"The Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith" (Hebrews 12:1-13 & 28-29)

We have been talking about being the sort of church that God can use. We have also talked about the need to fully focus on Jesus if this is to be achieved. Hebrews chapter 12 also addresses these issues, and ultimately can really lift our spirits concerning the Jesus-following life. In verse 1, the “cloud of witnesses” are those faith-filled people who have gone before us, particularly the ancient heroes of faith referred to in the previous chapter of Hebrews (chapter 11). This phrase makes me sense that I’ve become part of such a great heritage of faith, built through those who have followed God’s ways before me. Yet this phrase also brings with it a great sense of challenge … a challenge which is well brought out in the words that follow. Because of the heritage of faith we have joined, we need to do two basic things … whilst looking in one very particular direction.

Firstly, we must “lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely”. The writer goes on to use athletics imagery, so the idea of laying aside weight connects with the runner, who, to cover the total distance required and reach the finishing line, and to obtain the best results, will show determination in doing whatever it takes. This will include the right diet, nutrition, training, equipment, practice, rest, and the removal of anything that would otherwise add a burdensome load or be detrimental.

This crosses to the moral, ethical and spiritual realm when we read about laying aside “sin”, which inhibits our personal growth and disrupts how we interact with each other. How is it that “sin clings so closely”?? It is often hard to dispense with things that bring a degree of pleasure. Also, the sort of “sin” that we see all around is often quite alluring, especially as it is so easily adopted by so many. Yet it needs to be set aside or resisted, for it will no doubt ultimately entangle us and prove destructive. So many believers cannot be recognised as believers because they so much resemble unbelievers!

Following on from laying aside “every weight and sin”, we are told to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us”. The first point to make is that the former statement about laying aside sin makes it much easier to take on the second challenge (in fact it is totally necessary)! For the very need for “perseverance” suggests pre-existing difficulty and trouble. Things don’t often work out the way we want them to, when we want them to. We have to apply patience and courage. And even much more so … for one particular reason!! Can you see it here?? It is because we are in a “race” that is not of our own choosing, but one that is “set before us”. The life of faith is one that is plotted and planned by God! This requires a greater level of perseverance, because the path ahead is not always clear to us. We cannot afford to be hindered in a “race” like this … which has such eternal consequences (R Brown).

Then we have the mention of the direction in which we should be looking. In a word – “Jesus”! This is directing one’s gaze to Jesus, and to no other (D Guthrie)! Looking at two or more directions at once will not do! Such rival attractions to which we could look (but shouldn’t look) can be remarkably distracting. One of these alternative gazes could actually be inward – focussing negatively on our own inhibitions or weaknesses, rather than on the positivity of Jesus. And we have even more than just the name “Jesus”, we also have other descriptions worthy of our attention – like the “pioneer and perfecter of our faith”. Many are happy with Jesus the “pioneer” of our faith … in his gift of grace, forgiveness and salvation on the cross. But others are not so happy with the concept of Jesus the “perfecter” of our faith … because this is ongoing and requires continual adjustment and change.

The “perfecter” of our faith seeks to bring that faith to its intended goal. The passage from verses 4 to 11 talks about the “discipline” required to live the life of faith, and that when necessary God brings “discipline” into our lives (despite our dislike of it) so that we might be better placed to fully embrace faith (and truly be a disciple of Jesus). We should also note that the target of our gaze, Jesus, is also one that we can deeply know in relationship. Our faith is ‘perfected’ as we grow in that relationship with Jesus, and also grow in relationship with those who likewise bear allegiance to him. And it is only as we know and experience the guidance and care of Jesus ourselves, that we are able to help others on a similar journey. As groups of Jesus-followers humbly travel and share together, this can bring great opportunities of support for whole communities.

Let’s look again at verse 2, and consider what it means to say “for the sake of the joy that was set before [Jesus] …”, because this particular “joy” must have been something really significant for Jesus to have disregarded the shame that was attached to the criminal’s death on a cross, plus enduring all the torture and pain. We could say that this was about Jesus’ return to the right hand of God in heaven, but on the other hand this is where he was to begin with. So would this “joy” be more attached to what was achieved through his incarnation, and who Jesus would be taking with him into the presence of God!?! I believe so! This “joy” is in response to the completion of Jesus’ mission and salvation of the lost. This “joy” of Jesus could also relate to being able to call others (his disciples) into this mission of bringing salvation.

