LOOKING FROM AFAR UPON JESUS
HEBREWS 12:2
Introduction:
Moses looked from afar to see the greater treasures of serving his Savior than what was offered him in Egypt. He saw the reproach and suffering, but he also saw the recompense and consolation of serving Jesus Christ.
Do we have the same vision that Moses had? Are we looking unto Jesus seeing the greater riches in His service or is our vision shortsighted, seeing only the here and now?
I. FIXING OUR EYES UPON JESUS SEATED ON THE THRONE OF GOD
A. The reproach of Christ, Hebrews 11:26, “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”
1. Being reproached, our consolation abounds in Christ, 2 Corinthians 1:5, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”
2. Rejoicing in suffering, Colossians 1:24, “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:”
B. Turning his eyes away from OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, Moses FIXED them on the ETERNAL RECOMPENSE,” Hebrews 11:39-40, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40- God having provided SOME BETTER THING for us, that they WITHOUT US should not be made perfect.”
2. He saw BETTER Things in the Promised Redeemer, Hebrews 12:24, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh BETTER THINGS than that of Abel.”
1. The BEGINNER of faith, John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
1. Moses was seeing things that are not seen accept through the eye of faith, 2 Corinthians 4:16, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17- For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18- While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal;. but the things which are not seen are eternal
2. He saw BETTER Things in the Promised Redeemer, Hebrews 12:24, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh BETTER THINGS than that of Abel.”
II. SEEING THE AUTHOR OF FAITH
A. Seeing the “Prince-Leader” or the “Captain of their Salvation,” Hebrews 2:10, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the CAPTAIN OF THEIR SALVATION perfect through sufferings.”
1. The BEGINNER of faith, John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
2. The Beginner of KNOWLEDGE, Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
2. He is the coming KING of kings, 1 Timothy 6:15, “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the KING of kings, and LORD of lords;”
B. The “INCREASER” of our faith, Luke 17:5, “And the apostles said unto the Lord, INCREASE OUR FAITH.”
2. That the POWER of Christ may rest upon us, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is SUFFICIENT for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the POWER of Christ MAY REST upon ME. 10- Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
B. Seeing the “Prince of life,” Acts 3:15, “And killed the PRINCE OF LIFE, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”
1. The One who brought REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS to Israel, Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a PRINCE and a SAVIOUR, for to give REPENTANCE to Israel, and FORGIVENESS of sins.”
2. He is the coming KING of kings, 1 Timothy 6:15, “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the KING of kings, and LORD of lords;”
III. SEEING THE FINISHER OF FAITH
A. The “PERFECTER” of our faith, 1 Peter 5:10, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, MAKE YOU PERFECT, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
B. The “INCREASER” of our faith, Luke 17:5, “And the apostles said unto the Lord, INCREASE OUR FAITH.”
1. The NEED of INCREASING our faith because of the difficulty of FORGIVING OFFENSES, Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye FORGIVE NOT men their trespasses, NEITHER will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
2. That the POWER of Christ may rest upon us, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is SUFFICIENT for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the POWER of Christ MAY REST upon ME. 10- Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
CONCLUSION