Look to Jesus

Today’s Focus: Character of Jesus

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Dear Heavenly Father, You are an amazing God. Thank you for sending your son to be our Savior. We are sorry for our sin. Help us to fix our eyes on You to see the example You set for our lives so that we can be more like You. Please bless our time together. In Your Name, Amen. Opening Prayer

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus! Hebrews 12: 2 “2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Today’s Focus

Eye on It By Tobymac Video Introduction Video

What was this song about? Introduction Video

Jesus was often referred to as ‘teacher.’ What is the role of a teacher? How does that title make us think of Jesus differently? Think About It

The only proper way to run the race is by looking to Jesus

By looking at Jesus we can see what we can become.

What example did Jesus set for us to follow? What does “fix your eyes” mean? What does it mean “Jesus is the author” of our faith? Today’s Questions:

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus Does this mean we should carry around a photo of Jesus in our wallets, and hang a picture of Him in every room of our house?

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus No. We can’t just look at Jesus passively like you would a picture in your house.

A Christian looks to Jesus Like… A ship’s captain looks at the light house guiding him to safety.

A Christian looks to Jesus Like… A golfer keeps his eye on the ball with intense concentration.

If we take our eyes off of Him… We will miss Him

And if we miss Him We miss everything.

And if there is One Thing we don’t want to miss… it is the Awesomeness of our Triune God.

When He rolls up His sleeves He ain’t just putting on the ritz. Our God is an awesome God. There is thunder in His footsteps And lightning in His fists. Our God is an awesome God. Awesome God Rich Mullins Neh 9; Ps 68; Dan 9:1-19

The Lord wasn’t joking when He kicked them out of Eden. It wasn’t for no reason that He shed His blood. His return is very close and so You better be believing that Our God is an awesome God.

Our God is an awesome God; He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God.

And when the sky was starless In the void of the night Our God is an awesome God.

And when the sky was starless In the void of the night Our God is an awesome God. He spoke into the darkness And created the light. Our God is an awesome God.

Judgment and wrath He poured out on Sodom; Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross. I hope that we have not Too quickly forgotten that Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God; He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God.

Hebrews 12: 2a “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, …” What does “author” mean? Author and Perfector

The original Greek word for “author” can also mean “captain,” “chief leader,” or “prince.”

This mean Jesus controls our faith

He steers and guides it like a captain steers a ship

And presides over it and cares for it like a king or queen presides over their people

Hebrews 12: 2a “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, …” What does “perfector” mean? Author and Perfector

The original Greek word for “perfecter” can also mean “completer” or “finisher.”

Christ has created our faith and He will watch over it, care for it, and sustain it until completion. He is the Author of our Salvation and He is the only way we can be saved.

Mighty to Save Everyone needs compassion, Love that's never failing; Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness, The kindness of a Savior; The Hope of nations.

Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me All my fears and failures Fill my life again

I give my life to follow Everything I believe in Now I surrender

Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see, We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (repeat)

Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

Savior, You can move the mountains, You are Mighty to save, You are Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation, You rose and conquered the grave, Yes, You conquered the grave.

“2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Joy

“who for the joy set before him” Jesus’ joy comes from our redemption “endured the cross, scorning its shame,” He endured beatings, mockery, a crown of thorns, and nails through His hands and feet He endured this shame for you. Joy

“ 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Jesus ran with difficulty and attained joy. He longs to give you His joy and He longs for that joy to be complete. John 15:11

Don’t be surprised by difficulties as you run. Life isn’t necessarily easier as a follower of Christ. However, if we look to Jesus as we run we will find joy through Him. What difficulties might you encounter as you run the race? However..

“…and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Why is Jesus sitting? He is seated because His work is done. Nothing else is required for our redemption. Finally

Running the race is not about trying harder, but instead looking to Jesus and the joy only He can fill you with. This joy can radically change your life. Finally

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. Amazing Grace/All My Chains Are Gone

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free, My God my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love Amazing Grace.

The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free, My God my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love Amazing Grace. (Repeat)

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who call’d me here below, Will be forever mine,

You are forever mine.

Confession L: Let us make a confession of our sins. C: Merciful Father, we poor sinners confess that we are guilty of our sins. We sin when we try to rely on ourselves instead of on You. We sin when we focus on things other than Jesus as we run the race. Help us look to Jesus and the examples He sets for our lives so we can be more like Him. Lord, we are sorry and seek your forgiveness.

Forgiveness L: Our loving Father sees our pain and the pain we give to others. Christ lived, died, and rose again, so that there would be forgiveness to replace the hurts of our lives. Through the love and grace of Christ, we are forgiven. C: May we go out into the world knowing we are completely forgiven and that You will guide our thoughts and actions so that we can be more like Jesus. Amen!

Qualities of Jesus  Read the following versus and develop a skit to show one or more of the traits Jesus exhibits in His life. Small Groups

Qualities of Jesus  Matthew 12:1-8  Matthew 11:4-5  Mark 10:45  Matthew 22:36-40 Meet back in about 20 minutes to perform Small Groups

Performances! Share the traits you are trying to demonstrate Small Groups

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, Philippians 2:5-11

8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, Philippians 2:5-11

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, And all your soul and all your mind, And love all humankind as you would love yourself. And love the Lord your God with all your heart, And all your soul and mind and love all humankind. We’ve got Christian lives to live. We’ve got Jesus’ love to give. We’ve got (clap) nothing to hide Because in Him we all abide. Love the Lord Mt 22:37-39

Pastor’s Message

Apostle’s Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.

Apostle’s Creed The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Lord’s Prayer

Final Thoughts 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 “16 But when anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Holy Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is also there. 18 Our faces are not covered with a veil. We all display the Lord’s glory. We are being changed to become more like him so that we have more and more glory. And the glory comes from the Lord, who is the Holy Spirit.”

Final Thoughts When we fix our eyes on Jesus we can become more like Him and when we become more like Him we can experience the joy He wants for us.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Closing L: Lets us fix our eyes on Jesus C: The author and perfecter of our faith L: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus C: So that we can be more like Him.

Benediction L: Jesus is here, Jesus is there, Jesus is everywhere, but especially, because He loves us, He lives right here in our hearts.