Church of the Nazarene – East Rock
https://www.bible.com/events/49291217
Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 8 – East Rock
The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all.
Today we are continuing our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”.
Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus.
But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him.
The message from the writer of Hebrews is loud and clear: “There’s no life in the old way of doing things. The only source of salvation is Christ alone. He is above all.”
As chapter 12 begins the pastoral heart of the author shines through in encouragement and exhortation.
Hebrews 12:5-6
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
When we hear about discipline, our mind fills with memories, and it can make it more challenging for us to receive the good news of God’s discipline. We need to be aware that we are coming with “pre-loaded” thoughts and feelings about it
In the face of real challenge and difficulty the author is inviting us to see things differently, through the lens of what God can do through difficult seasons.
To see the trials and tribulations of life as opportunities for God’s grace to transform us into the image of Christ Jesus, to grow us in holiness.
Hebrews 12:4-6
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
“The Lord disciplines the one he loves”
To help unpack this text, we need to do some quick word study work because in this verse there are two different Greek words that are translated as discipline.
The first word translated discipline sounds like “pie-die-ah” in the Greek.
This has in view the whole training and education of children. Cultivating and shaping their mind and morals. It includes commands, admonitions, and punishments to accomplish this development.
In our vernacular, I would say it’s akin to “upbrining”
The second word translated discipline sounds lik “pie-doo-oh”.
It carries the idea of chastisement or punishment in order to shape the character of others. It’s the more specific action taken within the greater framework of a good upbringing.
The author has established his dialogue about discipline within the context of relationship with God. We are God’s children and as God’s kids we should expect his training and discipline, His active involvement in our upbringing.
The author quickly moves to apply this truth to their current situation.
Hebrews 12:7-8
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.
The author is challenging his audience to see their suffering, the challenges and pain they are experiencing through a different perspective.
Rather than something to run from, to avoid at all costs, or even to despise. They are called to see those things as opportunities for God to grow them, as God’s discipline. That’s how the heavenly Father grows and matures his children.
The author doesn’t say God CAUSES these things, God does not author evil. But, in his sovereignty, he does allow it, and what the author wants us to see is that God will use these things for our growth and our good, if we will submit to him. And it’s this discipline, this up brining by God that is the proof that we are in fact children of God.
So often we think we are facing challenges because God is mad at us, or that he has forgotten us. But we are called to remember that God can use these things to grow and mature us.
Hebrews 12:9-11
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
What I appreciate about this text is the honesty about the reality of suffering and even God’s upbringing and times of discipline- Even though God’s using it for our good- it’s not always pleasant. In fact, it might be miserable, downright painful at times. But we have the promise of God’s character and his word, that he is using those times for our growth in Christlikeness.
Hebrews 12:12-13
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
With the language work, the baggage that we can bring along with our ideas of discipline, it’s no easy task to work through this passage and find what is really being said. I cannot imagine it was much easier for the original readers either.
Facing the ongoing pressure of persecution, the daily grind of seeing no relief in sight, perhaps they had become so focused on the problems all around them, they lost sight of the of what God could do in the midst of them. Maybe they forgot that God was with them and working for them.
The author seeks to remind them, this race of faith is a grueling marathon. It will take endurance and faithfulness like they have seen in Christ himself. To finish their race, it would require a new perspective and submission to the discipline of God the Father.
In your challenging and difficult circumstances, what’s your perspective like?
Do you see it as only something to endure, to grin and bear it, to struggle through? Or do you see an opportunity for God to do something in and through the difficult circumstances?
Each of us have a choice to make in those situations- What perspective will we take?
Will you welcome a new perspective about the challenges you are facing?
I want to share a brief yet powerful prayer that you can use in the midst of your circumstances right now.
When our focus is fixated on our problems, when we are asking all the ME focused questions, our prayer is so often:
“Lord, fix my mess.” “Change these circumstances, rescue me, make this go away, do something about this God!”
But the prayer of a new perspective is “Lord, change me”
“The mess around me is what it is God, I have lots of questions, I want to know why, how long, who’s fault it is, but all of that aside, I am seeking what you want to do in me. Lord, change me.”
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