Looking to Jesus

Hebrews 12:1–2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV)                      

The race of faith has been marked out for us and it is set before us. We are surrounded by so great cloud of witnesses - true Christians who have faithfully persevered to the end. We are called upon to lay aside every weight and all encumbrances with the help of the Holy Spirit. We are to lay aside every besetting sin, any sin that clings so closely, mortifying them all. We are to run with endurance, perseverance and patience to the end. But where is our hope? What is our price? Where should we be looking as we run this race of faith? We are to be looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. 

The duty of running the race of faith is impossible if we do not fix our eyes on Christ. Therefore, the exhortation today is for you to look to Christ. But the two importation questions are, ‘Why and how should we look to Jesus?’

1.    Why Should We be Looking to Jesus in the Race of Faith?

“Looking to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”(v.2)

How may you do such an incredible duty? The Lord does not tell us to look to the cloud of witnesses, rather we are instructed to look to Jesus Christ. He is our great example. He has gone before us. He is worthy because of His glorious victory. Why should we look to Jesus?

a)    Because He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

i)               The Author of our Faith

Christ is more than our example. He is the Author, meaning the Founder or the Initiator of our Faith. He began our salvation in the eternity past. We know that God decreed in Himself, from all eternity, freely and unchangeably to save his elect from their sin and misery to bring them into a state of salvation through the Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Confession of faith states this so powerfully:

By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of His glorious grace…

Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere grace and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto.  (1689 LBCF Chapter 3 Para. 3 &5)

There is no doubt that Christ is the Author of our faith and we should rest in Him and submit to Him. You who is unsaved… you do not believe in Christ and therefore you are a non-believer. Remember that it is Christ who begins this faith in a sinner. It is Christ who can initiate faith in your heart today. It is only the divine, gracious hand of Christ that authors true faith. Men try to work faith in others and assure them of this faith through the so called sinners’ prayer but the truth is, only the faith that is began by Christ is the true faith.

ii)             The Perfecter of our Faith

Christ is the Perfecter of our faith. He accomplished our salvation in the fullness of time. He will soon come for us and bring us home into our glorious abode.  He continues this faith in us and enables us to follow Him since He gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell in everyone whom He has saved. The work of sanctification takes place where the work of justification has already began by Christ. The Holy Spirit depends on the work of Christ for us to be what we should be – meet for glory. Christ is indeed the Founder and the Perfecter and the Finisher of our faith.

b)    Because of how He ran the race

Christ ran the race that was set before him successfully, victoriously and he triumphed so remarkably and so we should be looking to him. How did Christ ran the race? We are told that he himself likewise partook of the same things… He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people… He was tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 2:14,17; 4:15)

If Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith ran the race, shall we not do the same? If our Master went this way, shall we go a different way? Can a disciple be greater than his teacher? A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. (Matt. 10:24).

c)     Because of His endurance of the cross

We are told that Christ endured the cross. We are told how he humbled himself to the point of a servant, and to death, even death on a cross. He did not flinch in fear but He endured the cross of Calvary in great patience. Therefore, the manner in which Christ ran the race was by the way of endurance.

What was the trophy He sought? What was the joy that was set before Him motivating this great endurance? It was the glory of the Father. It was the salvation of his elect. It was to gather those whom God gave him. It was to bring his flock together to be under one Shepherd, the good Shepherd. It was to defeat Satan. To conquer death and hell and to bring many sons to glory.

For the joy that was set before Him, that is, the satisfaction of divine justice, the reconciliation of God to His people, the salvation of his people, to defeat death, to bring his own to glory, the Lord endured the cross. His endurance on earth was great, but his endurance on the cross, being separated from God was even greater.

And why did He endure the cross? He took the place of sinners as the perfect substitute. The cross which he took was in order to die the death of his elect. He died their death and paid the penalty due to us for our sins. He bought their souls from death and hell. In so doing, the Lord despised the shame of the cross.

d)    Because of His Victory

He despised the shame. What does it mean that Christ despised the shame? It means that the Lord was above reproach. He was the innocent sufferer. He suffered, leaving an example for us, so that we may follow in his steps.  He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. And this has implications for every one of us. Why did Christ bear our sins on the tree? It is so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

In his victory, the Lord made us alive, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. He set these legal demands aside by nailing it on the cross, paying the penalty due to us for our sins. He disarmed all the rules and authorities, and He put them to open shame, by triumphing over them.

e)     Because of His position

He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God means that God has highly exalted him and given Him a name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. He has a new position as a result of his great victory.

