26 Heb 12:3-17 Persecution is our Spiritual Workout Plan

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Sermon outline

Do we have the wrong view of suffering? (Romans 5:3-4)

Consider Jesus who endured hostility (Heb 12:3)

1. 1. 1. 1. Carefully reflect upon the life of Jesus
            1. Jesus’ life was surrounded by hostility (Lk 4:28-29, 23:35-39)
            2. Jesus did not shrink back, nor compromise, nor swerve from his goal of living a holy life for God.
            3. This is to be our constant thought and reflection.
         2. We grow strong when we look at Jesus (Heb 12:3)

Pressure tenderizes us to our need for Christ in us (Heb 12:4)

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. We are not talking about individual sin here.
            2. Cultural Resistance is God’s training Ground for our maturing (Heb 12:5-7)
               1. A unique take on Proverbs 3:11-12
            3. If there is no instruction going on, no societal pushback, then maybe you are not actually being shaped by God the author says (Heb 12:8)
            4. God is forming holiness in us through suffering (Heb 12:10)
            5. God is forming righteousness in us through suffering (Heb 12:11)

So what should we do?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Cut a path straight to Jesus (Heb 12:12-13, Isa 35:3-4)
            2. Strive for Peace and Holiness (Heb 12:14)
            3. Watching over each other’s lives (Heb 12:15-17)
               1. Christians focus on Christ will, by extension, be concerned with the body of Christ
               2. Christians seek to help each other forgive
               3. Christians live Holy lives