1. We fix our eyes on Jesus
1.1. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
1.2. What are your eyes fixed on?
1.2.1. What has your attention?
1.2.2. Mark 10:35 (NASB95) 35 James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
1.2.2.1. Mark 10:36 (NASB95) 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
1.2.2.2. Mark 10:37 (NASB95) 37 They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.”
1.2.2.3. Mark 10:38 (NASB95) 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
1.2.2.4. Mark 10:39 (NASB95) 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
1.2.2.5. Mark 10:41 (NASB95) 41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
1.2.3. When I'm distracted from what God wants me doing... I look in myself and find selfishness and pride.
2. Mark 14:31 (NLT) 31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.
2.1. Then, just a few hours later, in a garden called Gethsemane, Jesus would be arrested. His followers would run. And Peter would deny Him three times.
2.2. Because Peter’s eyes weren’t fixed on Jesus, they were fixed on protecting Himself.
2.2.1. And so, Jesus, the Son of God, would be condemned to death by crucifixion. He would be beaten, mocked, and spit on.
2.2.2. A crown of thorns would be placed on His head and a rugged wooden cross would be placed on His back for Him to carry to that hill called Calvary
2.3. Mark 8:34 (NLT) 34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
2.3.1. But, for Simon Peter, the cost was too great. So a new Simon was called
2.4. Mark 15:21 (NLT) 21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)
2.4.1. This was supposed to be Simon Peter!
2.4.1.1. This was what He signed up for! But he took his eyes off of Jesus!
2.4.1.2. How many times have we done the same way?
2.4.1.3. We took our eyes off of Jesus and missed an opportunity that was supposed to be us
2.4.2. So, when Jesus was hanging on that cross, naked, bloody, and beaten, He was hanging there alone..
2.4.2.1. Well, not quite... Because there were two others hanging next to Him..
2.5. Mark 15:25–27 (NLT): 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
2.5.1. Where did James and John want to be?
2.5.1.1. ? On Jesus’ right and on His left
2.5.1.1.1. Jesus said 'You Don't know what you are talking about.
2.5.1.2. But now, instead of His friends, Jesus is hanging next to two rebels
2.5.1.3. One on his right and one on his left
2.5.2. What are your eyes fixed on?
2.5.2.1. Are they fixed on Jesus?
2.5.2.2. Or are they fixed on what Jesus can do for you? Like James and John’s were
2.5.2.3. Are they fixed on Jesus’ mission?
2.5.2.4. Or are they fixed on comfort and convenience?
2.5.2.5. Like Simon Peter’s were.
2.5.3. The truth is, these words confront me
2.5.3.1. ? In our modern world where every distraction is at the tips of our fingers?
2.5.3.2. Just a quick Google search or Amazon purchase away
2.5.3.2.1. We have one advantage, these men didn’t. We know how the story ends
2.5.4. We know the end of the story. We have to trust Jesus with our story.
3. What are your eyes fixed on?
3.1. Whatever it is, when our eyes are fixed on anything other than Jesus, it will inevitably lead us away from Jesus
3.1.1. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
3.1.2. Hebrews 12:2-3 (NLT) 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
4. How do we live with an uncluttered pursuit of His mission?
4.1. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
4.2. Have you ever been physically entangled in something? It’s not fun
4.3. Maybe for you it’s not sin that’s holding you back. If we bring it back to the text, it says
4.3.1. Let us throw off everything that hinders AND the sin that so easily entangles
4.3.2. Meaning that there are other things than sin that hold me back from His mission
5. Sometimes the good is the enemy of the best.
5.1. Satan doesn't have to make you fall for some big sin. He just has to distract you.
5.2. Or maybe for you, you’re hindered by hurt. Hurts that you still haven’t healed from
6. How do we live with an uncluttered pursuit of God’s mission?
6.1. We throw off everything that hinders.
6.1.1. That’s where it starts, but that’s not where it stops..
6.1.2. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT): Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
6.2. We run with perseverance.
6.2.1. Later on the author of Hebrews writes in the same chapter about the pain of perseverance:
6.2.1.1. Hebrews 12:11(NLT) 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
6.2.1.2. Hebrews 12:12-13 (NLT) 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
6.2.1.2.1. Perseverance is not easy
6.2.1.2.2. Discipline is painful
7. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
7.1. Galatians 5:1 (NLT) So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
7.2. Our problem is we are not desperate.
7.3. You’re managing it. You feel like you’ve got things under control right now. And you might.
7.4. Even when we are managing it it is stealing the purpose in call of God from our lives.
8. How do we throw off everything that hinders us from the mission Jesus has called us to
8.1. James 5:16 (NLT) 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
8.2. We seek help from God and help from His people.
9. When you’re tempted to stop, remember why you started
9.1. We Persevere
9.2. Do it like Jesus “If it’s possible, take this cup from me...” Jesus on the cross... “Into your hands I commit my Spirit...”
9.3. Jesus pursued His mission uncluttered by staying focused on what mattered most. He endured the cross by staying focused on the joy set before Him
9.3.1. What was that joy?
9.3.2. That joy was you, and me, and the Church, and the hope of resurrection, and the renewal of all creation...