LOOKING UNTO JESUS
HEBREWS 12:1-3
Introduction:
As we approach a new year we should be aware of some things in our lives in relation to the Lord. This year may be a difficult year or it may be a year of great blessing. Of course it may be both of these things. Whatever may come in the future, it can be a time of looking unto the Lord for our many needs, both spiritual and material.
I. LOOKING UNTO JESUS
Hebrews 12:2, “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.”
A. He is the Lamb of God, John 1:36, “And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!”
1. He is the One who took our sin away, John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
2. He is our “once for all” sacrifice for sin, Hebrews 10:12, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”
B. He is the Great I AM.
1. He is the Door to heaven, John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
2. He is the Bread of Life, John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
II. LOOKING UNTO OURSELVES
Hebrews 12:15, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
A. Failing of the grace of God, Deuteronomy 29:18, “Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;”
1. A heart turned away by sin, Hebrews 12:25, “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape , if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:”
2. A heart bitter because of contention, Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
B. We should give more attention to what we have heard of God’s Word, Hebrews 2:1, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
III. LOOKING UNTO THE FUTURE
Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
A. Our citizenship is in heaven, Philippians 3:20-21, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
1. We look for Jesus from heaven, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
2. There we will appear with Jesus, Colossians 3:4, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
3. We will eagerly wait to be changed, Romans 8:19, 23, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 23- And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit , the redemption of our body.”
B. The Unbeliever has only judgment to expect, Hebrews 10:27, “But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”
1. That does not have to be the case, Hebrews 12:25, “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape , if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:”
2. The unbeliever has not regarded God’s call, Proverbs 1:24, “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.”
3. That call was, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
CONCLUSION
The future can be bright if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior. It is secured future with a guaranteed home in Heaven for all eternity.