Reach for the Goal

9/12/04 | Brian Bill | Hebrews 12:2-3 |
Series: Go for the Gold

Note: Some of the ideas for this sermon come from Mainstay Ministry and are used by permission.

The U.S. women’s softball team won a third straight gold medal at the Athens Olympics. They were unstoppable, going undefeated and giving up just one run in over 54 innings. The Americans actually won their first gold medal in 1996 at the games in Atlanta, but that year they lost a game because they lost focus. In the fifth inning, Danielle Taylor hit a home run over the center-field fence. As she flew around third base with a rush of adrenaline, she was greeted by a swarm of teammates at home plate. In her excitement she became distracted and never touched home plate. When all the yelling subsided, the Australian team quietly appealed to the umpire who dramatically called Tyler out. Had she simply maintained her focus, her team would have won. Instead, after going into extra innings, the Americans lost 2-1.

As in most sports, where you look is extremely important. Runners know that nothing will knock them off stride or slow them down like looking at their feet or at the runners around them. They must be focused on the finish line. As we conclude our series today, our aim is to Reach for the Goal by realizing who is before us. Three weeks ago, we established that if we’re going to go for the gold, we must remember those around us. Two weeks ago, we took a look at how to remove what is on us by throwing off “hindrance hurdles” and “signature sins.” Last week we learned that the only way to persevere is to rely on what God is doing in us.

Please turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 12:2-3. Here we see that Jesus is at the finish line, or at home plate, if you will. He is the winner and is waving us home. We must keep our eyes on Him if we hope to win: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Focus on the Finish

Our challenge is to make sure that the distractions of life do not slow us down or knock us out of the race. The meaning of the phrase, “fix our eyes” has two aspects. We are to look away from everything and look toward the one who should be everything to us. We are to glance at the witnesses but we are to gaze at the winner. In the context of the Book of Hebrews, we are to lock on to the Lord, not Moses or the Law, or anything else for that matter. We see this in Hebrews 3:1: “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.”

Even though Martha was a wonderful servant, in Luke 10:40-41, Jesus chastised her because her serving was actually causing some spiritual slippage: “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made… ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed…’” That one thing is to fix our eyes on Jesus. We are to be attracted to Him, not distracted from Him. Sitting at His feet is more important than even serving. When looking at the crowds one day, Jesus referred to them as “weary and scattered” (Matthew 9:36, NKJV). I wonder if that’s how He views many of us today. We’re busy but not better for it. Do you feel weary and scattered? Perhaps it’s because you’ve lost focus.

This past Sunday night at Cross Training, our ministry to High School students, Pastor Jeff had a student stand on a chair and everyone had to make eye contact with him. This is how Jeff put it: “They had to “lock eyes” with him. If they lost eye contact, even for a second, they had to sit down. Milt was in the back with a megaphone screaming, [See what you get to do if you’re a leader?] there was music blasting, and on the screen colors were swirling. That got most of them. Then two girls started running around and screaming. That got a few more. We got down to about 6 students left. A couple actually put their hands around their eyes, like blinders. We asked them how they could focus, in spite of everything going on around them. The key was shutting out the distractions and focusing on his eyes.”

Maybe some of us should walk around with blinders on. I had a wonderful opportunity to spend over three hours with my friend and mentor Ray Pritchard on Wednesday. As Ray was sharing with me some of the things the Lord is teaching him, he spelled out what he calls the “principle of intentionality.” This is how he put it in his sermon last week: “The principle of intentionality is living life on purpose, and not just drifting through one day after another. It’s so easy to go through a day, and be very busy, and yet come to the end and say, ‘What did I do today?’ Busyness is no guarantee that you are actually doing anything important. Busyness may be a cover for a lack of purpose in your life. Too many times we sit on the banks of the river while the current of life rushes right by us” (www.calvarymemorial.com).

