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ENCOURAGED & ENABLED. Hebrews 12:3-4. 4/21/2024. #43.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
1. Correct Calculation
a. The Hebrew Christians looked backward
a1. They wanted to bring the Law with them
a2. They were dismayed that both Jewish worshippers and pagan Gentiles disdained them
b. Heb. had given them a list of faithful saints to follow
a1. Many were persecuted and some were martyred
a2. I Peter 4:12-16 trials and opposition in the life of believers is normal and enabling
c. Consider (analogizaethe; English word: analogue) = to calculate or sum up
a1. Only time this word is used in NT
a2. A math term = to come to a right total
a3. Compare Jesus with any other path of life and see if He is not greater than any other life
b1. He endured more, accomplished more, and delivers more than all others
b2. He enables us to follow Him
2. Trials and Triumph
a. Endured (hupomenos = remain under) hostility from sinners
b. 2 different readings: hostility of sinners opposed against Him or hostility of sinners opposing themselves (opposing Christ against their own benefit)
c. Even though Christ suffered greatly, He gained more through suffering than by safety
d. Christ’s endured the hostility
a1. Endured = in the perfect tense (continued to endure)
a2. Christ didn’t give up until His task was over
e. Endurance in the Christian faith must be a core value and constant commitment
3. Battered but not beaten
a. By focusing on Christ’s example, we are told not to become weary (worn out by labor)
a1. Not to become fatigued in our souls
a2. Galatians 6:9 do not become weary, for you will reap if you do not faint
a3. James 5:15 do no weary in sickness
b. There must be a fortitude of a soldier within us that drives us forward beyond pain, persecution, and pessimism
a1. A determination of will to continue forward despite temptation to quit
a2. Christ laid out our path through suffering that by example and enabling empowers us
c. Do not be discouraged (athumeo = to lose passion)
a1. Thumos = to heat up (English words: fume, thermos, thermometer, thermal…)
a2. To be disheartened or dispirited
a3. When you feel drained of all feelings and emotion, one must choose to continue on
d. Christ is the example of finishing in the midst of extreme opposition and suffering
e. We have yet to resisted to shedding of blood (giving our lives) for the cause of Christ
a1. There are many who have been martyred
a2. We have not resisted to the point of giving up our lives (there is more for us to do)
f. We are not finished striving against sin
a1. Striving = struggling (antagonizomai; Eng. word antagonism)
a2. Not only is opposition a struggle, but also wrestling against our own sins
a3. There are enemies within and without
a4. Romans 7 Paul was concerned about wrestling with the sin within him (doing wrong things and failing to do right things)
g. Even in the midst of discouragement, failures, and setbacks, we continue forward in power of Christ
h. An unwavering commitment to persevere
Key passage: I Peter 4:12-1612 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.