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Sermon Introduction

The theme of the epistle to the Hebrews centered around the superiority of Christ over Judaism. Beyond superior, He is God. The author intended to warn the readers to continue in the faith, endure the hostility and persecution. The author instructed the readers, lay aside the sin that easily entangles, and to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author, and finisher of their faith. He once again reminded them to run the race with perseverance marked out for us. Included in his exhortation was to fix their eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of their faith. Christ endured the hostility, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (12:1-2). The author would then discuss the value of discipline and that the readers should not lose heart when God disciplines them.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Hebrews 12:3-8 NASB

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor faint when you are punished by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He punishes every son whom He accepts.”

7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

Notes

The theme of the epistle to the Hebrews centered around the superiority of Christ over Judaism. Beyond superior, He is God. The author intended to warn the readers to continue in the faith, endure the hostility and persecution. The author instructed the readers, lay aside the sin that easily entangles, and to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author, and finisher of their faith. He once again reminded them to run the race with perseverance marked out for us. Included in his exhortation was to fix their eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of their faith. Christ endured the hostility, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (12:1-2). The author would then discuss the value of discipline and that the readers should not lose heart when God disciplines them.

1. The author encouraged the readers not to lose heart but instead to think of Christ’s ordeal when He faced the hostility of sinners. Furthermore, the author mentioned that they have not died fighting against sin (12:3-4).

2. The author also reminded the Jewish believers to value the Lord's discipline and not faint if they are corrected. The Lord disciplines those whom He loves and chastises His children (12:5-6).

3. The author then urges the readers to treat the hardships as God’s discipline. If God disciplined them, then they are God’s children because if they were not disciplined, they were not true children of God (12:7-8).

Application

1. Meditate on what the Lord endured through His suffering and death. Always think about that every time whenever we suffer because of our faith. Christ endured until death, then He resurrected.

2. Let us value the discipline of the Lord. Let us not treat His discipline lightly. We should not get discouraged when He corrects and rebukes us. Instead, let us receive the affirmation that we are His children.

3. He uses the challenges and persecution to train and shape us. On certain occasions, He may use the difficulties as chastisement or punishment to remind us of His word.

Discussion / Reflection

1. How did the author urge the believers not lose heart?

2. What did the author discuss about discipline?

3. . What should be our perspective concerning the discipline of the Lord?