Hebrews 12

He didn't give up.

Look with me over in Hebrews 12.

Hebrews 12.

And when you get to Hebrews 12, so it's the New Testament.

Despite what you might think, Hebrews, you think of the Old Testament.

No, Hebrews, New Testament.

Hebrews is one of those transition books.

Hebrews chapter 12 and verse number 2.

When God spoke the Ten Commandments, and Moses chiseled them into the tablets up there on Mount Sinai, when he spoke, the Bible says he spoke so loud, he's up in the mountains, the people down in the valley could hear him.

Hebrews 12 says this, when God spoke from Mount Sinai, his voice shook the earth.

But now he says, God says, I will not only shake the earth, but the heavens too.

Now what's that mean? Well, by this, he means that he will sift out everything without a solid foundation, talking about your life, so that only the unshakable things will be left.

Hebrews chapter 12, verse 1.

Hebrews 12, verse 1, the Bible says, "...therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Usually we stop at verse 2 when we are using Hebrews 12 in sermons or devotionals, but let's continue on to verse 3.

It says, Sin.

In Hebrews 12, Paul is admonishing the believer to wholeheartedly strive against sin.

In fact, the striving is so paramount that Paul tells the believers that in the race of faith to consider Christ, and when they think the battle is getting so hard, remember, you have not strived to bloodshed.

As you are in the battle with sin, it is appropriate to battle with even to the shedding of blood.

He honored the Lord.

He was a leader in the cause of God.

Yes.

You see, in Hebrews 12, it says that without holiness, no man will see God.

You can't.

Follow peace with all men and holiness without which

And then, of course, that just destroys any incentive that they had left to get out and get a job and to be a productive member of society, of the community.

Notice Hebrews 12 and verse 5.

I've mentioned these verses in class recently.

But it says in verse 5, this is God's truth.