Hebrews 12:1-2
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Heb 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
You may be going through a very difficult time right now, you may feel you’re surrounded by so many problems and trials that you don’t know what to do.
But the Bible gives us the answer: Just look to Jesus!
You can rest assured that in Him you will be alright and that all things work together for GOOD, to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.
We may initially get upset, worried, fearful, or we may even want to give up…BUT, Look to Jesus, and He will take care of you and everything that concerns you.
These trials only test your faith, your trust in Jesus.
Knowing and Trusting that He:
- loves you so much
- gave His life for you
- knowing that God did not spare even His Son to save you
- will not let you down in any area of your life.
The question is, What is your life? And who controls your life?
There is so much happening right now in the world to really get people down, discouraged, and get people into a defeated mindset.
BUT, look to Jesus.
He overcame the world. He overcame the devil and all his demons. He overcame all sin, sickness, and disease. He overcame death for you and for me. Hallelujah!
Nothing is impossible with God, and nothing is impossible to him / her that believes in Him.
So today, what are you LOOKING at?
Your bank account, health, education, family, friends, your self?
The Bible says we are a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. We have but a breath in our nostrils.
Now, when you read those verses at the beginning of this short message, what is God really trying to say to you?
LOOK, and keep on LOOKING unto Jesus! Why?
He is the Author of your faith. Because of Jesus you have put your faith in Him and in God who sent Him to save you from all your sins and from death, to give you the free gift of eternal life by His grace through faith.
Jesus is also the Finisher of your faith, not you, but Jesus, who will complete that good work in you which He started.
Verse 2 tells us what Jesus went through. He went to the cross (carrying our sins and punishment), He went through the cross to grave, (buried there in an empty tomb), but on the third day, He went through the grave and rose again from the dead for you and for me.
All that He had to go through, He did it for us. And now, Jesus, after showing Himself alive to many of His friends after His suffering (Acts 1), He ascended up into a cloud back to Heaven right in front of His disciples eyes.
Jesus keeps His Word!
Ten days later, Jesus sent the Promise of the Father to His people who were told to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and power which was going to come not many days after He returned to Heaven.
The Holy Spirit did come, exactly on the Day of Pentecost, a feast of the Jews, and when He come upon the disciples (about 120) who were waiting on God in prayer, they were changed by the power of God and that was the DAY the church was born.
There are more with you than against you.
The church began in power, it continues in power, and it will still be in power until the Day Jesus Christ comes back for us who have believed in Him. Glory to God!
So LOOK to Jesus and be renewed in His power today. Raise your hands and raise your voice of praise unto your mighty God who is with you!
There is so much to tell you but for now I want to encourage, exhort, and call you to do this one thing…LOOK TO JESUS!
Your trials are trying you right now, but LOOK to Jesus, for He has overcome the world for you, and HE’S GOT THIS!
Don’t worry, just worship Jesus and let Him handle it.
Remember that you are more than a conqueror through Him.
He will not leave you nor forsake you, and He will work all things together for GOOD, for He is good and His mercy endures forever.
Look to Jesus and call upon Him right now.
Call upon Jesus now, and wait in His presence and Word to let the Holy Spirit reveal Himself to you and give you His life-giving Word, wisdom, grace, power, and direction for all you need to do to fulfill His will and purpose for your life.
God is forever faithful.
Our Lord Jesus will never let you down.
God who called you is faithful, and He will do it. Glory to His wonder Name that is above every name! Amen.