Hebrews 12:12-17 Pursuit of Peace and Holiness – audio

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Text: Hebrews 12:12-17

Introduction (Mother’s Day)

1. Hebrews 12:1-3: we saw the need to run a race:

a. Lay aside things that would hinder us, especially the sin of unbelief

b. Have endurance, even as Jesus endured hostility and the cross

c. Focus our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, whose own example should encourage us not to become weary and discouraged

2. After reminding us of the value of the Lord’s chastening in verses Hebrews 12:4-11, the author of Hebrews in Hebrews 12:12 returns to the metaphor of running:

a. With a call to run with style – Hebrews 12:12-13

b. With instructions to pursue peace and holiness – Hebrews 12:14

c. With a word of caution, appealing to the example of Esau – Hebrews 12:15-17

3. One way to describe the Christian race, then, is the pursuit of peace and holiness

a. How well are we doing in our pursuit?

b. Do we know what it is we are to be running after?

c. Are we aware of the possible pitfalls that can hinder us?

Body

I. MAKING PREPARATION FOR OUR PURSUIT (Hebrews 12:12-13)

A. A CALL TO RUN WITH STYLE

1. We are to strengthen

a. the hands which hang down

b. the feeble knees

c. A common figure of speech (Job 4:3-4; Isaiah 35:3), calling us to shake off all weariness, to be firm and strong

2. We are to make straight paths for our feet, so that:

a. what is lame may not be dislocated

b. but rather be healed

c. Another common expression (Isa 40:3-4: Proverbs 4:23-27), encouraging us to remove all that would hinder our progress (especially if we are weak)

B. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CALL

1. First, we must respond to this call to action

a. This is something we are being called to do

b. We can’t expect God to do it all!

c. While God will certainly help us, we must make the effort – Philippians 2:12-13

2. This call to action is not limited to strengthening just oneself

a. Certainly there is the personal application

b. But as concerned Christians, we should seek to:

1) Strengthen the hands and feeble knees of others

2) make straight paths for others – 1 Thessalonians 5:14

c. Just as those who are spiritual should be concerned for others – Galatians 6:1

C. Shall we heed the call to be strong and very courageous?

II. THE GOAL OF OUR PURSUIT (Hebrews 12:14)

A. PEACE WITH ALL MEN

1. We should not be surprised to read that we are to pursue peace

a. Jesus is The Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6

b. He died to make peace possible: with God, and with man – Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:13-17

c. He taught that peacemakers will be called the children of God – Matthew 5:9

d. A key element of the kingdom of God is peace – Romans 14:17-18

e. Therefore, we are to pursue peace with all men – Romans 14:19; 12:18

2. How does one pursue peace with all men?

a. By seeking peace with God first – Proverbs 16:7

1) We must first make our relationship with God what it ought to be

2) Through Jesus, we can be at peace with God – Romans 5:1

b. Letting the peace of God rule in our hearts – Colossians 3:15

1) The Lord is able to give you peace always in every way – 2 Thessalonians 3:16

2) How the Lord imparts peace:

a) Through His Word – Psalm 119:165

b) Through prayer – Philippians 4:6-7

3) If one is not at peace with himself, it is unlikely he can be at peace with others

c. By doing things that make for peace – Romans 14:19

1) Such as being considerate of their conscience – Romans 14:13-21

2) Seeking unity with compassion, love, tenderness, and courtesy; willing to respond to evil or reviling with a blessing – 1 Peter 3:8-11

B. HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD

1. As God is holy, so His children must be holy – 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:7

2. How can we pursue holiness?

a. True holiness (sanctification) comes through:

1) Faith in Jesus – Acts 26:18; cf. Hebrews 10:10-14

2) The work of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 3:5

3) The Word of God – John 17:17-19

b. We cooperate with God in pursuing holiness by:

1) Offering ourselves as slaves of righteousness – Romans 6:19-22

2) Perfecting holiness in the fear of God – 2 Corinthians 7:1

a) Which includes cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh – 2 Corinthians 7:1

b) Also putting on the new man in true righteousness and holiness – Ephesians 4:24

3. In many respects, this is what the Christian life is all about pursuing peace and holiness! How successful we are will depend on how diligently we avoid the pitfalls

III. PITFALLS THAT HINDER OUR PURSUIT (Hebrews 12:15-17)

A. FALLING SHORT OF THE GRACE OF GOD

1. Without God’s grace, none can be saved, pursue peace, or have the holiness necessary to see God!

2. But do Christians need to concern themselves with falling from grace? Consider:

a. The warning not to neglect our great salvation – Hebrews 2:1-3

b. The warning not to be hardened by sin – Hebrews 3:12-14

c. The warning to be diligent – Hebrews 4:1, 11; 2 Peter 1:10

d. The warning against willful sin – Hebrews 10:26-31

e. The warning not receive God’s grace in vain – 2 Corinthians 6:1

f. The warning not to fall from grace – Galatians 5:4

g. The warning to look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for – 2 John 8

3. For the Christian, however, God’s grace can be just a prayer away! – Hebrews 4:16

B. LETTING A ROOT OF BITTERNESS TO SPRING UP

1. Bitterness can be a stumbling block in our pursuit of peace

a. It destroys the peace within the person who harbors it (modern medicine has shown that emotions like bitterness and anger can cause problems such as headaches, backaches, allergic disorders, ulcers, high blood pressure, and heart attacks, etc.)

b. It can destroy the peace in the congregation where it becomes manifest

2. It also becomes a stumbling block in our pursuit of holiness, for the problems it creates cause many to become defiled (unholy)

3. If we are going to make straight paths for your feet, then we need to clip any root of bitterness in the bud!

C. BECOMING A FORNICATOR OR PROFANE PERSON

1. Fornication is certainly a pitfall to avoid

a. Fornication is a generic term for any sort of sexual immorality (including pre-marital sex, adultery, homosexuality, etc.)
Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 1 Timothy 1:8-10

b. It is contrary to God’s will regarding our sanctification – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

1) Later, we will read in Hebrews where God will judge fornicators – Hebrews 13:4

2) It will keep one out of the kingdom of heaven – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21

c. Therefore, let us flee fornication! – 1 Corinthians 6:18

2. We must also not become a profane person

a. A worldly person who profanes holy privileges by placing on them a worldly estimate.

b. One does not have to overtly wicked; they can displease God by simply devaluing that which is important to Him with contempt, mockery, or scorn!

c. Such was the case with Esau – Genesis 25:29-34

1) There is no indication that he was a fornicator

2) But he was a profane person because he did not proper estimate the value of his birthright

3) Though he later wanted the blessings of the birthright, it was too late; despite his tears, it was too late to change his father’s mind he found no place for repentance

d. We can become profane by devaluing our spiritual blessings

1) In Christ, we have a spiritual birthright (redemption, fellowship with God, the hope of eternal life)

2) But we can let careers, hobbies, friends, even families, come between us and the things of God

3) Are we willing to sell our birthright for one morsel of food?

Conclusion

1. As we run the race of faith, our goal should be peace and holiness before God

2. To run the race, we need to:

a. Get in the proper form (lift the hands, strengthen the knees)

b. Watch out for the pitfalls that can hinder us in our pursuit, such as:

1) Not utilizing God’s grace to help you in our race

2) Allowing bitterness to become a stumbling block

3) Becoming a fornicator or profane person

3. As we run this race, the words of the apostle Paul are appropriate:

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27