This relates to what we learned last week. Christian growth is not automatic. It takes discipline, devotion, and determination. We must make choices throughout the day about where we will set our minds and how we will set our schedules as Colossians 3:2 states: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 says that we are to “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” and 1 Chronicles 22:19 establishes that we must be passionate about pursuing Him, not passive: “Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God.” We need to become more like the Apostle Paul who said in Philippians 3:13-14: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Psalm 27:8 captures the importance of intentionality: “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”

A young African pastor put his commitment to words. He knew the one thing to do because he was gazing at the goal. This note was found tacked to the wall of his house (quoted by Joseph Liddick, Wheaton Wesleyan Church; Wheaton, IL).

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of his. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on his presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till he stops me. And when he comes for his own, he will have no problems recognizing me. My banner will be clear!

I received a prayer update from Keith and Jeannette Shubert from the Philippines this week. They are part of our 18-member missionary team, serving around the world. They both teach at a seminary and Keith has also been teaching in a large church. The “Biblical Foundations” class has just finished studying the doctrine of God the Father and is now studying the person of Jesus. Keith writes: “This is extremely important since many new believers come from, or have had contact with, a variety of cults such as Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, and the Filipino versions of these. All of these have in common the notion that Jesus was less than God. Thus a systematic presentation of who Jesus is and how His life and death affect us today becomes essential.”

Keith then asks for prayer: “I have just been asked to teach the next few Wednesday evening sessions on the Person of Jesus Christ. Each session will go about an hour and a half. It is assumed that I utilize a PowerPoint presentation, since most are visual learners. About 1400 are expected in each session.” Wow! When I read that, I didn’t think he had enough to do so I asked him if he could share some exegetical insights from Hebrews 12:2-3 with me. I’ll pass these along in just a moment.

We must understand who Jesus is and then we must fix our eyes on Him at all times. We must know about Him and then we must know Him personally. This passage not only tells us what to do: we’re to fix our eyes on Jesus. We’re told how to do it as we’re given at least four descriptions of Christ to help us focus more clearly.

1. Christ the Captain. The NIV refers to Jesus as the “author.” This is a fascinating term in the Greek, made up of two words, meaning “to lead” and “the first.” Put together, this title means, “the chief leader; one that takes the lead and thus furnishes the example” (“Hebrews in the Greek New Testament,” Wuest). One commentator says that this word “has been given a veritable splendour of translations” (Barclay). Hebrews 2:10, in the King James Version renders it “pioneer.”

In the Septuagint, which is the Greek Translation of the Old Testament, it is used to describe heads of families, national leaders, military leaders, and captains. As an adjective, it means that which begins or originates something. As a noun, it can refer to the founder of a city. Barclay points out that this word has about it the quality of preeminence and princeliness, the one “who stands head and shoulders above all others.” Here’s the cool part. According to him, this word regularly describes someone who “originates and initiates something into which others can follow…he is the first to do something…and opens a way for others to enter into the same benefits and the same greatness. He blazes the trail for others to follow.”

Keith Shubert suggests that the best idea is that of a Roman Scout for an army. The scout would go on ahead to determine the best way and make sure needs for food, water and security would be taken care of. In the “marathon motif” from Hebrews 12, He’s the one who prepares the road for the runner. Jesus has prepared the path. He’s crossed the finish line and now is cheering you on. Will you fix your eyes on the Captain?

2. Christ the Completer. Jesus is not only the one who starts; He is the finisher. He’s the pioneer and the perfecter; the captain and the completer. Look again at Hebrews 12:3: “…perfecter of our faith.” This is another phrase packed with meaning. Jesus will carry through completely to the finish. It also has the idea of making something complete or perfect. Many of you have Philippians 1:6 memorized. If you don’t, may I encourage you to do so? “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Jesus always finishes what He begins. Listen to these statements from the Gospel of John:

4:34: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

5:36: “For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.”

