Matthew 28:6
He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Today we are talking about:
THE ROAD TO RESURRECTION
Hebrews 12:1-2
12 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Your DIRECTION, not your INTENTION, determines your DESTINATION
There can be a gap in…
DESIRED DESTINATION (intention) vs your ACTUAL DESTINATION (direction)
Desired: (intention)
- Hopes
- dreams
- aspirations
Easter is an INVITATION to RE-EXAMINE your DIRECTION
Where are you going?
Here’s what I know about us:
We all look for…
The Path of Least Resistance
- The easiest way
Most never willingly choose the “HARDER WAY”
- The way of suffering
We have phrases
- “The road less traveled”
- “Take the high road.”
We are the generation with the MOST
- Access
- Stuff
- opportunities
- connection
- ease of use
And yet we are the MOST MISERABLE GENERATION
Suffering is necessary for a more complete, happy, fulfilling, and mature life
Here’s my premise…
This is because we traveled TOO FAR down the path of LEAST RESISTANCE
- Spiritually
- Emotionally
This is the story of EASTER
- Jesus choosing the HARDER WAY
Jesus in the Garden
- Looked suffering in the face and DIDN’T FLINCH
Jesus being sentenced
- Didn’t say a word in his defense
Jesus carrying his cross
- Stumbled but didn’t quit
The road to resurrection is paved with TWO principles…
Road to resurrection principle 1…
1: The Middle Matters
- (Direction vs Intention)
We want what we want NOW!
- Dopamine addiction
- Reward centers of our brains want the EASY FIX
One thing if it’s something from Amazon
- Doesn’t work for the things that matter
We want:
- Character without the trials and testing
- Authority without responsibility
- The prize without the work
This has led to:
- Victim mentality
- Bitterness Mentality (petty)
- Judgment Mentality
- When we skip the middle
THE MIDDLE MATTERS = For the Christian, the journey is as important as the destination
This is what this verse means…
Hebrews 12:1
1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us…
Endurance is critical for the road of resurrection
Endurance is built in the MIDDLE
In the middle, you can run to resurrection, or you can run to complacency
Here’s how this plays out
- A season of struggle comes
- We ask God to take it away
- Sometimes he does… Often, he doesn’t
- We get angry, bitter, disappointed, and lose faith
- Still go through the suffering, but without God
THIS IS NOT THE WAY!
Our suffering is part of the PROCESS OF GOD
Be careful not to pray away or miss a God sent process
We see this here…
Romans 5:3-5
3 But we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The Middle Matters
If you skip the middle, you miss the resurrection
- You miss the power of God EVIDENT in your life and relationships
Examples from the middle:
A troubled marriage facing issues of trust
- Least Resistance = Quit and start over
- Middle matters = Do the hard thing and rebuild love and trust through the Holy Spirit
- The Strongest marriages have all struggled at one time
Really wanted that spot at work and got passed over
- Least Resistance = Blame those around you and become bitter/lazy
- Middle matters = Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a new attitude and work ethic
- Maybe this is what you need to light a fire in your belly
Trouble with a friend
- Least Resistance = “Protect your peace” and cut them off
- Middle Matters = Pray for and stick with those God has placed in your life
- Maybe you need them to help you mature and be less selfish
Financial mess that seems overwhelming and out of control
- Least resistance = Keep up bad habits, hoping the future will be different than the past
- Middle Matters = Learn to budget and discipline your finances
- You control it… It doesn’t control you
The Middle Matters
This is where being a Christian changes everything
Everyone goes through suffering
- How did Jesus overcome the IMMENSE suffering he endured?
On the road to resurrection…
2: Your View Matters
- (Destination)
- What’s your reward? What are you looking at?
Hebrews 12:2
Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If your VIEW is too small, your suffering will always OVERWHELM you
That’s usually our problem
- Our view is too small
You MUST see your life from the PERSPECTIVE OF HEAVEN
- So much more at stake than you can possibly know now
For the Joy set before Him…
- Honoring the Father
- Rescuing us
Examples:
When you lose your loved one
- The View = God has all authority and calls us each home in his time
- Trust His timing and His will
When your kids are going in a direction that breaks your heart
- The View = God loves them more than you do
- Trust in the power of prayer and God’s plan
When marriage trouble comes your way
- The View = Your marriage is a picture of Christ and His church
- Trust in the Holy Spirit to lead you and your spouse together
Health trouble
- The View = Our bodies are broken by sin
- Anticipate the time when we will have NEW bodies in the New Creation
Rejected/Abandoned by family or friends
- The View = Jesus was rejected as well
- Trust the HS discernment and healing in your life.
- God will never reject or abandon you
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.
The Middle Matters
Your View Matters
The ULTIMATE View
- Future wedding feast
Revelation 19
9 Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!”
Which way, Modern Christian?
- Will you choose the path of LEAST RESISTANCE?
- Or will you take the ROAD OF RESURRECTION?