Christ has been elevated to be both the Judge and the King of kings. He now rules the world with truth and grace. The sceptre of his kingdom is the sceptre of righteousness. It is clear that God says regarding Christ that, “Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of your kingdom.”(Heb. 1:8)

Look to Jesus because He is able to save you. Look to him because he is the only Founder and Finisher of our faith. Look to Jesus because He successfully ran the race and endured the cross and achieved and accomplished salvation. Look to Him without any more delay.

2.    How May we Look to Jesus?

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted (v.3)

What does it mean, looking to Jesus? It is to consider him - his person, his work and his position. It is to know Him – that He is God-man in one person. It is to know that nothing can go wrong when under his tender care. It is to consider him and his work of redemption. It is to realize that all our hope is pegged on the one who is the only redeemer of God’s elect.

a)    Consider Christ’s own endurance to hostility

We are told here that Christ endured from sinners such hostility and opposition against himself. He was made an object of scorn and ridicule and this, not by righteous people, not by angels such as seraphim, but by sinful men. Such as he would have reduced to nothing by the breath of his mouth, if he so desired. But he endured all such scorn for us and so should we endure all things for Him. Therefore, we must not grow weary of running the race he has marked out for us. We must not be faint-hearted even when we face the worst form of persecutions, or ridicule or scorn. We must not be weary every when we are despised and rejected, for our Saviour went through it all and this for us.

Since Jesus was made like his brethren in every respect and because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Depend on his strength when the Tempter seems like he will prevail for he will hold you fine. We are to depend on him who is the sinless one. We are to trust him to deliver us from the wrath of God for he is the Son of God. We are to rely on his strength for he is the captain of our salvation. We are to go to him when we are heavy laden – he will give us rest. He is our all in all.

The Lord was despised and rejected by the very sinners He came to save. He was scorned by the ones He came to save. He was mocked and pierced but then He came into the world to save sinners even the foremost!

The Lord God is so gracious, he gave such men of faith as Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, etc. But he has given us His own dear Son to be the best, the greatest and highest example in order to encourage us to persevere in the faith. How can we not give our best? Our best of endurance, perseverance and patience must be displayed in order that Christ’s work in us may be magnified and God glorified in our mortal bodies.

Look to Christ today and you will know the joy that was set before Christ when he endured the cross. Bear your own cross and so be his disciple. We must not be weary of following Christ – he is our hope.

b)    By not Growing Weary or Faint-hearted.

The Bible simply says, “Consider him who endured… so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted.”

You must not grow weary of running this race. My job is to couch and train you to run with perseverance by pointing you to Christ, by explaining his royal promises, by equipping you with the necessary skills and tools for long distance running. It is by holding you up and by encouraging and urging you on. Please be willing to listen to this Word for as long as you live. Do not be right in your own eyes. When admonition is brought to you, be patient to listen and to receive it with thanksgiving.

There is a great possibility of being faint-hearted because of the hostility and opposition against sin. The world, the flesh and Satan are constantly seeking a child of Zion to trap into their vanity for to the ruin of their souls. Unless you are constantly vigilant, you will find this race of faith too much. Unless you watch and pray you are likely to fall into various kinds of temptations. Unless you will look to Christ, the journey will be too long. It is undoubtedly long, but it is also very perilous and you will need to be far more careful than you have been. While it is my responsibility to equip you, to urge you and to encourage you, to rebuke and exhort you, yet it is your own race – you have to run!

The world tries to attract you to its vanity by the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of possessions and then you lose your focus on Christ. You begin thinking, if only I had a higher salary, or had more money. Then you begin compromising on basic Christian principles like speaking the truth at all times, or faithful stewardship of responsibilities and resources. Look at how you live your life at home, and at your place of work and find out whether you have already be trapped by these vain desires of the flesh and of the eyes and pride in possessions. Worldliness knocks your door every day – how many times do you let it into your heart, house or into your perspectives?

