Looking to Jesus - a podcast by Lewis Marsh

The Road to the Resurrection #4

Looking To Jesus

By Louie Marsh, 3-23-2021

 

Slide One: Look at things from a distance – or look at things close up

 

Slide Two: You can look at things from a vantage point – or you can just look up

 

Slide Three: You can peek to look secretly – or look publicly

 

Slide Four – You can look ahead or you can look behind.

 

Slide Five – Looking Unto Jesus.

 

1) I must not let anything distract me from JESUS.

 

“2looking 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, ESV)

 

The word “looking” is aphorao (ἀφοραο) “to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something.” The word also means “to turn one’s mind to a certain thing.” Both meanings are applicable here, the spiritual vision turned away from all else and together with the mind, concentrated on Jesus. – Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament

 

The minute the Greek runner in the stadium takes his attention away from the race course and the goal to which he is speeding, and turns it upon the onlooking crowds, his speed is slackened. It is so with the Christian. – Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament

 

Looking (ἀφορῶντως). Only here and Philip. 2:23. In LXX see 4 Macc. 17:10. Looking away from everything which may distract. – Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 4, pp. 537–538). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

 

10 they won justice for their nation by fixing their eyes on God and enduring torture to the point of death. 4 Maccabees 17:10

 

2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [a]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. (Hebrews 12:2, Amp.)

 

• Don’t focus on my

 

• Don’t focus on my

 

• Remember: focus takes

 

2) I must follow Jesus the true TRAIL BLAZER.

 

“2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…(Hebrews 12:2a, ESV)

 

The author (τον ἀρχηγον [ton archēgon]). Old compound word (ἀρχη [archē] and ἀγω [agō]) one leading off, leader or prince as in Acts 5:31, one blazing the way, a pioneer (Dods) in faith (Heb. 12:2), author (Acts 3:15). Either sense suits here, though author best (verse 9). Jesus is the author of salvation, the leader of the sons of God, the Elder Brother of us all (Rom. 8:29) - Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament

 

“31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31, ESV)

• Jesus will MAKE A WAY through my mess!

 

“8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)

 

• His way will involve SUFFERING.

 

“21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21, ESV)

 

• His way might seem STRANGE.

 

“27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;” (1 Corinthians 1:27, ESV)

 

3) I must let Jesus CHANGE me.

 

…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 12:2b, ESV)

 

Perfecter (τελειωτην [teleiōtēn]). A word apparently coined by the writer from τελειοω [teleioō] as it has been found nowhere else. Vulgate has consummator.  - Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament

 

• He changes what I

 

“18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18, ESV)

 

• He changes what I

 

“2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (James 3:2, ESV)

 

• He changes HOW I do both.

 

“15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15, ESV)

 

4) I must do it all for JOY.

 

…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 12:2b, ESV)

 

“2Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4, ESV)

 

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