Returning to “perseverance” (to ‘staying strong’), verses 3 & 4 reflect on the greatest example to us in this matter. “The cross was the unavoidable cost of the mission of God” (CJH Wright); and anyone who becomes involved in God’s mission will likely also face hostility and opposition. Our reading reminds us that, despite all that was thrown at him, Jesus endured and completed God’s will for his life. This is what we have to keep in mind to avoid growing weary and losing heart, for there is a human tendency to gradually slacken in resolve. As we have said, the corrective for this tendency, is “an ever-deepening attention to the glorious object of Christian faith – Jesus himself” (Guthrie). The tragedy of the cross, and also of our own suffering, can lead to the triumph of resurrection and new possibilities. And Jesus is not only an example here, but the one through which we gain the resource of strength to push on through difficulty. This should be found to be of great encouragement – i.e. giving courage to us!

Of course, a major reason for pushing on, is the universality of Jesus’ work of grace, i.e. there are so many people who are yet to receive this gift. Verse 12 picks up this theme with the images of lifting “drooping hands” and strengthening “weak knees” in the face of discouragement and despair. And then follows: “make straight paths for your feet” – for curvy or uneven paths may mean we will topple over! To keep on a “straight” path is not only for our sakes, and the ‘perfection’ of our particular faith, but also for the benefit, safety and healing of the “lame” around us. What is translated “be put out of joint” could be rendered “be dis-located”. There is a real sense of loss in this idea, geographically speaking, of being “dis-located”. So the point is for us to be watching our point of influence, and, especially with the ‘weak’ in mind, that we don’t cause anyone to stumble or get lost.

I’m going to jump across to the concluding verses of Hebrews 12 (28-29), which reflect on the strength of the kingdom of God that has been built on the active faith of so many of our forebears who have listened to God and followed Jesus as their Lord. Whereas our lives and even our faith can take a few hits from time to time, the kingdom we have attached ourselves to is more solid than anything built of even brick or concrete – for it is the kingdom built on the foundation of Jesus. Let us involve ourselves in awe-struck worship, in reverent service, and in faithful thanksgiving; for God has not let the world simply sink in its sinfulness, but has come with redeeming, refining and restoring grace. The writer of Hebrews quotes from the concept of God as a “consuming fire” from Moses (Deuteronomy 4:24), speaking of God’s all-consuming love for his people that passionately seeks faithfulness and worship in return.

The Church that Jesus builds (Matthew 16:13-20)

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it (verse 18).

Following Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, the church would emerge as the gathering point for those who came to follow Jesus. The church would be the central reference point in disciples of Jesus sharing their faith with the world. Jesus forecast this very outcome to his disciples during his earthly ministry. It would be Jesus that built the church, and the church would belong to Jesus – I will build my church!

Yet we are immediately caused to think of the times when the church looks anything but the church that belongs to Jesus! So it is that the church needs to return to this foundation statement (Matthew 16:18) … when churches are being planted, and when churches are being refreshed and refocussed … the church should be a gathering and bonding of people around the person of Jesus. This is not just around the salvation Jesus brings, but also around all of who Jesus was and is! Thus the church built by Jesus will actively express Jesus’ attitudes of compassion, forgiveness and love.

Jesus builds the church on the basis (or on the foundation) of a confession of faith. The “rock” that Jesus builds upon is Peter’s confession of faith that we read in verse 16 – Peter says to Jesus: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This confession of Peter was the ‘spark’ – the first ‘leap of faith’; and it is those who can repeat these words for themselves that are built into the church. The “Messiah” or “Christ” is the “Anointed One” … the One anointed by God to bring salvation into the world – to bring to fruition the covenant promises made to Abraham so long ago. And Jesus was not only a human being that the people of the time could see, hear and touch, but was also God incarnate – part of the Holy Trinity (the community of God). If we can believe and declare these things just like Peter did, then we can be built into the church by Jesus.

We go on to read that Jesus builds the church in a way that it cannot be destroyed … not by the “gates of Hades” anyway. Of course this applies to the church built upon the confession of Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God, not the “church” built otherwise! So this is not a carte blanche guarantee, but depends upon the quality of the foundation that is utilised. Thus it is still possible for churches to collapse that have not been properly established and grown; but this will not happen if Jesus is central and holding the whole ‘body’ together.

