1. Hebrews 12:3-14 THE COMFORTING ROD AND STAFF

2. Do You Remember our starting point? EVERYONE READ ALOUD Hebrews 11:1-2 The fundamental fact of my existence is that I trust in God. This faith, is my firm foundation, my title deed, for everything that makes my life worth living. It's my handle on what I can't see. This act of faith is what distinguishes me from the crowd.

3. 1. WHAT COUNSEL WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW BELIEVER ABOUT EXPECTING PAIN AND DISCOMFORT BECAUSE OF LIVING A LIFE OF FAITH? 2. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST PAINFUL PART OF SUBMITTING TO GOD? TODAY’S MESSAGE IS ABOUT EXPENSIVE OBEDIENCE. LET’S SEE HOW WE MEASURE UP:

4. Hebrews 12:3-14 (Living Translation) 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. 5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “ My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.

5. Hebrews 12:3-14 (Living Translation) 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 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. 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. 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

6. Answer: We can be interrupted and not feel that we have lost the race. Story of the Good Samaritan: Slowed down, walked instead of riding, spent money for a another’s medical care of a complete stranger.

7. Lord, so often I take the easy route. Yet I know that you call me to a life of disciple, fighting the good fight and moving forward into new territory. Nudge me, convict me…help me become the person you want me to be. I yield ownership of my life to you. Help me to be faithful to you all of my days.

10. OBEDIENT TO DEATH! WAS I TOLD ABOUT THIS WHEN I GOT ON BOARD? “ (Jesus) Being found in appearance as a men, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” --Philippians 2:8 Has obedience to God ever been expensive for you…or painful?

11. WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES IT PAINFUL, STRESSFUL OR DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS TO BE A BELIEVER? ● The standard is higher than for our neighbors. ● We are not to be quarrelsome, egotistical, unforgiving or selfish. ● We are not to return evil for evil. ● Our vocational choices are restricted. ● How about turning the other cheek and walking the extra mile?

12. THE REACTION OF OUR NEIGHBORS Some people want to hurt believers, make life difficult for them or even kill them. Count on it! “ Blessed are you when men revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake…for great is your reward in heaven.” Jesus Matthew 5:11,12 ● Have you faced this sort of harassment ? ● Perhaps you can identity with today’s text: “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin”. Hebrews 12: 4

13. THE PAIN OF RESTRAINT AND SELF-DISCIPLINE ● Limited vocational choices ● Appetites left unfed ● Fantasies curtailed ● Relationships are to be peaceable, loving and kind. ● Limited responses to the slings and arrows of enemies

14. Remembering all that we have , and not what we do not have in Christ.

15. I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I choose to follow Jesus as my Lord and trust Him as my Savior.

17. Returning to God out of our abundance. A gift of thanks.

19. THE DEVIL WANTS TO MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT FOR YOU …HE WANTS YOUR HEART ● “ Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you in prison, that you may be tested. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” ● “ Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 ● Submission…giving up the right to run our own lives. ● Resisting the Devil…easier said than done!

20. GOD’S TRAINING (DISCIPLINE) CAN FEEL QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE “ My child, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves he chastens…” Hebrews 12:5,6 The Lord’s rod and staff comforted David …remember the Twenty Third Psalm?

21. GOD’S TRAINING (DISCIPLINE) CAN FEEL QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE God nudges us, convicts us of our sinful behavior and gets our attention in ways that can irritate or stress us. God wants to lovingly bring us to a place of knowing all that we can be. The path of least resistance leaves us weak and soft. Untended, unchecked, untrained children may enjoy easy times…but also feel unloved. God loves us enough lay hold of us and bring us back into the fold.

23. PRAYER & PRAISE

25. Lord, so often I take the easy route. Yet I know that you call me to a life of disciple, fighting the good fight and moving forward into new territory. Nudge me, convict me…help me become the person you want me to be. I yield ownership of my life to you. Help me to be faithful to you all of my days.

26. Go and bless others. Because, God can do anything, far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request through you toward others.