Throughout church history there have a been a band of men and women who have not fitted the mould. Who have kicked against the establishment. Men and women who have been misunderstood - some have been ostracised, others mocked and ridiculed. Despite this they have had a gritty determination to follow Jesus and do the things in their generation that Jesus did in his. Relying only on the Holy Spirit and taking strength from God's word they pursued their goal. All of them in some way contributed to the mission of God in the world and were instrumental in Jesus movements. Movements that took the world by storm and ushered in the kingdom of God reminiscent of those saints of old that the writer of the letter to the Hebrews speaks of.
Introduction to this Session
The writer to the Hebrews starts his letter by comparing all that came before Jesus. His conclusion is “Jesus is better”. Better than angels, Better than Abraham, Better that Moses, A better high priest. A better covenant, A better sacrifice, a better Son, a better message. Hebrews 10 begins an encouragement to trust in Jesus. Hebrews 11 shows the hall of fame of those who have faith. Hebrews 12 is a chapter about pursuing Jesus. Hebrews 12 is an encouragement to be a “Jesus Freak”
Key Words:
Hebrews 10 22-25 - UNSWERVING.
Hebrews 10: 35-38 - CONFIDENCE
1. The Hall of fame: Hebrews 11
Men and women who had faith. People who pressed on. They were a community of people who were oddballs. Who when the going got hard- going pressed on with all their mind, souls, body spirit and strength.
2. Followers without the fruit. Hebrews 11: 3
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. Against all the odds they had unswerving faith.
3. Throw off, Run, Fix……….. Hebrews 12
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The call to be a Jesus Freak. The passion, the calling, the determination to follow Jesus with every ounce and fibre of our being.
4. Jesus Freaks
Throughout Church History we see Jesus Freaks. Almost in every generation we find people who have been the catalyst for a new Jesus movement. In this Series we are going to study a few of these great people.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
William Booth
John and Charles Wesley
Hudson Taylor
Martin Luther
Jim Elliot
Francis of Assisi
Jesus (The Ultimate Jesus Freak)
Conclusion:
In the next ten sessions will will have an opportunity to look at the lives of some “Jesus Freaks” Men who stood against the tide of current opinion. Men, who obeyed the call of God with their lives. Men who had an unshakable faith in Jesus. “Jesus Freaks”
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