The force of your flesh’s grip on your soul must not be ignored. Make very sincere and candid evaluations: Why do I live in the house that I live in? Why do I spend so much on clothes or why do I have to buy a second car or take my children to the schools that I want to take them? Assess the motive of every decision you make. By asking if you are looking to Christ, if you are walking by faith or by sight, if you are walking through the doors of providence that God has opened for you, or you are simply trusting in your arm of flesh. The flesh plays a big role in bringing many saints to spiritual paralysis, and possibly even shipwreck. Remember before you were saved you lived in the passions of your flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind. But now that you have been saved, you have to put to death all the passions of the flesh and the old self with its practices and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge and image of its creator.

Satan tempts you with the forbidden fruit and helps you to shut your eyes to the blessings that God has already given you in Christ. Satan knows how to scheme and to lay his traps with luring bits. But you have to be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might and put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against these schemes of the devil. Keep alert with all perseverance, making supplications and prayer. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Sometimes the devil tempts you to doubt and despair. But, upward, should you look and see Him there, who ever lived and died for all your sins. Because the sinless Saviour died, your sinful soul is counted free for God the just is satisfied, to look on him and pardon you.

Now dear brethren, let us look to Christ. Stop doubting his goodness. Cast yourself on his bosom. Depend on Him without anymore delay.

 

 

The Grace of Giving

1.    THE ESSENTIALS OF GIVING

1 Corinthians 16:1–4

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. (ESV)

How is it that the Apostle Paul finds no difficulty in moving from the theological heights of chapter 15 to the practical depths of chapter 16? So Paul is saying a shared resurrection life in Christ is a serving life.

In other words the Lord gave Himself in death and resurrection, not in order to save us from sacrifice, but rather to show us, to teach us, how to give ourselves and our substance in continual sacrifice. The occasion of this instruction in stewardship was a crisis in the church at Jerusalem. Probably because of the persecution and opposition, many believers suffered the despoiling of their goods and some even the loss of their lives. Paul then takes on the duty of raising financial assistance for such poverty-stricken saints in the mother church. Enshrined in this teaching, however, are principles that will abide for all time. We do well, therefore to consider what embodies giving in 3 aspects.

 

1)    The Purposeful Regularity of Giving to God (v.2)

·      The establishment of a holy habit – 1^st day of every week

In God’s wise economy this establishment is to be a remedy for our weakness of indiscipline, irregularity and indifference in our acts of worship.

·      The encouragement of the high honour of giving - so that there will be no collecting when I come.

All giving to God should be a matter of theological conviction that leads to practical expression. Too often, this holy habit has been dishonoured by using carnal pressures to extract money from un-instructed and undisciplined Christians. The Apostle Paul insists that giving is not only a habit but a high honour to participate in giving towards the work of God. As a matter of fact giving is an indication that God the Giver is still enthroned in the life of the giving believer.

    And so he wants collections to be made before his arrival in Corinth.

    The generosity of the Corinthians was not to depend upon his presence.

    This is so far removed from the general practice in churches today.

    The adds up to point towards thoughtful secret giving.

With shame we have to confess that so often, certain preachers are asked to occupy pulpits because it is known that their presence will insure a good offering. This is unscriptural and hence unspiritual.

2)    The Personal Responsibility of Giving to God

·      The inclusion – each of you

No one in membership is excluded including the pastors! The words are specific and the application is inescapable for all with not exception. Old and young, rich and poor, must all be involved in this matter of Christian stewardship. Our Lord received the widow’s mite so that no one would be too poor to give and He also received the wealth of Barnabas so that no one could be too rich to sacrifice for God. God has no favourites. He wants to bless all His children. He expects everyone to give.

·      The direction – to put something aside and store it up

In various translations it would read, lay aside or save or form a little hoard. This laying aside is an activity of stewardship which takes place before the money is brought to the central treasury of the church. As a church we discuss with those joining the church, at the point of admission into the membership the responsibility that they have before God and before the church to faithfully give, rather than berating them every Sunday. When a young person in the church lands a new job, discuss with them about their new income because it has spiritual implications. Counsel the couples getting married to think of what to give to the Lord together before they get married.

