At FaithWay Baptist Church, our heart’s cry is for a vibrant, Spirit-led relationship with Jesus Christ, not just the routines of religion. In this sermon, Pastor Léveillé draws from Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV) to challenge us to examine our dependence on Christ. Are we trusting in Him alone, or have we subtly shifted our reliance to systems, routines, or self? Through the lens of Scripture and powerful historical revivals, this message calls us to lay aside hindrances, confess sin, and fix our eyes on Jesus for true revival.
Lay Aside Self: Weights That Hinder
Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) declares, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” The “weights” in this passage are not necessarily sinful but are hindrances that slow us down in our walk with Christ. Pastor Léveillé explains that these weights can be good things, like comforts, ambitions, or hobbies, that grow out of proportion and crowd out our fellowship with Jesus. The Greek word for “weight” suggests something swollen, like an overinflated sense of self or misplaced priorities. For example, a runner in a marathon does not carry a heavy backpack; similarly, we must shed anything that consumes us and separates us from Christ. The Fulton Street Revival of 1857 illustrates this, where businessmen in New York City set aside their profitable noontime hours to pray, prioritizing Christ over ambition. What weights in our lives (perhaps entertainment, personal goals, or even self-sufficiency) are hindering our pursuit of holiness?
Lay Aside Sin: Entanglements That Trap
The passage also calls us to lay aside “the sin which doth so easily beset us.” Unlike weights, which slow us, sin ensnares and traps us, preventing us from running the race of faith. Pastor Léveillé emphasizes that sins like pride, bitterness, lust, or greed create barriers between us and the life Christ desires for us. The Canadian Revival of the 1970s in Saskatoon, led by the Sutera brothers, saw believers confess sins, reconcile with others, and even make restitution for past wrongs. Revival requires us to confront sin head-on, not excuse or manage it. 1 John 1:9 (KJV) promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession brings cleansing and freedom, allowing Christ to shine through us. What sin is entangling you today? Revival begins when we choose Christ over sin, confessing and forsaking it to walk freely in His grace.
Look With Patience: Eyes Filled with Christ
Finally, Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) instructs us to run “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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Endurance in the Christian life comes not from willpower but from fixing our gaze on Jesus. The Greek word for “looking” implies turning away from all distractions to focus solely on Christ. Pastor Léveillé recounts the Welsh Revival of 1904-1905, where coal miner Evan Roberts prayed, “Bend me, oh Lord,” leading to a movement where people turned from sin to Christ, singing hymns like “Here Is Love” in the streets. When our eyes are filled with Jesus, the things of this world—problems, comparisons, or self—grow dim. Revival is not about emotional highs but a deliberate, desperate focus on Christ alone. Are your eyes fixed on Him, or are distractions pulling your gaze away?
Conclusion
Revival is not a distant dream but a present possibility for every believer. As Pastor Léveillé reminds us, it begins personally before it becomes collective. Drawing from Hebrews 12:1-2, we are called to lay aside every weight, confess and forsake sin, and fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Historical revivals, from Wales to Saskatoon to New York, show us that when God’s people turn from self and sin to Christ, His Spirit moves powerfully. Psalm 85:6 (KJV) asks, “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” Let us answer this call by seeking personal revival, trusting that as we do, God will move in our hearts and in FaithWay Baptist Church.
