The Sermon Notes of Harold Buls
On the Epistle Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia
Text from Hebrews 12:1-4
Trinity II
1. The letter to the Hebrews, whose author is unknown to us with certainty,
was very likely written during the Neronian persecution of Christians. It
was likely at a time when Judaism was allowed but not Christianity. And so
the Jewish Christians decided simply to abandon Christianity and go back to
Judaism. The writer sharply warns the readers not to do that because it
would amount to denying everything.
2. Therefore the theme of endurance is very pronounced in this letter. It
is mentioned three times in our text: In verse 1 "let us run with
endurance." In verse 2 "Jesus endured the cross." In verse 3 "Jesus who
endured such backtalk from sinners." Evidently the readers were about to
apostatize.
3. Verse 2 clearly shows us Jesus as Savior, the One who endured the cross.
But verse 3 clearly shows us Jesus as example, the One Who endured so many
sins of the tongue from His enemies. This resulted in Jesus shedding His
blood. But verse 4 says: "You have not yet suffered to the point of losing
your blood in your fight with sin."
4. Verse 1 reminds the readers of the host of Old Testament saints who are
now in heaven. Many of them were mentioned and described in chapter 11.
These saints are witnesses, examples for the New Testament believers. They
endured by looking _forward_ to Christ. We endure by looking _back_ to
Christ. We are at an advantage.
5. Verse 1 uses the metaphor of a runner in a race. He must run
strenuously, laying aside every encumbrance. The Christian's encumbrance is
his sinful flesh which is constantly impeding him. By the way, verse 1 also
says that God Himself has laid the race before him, just as in verse 2 it
is implied that God laid the course out for Jesus.
6. The word "looking away" at the be
The Sermon Notes of Harold Buls
On the Epistle Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia
Text from Hebrews 12:1-4
Trinity II
1. The letter to the Hebrews, whose author is unknown to us with certainty,
was very likely written during the Neronian persecution of Christians. It
was likely at a time when Judaism was allowed but not Christianity. And so
the Jewish Christians decided simply to abandon Christianity and go back to
Judaism. The writer sharply warns the readers not to do that because it
would amount to denying everything.
2. Therefore the theme of endurance is very pronounced in this letter. It
is mentioned three times in our text: In verse 1 "let us run with
endurance." In verse 2 "Jesus endured the cross." In verse 3 "Jesus who
endured such backtalk from sinners." Evidently the readers were about to
apostatize.
3. Verse 2 clearly shows us Jesus as Savior, the One who endured the cross.
But verse 3 clearly shows us Jesus as example, the One Who endured so many
sins of the tongue from His enemies. This resulted in Jesus shedding His
blood. But verse 4 says: "You have not yet suffered to the point of losing
your blood in your fight with sin."
4. Verse 1 reminds the readers of the host of Old Testament saints who are
now in heaven. Many of them were mentioned and described in chapter 11.
These saints are witnesses, examples for the New Testament believers. They
endured by looking _forward_ to Christ. We endure by looking _back_ to
Christ. We are at an advantage.
5. Verse 1 uses the metaphor of a runner in a race. He must run
strenuously, laying aside every encumbrance. The Christian's encumbrance is
his sinful flesh which is constantly impeding him. By the way, verse 1 also
says that God Himself has laid the race before him, just as in verse 2 it
is implied that God laid the course out for Jesus.
6. The word "looking away" at the beginning of verse 2 in Greek means
"looking exclusively at." In other words "fix your gaze upon." Jesus is
called "the Author and Finisher of the faith." The same word for "Author"
is used at Acts 3:15 "you killed the Author of life." See also Acts 5:31.
Jesus is the Author of the Christian faith from beginning to end. It is all
by His gracious favor, His gift to sinners.
7. Because of the joy of heaven Jesus could endure the cross and think
nothing of the shame caused by sin and sinful mankind. And that is why
Jesus told us at John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy
may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." Compare also the joy of
Job (19:26) or that of Paul, II Timothy 4:6-8. Though Paul was in chains in
prison and was facing death, he was confident and joyful.
8. The expression "sat down at the right hand of God" in verse 2 means that
His saving work and suffering are forever past. The only unfulfilled event
is His second coming to judge the living and the dead.
9. The Christian's greatest source of danger is spiritual tiredness
mentioned in verse 3. A runner dare not relax his pace. A Christian dare
not let spiritual weariness overcome him. Christians _do_ grow weary. But
they must flee immediately to Him Who gives rest lest their weariness
become a habit and vice. A preacher must think of this when he preaches. He
has weary souls sitting before him.
