Men's Fraternity Week 22

Men’s Fraternity
Week #22 – Forgotten Discipline of Perseverance

Introduction

Reject Passivity

Accept Responsibility

Lead Courageously

Seek the Greater Reward – God’s Reward!

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

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[from the video we learn the following: stay focused – don’t coast – finish the race]

Four Commands

1. The First Command is to divest! Hebrews 12:1
• Divest means to “remove from” or to “strip down.”
• Sin clings closely because:
• Denial - refusing to acknowledge the reality of the situation.
• Projection - acknowledging the situation but denying responsibility for it.
• Minimization - acknowledging the reality, even the responsibility, but denying the seriousness. “It’s not that big a deal.”
• Sin will always:
• take you further than you want to go
• cost more than you want to pay
• keep you longer than you want to stay


2. The Second Command is to run! Hebrews 12:1
[The command to run indicates that we must take action. Endurance is patient fortitude. Gut it out! Until there is action, there is no belief or conviction.]

3 Levels of Belief
• Public belief - What we want others to believe about our convictions.
• Private belief - What we sincerely believe until we are tested. Then we give up.
• Core belief - Beliefs backed up by reality, determined by your actions. They define how you live.


3. The Third Command is to focus! Hebrews 12:2

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.


4. The Fourth Command is to consider! Hebrews 12:3
• Consider how Jesus lived.
• Instead of asking “What would Jesus do?” ask “What DID Jesus do?” The bible is filled with specific examples
• I look most like Jesus when I am falsely accused and say nothing.

”In God’s Garden of grace even broken trees bear fruit.” - Rick Warren

Discussion:

What sins easily cling or what are the weights in your life you feel you need to lay aside? Be ruthlessly honest. Why is it so hard to do this?

What does it mean to “fix our Eyes on Jesus”?

Review Hebrws 12:1-3 and discuss the responsibilities God gives you. Discuss every detail given about Christ.