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Sermon #5667

The Founder and Perfector of our Faith

A Sermon on the Founder and Perfector of Our Faith from Hebrews 12:1-20

Scripture

Hebrews 12:1-20 ESV KJV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for …

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Sermon Description

Are Christians slaves to their circumstances? Do circumstances control them as cruel masters? Absolutely not. In this sermon on the founder and perfector of our faith from Hebrews 12:1–20 titled “Author and Finisher,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the hope set before the early believers in the book of Hebrews. While their circumstances were miserable, their hope was unchanging. Those who have gone before are witnesses to this reality: Jesus is the author and finisher of their faith. Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, Christians then run this race with patience. Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages the listener to look to Jesus amidst difficult times. In Jesus is first seen the cross. He endured that which was set before Him for the joy of what was to come. In Jesus is also seen the resurrection. If He is raised, His people will be raised. In Jesus, the Christian sees the hope of heaven. He is preparing for them a place so they shall be with Him forever. In Jesus is seen the hope, for He is the finisher of their salvation. Listen and let hearts be glad. Christians are not slaves to their circumstances. Christ has overcome the world. Where He is, so shall they also be.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The message of Easter Sunday is the answer to all our questions, the solution to all our problems and all our trials and troubles and tribulations.
  2. The early Christians greeted each other with "The Lord is risen" which gave them comfort and courage.
  3. The test of any philosophy or belief is whether it helps you when you need it most. The Christian message provides a way to look beyond our circumstances.
  4. We must look at the facts concerning Jesus:
  5. He left heaven and came to earth, born as a baby in poverty
  6. He lived a human life, facing temptation, grief, and suffering
  7. He was crucified, enduring immense suffering and death
  8. He rose from the dead, defeating death, and ascended into heaven
  9. We must understand the meaning of these facts: Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He made the way for us to be saved and go to heaven.
  10. We should follow Jesus's example. He endured the cross by looking ahead to the joy set before Him. We should look ahead to the joy of heaven in our trials.
  11. We can look to Jesus, seated in heaven, for help and strength. He conquered every enemy, He intercedes for us, and He will never leave us.
  12. This life is brief, but the glory of heaven is eternal. Jesus has opened the way for us to enter into heaven.

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Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.