1. Lesson 28: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
Nothing Better
Lesson 28: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

2. INTRODUCTION:
The issue of growing in Christ (sanctification) in the New Testament is all about how we are to live once we have accepted Christ as our Savior.

3. Here’s a simple, 3-point outline of Hebrews:
Jesus is better (ch. 1-10)
Don’t stop believing in Him (ch. 1-10)
Here are people who walked with God by faith and they crossed the finish-line, so be encouraged by their example (ch )

4. INTRODUCTION:
The preacher continues to teach us about how to live the Christian life by sharing with us some of the things that are necessary for growing in grace and living the Christian life with joy.

5. Watch for these key words in today’s text:
Lay aside (vs. 1)
Run (vs. 1)
Looking to Jesus (vs. 2)
Consider Him (vs. 3)

7. Hebrews 12:1-3
12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

8. INTRODUCTION:
The context of this passage is a picture of a host of your family, friends and forebears in the faith cheering you on.
This is meant to be energizing and encouraging to us as we run the race of the Christian life.

9. LAY ASIDE EVERY OBSTACLE (Heb. 12:1a)
12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

10. LAY ASIDE EVERY OBSTACLE (Heb. 12:1a)
The Hindrance of Small, Besetting Sins
These cause us to stumble more so than bigger sins.

11. LAY ASIDE EVERY OBSTACLE (Heb. 12:1a)
The Hindrance of Good and Right Desires
These may consume your attention so much that you are unable to pursue the goal and win the prize of successfully completing the race of the Christian life.

12. RUNNING THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE (Heb. 12:1b)
12 … and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

13. RUNNING THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE (Heb. 12:1b)
Growing weary and fainthearted were words that were used for long distance runners who gave out before they finished the race.

14. RUNNING THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE (Heb. 12:1b)
If we don’t realize the challenge of living the Christian life, then our hopes will be distorted by unrealistic expectations.

15. RUNNING THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE (Heb. 12:1B)
The Utterly Realistic Portrayal of Scripture

16. RUNNING THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE (Heb. 12:1B)
The Utterly Realistic Portrayal of Scripture
The picture that’s being painted here in Hebrews is one of a hard, obstacle-filled, endurance race.

17. RUNNING THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE (Heb. 12:1B)
The Christian Life: Running for the Long Haul

18. RUNNING THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE (Heb. 12:1B)
The Christian Life: Running for the Long Haul
The Christian life is not an unabated success; always onward and upward, it’s a long distance run.
If you are going to live the Christian life it must be done deliberately and with endurance.

19. LOOKING UNTO JESUS (Heb. 12:2)
2 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

20. LOOKING UNTO JESUS (Heb. 12:2)
Jesus endured the cross and the hostility of sinners.

21. LOOKING UNTO JESUS (Heb. 12:2)
Jesus endured the cross and the hostility of sinners.
God never asks us to do what He has not already done before us.

22. LOOKING UNTO JESUS (Heb. 12:2)
We endure the race because we’re looking to Jesus who is the joy set before us.

23. REFLECT ON THE EXPERIENCE OF JESUS (Heb. 12:3)
3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

24. REFLECT ON THE EXPERIENCE OF JESUS (Heb. 12:3)
We are now suspected or even publicly accused of being hate mongers simply because we believe the Bible.

25. REFLECT ON THE EXPERIENCE OF JESUS (Heb. 12:3)
As Jesus’ followers, we should expect the hostility of sinners and love them like He did.