How can we overcome weariness and shame? (Hebrews 12:1–13)
Hebrews 11 will be a separate series & book in September.
Hebrews 12:1–13 12 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, 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons [Psalm 3:11-12]? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
#1. Shame: Adam & Eve “without shame” = same spiritual war every generation
- Sin – 2. Defilement “I was naked” 3. Shame 4. Fear 5. Hide/Blame 6. Torment
What is spiritual shame?
Shame is a personal sense of guilt, shame, dishonor, disgrace, embarrassment, and remorse for what you done, and who you are.
- Step 1. Sin – you are sin and/or are sinned against.
- Step 2. Defilement – you experience the filth of sin, wearing it as a deadly identity.
- Step 3: Shame – you are devastated by who you are because of sin.
- Step 4: Fear – you try to control the outcome of your sin, fearful of the consequences.
- Step 5: Hiding – you isolate from God and people so your secret can remain hidden.
- Step 6: Torment – stuck in your shame, you are tormented by the demonic, and respond with pride or perfectionism.
A. Disappear. B. Won’t look eye. C. Body language. D. Overly deferential E. Arrogant
How can we overcome shame?
Hebrews 12:2-3 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. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
- The most shameful thing in the ancient world was being crucified
- Jesus turns shame into honor by using it for God’s glory, & others good
What is soul weariness?
Hebrews 12:3,5 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted...“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him
- Today we might call this “burnout” = fatigue 1 good nights sleep, or 1 off cannot cure
- This world is a war zone we walk through on our way Home.
- We feel the toll – physically, mentally, spiritually, financially, relationally, emotionally.
- You are one person many parts, and the parts affect each other.
- Life is not just time management, but energy management.
- Unusual moodiness – grumpy, angry, weepy
- Overall exhaustion, especially in afternoon
- Self-medicating wake up (caffeine, energy drinks, carbs) & wind down (alcohol, vape, drugs)
- Brain fog and/or disassociation
- Weight change – gain/loss
- Loss hope/joy even w/people you love & love you
- Misc. = headaches, heart trouble, chronic sickness, stomach problems/ulcers
- “Soul Migraine”
How can we overcome soul weariness?
#1. Who can you learn from? Hebrews 12:2 “so great a cloud of witnesses.
- Heb. 11 B. Church history C. Your relationships
#2. What do you need to drop, or stop? Hebrews 12:1, “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
- People: Who needs to have a clarifying conversation, or be cutoff?
- Things: What do you need to take off your plate to make room for new?
- Sin: What sin keeps tripping you up from running your race with endurance?
#3. How can you follow in Jesus’ footsteps? Hebrews 12:2,12-13, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith… Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Founder (Alpha) – He paved the way
Perfecter (Omega)– He was perfect, lives as our Great High Priest to COACH us
- Took a weekly Sabbath
- Took naps (worn out)
- Got solitude (God pours in to you, people take out of you)
Will be times you feel like you are enduring a lot to be in relationship w/Jesus.
In those times, remember all He has endured to be in relationship w/you.
Bad vs Broken. Accept the process to heal what is broken in you!
#4. How much pain will you endure? Hebrews 12:4 “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
- Your influence level is determined by your pain tolerance.
- The most pain you endure. The more influence you have.
=A Psychological Journal = the training is in the trauma. (XN MARTYRS)
Don’t seek pain. Don’t avoid pain. Invest pain from your past to prepare you for ur future
Jesus – endured the most pain, has the most influence.
#5. How is God the Father seeking to create discipline in you? Hebrews 12:5-11 “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
=Generation over mothered, under fathered, pain excuse, live as victim not disciple
- Tough Love Text
- God is a loving Father, not a cruel master.
PAIN: God is not punishing you for your past. God is preparing you for your future
- You cannot be a disciple w/o discipline.
- You can live only for pleasure, or you can live for God. You cannot live for God & pleasure.
= What is the hard thing you need to do?
