Tough As Nails (2) – Fix Your Eyes

Welcome to CROLCC, we are so glad you are here worshiping with us. I don’t know how you feel about the world these days. It’s hard not to pay attention to the things happening in this world and not feel a little worried. And as a Christian, I don’t know if you would ask yourself how you should respond to the world right now. We have started this series Tough As Nails last week and my hope is that we as Christians would once again remind ourselves how the 1st Century Christians lived out their faith in a much tougher environment. Yet their faith was unwavering and even exploded and that’s why we are here today.

The New Testament records that early Christians didn’t fear loss. They were selfless and confident. They weren’t arrogant or self-confident. They were humble because their confidence wasn’t in themselves; it was in Jesus. That faith in who Jesus was and what he had done for them freed them to boldly love others. How about us? Does our faith look like that? How would it change our world if we possess the faith that they did?

Moving Forward

Is your version of Christianity worth the price early Christians paid for it? The author of the book of Hebrews wrote, “They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them.” What would that kind of faith look like for you and me?

Changing Your Mind

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, fixing 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.
Hebrews 12:1–2

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think comes to most people’s minds when they hear the word “Christian”? Why?

2. “Faithfulness shines brighter during times of uncertainty.” Talk about a time when uncertainty made your faith shine brighter.

3. Read Hebrews 11:37–38. Does the idea of having the kind of faith that would make the world unworthy of you seem realistic or attainable? Why or why not?

4. In what area of your life are you successful at looking forward and being faithful? What are some practical ways you can you apply your approach to that area of life to an area of life in which you’re tempted to look backward and be fearful?

5. What is one thing you can do to fix your eyes on Jesus instead of safety, security, and comfort? How can this group support you?