10. Verse 3 speaks of backbiting and venomous talk. Jesus' enemies
constantly treated Him thus. Saul treated David this way. Joseph's brothers
too. We must face it also but don't let it weary you.
11. On verse 4 read Hebrews 10:32-36. The readers had not yet lost blood
because of their faith and their fight with sin, both theirs and others'.
In other words: "You can suffer more than you already have. Quit your
complaining." Parents must encourage their children. Teachers must
encourage their pupils. And pastors must encourage their hearers. They are
constantly fighting their own flesh and the attacks of Satan and the world.
A pastor who does not encourage the weary is not doing his work in a God-
pleasing way. He is a hireling.
The Sermon Outline of Harold Buls
On the Epistle Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia
Text from Hebrews 12:1-4
Trinity II
THEME: How We Can Run the Race of Life with Endurance
INTRODUCTION
In all ages spiritual weariness is a grave danger to Christians. It can be
caused by their own sinfulness. Or it can be caused by Satan who employs
circumstances of persecution against them. Or it can be caused by personal
attacks form other people. But Jesus went through all of that before us and
instead of us. We must look to Him!
I. WE MUST FIX OUR EYES SOLELY ON JESUS verses 2-3
A. He alone can save us, verse 2. Our text tells us that, as we run
the race of life, we must fix our eyes on Jesus. Why? He is the
Author and Finisher of our Christian faith. He not only paid for our
sins and took on Himself the curse we deserved but He also has given
us the faith to accept this salvation. He has done this through the
Word of God which is sharper than any two-edged sword, Hebrews 4:12.
He is the Author and Finisher of our faith just as He was for
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who are now in glory.
B. He is our great example, verse 3. Our text tells us that just as
Jesus endured the awful language of His enemies, so can we endure.
He abides by us, Hebrews 13:5. The time will come when people curse
us as they cursed Jesus. That causes us to become discouraged. We
grow weak. Maybe we begin thinking that it's just not worth the
grief. What if Jesus had given up? What if Jesus had given in to
weariness? That would have proved disastrous for us. Likewise, if we
grow weary, disaster results.
II. WE MUST LAY ASIDE THE SIN WHICH SO EASILY BESETS US verse 1
In a race the runner removes anything and everything which would impede his
speed and endurance. Runners dress as naked as possible to win. Likewise
our text tells us to rid ourselves of the sin which so easily entraps us.
We all have that sin. It is the sinful flesh, the flesh with which we were
born, the flesh we will carry about until we die, the flesh which contains
no good thing, the flesh which can never be corrected. As Luther says in
his catechism we must drown the flesh with all his lusts every day. The
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are
constantly luring us. To resist the flesh is a strenuous fight every day
until death.
III. WE MUST REMEMBER THE HOST OF OLD TESTAMENT WITNESSES WHO
HAVE PRECEDED US verse 1
Chapter eleven of this book gives us a catalogue of people who have fought
the good fight of faith. Abel offered a good sacrifice to God by faith.
Enoch was taken to heaven without dying. Noah endured the flood by building
the ark which saved him and seven others. The greatest example was Abraham
who by faith left his fatherland, believed the promises of the Messiah and
sired the promised son at an advanced age. By faith he was willing to give
up his only son. By faith Isaac and Jacob followed in Abraham's footsteps.
By faith Joseph endured the mistreatment of his brothers and even became
governor of Egypt. Moses was a great man who endured untold hardships from
his own people just as Jesus did, verse 2. Again and again, especially in
the Gospel of John, Jesus promised His disciples the joys of everlasting
life after this life. And later Paul said: "I reckon that the sufferings of
this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glories which
shall be revealed in us."
IV. WE HAVE NOT YET LOST OUR LIVES verse 4
This verse is practically saying that our fight with sin, both in ourselves
and from others, could be worse. Our sinful human nature easily pities
itself. That is a dangerous thing to do. Can we suffer more than we are
suffering now? Yes, if God so wills. And He can make a way to escape.
CONCLUSION
We are like runners in a race. It is a hard race. It causes us to grow
tired. But we can do it. With God nothing shall be impossible.
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This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
by Marilyn F. Gardner and is in the public domain by permission
of Dr. Buls. You may freely distribute, copy or print this.
Please direct any comments or suggestions to:
Rev. Robert E. Smith
Walther Library
Concordia Theological Seminary
E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu
Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA
Phone: (219) 452-2148 Fax: (219) 452-2126
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