Will You Faint?

I. CONSIDERATIONS FOR FAINTING

A. The Endurers of the Past (Hebrews 12:1)

1. Their faithfulness
a. Without the comfort of numbers (Hebrews 11:7)
b. Without needing all the details (Hebrews 11:8)
c. In the midst of surreal callings (Hebrews 11:17-19)
d. Choosing suffering rather than pleasure (Hebrews 11:24-26)
e. Sealing it with their deaths (Hebrews 11:35-38)
2. Their reward (2 John 1:8) - Why does John use we and not you in the phrases, “that we lose not” and “that we receive?”
a. John recognized when someone falls from the faith, that person is not the only one who suffers loss. Not only does the offending Christian lose rewards, but those who ministered to them lose as well.
b. When the Galatians turned from the simplicity of the gospel adding legalistic requirements, Paul said to them, “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain” (Galatians 4:11).
c. Paul exhorted the Philippians to hold fast the word: “that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (Philippians 2:16).

B. The Enduring Saviour (Hebrews 12:2-3)

1. Looking unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) – Endured the cross for the joy before Him
2. Considering Him (Hebrews 12:3) – Endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself

C. The Fainters of the Past (Hebrews 12:14-26)

1. Esau (Hebrews 12:16-17; Genesis 25:29-34) – Selling his birthright because of physical weariness
2. The Israelites (Hebrews 12:18-21) – Could not endure that which was commanded

II. CONCERNS FOR FAINTING

A. Weights (Hebrews 12:1)

1. Likely not the same as sins
2. This is anything that hinders one from running to the best of his ability
a. Hobbies
b. Family
c. Distractions
d. Running the wrong race
3. The admonition to lay aside “every” weight reminds us that we can be easily hindered in our race

B. Sin (Hebrews 12:1)

1. Though we all need to set aside sin, this passage seems to indicate that each of us have an Achilles heel that can put us out of the race quicker than others.
2. Sin wearies man in every way possible.

C. Chastening (Hebrews 12:5-11)

1. Chastening is often despised and the source of man’s fainting (Hebrews 12:5).
2. Chastening is an act of love (Hebrews 12:6-8).
3. Chastening is endured in a physical family, why not spiritually (Hebrews 12:9-10)?
4. Chastening yields favourable results (Hebrews 12:11).

III. HINDRANCES TO FAINTING

A. Patience (Hebrews 12:1)

1. The Christian life is not a sprint.
2. It is more akin to a cross country marathon.

B. Faith (Hebrews 12:2)

1. Looking unto Jesus
2. Consider the joy ahead

C. Reverence and Godly Fear (Hebrews 12:28-29)