Hebrews 12.1-3

Reading from God’s Word:

1 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,Hebrews 12.1

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.Hebrews 12.2

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12.3

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEENJoy

Pleasure

and

Hebrews 12.1-3

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.Galatians 5.22-23

How do we define

joy?

Joy is a wonderful

part of spiritual life.

Is the focus of joy physical happiness?

Our expectations

determine our focus.

Joy and New Testament Christians

43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.Acts 2.43-45

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.Acts 2.46-47

8 So there was much joy in that city.

Acts 8.8

52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13.52

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15.13

What did being a

Christian cost Peter?

What did being a

Christian cost Stephan?

What did being a

Christian cost Paul?

9b I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.2 Corinthians 12.9b-10

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4.4

We must change our

focus.

Seeing the contrast…

The New Testament

concept of joy is based on purpose

in existence.

11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

Romans 6.11-12

Christians are no longer

slaves to the physical.

Our citizenship is

in heaven.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.Philippians 3.20-21

Joy in Hebrews 12.1-

3

1 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,Hebrews 12.1

We need to detangle our self from that which

hampers spiritual progress.

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.Hebrews 12.2

We should never take our eyes off

of Jesus.

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.Hebrews 12.2

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEENJoy

Pleasure

and

Hebrews 12.1-3