The “gates of Hades” refers to the entrance to the realm of death. But this cannot be a threat to the church because Jesus has dealt with death – members of the church of Jesus will share in Christ’s victorious resurrection. Not only this, but also the “gates of death” will be open to the church so that the spiritually dead may be approached and find new life. It may mean even more than this … for the “gates” of a town were often the place where decision-making councils would meet, coming up with their local laws. So we might paraphrase this to say that: ‘deathly civic decisions (or the worst of humanity’s plans) will not prevail against the church’. Thus, even when Christians are martyred the church will move forward.

The church should be a credible, purposeful and hopeful alternative to non-believing assemblies across society. The church should shine with light and joy because of the One who continually is present within, leading through His Spirit. The church lacks nothing in being able to achieve God’s commission of making more disciples. The only thing that could ever get in the way is we ourselves, and our own propensity to get distracted and diverted from Jesus.

Church and Spirit - encouragement for church planters (Revelation 3:7-13)

In preparation for this discussion we should read Revelation chapter 3 verses 7 to 13. This is a passage that I have recently found encouraging in regard to our church planting efforts. Five of the seven letters to churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 have a strong critique and some pretty negative feedback to offer. The most famous critique is contained in the letter to Laodicea (3:15-16): “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth”. The Baptist Union of Victoria recently asked churches to have a look at these seven letters … to see if ‘any of the caps fitted’. So I reviewed these letters a bit, and was taken afresh by the phrase that is part of each of the seven – “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (e.g. 3:13). This stresses the continuous activity of the Holy Spirit, and certainly is a call to attention (Leon Morris)! Listening to “what the Spirit is saying” is clearly something we must always be doing, especially given that it is so easy to just settle into a comfortable pattern. Sometimes we need to be listening well, so that we are corrected, disciplined, and saved from error. Other times, it will be far more subtle than this, where we are just missing the most pressing priorities.

Then there are the further two of the seven letters that carry a far more positive assessment of those particular church groups. There are warm commendations to be found in them; and we should find these encouraging where the ‘cap fits well’. Yet, these two letters are not just warm and fuzzy, for they still contain strong admonitions regarding how to stay on track and move steadily under the leading of the Holy Spirit. We have read together the sixth letter, and obviously one of the two positive ones, the one to the church in the important ancient city of Philadelphia. What can we see here of relevance to us?? The Book of Revelation was sent around as a whole, so all the churches specifically addressed in chapters 2-3 had the opportunity of checking out the messages to the others mentioned as well. Then all the churches down through the centuries have had the same opportunity.

The message, although coming through the human servant John, is voiced as if it is Jesus himself speaking to us. To anyone who would doubt the centrality of Jesus, look at how he is described in verse 7! Jesus is the one who has the key to God’s kingdom – he is the gatekeeper. Jesus opens a gate that no one else can shut. Jesus can also shut a gate that no one else can open. Thus if you shut Jesus out, where else is there to go to gain admittance. Having said this, we should quickly note, that these remarks are made to those inside the church … those you would have thought would never have needed to have had such things said to them. But then, how often does Jesus in effect get shut out of the church!?! How does the modern church deal with a variety of external pressures? The church in ancient Philadelphia firstly had to deal with the tension of being in an earthquake zone, having had their whole city destroyed earlier in the first century. And secondly, as we read in verse 9, they had to face off with a strong group with very opposing views, who were persecuting and seeking to divide this church community. How does one cope with this?

Let’s look at verse 9 specifically. In the first century of the church, there was those Jews who were ardently claiming and seeking to retain God’s covenant within their own exclusive grasp. They had hoped that Jesus’ crucifixion would have completely killed Jesus off. They were now being hostile toward and persecuting all those Jews and Gentiles who were continuing to follow Jesus late in the first century. They had failed to realise and/or accept that God’s plans had always embraced all nations, and that God had now advanced his covenant to encompass all the peoples of the world through Jesus … “the holy one”, “the true one”, the Messiah who had come from the line of David. Such Jews, while claiming to be the true keepers of God’s covenant were actually described here (and earlier at 2:9) as “the synagogue of Satan” (verse 9), because they actually in reality opposed God’s plans (opposing the inclusion of Samaritans and Gentiles, and refusing to accept Jesus as Messiah).