Setting aside money beforehand involves thought, time and planning in the whole matter of giving. It puts to shame the present day procedure of so many who come to worship without the preparation or consecration of their gifts. This obviates any hastiness or untidiness in the whole area of giving. It is thus clear that all giving represents personal responsibility to God. No one is excluded and no one can act without thoughtfulness and deliberateness.

 

3)    The Practical Reciprocity of Giving to God

Reciprocity involves taking and giving. It is a co-operation – an exchange – and Paul here is teaching that we cannot always be taking without giving. If we are reasonable and responsive we are bound to reciprocate in some measure to what God  so bountifully lavishes upon us.

·      The consideration of what we receive of God – put something aside and store it up

Is the prospering of God limited to the material gains of our daily work? No – it involves all divine favours and benefits, spiritual and physical, it incorporates all the riches of the grace of God. “He blesses us with all spiritual blessings….in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3. Physically he prospers us with health and strength - “…for in Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28. Temporarily, He continually, “loads us with benefits.” Psalm 68:19

God supplies us with that by which we may live our normal lives – the time, talents, tools and strength for our toil. These are all His giving and we need to remember this when we face up to our responsibilities of giving to God. Indeed, all giving reflects the measure of our appreciation of God’s prospering hand upon us.

·      The calculation of what we return to God – as he may prosper

Paul does not state the exact amount or percentage that we are to give to God, but leaves the matter open to the practical reasonableness of every taught and yielded believer to work out, just as the Lord has not given us the number of times we are to pray in a day. Instructed Christians in the apostle’s day would know that under the law, the Jew was bound to give one-tenth of his income to God. Then of course, there were free-will offerings, trespass offerings and costly journeys to the temple etc. It has been estimated that the aggregate of religious gifts among the Jews in the OT could not have been less than 20% of each man’s income and possibly one third! This is something to seriously bear in mind when we talk so zealously about tithing, bearing in mind that New Covenant Christians are far more blessed and privileged than the OT believers. Every privilege has a corresponding responsibility.

The collection for what Paul was asking was something over and above the normal giving of the church at Corinth. This was an extra collection.  The point is that OT saints, under the law, could give gifts of this kind, can we under grace, give God any less? The NT then leaves this matter open for us to act in proportion to the prospering of God. Believers owe everything to God – this is the basis of Christian stewardship. If there is genuine consideration there will be a generous calculation of what we are to keep from God, the Giver. In giving we are not doing God a favour, we are signing the fact that His gifts and blessings to us have not taken over His throne.

This giving will cost because the cross inspires it and the church requires it.

Note: Accreditation by letter of those to carry the gift is necessary and is to be done by the church

 

2.    THE EXAMPLE OF GIVING - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Notice Paul’s high conception of giving – to him, giving is a grace: a ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is wrought in in the heart and outworked in practical expression.  The Apostle brings forth the fact that even though the Corinthians abounded in such gifts as, “in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness,” they lacked in the grace of giving. So Paul confronts them with two examples of giving to get in them into this responsibility of Christian stewardship.

1)    The Example of Human Giving (vv.1-8)

·      It was Sacrificial Giving (vv.1-2)

Paul clearly shows that it was not in circumstances of prosperity that the saints in Macedonia gave their liberal offering. Some severe test of affliction had come upon these local churches and they had reduced to what is described here as, “extreme poverty.” Thankfully, this giving in poverty demonstrates a wealth of generosity that is informed by the riches of God (they considered it a favour!), So that they begged to give more, (usually people beg to receive!) Therefore, they gave according to their means, and beyond their means! But in all their affliction they dug deeper into their pockets and overflowed in joy and generosity. This was true sacrifice – one that can only be learnt from the matchless Saviour – “who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame.”

