In this sermon on Looking Unto Jesus, we are discussing a very interesting pillar of our lives as believers. This subject matter is the core of our lives because it is in looking unto Jesus that we can find fulfillment in our lives.
As a pastor who wants to preach such a message, here is an outline that you can follow.
Introduction
The believer’s journey will be very difficult when he or she focuses on anything apart from Jesus Christ. The phrase “Looking unto Jesus” contains three very important words of salvation, encouragement and direction for daily Christian living.
Jesus made the new birth very plain by using an Old Testament illustration of the fiery serpents of brass put on a pole for the Israelites to look upon as recorded in the book of Numbers 21:8-9.
In John 3:14-15; And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
As looking unto the brass serpent on a pole in faith brought healing to the children of Israel in the wilderness, so also, whosoever shall look unto the crucified Christ as the Messiah and the Savior of the world by faith, shall receive forgiveness of sins and be born again. From time to time in the rigorous journey of life, we sometimes find ourselves in a state of tiredness and confusion.
At such times, Apostle Paul in Hebrews 12:1-2 admonishes us to run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith for encouragement. We are not to look into Jesus for encouragement only, we are also to look into Jesus as our perfect example, so as to follow in His footsteps (1 Peter 2:21-23).
Looking unto other gods for deliverance, healing and salvation has brought untold hardship and loss to many, while looking unto great men and women that are successful in life and ministry has resulted in great disappointment, sorrow and pain.
As a matter of fact, this has been a major of failure in life, but there is no failure or disappointment in Jesus. Looking unto Jesus can only increase your faith and lead to physical and spiritual upliftment. We are to look unto Jesus in our daily Christian living as the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End who provides us with direction through His Word. This also brings us in contact with the Divine knowledge, wisdom and power of God. An ordinary person therefore, becomes equipped to do exploits of supernatural dimensions.
Scriptural Text: Hebrews 12:2.
Objective:
The objective of this sermon on looking unto Jesus is to help the believer understand what it means to look unto Jesus, why we should look to Jesus, what we are looking to Jesus for, the consequences of not looking unto Jesus, and the benefits we can derive when we look unto Jesus.
What Does It Mean To Look Unto Jesus?
Looking unto Jesus means to trust in Him and fix our gaze on Him turning our eyes away from distractions and firmly focus on Him. Looking to Jesus means leaning and relying on him. The word translated “looking” has the idea of focusing our gaze on something with confidence.
The NIV captures it as “fixing our eyes.” Jesus is our encouragement in this race, both as our example and as our help.
As an example, Jesus is the forerunner who has gone before us. He has lived faithfully in this world, trusting the Father and yielding to His will. He has left us an example that we might follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).
As our help, Jesus is the one from whom we draw power. He is the one who has given us life (John 5:21) and has sent the Helper to be with us forever (John 14:16). We run this race only because of His word and only by the power of His Spirit. So, we look to him. We lean and rely on him always in other to survive in this wicked world.
Why Should We Look Unto Jesus?
As believers, we must understand the reason and importance why we should look unto Jesus Christ.
- We must look unto Jesus Christ because He died for Our Sins. Ref Rom 5:8.
- We must look unto Jesus Christ because He rescued Us from Satan’s Power. Ref Col 1:13
- We must look unto Jesus Christ because He loves Us. Ref 1 John 4:9-10
- We must look unto Jesus Christ because He gave Us Eternal Life. Ref 1 John 5:11-12
- We must look unto Jesus Christ because He restored Our fellowship with the Father. Ref 1 John 1:3
What Should We Look Unto Jesus Christ For?
There are various things that the believer is expected to look unto Jesus Christ for as he or she walks with the Lord. Let’s consider a few of them in this sermon.
Looking unto Jesus for Salvation
Acts 4:10,12; It is by the name of Jesus Christ. 12; Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
John 14:6; Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
How are we to be saved? to have our sins forgiven? to be born again and become sons or daughters of God? Through Jesus, the crucified and resurrected Son of God. He is the one and only way to God. The Bible declares that salvation is found in no one else. Jesus confirmed that when He said that no one comes to the Father except through Him.
