August 10 2025

Frankie / General Adult

Hebrews 12:1-11

1. As the new year begins, people love to make New Year's resolutions. The most common New Year's resolution is dieting. People want to achieve a good body shape, maintain a healthy body, and improve their lifestyle through diet. For the first two days, the diet goes well, but they often fail after three days. Although there are many reasons for failure, it might be because people cannot control their natural desire to eat more. Honestly, they cannot endure this challenge because of their inner desires.

This week, we hosted an outreach team from Calgary, and they have been serving here for 8 years. Having seen several outreach teams for First Nations communities, it is unusual for a team to continue reaching out to one area for over 8 years from Calgary. How have they been able to maintain this commitment for 8 years? I believe they must have something different from others.

A successful theory for dieting is simple: having stronger motivation than natural desire. If so, what is the key to developing strong motivation in our lives? Today, we will study Hebrews 12:1-11 about God's redemptive work and our response to it. We can find the key to maintaining strong motivation from this passage. Let us read Hebrews 12:1-11 to begin.

Hebrews 12:1–3 NASB 2020

Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:4–6 NASB 2020

You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are punished by Him; For whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He punishes every son whom He accepts.”

Hebrews 12:7–11 NASB 2020

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

2. This is a Brief Summary of the Book of Hebrews

The Book of Hebrews was written to encourage Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were tempted to return to Judaism. The author is unknown, though some suggest it could be Paul, Apollos, or Barnabas, but the early church father Origen said "nobody knows". The letter was likely written to a group of Jewish believers living outside Israel in the A.D. 60s.

The main message of Hebrews can be summarized in three words: "Christ is better". The book systematically shows how Jesus is superior to everything in the Old Testament system. Jesus is better than the angels who delivered the law, better than Moses who led Israel, better than Joshua who brought them to the promised land, and better than the priests who offered sacrifices. The author argues that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God and the perfect sacrifice that makes the old system unnecessary.

The book serves as both a theological argument and a sermon of encouragement. It contains several warning passages throughout, urging readers not to abandon their faith in Christ. The author uses extensive Old Testament references and expects his readers to be familiar with Hebrew Scriptures. 

3. This is a summary of  Hebrews 12:1-11. 

This passage is often called "Running the Marathon of Faith" and focuses on perseverance and endurance. The chapter begins by encouraging believers to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" while looking to Jesus as our example.

Key themes in this passage include:

The Race of Faith: Christians are called to run a spiritual marathon, laying aside anything that weighs them down or causes them to sin. Just as athletes must train with discipline, believers must persevere through difficulties.

Jesus as Our Example: The passage tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith". He endured the cross and despised its shame, showing us how to persevere through suffering.

God's Discipline: Verses 5-11 explain that hardships and trials are often God's way of disciplining us as His children. Just as earthly fathers discipline their children for their good, God disciplines us to help us grow in holiness and righteousness.

The Purpose of Suffering: The passage teaches that God's discipline, though painful at the time, produces "the peaceful fruit of righteousness" in those who are trained by it. Suffering has a purpose in developing our character and faith.

This passage connects perfectly with your sermon theme about motivation. The key to maintaining strong motivation in our spiritual lives is keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and understanding that God uses even difficult circumstances to shape us into His likeness. 

4. For us as Christians, the words "endurance" and "discipline" are not easy concepts to understand or accept. These words can feel uncomfortable and challenging to embrace. However, the writer of Hebrews tells us to endure and accept discipline. But this is not just about our actions - it's about having strong motivation that drives us to do these things. That motivation is Jesus Christ himself.

The main theme throughout the entire book of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is supreme and superior to anything in the Old Testament law. Chapter 12 specifically tells us that Jesus Christ endured suffering, and through His endurance, He brought us salvation. Because of this example, we are also called to endure. In other words, for Christians, our strong motivation is Jesus Christ himself.

When we look at Jesus as our example, we see someone who "endured the cross, despising its shame" for the joy that was set before Him. He faced opposition from sinful people but never gave up. This gives us the motivation we need to persevere through our own difficulties. Just as Jesus had a purpose that motivated Him to endure suffering, we too can find our motivation in Him.

