Stay on Mission – 12th February 2018

1. Throw it off!
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 set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrew2 12:1-3
Over the past few weeks we have been thinking about the cost that is involved if we are to stay on mission with Jesus. I concluded last time with an encouragement for you to focus on the scripture above throughout the week. I decided to do the same and, as a result, the next few reflections will be based on these words of inspiration, encouragement and challenge found in Hebrews 12. I will be looking at the scripture in the context of what it means to stay on mission with Jesus.
The letter to the Hebrews was written to Christians who were finding it extremely difficult to follow Jesus. They had come to faith in Christ from a Jewish background and the faith they had left was a protected religion while those who were following Christ were being persecuted, even to the point of death. The temptation for many was to revert back to their previous faith because then they would not suffer from the persecution. It is easy to think ‘how could they ever do that?’ but, faced with such an immense threat to our comfort and our loves, I think many of us would be tempted in just the same way!
Indeed, I would go even farther and say that many of us retreat into our own comfort zone even in the absence of persecution! If we are to stay on mission with Jesus we must, like these early Christians, learn to overcome the many things that so easily become barriers to our effectiveness as we seek to follow Jesus and Join Him in His Mission.
To those first Christians and to us, the writer to the Hebrews says:
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.

His words present such a strong and clear image. As we are trying to make progress there are things that weigh us down and make it difficult for us to progress. In addition, there are things that we get entangled with that trip us up and again, prevent us from making progress. His instruction is clear: “Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” Stuff that we make a priority and sin that distracts us THROW THEM OFF! –
As you seek to stay on mission with Jesus this week let me ask you a couple of questions:
What are you carrying that is slowing you down in your pursuit of Jesus and His Mission?
What is tripping you up as you try to make progress?
I find the words of hymn that we used to sing many years ago a great help as I seek to ‘Throw off’ the things that hinder:
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

This week, whatever the burden or entanglement – take it to the Lord in prayer!
Dennis