Looking unto Jesus for the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Luke 3:16; He [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Every saved and baptized Christian should look to and focus on Jesus for the mighty baptism with the Holy Spirit.
All four Gospels echo the words of Luke, that Jesus Christ is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. The early Church needed and received this awesome power from God for ministry. Jesus had told them, “…stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). This heaven-sent power came to them on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues as the Holy Spirit enabled them.
We too need this great Holy Spirit baptism to fulfill our portion of the Great Commission in this 21st century. And it too is received by “looking unto Jesus”, the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.
Looking unto Jesus for Physical Healing
Mark 16:17-18; And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will place their hands-on sick people, and they will get well. Acts 9:34; “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up.” Immediately Aeneas got up. While He walked the earth, Jesus healed the multitudes of every conceivable affliction.
And Jesus is “the same yesterday and today” (Hebrews 13:8). He still heals today. No matter what illness you may be dealing with, look unto Jesus for its healing! Jesus “took up our infirmities and carried our diseases” (Matthew 8:17).
Just as He came to bear our sins, Jesus came to bear our sicknesses. All of them! There is no affliction too hard for Jesus to heal. Focusing on Jesus your Healer opens the door to regaining your health.
Looking unto Jesus for Deliverance
Mark 16:17; And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons. Acts 16:18;[Paul] turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!”
At that moment the spirit left her. As you minister to unbelievers in the name of Jesus, even demonic possession can be broken by the power of His Name. Jesus and His followers in the early Church are regularly recorded as delivering people from demons and leading them to faith in Jesus Christ. There is no demonic power which can stand against the name of Jesus invoked in faith.
Looking unto Jesus to Overcome Weariness and the Weight of Heavy Burdens
Matthew 11:28; Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. John 16:33; I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Exactly as Jesus foretold, this world is full of trouble! None of us is exempt. But Jesus said to take heart, because He had overcome the world. In the midst of the heaviest burdens, and in times of seemingly disabling weariness, Jesus’ words speak out: “Come to me … I will give you rest.” There is peace in this troublesome world. It’s one of the wonderful benefits of looking unto Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
What Are The Consequences Of Not Looking Unto Jesus?
There are different consequences of not looking unto Jesus Christ. We have listed five of them below:
- When we fail to look unto Jesus Christ, we are overtaken by the cares of this world.
- When we fail to look unto Jesus Christ, our physical bodies are buffeted by sicknesses and diseases.
- When we fail to look unto Jesus Christ, we carry heavy burdens and weariness that brings us down.
- When we fail to look unto Jesus Christ, we are entangled in the yoke and bondage of the enemy.
- When we fail to look unto Jesus Christ, we are overtaken by sin and it’s lustful desires.
What Are The Benefits Of Looking Unto Jesus?
There are different benefits of fixing our gaze on Jesus Christ. Let’s consider a few of them.
- Access to Eternal Life. Ref 1 John 5:11-12
- Access to the Peace of God. Ref Philippians 4:7
- Access to Good Health. Ref 3 John 2
- Assurance of Salvation. Ref John 3:16
- Courage in Life’s battles. Ref Isaiah 43:2
- Spiritual Stability. Ref 1 Cor 15:58
- Fearlessness even in the face of death. Ref Romans 8:35-37
Conclusion
Hebrews 12:2, KJV “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” Jesus the name above all names. In Jesus Christ resides limitless power over time and eternity.
Every promise of God in the Bible (2 Corinthians 1:20) finds its fulfillment and guarantee in Jesus, the beginning and end, the Alpha and Omega, the author and finisher of our faith. All God’s promises, said the apostle Paul, are “Yes!” in Christ.
The NIV translation says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.” As we do that today, as we focus on the magnificent blessings that flow from Him, we will see just how much our lives can be bettered by placing Jesus, the Son of God, at the very center of our lives. Seeing Jesus as the focus of our existence puts all else into proper perspective. Receive grace from this moment to focus your gaze and faith on Jesus Christ.