Recruiter's League 49^th Anniversary

Make Your Life Count For Something

~Hebrews 12: 1-7, 9~

Rev. Barbara Melancon, Associate Minister

In-person service at

Second Baptist Church

2412 Griffith Ave.

Los Angeles

William S. Epps, Senior Pastor

Sunday, October 22, 2023

INTRODUCTION

Hebrews 12:1-7, 9 NIV

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, ²fixing 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. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

⁴In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

⁶because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”^[a]

⁷Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

⁹Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 

Monday, October 23, 2023

There is a beginning and there is an end to each person's life on earth. As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

II Corinthians 5:7 states that we walk by faith, not by sight. For it is by faith that we walk and live, not by what we see. We have the eternal perspective; we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. So, we are looking forward to eternal life.

Consider how your faith shapes how you understand eternal life?

In Hebrews 12, the writer states: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. Persons who have lived by faith and are no longer here on earth.

Let's look at some of those persons. Hebrews Chapter 11, For by faith the elders obtained a good report. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of His gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Through faith Abraham and Sara had a child that was promised by God in their old age.

Many more through faith gained divine approval of the circumstances in their lives. Hebrews 11:40 states that God had in mind something better for us, so that they

(these men and women of authentic faith) would not be made perfect, that is completed in Him, apart from us. Those men and women made their lives count for something.

Consider believers you have known who are now among that "great cloud

of witnesses" by having lead a life steeped in faith?

In Hebrews 12, the writer states: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. Persons who have lived by faith and are no longer here on earth.

Let's look at some of those persons. Hebrews Chapter 11, For by faith the elders obtained a good report. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of His gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Through faith Abraham and Sara had a child that was promised by God in their old age.

Many more through faith gained divine approval of the circumstances in their lives. Hebrews 11:40 states that God had in mind something better for us, so that they

(these men and women of authentic faith) would not be made perfect, that is completed in Him, apart from us. Those men and women made their lives count for something.

Consider believers you have known who are now among that

"great cloud of witnesses" by having lead a life steeped in faith?

So without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for Him. Also, we are to look forward to our reward and make our lives count for something.

Live by your faith, receive the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord into your life. Make your life count for something.

Amen.

Live by your faith, receive the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord into your life. Make your life count for something.

Amen.

So in our going through, we must carry peace and hold on to our Joy!   

Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble, but I have conquered the world.” 

Thank God for the blood of Jesus shed on Calvary! By Jesus’ stripes we are healed! Praise God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ! We too are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ! 

Beloved, we’re Just Going Through! 

Communicate to God with a grateful heart. Cast out anxiety and fear and catch and carry the peace of God which exceeds all understanding.

Consider what it means that you have experienced what could have

ended your life, but you survived.   

Second Baptist Church Los Angeles

2412 Griffith Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90011 

Phone: (213) 748-0318