes ALL suffering, but not all discipline is suffering! “not yet”- but a real danger. “resisted unto blood”- martyrdom “striving against sin”- severe battling- “agonizing”. DisciplineSuffering

4. Discipline is Corrective. Discipline is Preventative. Discipline is Instructive. Remember that PUNISHMENT FOR SIN IS NOT THE ONLY REASON FOR DISCIPLINE. See Heb. 2:10.

5. PERIL #1 “despise not”- see 12:2 Ways that discipline is despised. Callousness- Hardened, eventually to the point of not realizing that God did something to catch our attention. Complaining- Thinking that God’s allowances are undeserved and Ill- planned. Questioning- WHY? God, You are wrong; justify Your action. Carelessness- not caring about any relationship that our suffering may have with God’s discipline, and missing out on the blessings.

6. Arthur Pink stated, “Remind yourself of how much dross there is yet among the gold and view the corruption of your own heart and marvel that God has not smitten you more severely. Form the habit of heeding His TAPS and you will be less likely to receive His RAPS.” PERIL #2 “nor faint”- don’t despair, compromise, or apostatize. Don’t be despondent, depressed, or unresponsive. Ps. 42:11

7. God has chosen a perfect chastisement (suffering or discipline) for you. It may be corrective, preventative, or instructive. Perhaps it is: a flat tire, a difficult schedule, a sour- faced friend, a financial burden, a discontented church member, an insensitive pastor, or a sickness. What will you do with it? Will you despise it, faint under it, or endure it?

8. Explanation – What is proven through discipline? God’s Love (vs. 6a) “For whom the Lord LOVETH He chasteneth…” *When you are disciplined, you know God loves you! Our Sonship (vs. 6b-8) “every SON… God dealeth with you as with SONS… for what SON is he whom the Father chasteneth not… but if ye be without chastisement… then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Only children receive discipline from their fathers. When you are disciplined, you know you are a son. By the way…

9. What are the proofs of Sonship? God’s Leading - Rom. 8:14- “For as many as are led… they are …” The Spirit’s Witness With Ours - Rom. 8:15, 16- “the Spirit itself beareth witness” God’s Word - Jn. 1:12- “But as many…” Our Love for One Another - I Jn. 4:7 Discipline God is giving moral and spiritual training to His sons. “Scourgeth”- literally means a flogging with a whip. Proper training includes correction of faulty behavior. Endurance “Endure”- has the idea of suffering hardship, therefore “endure hardship as discipline.” See Heb. 3:14 A popular O.T. idea was that suffering was a sign of God’s displeasure. The writer of Hebrews is saying that in this case the opposite is true.

10. A Picture of Sonship… Hebrews 2:9, 10 - Jesus knew of His Sonship and of His Father’s love even in His suffering. John 17:23. Jesus was chosen to suffer the disciplines of life and death within His loving Father’s will. Listen up… To experience discipline of any kind is proof of God’s love and our sonship. “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every SON whom He receives.” NOT to experience discipline is proof of the absence of God the Father’s love and proof of our “illegitimate” or non-existant sonship. Attitudes may differ regarding this doctrine of “proofs”. Some may NOT be concerned. It is most certain that there is an absence of God’s Spirit in their lives. Others may be concerned about an absence of discipline. Perhaps these are on the edge of conviction leading to salvation, or revival. The conviction may be God’s discipline in itself. Still others are conscious of God’s discipline and despise it. They are rebellious sons and will continue to experience corrective discipline from God Who is loving them as His sons. Finally, there are those who are enduring hardships joyfully, though painfully, and are resting in the assurance of their sonship and God’s love.

11. Explanation Respect (vs. 9, 10) “we gave them (our fleshly fathers) reverence: *When we understand God’s love, His power, and His wise plan, we will be filled with RESPECT. Today, there is an alarming lack of respect... Verse 10 points out a contrast. Our earthly fathers disciplined us: For a limited time- “for a few days”. So much to teach and so little time! Jr. grew up too fast!!! With limited wisdom- “after their own pleasure” or literally, “as they thought best”. Fathers fail, not on purpose, but they make mistakes in judgment. They are human, as we all know! This is “hit or miss” technology at best. However, our Heavenly Father disciplines us with abundant time, limitless wisdom, and a productive purpose in mind; “for our good, that we might be partakers of His holiness”.

12. Life (vs. 9c) “and live”- This may refer to: Actual Life- physical life. Abundant life Holiness (vs. 10c, 11b) “…partakers of His holiness.” Our “profit” or benefit through discipline is that we will possess a holy character. *There is only one kind of holiness- God’s. POSITIONALLY we ARE holy, but PRACTICALLY we need sanctification, or growth in holiness. INNER holiness leaves visible footprints. Rejoicing (vs. 11a) “…no chastening for the present SEEMETH to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless…” It is true that suffering is not enjoyable to say the least, but it PRODUCES a right attitude. *There can be joy in pain. There can be rejoicing in suffering.

13. Peace (vs. 11b) “peaceable fruit…” This describes righteousness. It is peaceable because according to Romans 5:1, righteousness (being justified) creates peace with God. Peace is an attitude of heart which affects the believer in suffering. His words, actions, countenance, and relationships will be peaceable. See James 3:17, 18 and Proverbs 11:18-21 for parallel thoughts. We knew that tribulation produces patience. We now know that affliction produces peace. Having reminded ourselves of the PRODUCTS of discipline, let us remember that… IT WILL NOT PRODUCE THESE RESULTS UNLESS IT IS ENDURED IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

14. The perspective of discipline includes all suffering. The purposes of discipline are: corrective, preventative, and instructive. The perils of discipline are “despising” and “fainting.” The proofs of discipline are God’s love and our sonship. The products of discipline are: respect, life, holiness, rejoicing, and peace. Will you endure God’s discipline? Through it He says “I love you, son.”