TAKE A GOOD LOOK

HEBREWS 12:2

Pastor Rick Jackson

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

I. ARE YOU LOOKING TO THE SAVIOUR?

I like the fact that our text doesn’t say “looking at Jesus” but “looking unto Jesus.” That little difference in words makes a big difference in meaning. Looking unto speaks of expectancy, it speaks of a hope for assistance. It speaks to the need and looks to that object or person to meet that need. If you were in the ocean and looking at a shark’s fin coming towards you it would not be with the idea of the shark helping you. But if a Coast Guard boat was coming you would be looking unto it for salvation from your present circumstances. John the Baptist points this out by advising us to:

1. Look to The Person of the Saviour [John 1:36] emblepo, to look on, i.e. to observe fixedly, to discern clearly

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

2. Look to The Passion of the Saviour [Mark 15:37-40] [wagging dog/snarling dog both have passion]

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

3. Look to The  Power of the Saviour [Jn. 10:17-18, Rm. 1:1-4, Mt. 28:18]

- I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.

- Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

- And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 

But wait, maybe you are not looking for grace.

II. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TROUBLE?

 

1. By Not Looking to Jesus for Salvation [Heb. 10:26-29]

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

2. By Not Looking to Jesus for Solutions [Isaiah 31:1]

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

3. By Not Looking to Jesus for Service [Psalm 84:10, 1 Pt. 4:1-3]

-For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

- Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

 

III. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE SAVIOUR?

 

1. Are You Looking with Confidence? [Titus 2:13] prosdechomai,   to await (with confidence)

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2. Are You Looking with Care? [Heb. 12:11-15] episkopeo,  to oversee; look diligently, take the oversight

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

3. Are You Looking for the Change? [Philippians 3:20-21]

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.