LOOKING UNTO JESUS—Hebrews 12:1-2

He is the:

a-Focus of our Faith---vs 2 “Looking”

b-Foundation of our Faith—vs 2 “Author”

c-Finisher of our Faith—vs 2 “Finisher”

Looking Unto Jesus will keep us from:

I.          STOPPING (JOB 23:3-10)

A-Jesus Gives Security—(Job 23:3-6)

B- Jesus Grants Strength—(Job 23:6)

C-Jesus Glories in our Safety—(Job 23:7-10)

Illus:

Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl;

The one was wise, and a cheery soul.

The other one took a gloomy view.

And bade his friend a sad adieu.

Said the other frog with a merry grin,

 “I can’t get out, but I won’t give in;

I’ll swim around till my strength is spent,

Then I will die the more content.”

And as he swam, though ever it seemed,

His struggling began to churn the cream

Until on top of pure butter he stopped,

 And out of the bowl he quickly hopped.

The moral, you ask? Oh, it’s easily found!

If you can’t get out, keep swimming around.

II.        SCORCHING (DANIEL 3:16,17)

A-Joy Depends on our Faith (Daniel 3:16)

B- Jesus Delivers Through the Fire—(Daniel 3:17)

C-Our Relationship with Jesus Determines our Fate-(Dan 3:17b)

Illus: One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: “Jump! I will catch you.” But the boy protested, “Daddy, I can’t see you.” The father replied, “But I can see you and that’s all that matters.”

III.       SINKING (MATTHEW 14:29-30)

A-Look at the Saviour and Walk on Water (Mt. 14:29a)

B-Look at the Storm and Sink Under Water (Mt. 14:30a)

C-Fear Causes Sinking; Faith Cries Save Me (Mt. 14:30b)

Illus: When the Titanic was assembled, a statement was made “Even God Almighty couldn’t sink this ship.” The Engineer placed more faith in the construction of the ship than he did God’s Power. If we depend on anything or anyone more than Jesus, then we will SINK. If we will look unto Jesus, He will help us to SAIL or walk on water.

Conclusion:

Looking unto Jesus will help us to persevere, to be preserved through the Fire, and Keep us afloat in the Sea of life.

Look to Jesus and He will bring you through whatever life brings our way.