17:4: “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”

19:30: “It is finished. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

There’s another title given to Jesus in Revelation 22:13 that brings the names “Captain” and “Completer” together: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last and the phrase itself denotes completeness and comprehensiveness. The idea is that there is nothing lacking in Jesus Christ. Here’s another beautiful truth. These words, along with Captain and Completer, describe perfect continuity. The power of Jesus is continuous, acting before history began, all through history, today, and forever. As Hebrews 13:8 says, “He is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Barclay suggests something even more personal. The action of Jesus is continuous all through the stages of our life – birth, childhood, youth, adulthood and death – nothing can separate us from Him.

I came across something this week called, “The First and the Last.” Here’s the beginning stanza (www.bible.org/docs/pastor/bits/bits-110.htm):

He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End! He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all! He is the Architect of the universe and The Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and He always will be...

As you run, don’t be distracted. Make Jesus the Captain and Completer your focal point.

3. Christ the Crucified. Look at verse 2 again: “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame…” The word “for” here is best understood as meaning, “instead of.” In exchange for what Jesus had in heaven, He set this aside in order to accept the cross and shame. When Jesus ran his race, He always kept the finish line in front of Him. His route was lined with hatred and anger, with rejection and opposition, but He never faltered. In fact, according to Luke 9:51, he “…resolutely set out for Jerusalem” even though He knew where this path would lead Him.

The cross did not happen accidentally to Jesus; He went willingly and joyfully to His death because He knew what it would accomplish. Enemies really didn’t take His life; He gave it. Jude 24 tells us that Jesus is jubilant about presenting us “before his glorious presence without fault…” Jesus had the joy of obeying God in difficult circumstances because He knew He would be raised from the dead, that He would ascend and then be exalted. Whenever we say, like Jesus did, “Not my will but yours be done,” we ultimately will experience joy as well.

Jesus endured the cross, taking the full brunt of pain and agony that came with it. John Piper writes: “No one has ever deserved suffering less, yet received so much…the only person in history who did not deserve to suffer, suffered most…if we had been forced to watch, we probably would have passed out” (“Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ,” pages 73-74). Jesus also scorned the shame, putting up with the slapping, spitting, mockery, abuse, and the shame of public execution, a method reserved for the worst of criminals.

Many of you have watched the Passion of the Christ movie as I have. I don’t think I’ll ever get the scourging scene out of my mind…and I don’t want to either. This past week, one of the guys I’ve witnessed to over the past couple years, told me that his wife watched the DVD and was moved to tears. I encouraged him to watch it as well because it will help him see all that Jesus went through for us. He looked at me and said, “I’ll watch it this weekend.” I can’t wait to talk to him and to find out what impact this will have on his spiritual journey.

4. Christ the Conqueror. Jesus is our Captain, the Completer, and the Crucified. He is also the Conqueror. Look at the last phrase of verse 2: “...and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The tense of the phrase “sat down” is in the perfect tense, meaning He has sat down, and He remains seated. The work is finished. He will never have to arise and repeat redemption. Jesus occupies the position of preeminence at the right hand of the throne of God. He is both ruling and at rest. 1 Peter 3:22 states that Jesus: “has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” Everything is subject to the Savior. The King has been coronated and there is nothing outside of His sweet and sovereign control.

Consider Christ

One of our problems is that we don’t lock our eyes on the Lord like we should. As a result, our circumstances can become overwhelming, we can compare ourselves with others and become intimidated or judgmental, and we can drop out of the race. Based upon the four titles of Jesus that we just looked at, Hebrews 12:3 challenges us to “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” The word “consider” is an accounting term which means to be attentive, to reckon up, and consider by way of comparison. When we’re faced with our own trials, when we contemplate Christ, and concentrate on what He did for us, we know that He suffered opposition way more than we ever have, or ever will.

I pulled out an old book this week written by A.W. Tozer called, “The Knowledge of the Holy” and reread the first chapter. I was struck by the very first sentence: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us (Page 7). What comes to your mind when you gaze on God? I was gripped with God’s glory this week when I read Ezekiel 43:2: “…His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with His glory.” What thoughts do you have when you consider Christ? This passage is telling us that if we focus on Christ as the Captain, the Completer, the Crucified and the Conqueror, we will be able to stay in the race and run it with perseverance. But, if we take our eyes off Christ, we will sink in the waves of discouragement and fear, just like Peter did. Charles Spurgeon once said that “it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.”

