LOOKING UNTO JESUS AND REACHING A GREATER HEIGHTS
Message: Pastor W F Kumuyi
Text: Hebrews 12:1-2
As we look at the epistles and Hebrews, the writer and author presents to us the attributes, characteristics, titles, ministries and offices of Jesus and calls us to look up to Him. From chapter one, he reveals Him as the
* Appointed Heir of all things, the One who has all things under His control,
* Upholder of all things, and if you want strength and upholding, just look up to Him.
* Captain of our salvation, to be saved and run the race victoriously to the end, look unto Him.
* Apostle of our profession who affirms our confession and profession,
* Great High Priest
* Son of God
* Author and Giver of eternal salvation
* Forerunner of the saints. He has gone ahead of us and run triumphantly well, to be victorious, look unto Him.
* King of righteousness, of peace
* Mediator of the better covenant.
* Giver of eternal redemption and inheritance
* Acceptable Representative for all saints
* Presence of God
* Gateway into the Holiest
* Soon-returning Commander and Conqueror
* Risen begotten Son
- Prince on the throne of the whole Universe
- Ever-the-same Conqueror and Shepherd of the sheep.
He presents Jesus as the One who is ready to uphold you, so, you need to look unto Him.
Point 1. WARNING AGAINST GREAT HINDRANCES: LOOKING AWAY FROM JESUS.
Hebrew 12:1-2,15-17; Genesis 19:17,26; Luke 17:26-29,32; 9:62; 21:34-36; Mark 4:19; 1 Timothy 6:9-12; Isaiah 31:1-3; Jude 20-21,24-25.
The people who see great hindrances and are stopped by them have looked away from Jesus to the wrong direction. A race is set before you and God knows what you will become,
- A Christian race
- A Pilgrim’s race
- The Believer’s race
- The Soldier’s race
- The Overcomer’s race who is ready to run the race well to the end.
To run and finish well, you must do away from hindrances because they are not helpful, but detachable. They are not part of your life, and it is easy to do if you are ready. What are the hindrances? Weights that hinder and weigh you down. It is something spiritual, cares of this world, weight of worry and anxiety, weight of envy and worldly ambitions, unassigned, self-imposed baggage, besetting sin, something dangerous to everyone, dangerous toys that does no one any good, worthless pastimes that waste time. Lay aside foolish thoughts, the sin of unbelief, a little thing that becomes an unbreakable habit. Don’t look away from, but look steadfastly unto Him.
We have been warned to lay aside everything that will stop us, retard our journey, or become a stumbling block, and we keep on waking on God’s highway.
Point 2. WALKING IN GOD’S HIGHWAY: ALWAYS LOOKING UNTO JESUS.
Hebrews 12:2; Proverbs 16:17; Isaiah 35:8; Philippians 3:20-21
How does a disciple look to the master?
- By listening to the master
- By learning from the master
- By loving the master
- By learning on the master
- By being lightened by the master
- By being liberated by the master
Point 3. WINNING A GLORIOUS HERITAGE: STEADFASTLY LOOKING INTO JESUS.
Hebrews 12:2,15-16,28; Isaiah 45:22; Number’s 21:8-9; Psalm 34:5-9; Proverbs 4:20-27; Psalm 123:1-2; 121:1-8; Jonah 2:4; Micah 7:7-8.
* Look and be saved (Isaiah 45:22)
* Look and be healed (Numbers 21:8-9)
* Look and be delivered (Psalm 34:5-19)
* Look and be preserved (Psalm 123:1; 121:1-8)
* Look and be established (Proverbs 4:20-27)
* Look and be restored (Jonah 2:4-10)
* Look and overcome (Micah 7:7-8)
* Look and be strengthened (1 Kings 19:5-8)
* Look and be transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18)
* Look and be renewed (2 Corinthians 4:16)
* Look and be blessed (James 1:25)
* Look and possess eternal possessions (2 Peter 3:9-14)
