Hebrews 12:1-4
1 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, 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Main Point-God has given us a race to run, and by the grace of God we will run with endurance if we keep our eyes on Jesus. This sermon covers the famous ‘run the race verse.’
Background-sermonic letter to jewish christians, ie hebrews
Witnesses, (use Hebrews 11 great cloud of witnesses as an intro)
Holy spirit is also a living witness
They ran their races by faith
Define faith + race
Race
Also
Race that is set before us
What is your race? (maybe insert joke, not talking about _________ being Anglo, or ___________ being Hispanic)
Your salvation, your life in Jesus Christ is a primary race
Everyone is also running specific races (already)
Family, people, work, spouse
But how are you running it?
1 Corinthians 9:23-26
Questions to ask concerning your race:
Am i putting the kingdom of God on display?
Matthew 5:14-16
Am I doing the works of Jesus? Am I relying on Jesus in my race?
John 14:12-14
Am I inviting others into the race?
Matthew 28:18-20
Any race outside your current station, He will bring you to it. #promise
Proverbs 3:5-6
Talk about everyone’s race isn’t primetime tv, cloud of witnesses, for every Moses, there is an Able
Run with endurance
In order to run this race with about endurance we must do 2 things:
Lay aside weights and sin
talk about sanctification and things keeping us from God
Hebrews 12:3-4
Sin that gets us stuck
Workout example, pause, but not quit
Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Look to Jesus
Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith
As we run our race, as we are living our life, what has our focus? Is it Jesus.
He is the founder of your faith, the genesis of your faith, without Him you would have no faith.
He is the perfecter, the completer of your faith
What does this tell us, if we stay with our eyes on Jesus, if we run with Jesus, We will run our race with endurance and we will accomplish the call He has on our life.
Keep your eyes on Jesus
Jesus ran a race too
Hebrews 12:2
Psalm 33:13-22– encouraging close from the Lord who is also watching your race
