Text: Hebrews 12:1-3 … Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
• The key to throwing off everything that hinders us, and the sin that so easily entangles us. The key to running with perseverance and not growing weary and losing heart is right there in the middle of the text: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
• The idea of self-care is a big thing these days. As believers, we can thank the Lord for “faith-care,” as He has faithfully nurtured and sustained our faith in Him. He is the “perfecter of our faith.” His faith-care is the cause; our faith in Him is the effect.
Main Idea: Communion is a marvelous resource for faith care.
• Communion reminds us that our faith is in a real Person and a real event, not in a myth, a philosophy or even a religion.
• It reminds us that we are loved beyond human understanding. Unfathomably loved.
o Jesus died to meet us.
o That love beyond human understanding was also demonstrated in
The way He came. From heaven’s glory, he became poor, dependent, human.
The way He stayed. Living his entire life in preparation for giving his life for me.
The way He left. Choosing to be pierced for our sake.
• It reminds us reminds us that the end of our life is not the end of our road.
o “I’m going to prepare a place for you…” (John 14:2).
o He who believes in me will never die, (John 11:26).
o We are advancing towards life beyond this one but not to oblivion.
But There Is So Much More.
• Luke 22:20 (NIV) …after the supper [Jesus] took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
o Communion reminds us to remember all the New Covenant Benefits purchased for us by the blood of Jesus.
• Psalm 103 “Bless the Lord O my soul and forget none of His benefits.”
Fellowship with other believers is a New Covenant Blessing
• I am not a “Lone Ranger.” I am one of God’s people who are all over the world. A peculiar people. Aliens and strangers on earth who are also citizens of heaven. People whose lives have been changed not by force of will or personal discipline or by the tenets of religion or the values of a political party, but by Jesus Christ Himself. People who, though they remain flawed and imperfect, are also His new creations.
The gift of His presence and the gifts of His presence are a New Covenant Blessing.
• “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, from His innermost being will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38).
• The Holy Spirit’s innumerable and indescribable effects within us as He confirms our relationship with God as His sons and daughters.
• The Spirit reveals more of how marvelous Jesus is to us each day. The better we get to know Him, the more of His abundance we will experience.
The Miracle of New life is a New Covenant Blessing
• It is a miracle made possible only because of His willingness to go through all that was necessary to remove the obstacles to His Spirit taking up residence within us.
• He is the agent of our redemption, justification, regeneration and renewal.
• He is the one who reveals the things God has freely given us (1 Corinthians 2:12).
• He is in our life only because Jesus gave His life to make it possible.
He brings the truth of His word to life and refreshes it.
• His words are not new, but they are timeless truths like a vintage wine to be savored and shared. As we prayerfully sit with His truth, like a wine it begins to take effect on our spirit.
• Do not get drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
God’s Favor and Christ’s Righteousness
• We as believers are all scarred, marred, and flawed but also robed in the righteousness of Christ. We never need to be afraid or intimidated by where our faith is at any given moment, strong or weak.
o Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. We can invite Him into whatever spiritual place we are in. He is the perfector of our faith. He knows what it needs.
Unlimited Opportunity for Growth
• Like baseball, our walk with the Lord could be basic or, if we desire, He can take us to levels of that experience, unknown to the casual observer, that eclipse the imagination. “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” can be a children’s Sunday school song or a profound and life-changing truth. The Bible calls that depth of infinite possibility “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” And that is why no matter how much we think we know of Him, there is so much more of Him to know.
• Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart.”
Clinton Scott says
Thank you for sharing and expounding His truth. It refreshes my spirit to hear His words. His words give life to my thirsty spirit and feeds my soul. Again, thank you sharing the Bread of Life. I really needed to hear from Him today.
Dan Baty says
You are so welcome, my brother. I need His daily nourishment and refreshment as well, and praise Him daily for His faithfulness to provide it.