1. Near to the Heart of God A Study of the Book of Hebrews Lesson 30 Hebrews 12:1 – 3 Losing Weight

2. I. Introduction A.Knowing you have an audience... B.The context C.The structure of our text Main command: “Let us run... with endurance” (vs. 1) Putting off weight and sin (vs. 1) Looking to Jesus (vs. 2) Pioneer and Perfecter of the faith Endured the shame of the cross Seated at the Father’s right hand Second command: “Think of Him who endured” (vs. 3) He endured such hostility so that we would not grow weary and quit.

3. II. Hebrews 12:1 A.“Therefore” (see 1 Thessalonians 4:8) B.We also (Note the corporate emphasis: “Let us,” “set before us,” “a great cloud of witnesses”) 1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (individual) 2. Elijah: “I alone am left” (1 Kings 19:10) 3. We are not alone, but with a great company of witnesses (who are participants). C.We are to run the race with endurance 1. Set before us 2. A marathon 3. A relay – all must enter together (11:39-40) D.Set aside every hindrance (weight) E.Set aside “the besetting sin”

4. III. Hebrews 12:1 A.Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus (not Christ) 1. The Pioneer of the faith 2. The Perfecter of the faith 3. A point we dare not miss: Jesus lived by faith. B.The price Jesus paid for our perseverance, and His reward. 1. He endured the cross a.Despising its shame b.For the joy set before Him 2. He now sits enthroned in glory with the Father.

5. IV. Hebrews 12:3 A.Second command: “Think of Him...” 1. He endured such opposition by sinners. 2. So that we might not grow weary and give up B.Note what our Lord endured: 1. No mention of pain (sorry Mel) 2. The shame of the cross (verse 2) 3. The rebellion of sinners against Him (verse 3) V. Conclusion A.We are being watched. B.We are not alone. C.The sufficiency and sovereignty of our Lord is the basis and motivation for our sustained, strenuous perseverance in the faith.

6. D.Our race and our rewards are set before us. E.Our economy – Is this a case of spiritual liposuction? (One way to lose weight) F.There may be corporate aspects of our “weight loss” and dealing with besetting sin. G.The urgency of being Christ-centered

7. Copyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 30 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study of the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for March 22, 2009. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.