·      It was Spontaneous Giving (vv.3-4)

This grace does not need an outward compulsion, for they gave ‘of their own accord’ (v.3). Paul even admits that they had no authority to demand gifts from the Corinthian saints, but he would certainly give them an opportunity to “prove the sincerity (or genuineness) of (their) love.”(v.8). Further, they took initiative in begging / beseeching Paul “earnestly” that he would receive their gifts as a token of their fellowship with the Saints in Jerusalem. Spontaneous giving is not careless giving. Rather it is prompted by the Holy Spirit and guided by the Word of God.

·      It was Spiritual Giving (v.5)

Their giving was an outward expression of the state of their hearts. If one is owned by God, it will not be difficult to give utter dedication to God. The crowning point of their generousity was their complete self-surrender. they gave themselves FIRST to the Lord.]

Is there a kind of giving that is unspiritual?

Unspiritual giving is one that contradicts God’s word. For example, it may have ulterior motives. One form of such a motive is:

    Drawing attention to one’s self which would obviously contradict God’s word Spiritual giving must be Secret Giving (Matthew 6:3-4)

    Bringing offerings to God reluctantly or under compulsion. This would be contrary to the injunction that we give with purpose of heart. 2 Corinthians 9:7

    Attempting to buy-off one’s indebtedness to God.  The construction of verse 5 shows that the giving of themselves to the Lord and the apostles was a greater act of commitment.

This means that before their generous giving, these people had dedicated themselves to the Lord, and then placed themselves unreservedly in the hands of the apostle’s for the service of Christ, and provided support for the saints in Jerusalem. This is spiritual giving.

2)    The Example of Divine Giving (v.9)

·      Christ’s Giving Was Sacrificial - Luke 2:7; Matt 8:20; Matt 27:59-60

·      Christ’s Giving Was Spontaneous – Romans 10:6-7;

·      Christ’s Giving Was Spiritual

3.    THE ETHICS IN GIVING - 2 Corinthians 8:10-9:5

Why ethics in giving? 1 Timothy 6:9-10

1)    There is Integrity in Giving – 2 Corinthians 8:10-11

·      Honesty in keeping our trust with God

·      Honesty in keeping our time with God

2      Corinthians 8:10

2)    There is Ability in Giving – 2 Corinthians 8:12

·      Intent in the Ability of Giving

·      Extent in the Ability of Giving

·      There is Equality in Giving

 

3)    There is Motivation for Efficient Management – 2 Cor. 8:20-21

·      The glory of God

·      The good of man

Paul shows that it is important that contributions made by church members should be handled with scrupulous care so that neither the leader nor his associates would be liable for the slightest suspicion of misappropriating other people’s money.

4)    The Administration of Gifts – 2 Corinthians 8:20, 1 Cor. 16:3-4.

·      The engagement of efficient men - 2 Corinthians 8:16-23, 2 Corinthians 12:14

·      The employment of effective methods

What methods did Paul employ in managing the whole issue of giving?

§  Biblical indoctrination

§  Pastoral communication

§  Official administration.

The deacons have a specific mandate from God to administer the resources of the church, while pastors are to shepherd the souls and exercise oversight in the management of resources.

 

4.    THE ENRICHMENT OF GIVING  

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

1)    The Enrichment of Fruitfulness in Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:6

2)    The Enrichment of Joyfulness in Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:7

·      Without Casualness

·      Without Complaint

·      Without Compulsion

3)    The Enrichment of Usefulness in Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:8-10

·      He meets our personal requirements (vv.8-9)

(see. 1 Kings 17; Ps 37:25; Luke 22:35; Philippians 4:19)

·      He multiplies our actual resources (v.10)

The enrichment here is for greater usefulness (Proverbs 11:24-25)

·      He multiplies our spiritual resourcefulness (v.10)

 

4)    The Enrichment of Thankfulness in Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:11-15

·      Satisfies the soul (V11)

·      Edifies the church (V12-14)

·      Magnifies the Lord (V15)

Conclusion:

Pastors have a divine duty and mandate to be faithful stewards in the resource mobilization and management in the church of Christ, which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers (Acts 20:28).  The Bible is the basic tool for both mobilization and management. The gauge that this is being done in a healthy way is the willingness and eagerness by the pastors to be transparent and be accountable to the church.

Credit: Eric Abwao's contribution on this subject has been invaluable.