compromise breeds failure

“ Compromis

eBreeds

Failure ”Hebrews 12:12-17

Why are we losing?•Most Super Bowl games are nothing like the last one•Most are one-sided with the final score being a complete blow-out•I wonder about the speech that the coach must be giving the losing team in the locker room at half time•The study today is not unlike that speech

Why are we losing?•They were “losing” because their hearts were discouraged and their heads were not in the “game”•Some of these Hebrew Christians were considering quitting altogether and going back to Judaism– some were even hindered by carnal behavior •God always teaches us to stay in the fight and NOT give the Devil a way to “win”

“12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that

even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.”

Hebrews 12:12-17, NASB

A. Back in the race•Vs 12-13, after a little re-cap from last week, the Author inspires us to get back in the race

“11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble…”

Hebrews 12:11-12, NASB

A. Back in the race•Vs 11-13, Quick re-cap of the last two weeks• In v1, the author exhorts us to run with endurance• In v2, he tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus while we are running• In v3, he reminds us of the race that Jesus ran ahead of us, so that we don’t grow weary •Vv 4-11, he tells us to endure God’s loving chastening•Now in v12-13, the author inspires us to get back in the race. (Drill Sgts)

B. Pursue Peace•Vs 14, two things we are commanded to do here…

“14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”

Hebrews 12:14, NASB

B. Pursue Peace•Vs 14, two things we are commanded to do here…

1. Pursue peace with all people• Paul Said in Romans 12:18, “As much as is possible for you, live peaceably with all men.”•Golden Rule•No revenge, turn the other cheek

B. Pursue Peace2. Pursue Sanctification• NIV uses the word holiness• The Greek word is ‘hagiasmos’• Its literal translation is “consecration, purification, sanctification of heart and life” •Shouldn’t we be Holy? •Yes, but sanctification means we should be “set apart” in our daily lives (set apart from wordliness”

C. Three Warnings•Vs 15-17, the Author gives us three warnings about playing with worldliness and failing to set ourselves apart from the world

“15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.”

Hebrews 12:15-17, NASB

C. Three Warnings•Vs 15-17, the Author gives us three warnings about playing with worldliness and failing to set ourselves apart from the world

C. Three Warnings1. Don’t let anyone come short of

Grace• If we somehow think we have to think like the world, or act like them to fit in, we shortchange ourselves of the wonderful Grace of God!

2. Don’t let bitterness take “root” in your heart– if you’ve been wronged through assault, divorce, etc…

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”

Ephesians 4:26-27, NIV

C. Three Warnings3. Don’t be like Esau• Who is Esau? He was a twin brother of the conniving Jacob•Though he was the first born of their father Isaac, the Lord set the birthright for the younger son Jacob•Isaac wanted to give Esau the birthright, against God’s will•Esau despised his birthright…

Take Home!1. Before you compromise

in the next step worldly behavior, think about Jesus dying for you

2. Before you compromise in the next step worldly behavior, think about how the consequences will affect your friends and family