Look to Christ

Welcome brothers and sisters! 

As we look back on Saturday's sermon, we invite you to watch and share with others. We encourage you to always check all things through the lens of scripture, for thru the Lord is the only way to look at the life we have on this earth. We also encourage you to share the Gospel wherever you may be, whether in your own home or out in the public, remember that the Lord will be with you. Below is a review of Hebrews 12:3, and we invite you to contact us about enduring faith and the hardships we face. 

Life is full of challenges and difficulties. Sometimes we may feel overwhelmed by the problems we face, the opposition we encounter, or the pain we suffer. We may be tempted to give up, to lose hope, or to doubt God's love and power. How can we persevere in our faith and overcome these obstacles? How can we find strength and joy in the midst of trials? The answer is found in Hebrews 12:3, a verse that encourages us to look to Jesus as our example and source of endurance.

The author of Hebrews writes: "Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." The word "consider" means to think carefully, to pay attention, or to meditate on something. It implies a deliberate and sustained focus on an object of interest. The object of our consideration is Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who endured such hostility from sinners (such as us) against himself.

What kind of hostility did Jesus endure? He endured rejection, ridicule, slander, betrayal, false accusations, mockery, torture, and crucifixion. He endured the wrath of God for our sins, and He exhausted it! He was tried and tested in every way, yet without sinning. He endured all this for the joy that was set before Him, namely, the glory of God and the salvation of His people.

Why should we consider Him who endured? Because by doing so, we will not grow weary and lose heart. We will not lose our motivation, our courage, or our confidence. We will not succumb to fatigue, despair, or bitterness. We will not give up on our faith, our hope, or our love. We will be inspired by His example, empowered by His grace, and comforted by His presence.

How can we practically consider Him who endured? 

- Read and study the Gospels. The Gospels are the eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. They reveal His character (being both God and the son of man), His teachings, His miracles, His sufferings, and His glory. They show us how He endured hardship He faced. As we read and study the Gospels, we can ask ourselves: What can I learn from Jesus? How can I imitate Him? How can I honor Him?

- Pray and worship. Prayer and worship are ways of communicating with God and expressing our love and gratitude to Him. They are also ways of drawing near to Him and receiving His grace and help in time of need. As we pray and worship, we can thank God for sending His Son to endure the cross for us. We can praise Him for His power and wisdom that raised Him from the dead. We can ask Him for strength and guidance to follow Him faithfully.

- Fellowship and serve. Fellowship and service are ways of relating with other believers and sharing in the mission of God. They are also ways of bearing one another's burdens and stimulating one another to love and good deeds. As we fellowship and serve, we can encourage one another with the truth and hope of the gospel. We can support one another with practical help and prayer. We can remind one another of Jesus' example and promise.

Hebrews 12:3 is a powerful verse that teaches us how to endure hardship with faith. It calls us to consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. It challenges us to look to Jesus as our model and source of endurance. It invites us to read and study the Gospels, to serve, pray, and worship God, to fellowship and serve one another. By doing so, we will be able to run with perseverance the race that is set before us, knowing that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

We love and care for you beloved, and until we meet again...lets go serve our King!

FRF Team

***Updated for 2nd sermon on this section***