Friends, listen carefully. According to this verse, one of the reasons you may be weary and ready to give up is precisely because you have not been considering what Christ went through for you. The phrase, “grow weary and lose heart” was a common expression used of the exhaustion that marathon runners face. Aristotle used these words of runners who relax and want to just collapse. The author of the Book of Hebrews is telling believers that they are still in the race. We are to consider Christ so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. How do you know if you’re still in the race? Is your heart still beating? Then you’re in the race.

Several years ago I ran in my first and only 5K race. I was really eager to do this and arrived early. My adrenalin was sky high. As other runners started showing up, I sized up those around my age and thought I could beat most of them. When the race finally started I took off in a sprint, leaving everyone else behind. But, after about two minutes, I started to slow down and lose ground. I looked around at my competitors as they left me in the dust. And then I looked ahead and saw a huge hill. It felt like I was running in place as others cruised past me. My lungs were burning and my legs felt like rubber. I was weary and wiped out and wanted to drop out. But because I wanted a free T-shirt, I eventually stumbled to the finish line, coming in at the very end of the pack.

I wonder if some of you started out strong spiritually but now you feel tired and tuckered out. It’s time to get back on track. Consider Christ. Set your eyes on Him. Put your hope in the Lord. Focus on the finish. When your attention wanders from His face, draw it back quickly before other things capture your full devotion. If you’re wiped out today, allow Isaiah 40:30-31 to minister to you: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Glance at the grandstands and remember the witnesses who are cheering you on but gaze at the only one who can help you reach the goal. The list of names in Hebrews 11 that begins with Abel reaches a crescendo in chapter 12 with the name of Christ the Captain, Christ the Completer, Christ the Crucified and Christ the Conqueror. He will renew our strength as we consider Him and will carry us when we feel that we can’t go on. If you’re winded and weary, maybe it’s because you’ve taken your eyes off Him…but He will never take His eyes off you.

Spiritual Calisthenics

Let me suggest some spiritual exercises that will help us fix our eyes on Jesus.

In the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, Britain’s Derek Redmon was running the 400 meter semifinals when he tore his hamstring at the beginning of the race and fell face first onto the track. Sports Illustrated recorded the dramatic events: As the medical attendants were approaching, he waved them off as he crawled in utter agony, struggled to his feet and began hopping toward the finish line. Up in the grandstands, a large man wearing a T-shirt, tennis shoes and a Nike cap that said, “Just Do It,” barreled out of the stands, pushed aside a security guard, ran onto the track and embraced Derek. That man was Derek’s dad.

He said to his weeping son: “You don’t have to do this.” His son looked up and said, “Yes I do.” To which his father replied, “Well then, we’re going to finish this together.” He put his arm around his son’s waist and Derek put his arm around his dad’s thick shoulders and neck. They continued down the track side-by-side, the son’s head sometimes buried in his father’s shoulder. The crowd was at first stunned, and then they rose to their feet and howled. Everyone then started weeping as the father helped his child toward the finish line, finally crossing it together (Quoted by Steven Dow, www.sermoncentral.com).

When God the Father saw people in pain, He sent His Son from the grandstand of heaven to help us finish the race. He is not only our example; He is our enabler. You don’t have to make it on your own. In fact, you can’t go the distance in your own strength. Your endurance will fail. Your stamina will stagnate. Consider Christ. Embrace Him and allow Him to carry you to the finish line.

Invitation

Are you ready right now to fix your eyes on Jesus for the first time? It’s time to look to Him for salvation. Focus on Him for forgiveness. Turn to Him for eternal life. And then run the race until He calls you home.

Closing Song: “Run to Testify”

Your love has captured me; through your grace I’m free

And now I see; that you give me the victory

I’m forgiven; my sins have been erased

I have fixed my eyes upon the prize; I will run to win the race

And not grow weary; I run to testify that Christ is Lord