This Chris reads from Phil Ch 2 ver 5-11. Colin is our preacher this week, and we take step out of from Colossians this week. Colin refreshs us on who we should be looking to this new year as always Colin's Power Point is attach.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

As I was considering the timing of this first message of 2016, I was drawn to this verse because of the challenge it presents us. It is written as an imperative, something the author expects of us and it speaks of a united and definite action. “Let us, fix our eyes” and it speaks of a single focus – “on Jesus”!

1. Our focus. Let us “fix our eyes on Jesus…” (Concentrate our gaze on Him). When coming down an 8000-foot mountain with our youngest daughter the way led down a steep narrow path covered in snow with an almost vertical rock wall to the left and a sheer drop to the right. Fortunately, someone had been that way before and left footprints in the snow. I therefore fixed my eyes on those imprints and placed my feet where the person had placed theirs! That’s what we need to do with Jesus. He is the “author and perfector of our faith.”

2. Our example. “Who, for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame” (He.12:2b). In fact, the verse actually says, “instead of”, “in the place of”, the joy set before him. “Who rather than, or, instead of, the joy set before him endured a cross, disregarding its shame and has now taken his seat at the right hand of God.” This corresponds to what we find in Philippians 2:5-11.

Far too often, we get upset when things don’t go our way, when people misjudge us and don’t treat us with the respect that we think we deserve. We can sulk; go off in a huff, become bitter, violent, and vindictive and a host of other things. Jesus did none of those things – he is our supreme example. He told us to follow him, and he went to the cross! Are we willing to go that far for him?

3. Our hope. “…and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus sat down because his work was finished. He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, that this the place of supreme honour in the whole of the universe. There is no higher place. Remember that God himself has given him a name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow.

Conclusion.

* Hebrews 12:1 reminds us that we are all running a race. We are not alone We have the testimony of those who have gone before, we have the encouragement of fellow-runners who are running with us and we have the supreme example of Jesus who has gone before and the promise of coming glory when we cross the finishing line

* When the going gets tough, when our legs feel heavy and we believe that we’ll never make it, we must look to Jesus and not at our problems.

* When we feel like giving up, remember that in God’s eyes, we’re already winners.

 

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