By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
SABBATH
THEME: JESUS: OUR EXAMPLE IN ENDURANCE“
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12:2-3
“[2]looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3]For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”
REFLECTIONS
Whenever we talk about human suffering, Christ in human flesh cannot be left out. In reality, He is the One who has always assured us that victory is possible even if our suffering leads to death. He aids humanity so we can endure to the end, where God will promptly, adequately, and commensurately reward our efforts. Nobody who courageously fights on the side of Jesus will ever miss their crown of victory.
It was with deep passion, honesty, and the power to deliver that Christ made this profound assurance in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Suffering could not silence Jesus. The cross and the suffering thereof did not prevent Him from pursuing the salvation of humankind. He was a man of sorrow, but the joy set before Him spurred Him on to conquer, deliver, and restore humanity to God.
Hebrews 12:1-4 remarks, “[1]Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2]looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3]For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.[4]You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”
John 19:17-18 explains – “And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place . . . where they crucified Him . . .” Philippians 2:8 also states, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Today, Jesus invites you to bear your cross for an exciting victory. Jesus appealed in Matthew 16:24: “. . . “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” The end of the story of our struggle is given in Revelation 5:9, “And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” Your reward for standing for Jesus is awaiting you. Endure to the end.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 522 – “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for Christ’s victory on your behalf; thank Jesus for His support during your struggles; pray for strength to bear your cross to the end;
– Pray for at least five people who are suffering for their faith in Christ;
– Pray for people whose answers to their prayer requests seem to have been delayed – for jobs, success in an endeavor, healing mercies, marriage partner, childbirth, etc.;
– Pray for the nation and its citizens, the conversion of the wicked in society, and the pursuit of righteousness as a national agenda; pray for Christians to let others know the joy in Jesus Christ.
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