Others, as we know from Paul’s letters, although being attracted to Christianity, showed a preference for their traditional culture ahead of their allegiance to the ways of Jesus. A modern day equivalent of this could be the person who is zealously nationalistic and tries to squeeze ‘their’ Jesus into this mould. Perhaps over the centuries we have seen members of the church prefer the culture and norms of the world over the counter-cultural ways of Jesus. The quest for material possessions tends to provide a major diversion, and the seeking after power ultimately corrupts. May we never oppose God’s plans (and come under such a critique)!! Those who are part of God’s covenant prove this is so through fulfilling their side of the relationship, and this is by seeing that their actions conform to God’s ways and plans.

The members of the church in ancient Philadelphia would have to resist all the opposition and persecution that was thrown at them, and do what??? Verse 11 tells them to “hold fast to what you have”, which would be referring to their faith and their various active responses to God. But perhaps the way forward is more clearly seen in verse 8: keeping the word of Jesus and not denying Jesus’ name! This would in effect mean staying true to Jesus – following what he taught, emulating how he lived, pointing towards what he achieved. The Book of the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ (which many think should have been called the ‘Acts of the Holy Spirit’) shows the many ways the church was a good witness (and had major success) because of the way they followed Jesus through everyday life – in their sharing, and in their caring, and in their ability to adjust to the concept of a worldwide mission.

The church in Philadelphia had been able to do this too, even though they were described as having “but little power”, and were thus commended. Jesus understands and praises them for what they have been able to do, rather than admonish this church for what they have been unable to accomplish as yet (this thought gained from Larry Richards). The commendation comes because their focus has been right. Now I think we can relate to this … having “but little power”! But there is more than this in verse 8 (my new most favourite verse) … “I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut”. What does this refer to??? On a personal level … this is our entry into ‘eternal life’. On a larger level … this is our invitation into mission! This is a mission so open, that if it is done in the name of Jesus, it cannot be shut off!!

Because of their adherence to the name of Jesus, and because they endured patiently, the members of the church in ancient Philadelphia would be preserved through any trials that come (the “I will keep you” of verse 10). We might just sense that Jesus will also actively nullify some of the opposition. They will also be vindicated in the face of their opponents and oppressors (refer back to verse 9b). What a beautiful endorsement of faith is the phrase, “… and they will learn that I have loved you”. And such faith, that conquers all the comings and goings of life on earth, will be a monument to the name of God for all generations to come (v.12) – a ‘big result’ for a church with “but little power”! Such a church will be known as a ‘community of overcomers’ (Robert W. Wall).

So with all this hanging on it, we should certainly be listening to “what the Spirit is saying to the churches”. What the Spirit says are the words of Jesus to us. The Spirit will point toward the particular approaches that will be of particular relevance to the particular circumstances a particular church group will find themselves in. This will answer the question: how can we best and most effectively reflect and offer the person of Jesus to those around us and in our local community. So what about what might seem to us an interminable delay before growth occurs?!? What’s the hold-up? Well, we might rightly ask ourselves what we might still have to learn? But let me also quote helpful words from Malcolm McLeod who recruits and trains church planters:

You can pray in perfect harmony with [God’s] will but [God] is The Lord of timing. I know plenty of Church planters who stepped out in [God’s] Will only to be bewildered by a lack of souls saved and little growth. Each Sunday they would wait on God for His Word only to find precious few to hear what is clearly a Word in season. Why does God at times make His will so clear but seemingly withhold His miracles. The answer is simply ... timing.

Malcolm goes on to speak about what he has learned through personal experience:

The God of time said stop looking at your watch and start looking to Me. Stop asking "why" and start asking "what". I've stopped using the expression 11th hour and 59th minute because I clearly have no clue what time it is in heaven. Clearly a different time zone to anything I can ever understand. All I know is this. Do everything out of response to [God’s] will in your life. Obey Him with absolute resolve. Stop asking “why” and start asking Him “what”. What should I do, who should I speak with. Faith is a doing word. Look at the book of Acts. It is a book of ACTS! Planting Churches is exciting and at times down right frustrating ... BUT ... "In due time you will reap if you do not grow weary" (Galatians 6:9).