## The Importance of Faithfulness

## Hebrews 12:1-3

Recently in the news I have been hearing a lot about the 'legacy' of President Clinton. I looked up the word so I would have a better understanding of what they were talking about. It is simply talking about what is left behind for those who come afterwards. Regardless of what we may think of President Clinton, I believe that he is right in being concerned about that. As all of us should be! What will we leave behind for those who come after us? When Dad died it was my task, as executor of his estate, to prepare his possessions and personal items for the estate sale. Pat and I literally sifted through thousands of items that he and my mom had attained in his nearly 70 years on this earth. But it wasn't those items that made up his legacy. It was what he taught me, and demonstrated before me as he lived a life of integrity as my father. This morning I would like for us to look at a challenge from God's Word concerning our legacy. What we will leave behind to those who will come after us.

The epistle of Hebrews was written to a group of believers that were considering giving up on the Christian life. They had suffered great persecution and were ready to quit, but the writer seeks to encourage them to be faithful.

I. The Legacy Of Others

A. The Hebrew Christians. (Heb. 10:31-37)

1. The Hebrew Christians had at one time lived lives that were characterized by patience or perseverance.

2. But something had happened to dull the edge of their devotion and determination.

3. The connection between the tenth and eleventh chapters is this: in contrast to their present lifestyle, the true character of the Hebrews is that they are men of faith.

B. The examples of faithfulness. (Heb. 11:7)

1. Noah: patiently prepared the ark believing God. v7

2. Abraham: pressed on looking for the city of God. v9-10

3. Moses - endured because he saw Him who is invisible. v27

C. The Challenge.

1. With this great cloud of witnesses who had been faithful looking on we are challenged to run the race with patience.

2. These witnesses are urging us to be faithful, and not to give up!

3. Why is this important? Because others are depending upon our faithfulness.

4. There are actually two groups of witnesses: those who have gone on before, and those who are coming behind us.

II. Hindrances To Our Faithfulness.

A. Indwelling sin.

1. "...the sin that so easily beset us..."

2. The word 'beset' means entangles.

3. All sin entangles us and hinders our running.

4. Therefore, it must be put away, not hid away!

5. God's method of dealing with sin is not difficult to understand.

a. Confession: acknowledge our sin

b. Repentance: change the way we think

c. Forgiveness: cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ

(1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

6. If we struggle with faithfulness, we need to face up to the reality that it may be sin that is hindering us from running the race effectively.

B. Sluggishness. cf Heb. 12: 3-4

1. They had been running a good race but they discovered that the race wasn't nearly over and there were many miles yet to go.

2. As a result they began to be discouraged and slowed.

3. Two forms of sluggishness are noted:

a. Growing weary: they looked at the obstacles rather than the finish line.

b. Losing heart: they lost their desire to finish the race.

(2 Th 3:13) "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."

4. We cannot give up…too much is at stake!

5. Example of Caleb: He never lost heart for what God had called him to do…even at 85 years old, he was ready to do battle.

6. Let's not allow ourselves to become sluggish when it comes to our service to God.

C. Chastisement. cf Heb. 12:5-11

1. A misunderstanding of God's chastising hand can cause us to give up.

2. The natural reaction - motivated by the flesh - is seen in our children.

a. How many times has a little one cried out, "You don't love me!"

b. Or along the same lines, "I don't love you anymore!"

c. Many times Christians react in a similar manner toward God.

3. The proper reaction should be to realize that God has our best interest at heart.

4. To accept it as correction from a loving Father whose desire is that we become more like Him.

III. What Will Keep Us Faithful?

A. An understanding of the Christian life.

1. The race we are to run is marked out for us in the Word of God.

2. Others have run the race and finished the course.

3. Others are looking to us for encouragement

B. Keeping sight of our goal - Jesus Christ.

1. Remember "spiritual growth" means becoming more and more like Christ.

2. But more than that, we must "consider Him".

3. That means we must look at our own lives in the light of what Christ has done for us.

4. We are not to look at the lives of others, but we are to look at ourselves and see if we are where we need to be.

C. Get up from our seats and get busy for God.

1. Christianity should be active, not passive.

2. The early church turned the world upside down for Christ.

3. What are we doing for the Lord?

a. Reaching the lost?

b. Encouraging the weak?

c. Ministering healing to the hurt?

4. We will soon be celebrating 40 years as an organized local New Testament Baptist church.

5. Are you actively involved in seeing the work progress?

a. If not, it is time to get started.

b. Don't let another day pass without determining to do something for God.

c. Are you saved? If not come today and be born again.

d. Have you been obedient to God in the area of baptism?

e. Are you a member of this local church?

f. The time is now to commit yourself to the work of God.

What kind of legacy will we leave for those who come after us? Will it be one that is non-committal or one of determined action? Years after we are gone, when others consider our lives, what will they see? Faithfulness or mediocrity? It is our choice today!