5. To develop strong motivation in Christ, Hebrews 12:1-3 provides a clear roadmap for following Jesus. We are "surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses" - the heroes of faith from Hebrews 11 who have already completed their race successfully. These Old Testament saints like Abraham, Moses, and David serve as examples that the life of faith truly works. Their testimonies encourage us that we too can finish well.

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Hebrews 11:1–2 NLT

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

6. Throughout history, we can find many inspiring examples of people who maintained strong faith despite great difficulties. In the first century, early Christians were willing to die rather than deny Jesus Christ. During the Reformation period, the first reformers showed no fear because their confidence was rooted in Jesus Christ. We can learn from these witnesses how they kept their faith strong - it was all because of Jesus Christ.

7. Recently, I watched a TV show where four celebrities participated in a triathlon competition. The race included swimming 1 mile (1.5 km), cycling 25 miles (40 km), and running 6.25 miles (10 km). They trained for four months to prepare for this world triathlon competition. Their goal was to complete the entire course in 3.5 hours. For beginners, finishing such a demanding race in their first competition was extremely challenging. However, they succeeded because they had strong motivation. The celebrities' goal was to please their audience, which gave them the strength to finish the race.

8. Just as we admire these former witnesses who completed their race of faith, we need strong motivation to endure our own spiritual journey. Like the celebrities in the triathlon, we can run our faith race with endurance because of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is our ultimate goal, we can run with perseverance. We actually have a significant advantage over those celebrities who competed in the triathlon - we have the Holy Spirit. As our Helper, the Holy Spirit has been with us since Jesus sent Him to us. The Holy Spirit helps us in multiple ways:

• by teaching and reminding us of Jesus's words He helps us

John 14:26 ESV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

• into truth and produces Christ-like character in us He guides us  

Galatians 5:16 NIV

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 8:14 NASB 2020

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God.

• daily, giving us fresh strength for the journey He renews us

Isaiah 40:31 MSG

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

• for service and witness He empowers us

1 Corinthians 2:4 NASB 2020

and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

Acts 1:8 NLT

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9. While salvation is entirely God's work, the consequence is new life in Him. We can now live and run our race with Him, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This means that although we must make effort to run the race, we are not running alone - the Holy Spirit runs with us, providing the strength and motivation we need to persevere. Therefore, when we feel we have lost our way as believers, we can remember the cloud of witnesses who have already finished their earthly race. More importantly, we can fix our eyes on Jesus and rely on the Holy Spirit's power to help us continue running with endurance. 

10. Application: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus as the Perfect Example
The ultimate key to maintaining strong Christian motivation lies in this final and most crucial point: we must keep "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith". The Greek word for "looking" here means to "look away from" other things and focus completely on one object. Just as a runner in a race must keep their eyes fixed on the finish line to avoid stumbling or losing direction, we must fix our spiritual gaze entirely on Jesus.

11. Jesus is both our pioneer who blazed the trail and our perfecter who will complete our faith journey. As our pioneer, He went before us, showing us exactly how to live by faith in this fallen world. He faced every temptation we face, yet without sin. As our perfecter, He not only began our faith but will bring it to completion. This means we can have confidence that the One who started our spiritual race will also ensure we finish it successfully.

12. The secret of Jesus's endurance was His focus on future joy. Hebrews 12:1-11 tells us He "endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him". What was this joy? It included the joy of bringing many sons and daughters to glory, the joy of completing the Father's work, and the joy of His ultimate exaltation. When we face difficulties in our Christian race, we too can endure by focusing on the eternal joy that awaits us - the joy of being with Christ forever and hearing Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

13. Keeping our eyes on Jesus prevents spiritual exhaustion. Isaiah 40 tells us not to "grow weary and lose heart". Spiritual burnout happens gradually when we take our eyes off Jesus and focus instead on our circumstances, other people, or even ourselves. But when we "consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners," we find renewed strength to continue. His example reminds us that if He could endure the ultimate suffering for our sake, we can endure our temporary trials for His sake.

14. This focus on Jesus is practical, not mystical. We fix our eyes on Jesus by:

• Reading His Word daily to see Him more clearly

• Remembering His promises when we face difficulties

• Meditating on His character and His love for us

• Trusting in His finished work on the cross

• Looking forward to His return and our eternal reward

15. Unlike the celebrities in the triathlon who ran to please their audience, we run to please the One who already loves us perfectly. Unlike earthly motivations that can fail us, Jesus never changes. People will disappoint us, circumstances will challenge us, and we will even disappoint ourselves, but Jesus remains faithful. He sits at the right hand of God's throne, interceding for us even now. He will never leave us or forsake us.

