Love and Discipline
“The Lord disciplines those he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Heb 12:6
*A husband comes home from Church, greets his wife, lifts her up and carries her around the house. The wife is so surprised and excited! She asked with smiles, “Did the Pastor preach on being romantic?” Out of breath the husband replies, “No, he said we must carry our burdens…”
*I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
Hebrews 12:1-13:
An exhortation to constant faith, patience and godliness; A call to manifest the same steady confidence in God and perseverance in their holy walk.
A. The Witnesses – faith heroes of ch. 11; our parents and grand parents in the flesh and in the faith – passing generations
Faith, confidence in God
B. The Way – it is a path with hinderances and sin that entangles
- Hinderances [not necessarily sin]
- Sin that so easily entangles
- Lack of focus
Earthly submission, even with correction – to fathers, lecturers, etc
Encouragement in real circumstances:
- ‘the Lord’s discipline’ on you – God loves you (expand)
- ‘rebukes you’? do not lose heart, God loves you
- ‘punishing you’? do not lose heart, God accepts you, God loves you.
Qt: “I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
“for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” Ex 34:14
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, Deut 7:9, Ex 20:5-6
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Ps 30.5
Patience
A man once had a conversation with God. He asked, "Lord, I have always wondered about time. What is a thousand years like for you?" God answered, "For me a thousand years is like a second."
The man then asked, "What about money? What is a million dollars like for you?" And God answered, "For me a million dollars is like a penny."
The man became eager and said, "Lord, could you give me one of those pennies?" God answered, "No problem, but you will have to wait one second."
Godliness
Thow off the sin that so easily entangles.
C. The Win – the race with a start point, the path, the finish
Jesus our focus: fix our eyes on Jesus the Finish line
- Was loved by God
- Endured the cross But is now exalted on high
- He bore our sin
- Was tempted yet did not sin, even unto death
Higher submission – to God because He not only loves us most, but is the source of true love and Himself is Love.