Endurance

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Endurance. Not something for the faint-hearted. There have been times in my life when I’ve been tempted to give up, to quit before reaching the goal. The most challenging situations are those times when the goal is an unknown entity, an undetermined distance, or a vague point in the future. It’s difficult to pace yourself when you don’t know how much longer the trail is.

I have a disability which sets off a chain reaction of pain and mechanical failure, and pacing makes the difference between reaching my goal or not. And if the “not” is half-way up a mountain, I’d be in serious trouble. If I don’t know how much further away the half-mark is mentally, I can’t ration my movements with the confidence that it will be “enough”, and panic can set in. A slow rhythm helps only so far, but is no compensation for thorough planning. And it’s those times of uncertainty that tempt me to quit. But exactly at such moments is the time to determine my action: I may need a pause in the journey, but my attitude determines whether it’s a comma or a period. If I determine to reach my goal, it’s just a matter of time.

Spiritually we face the same process: when the way is harder or the waiting is longer than we anticipated, it is then we must choose in faith to stay our course, and decide to win. I have a Guide on this journey of Life who will never leave me or forsake me, and He knows the course set before me like the back of His nail-scarred hands. He won’t ever leave me behind, but adjusts His pace to mine. It’s my choice to keep trusting Him and keep moving forward.



Lord give us the courage to stay the course, even when the going gets rough. Let us focus on You, the perfect example, who endured far more and far worse than we'll ever know, to forge the way ahead and allow us unbroken fellowship with you. Amen.

By Stephanie Huesler, Switzerland

THE REST OF FAITH--NO. 2

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

Text. Heb. 3:19, & 4:1.--So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Upon these words I remark:

1. That this rest, into which they could not enter, had been expressly promised to them.

2. That though no condition was expressly annexed to this promise, yet faith as a condition was necessarily implied; for if they had no confidence in the promise, they would of course neglect the necessary means to gain possession of the promised land.

3. Unbelief rendered the fulfillment of the promise impossible, in as much as it prevented their going up and taking possession when commanded to do so.

4. In my last, I showed that the land of Canaan was typical of spiritual rest or the rest of faith.

5. This spiritual rest is expressly promised, and it is said that some must enter therein, yet faith is an indispensable condition to its fulfillment.

These remarks prepare the way for the discussion of the two following propositions:

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THE REST OF FAITH.[--NO. 1]

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

Text. Heb. 3:19, & 4:1.--So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

The following is the order in which I will direct your attention.

I. INQUIRE OF WHOM THE APOSTLE IS SPEAKING IN THIS TEXT, AND INTO WHAT IT IS SAID THEY COULD NOT ENTER.

II. WHY THEY COULD NOT ENTER IN.

III. SHOW THAT TEMPORAL CANAAN WAS TYPICAL OF THE REST OF FAITH.

IV. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN THIS REST.

V. HOW WE MAY SEEM TO COME SHORT OF IT.

VI. HOW WE MAY TAKE POSSESSION OF IT.

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CHRIST TEMPTED, SUFFERING, AND ABLE TO SUCCOR THE TEMPTED

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

"For in that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted." --Heb. 2:18.

The connection, commencing back with the tenth verse of this chapter, presents Jesus as one of the brethren among his people and assigns reasons for his assuming human nature into union with his divine. Because the children were partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself took part of the same, to the end that by his own death He might destroy Satan who had power to make death terrible, and might so deliver his people from the fear of death though otherwise under its bondage their lives long. For indeed, of the race of angels Christ did not take hold, to save them; but He did take hold of the race of man. The former, falling by sin, sank to hell, unredeemed; the latter, tempted and fallen, the Son of God rushed to rescue and save. Hence the necessity of putting on their nature, since he had undertaken to rescue and save them. Therefore He must be made in all things like them, "that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people; For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted."

The subject presented in our text, if discussed fundamentally will embrace the discussion of several points.

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THE DOOM OF THOSE WHO NEGLECT THE GREAT SALVATION

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

"How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Hebrews 2:3

Escape what? What can Universalists say to such a question as this? They whose first doctrine proclaims that there can be no danger--what will they say to this solemn question and its startling assumption of peril from which there shall be no escape? How shall we escape?--says the inspired author--as if he would imply most strongly that there can be no escape to those who neglect this great salvation.

Salvation;--the very term imports safety or deliverance from great impending evil. If there be no such evil, there is then no meaning to this term--no real salvation.

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THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, AND THE SPIRIT OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

"Who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame." Hebrews 12:2.

These words are spoken of Jesus Christ. They stand in the following connection. "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

To develop fully the sentiment of our text, I will consider

I. WHAT THIS JOY SET BEFORE CHRIST WAS NOT.

II. WHAT IT WAS.

III. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN THE STATE OF MIND HERE DESCRIBED.

IV. SHOW THAT NOTHING SHORT OF THIS IS REAL CHRISTIANITY.

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LOOKING TO JESUS

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."--Heb. 12:1-2.

In this text, an allusion is plainly made to the foot races that were run as an exercise to develop strength.-- At the time of the writing of this epistle, and for a long time previous, it had been the custom of the Government of the East to celebrate certain athletic games; of which the foot race was one.

In those days, armies fought hand to hand; and therefore the prowess and power of an army depended not merely upon its courage, but also upon its real physical strength. Hence, it was the policy of Government in every way to develop to the utmost the physical strength of their subjects.

They established at certain periods, the celebration of games, with great pomp, ceremony, and expense; and these games brought out the exhibition of muscular strength. The apostle, in his writings, makes frequent allusions to these games, for the purpose of illustrating certain great truths of the Christian religion; and it is with reference to these games that he so frequently speaks of the Christian life as a race, and as a battle. In these races, the race-grounds were often prepared with great expense. Seats were built along the course from the beginning to the end; and these seats rose one above another in such a manner that those that sat upon the back seats could see the runners as well as those that sat in front. Upon these seats were piled vast multitudes--often scores of thousands of people; the seats rising one above another till they appeared like a great cloud, such masses of human beings were present as spectators.

Between these rows of seats lay the race grounds.-- As they proceeded in the race, they were cheered on by the shouts and enthusiasm of the crowds on either side that were seated to witness the race.

At the end of the race course sat the judge; whose business it was to observe accurately how they came out, and to award the prize to the one that first reached the end of the course.

In the eleventh chapter, the apostle had been giving us a great number of examples of the nature and power of faith. Beginning with Abel, he quotes numerous examples all through the patriarchal age, and many instances of eminent faith among the prophets and holy men of the Jewish nation.

Of these he speaks as witnesses of the Christian race of those to whom he is addressing his epistle. He here assumes that the saints who have passed from this world are greatly interested in the Christian career and the progress of those left behind. Hence he addresses as he does those to whom he is writing, in the first verse of this twelfth chapter: "Wherefore," says he, "seeing we also are compassed [about] with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." And then in the second verse: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

The race here spoken of is plainly the Christian race; the cloud of witnesses are the saints of God; the judge who awards the crown is the Lord Jesus Christ.

In speaking further from these words, I inquire,

I. What it is to look to Jesus in the sense that is here intended?

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