16. Therefore, when we feel like giving up in our Christian race, when the weight of sin seems too heavy, when endurance feels impossible, remember this: fix our eyes on Jesus. Don't look at our problems, don't focus on other people's failures or successes, don't even look primarily at ourself - look to Jesus. He is our motivation, our example, our strength, and our reward. With the Holy Spirit's help and our eyes fixed firmly on Christ, we can run with endurance the race that is set before us, knowing that the One who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. Remember, everything we need - hope, love, grace, power, strength, wisdom, patience, guidance, encouragement, and endurance - we can find in Christ. What He has, He freely gives to us. This is our grateful response to the incredible love God has shown us through Jesus Christ.

Podcast: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/107cec47-c512-453e-a81e-0cedbacd8b8c?artifactId=6b4b57c9-2014-4e52-88e6-f292716c13dd

Video Outline: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/107cec47-c512-453e-a81e-0cedbacd8b8c?artifactId=b030d5a9-89f8-4dac-9034-cbcca384efb5

Quiz: Short Answer Questions

Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

• According to the text, what is the most common New Year's resolution mentioned, and why does the author suggest people often fail at it?

• What is the main message of the Book of Hebrews, summarized in three words? How does the book support this message?

• Who are the "cloud of witnesses" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1, and what purpose do they serve for believers running the race of faith?

• In Hebrews 12:2, Jesus is described as "the originator and perfecter of the faith." What do these two titles imply about His role in a believer's spiritual journey?

• Why did Jesus "endure the cross, despising the shame," according to the text? What was His ultimate motivation?

• How does the text explain God's discipline, and what analogy is used to help understand its purpose?

• What "fruit" is produced in those who are trained by God's discipline, even though it may feel painful at the time?

• List three ways the Holy Spirit helps believers run the race of faith, as outlined in the text.

• What does the Greek word for "looking" (in "looking to Jesus") mean, and why is this concept crucial for maintaining strong Christian motivation?

• The text contrasts the celebrities' motivation in the triathlon with the Christian's motivation in the race of faith. Explain this difference.

Quiz Answer Key

• The most common New Year's resolution mentioned is dieting. The author suggests people often fail because they cannot control their natural desire to eat more and cannot endure the challenge due to inner desires, lacking stronger motivation.

• The main message of the Book of Hebrews is "Christ is better." The book systematically demonstrates this by showing Jesus's superiority to everything in the Old Testament system, including angels, Moses, Joshua, and priests.

• The "cloud of witnesses" refers to the heroes of faith from Hebrews 11, such as Abraham, Moses, and David. They serve as inspiring examples, testifying that a life of faith works and encouraging believers that they too can finish their spiritual race successfully.

• As the "originator" (pioneer), Jesus blazed the trail and showed us how to live by faith, facing temptations without sin. As the "perfecter," He not only began our faith but will bring it to completion, ensuring we finish our spiritual race successfully.

• Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, for the "joy set before Him." This joy included bringing many sons and daughters to glory, completing the Father's work, and His ultimate exaltation, which served as His strong motivation.

• God's discipline is explained as hardships and trials used by God to help believers grow in holiness and righteousness. The analogy used is that of earthly fathers disciplining their children for their good, emphasizing God's love for His sons and daughters.

• Although God's discipline seems painful for the moment, the text states that to those who have been trained by it, it afterward "yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." This highlights the positive, character-developing outcome of enduring trials.

• The Holy Spirit helps believers by teaching and reminding them of Jesus's words, guiding them into truth and producing Christ-like character, and renewing them daily with fresh strength for the journey. He also empowers them for service and witness.

• The Greek word for "looking" means to "look away from" other things and focus completely on one object. This concept is crucial because fixing one's spiritual gaze entirely on Jesus prevents spiritual exhaustion and provides the necessary strength and motivation to persevere.

• The celebrities in the triathlon ran to please their audience, an external and potentially fleeting motivation. In contrast, Christians run the race of faith to please Jesus, who already loves them perfectly and never changes, providing an unchanging and reliable motivation.