Introduction – remembering the difficulty
I: THE PIONEER AND PERFECTOR
A: The Pioneer/founder/champion & finisher/perfector of faith (v. 2, cf. 2:10)
For it was fitting for Him … in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (archegon) of their salvation perfect (teleiosai) through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10
looking unto Jesus, the author (archegon) and finisher (teleiotein) … 12:2
1: Jesus as our “champion”
1 Samuel 17:3-4 3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
2: The Perfector/finisher/completor
- John 17:4; 19:28, 30
B: The Pioneer’s Suffering & Victory (vv. 2b-3a)
II: THE EXAMPLE
A: The example of Jesus (vv. 1-3) – witnesses, looking, consider
1: The Modernist controversy
2: The necessary balance
B: Following the Example
1: Run the race (vv. 1, 2)
2: Consider the hostility (v. 3)
Conclusion