Jesus, the Author and the Finisher | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith. We often get distracted by other people's teachings, ministries, or personalities, but God wants us to focus on Him alone. He is the one who started a process in each of us, choosing us before the foundation of the world for holiness and blamelessness.

Key Scripture References

• Hebrews 12:1-3 - This passage reminds us to lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, and to run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus as our example. He endured the cross for the joy set before Him and is now seated at the right hand of God's throne.
• Hebrews 11:1-40 - This chapter lists many examples of people who had faith in God, but we must be careful not to glorify them as superhuman. Instead, they show us that humans can have faith and please God, just like us.
• James 5:17 - Elijah was a man just like us, with a nature similar to ours, but he prayed and did great things for God. This reminds us that we too can have faith and please God, just as these examples in Hebrews 11 did.
• Hebrews 12:1-2 - We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who had faith and were human just like us. They ran their races with endurance, and we can do the same, looking to Jesus as our example.
• Romans 8:29-30 - God chose us before the foundation of the world for holiness and blamelessness, and He is working all things together for good in our lives. We must give credit to Him alone for starting a process in each of us.

Key Takeaways

We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith, rather than getting distracted by other people's teachings or personalities. He is the one who started a process in each of us, choosing us before the foundation of the world for holiness and blamelessness. We can run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus as our example.

Practical Application

We must lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, including secrets and compromises in our lives that are holding us back from running this race with endurance. We must give credit to God alone for starting a process in each of us, rather than giving too much credit to others.

Conclusion

This message encourages us to focus on Jesus alone, the Author and Perfector of our faith. He is the one who started a process in each of us, choosing us before the foundation of the world for holiness and blamelessness. We can run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus as our example.