YES! Anything less will spell disaster for the Christian runner. 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him II. WebTwelfth Sunday After Pentecost. 2 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 2:12 HCSB). In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado(PDF), D1. (1 Peter 1:18-20), PDF Books - Supernatural Healing and Restoration in Christ (1), Jesus Prays for You and Me (John17:11-26), JESUS CHRIST : THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST (John17:1-26), PDF Books The HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD ( L1), PDF Books Supernatural Healing and Restoration in Christ(2), PDF Books Supernatural Healing and Restoration in Christ(1), Devotions and Studies from the Book of PROVERBS PDFBooks, JESUS CHRIST : THE GREAT GIFT GIVER (John 16:7-15;14:16-18), GRACE FOR ALL THE GEARS OF LIFE (Isaiah40:28-31), THE PSALM OF THE RESCUED SAINT (Hezekiah Isa. Devotions by Steve Troxel Vol 1 PDFBook, B2. Charismatic. Please see below for details. It would not be unusual if some who hear me today are on the verge of dropping out. Stay fit to win, May the peace of the Lord be with you. I ( Philippians 3:14) Run the race that is set before you. 3. Yes, difficulties will come and trials will cross our paths and often, we will be tempted to quit on God and drop out of the race. Speed is of utmost importance. WebWe need to run with endurance the race that is set before us. Your Bible study. But many who compete are anything but serious runners. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. We need perseverance as Christians. Lay Aside All Sins Next, the author encourages his readers to get rid of besetting sins. It, too, dominates your mind. Believers can take certain approaches to be sure they will strongly finish the race. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. ), (Ill. we need to come to the place where we are able to look beyond the situations and circumstances of life and envision that day when we too will be home with the Savior. Rick has earned a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology in preaching from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Verse 2 tells us He is the founder of our faith. 10:22-25), HOW TO GET YOUR LIFE OUT OF THE PIT (1 Peter5:5-10), Reminders for Pilgrims and Strangers (1 Peter2:9-12), JESUS: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (John9:1-11), REALITIES THAT CAN PUT DOUBT TO DEATH (Heb. The race is a contest in daily progress toward Christ-likeness. 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin You do realize that if you are struggling in life that God must not be shining His love and grace upon you! He ran the 100-, 220-, and 440-yard events. February 25, 2021. The one who selected unattractive, unlikable, and unreliable men to be his followers and loved them to the end. 2. WebRunning The Race Hebrews 12:1-3 Home Back to Sermon List Now there are some of the same things which are essential to being victorious in a race are also key to being given to someone else. Along the racecourse for the marathon, Akhwari for all endurance and patience" (Col. 1:11 HCSB). I For Him, the joy was the day of redemption that would bring about the following: 2. It would not be unusual if some who hear me today are on the verge of dropping out. 6:18-20), NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS (1 Peter1:18-25), JESUS: THE SYMPATHETIC SAVIOR (John8:1-11), HOW I KNOW IM GONNA GO (Hebrews6:16-20), WHY DID JESUS GO TO CALVARY? WebThe Christian race requires new life to participate. To run the race well - to win it if you can - becomes the central focus of your existence. Jesus is our joy. When we set our eyes firmly on him, we will not grow weary in the fight against sin and in the race to persevere in faith. I am convinced that the cause of Christ has been hindered by many who refuse to run in their own lane and they end up hindering everyone around them. - to make an effort to advance spiritually or intellectually. Never give up. He opposed by His family Mark 3:21-22. He took the burden of our sins and placed them on himself at the cross. When runners are in a relay race, each runner goes all the way around the track and then hands off a stick (or baton) Our natural bent is toward sinfulness and laziness. but to finish that race and make it to the cross where he would pay the price for mans redemption. But many who compete are anything but serious runners. Consider His Race His was a hard race that began in poverty and ended in pain on a cross. Pentecostal. The Bay to Breakers footrace is an annual event in San Francisco. Medical personnel had to assist him off the track that day. You see, Jesus knew where He was headed! We examined how God is primary resource for dealing with and eliminating stress. I'm told that two critical times exist in a marathon race. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament). Those who persist prevail. stumbled and fell, severely injuring both his knee and ankle. Jennifer Brogdon is a stay-at-home mom who ministers to college athletes and international students. It is our personal responsibility to discover, discern, and develop it. Sept. 11, 2005 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor Hebrews 12:13 says. We arrange our life around certain disciplines that help us gain power and strength to become more like Jesus each day, to live a life as Jesus taught and modeled. Hebrews 12:1-3 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. B Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance After the shock of being selected passes, you are gripped by the realization of what's happening in your life. o Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene. The lighter the endurance runner, the swifter the runner. If you have tripped and fallen, don't stay there. Lay Aside All Weights This refers to a runner making sure that all extra weights have been removed from his body. The average Olympian trains four hours per day, 310 days per year, for six years before succeeding. They stretch. Unlike the marathon and more like a steeplechase, this race is full of obstacles, barriers, hurdles, and hazards. Gods UNLIKELY PATH to SUCCESS by TonyEvans, V1. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Jesus is the creator and sustainer of the universe. We must run lawfully, i.e., according to the Scripture rules of the race. Family can be a distraction. The Olympic Committee enlisted you to run, not a sprint, but a 26.2-mile endurance competition. BUT TO WHICH MASTER? But we cant make it to the finish line without looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. This merely teaches us that the Christian runner has endurance. I felt strong and energetic and my pace was quick and light. For our lesson today, we are looking at the life of King Solomon. People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them? ( Philippians 3:14) Run the race that is set before you. So you are chosen. [5] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ God has done just that. You see, He ran His race, and He ran it well. Rick Ezell is the pastor of First Baptist Greer, South Carolina. My goal in preaching this message is that when we reach the end of this race we might say with the Apostle Paul, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Tim. John the Our course has been individually designed! It all comes down to one question: Will you engage in the training so that you will have the endurance to run the race? Hebrews 12:1-3 The good news is Jesus made us lightweight runners. He should always be the focus of our faith because He is the giver and wellspring of faith. Energy is expended and none is left for the end of the race. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Isnt it great that when you become a Christian, life is easy and there are no struggles! Doing so will cause distraction and defeat. Stay In The Race Scripture Hebrews Topic Series H.B. You will run the race. Likewise, the great need for spiritual races is persistence. Like the orange cones on the roadway that indicate the path of a long distant race, God has marked out a race distinctive for you that will take you on an adventure. Behold, I am coming quickly! Anything less will spell disaster for the Christian runner. HOLY SPIRIT - The Most Important Person on Earth by Dr Myles Munroe (PDF), Breaking up the Fallow Ground - Hosea 10:12, Don't Waste Your Life by Dr John Piper (PDF Book), Spiritual Warfare Prayers and Sermons (PDF Books), A2.1 Powerful Prayers in the War Room by Daniel B Lancaster, NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS (1 Peter 1:18-25), THE BELIEVER'S SECULAR DUTY (Romans 13:1-10), WHY DID JESUS GO TO CALVARY? (LogOut/ With forty yard to go, he pulled into third place, then second. We must not look at circumstances. Jobs can be a distraction. (Ill. Second: He has all power to help us complete the race of faith. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. We will persevere by maintaining a Christlike attitude even in the midst of trials ( 1 Peter 2:21; 4:1; 1 John 2:6 ). He was hated and opposed by others Mark 14:1-2, 12. WebThe Christian race requires new life to participate. To ensure you receive the best experience on Lifeway.com, we use cookies to process information about your visit. If God took care of them, honored their faith, sustained them, kept them, used them, blessed them, and got glory from their lives, then He will do the same in your life and mine! (view more) In athletics, only one can win a race. (electronic ed.). 1:18-19, 4. In his unorthodox style of running he took off after the pack. (REPEAT 3xs) Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before His presence in glory with exceeding great joy; to the only wise God, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. He never lost sight of the goal and He never quit running until the goal had been achieved. Hebrews 12:1-2 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,Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. The Christian race is not easy. The Hebrew Christians were being strongly tempted to give up on following Jesus. ", You are surprised because the farthest you've run in years is from the couch to the refrigerator. You Might Feel Like You are By Your Self, But Just Stay In The Race." Ultimately, He will bring us to our long-awaited reward: I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.. Like the Scripture C. Consider His Reward Jesus ran well and when He finished, He sat down with the Father in His throne! The one who holds the planets in orbit says something about his divine resilience. Running The Race To Win Hey folks, He suffered more than you or I can grasp. Jesus cares for us, "Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you! But run it with the hope that God wants you to have in Christ. Have you ever felt like no one understood what you were going through? This race becomes the great passion of your life. In the Bible, we can find many stories of those who have stayed the course during difficult times. We choose to do our will instead of his. Other times, a sinful desire to win crept into my heart. The first few steps felt easy, and my way was clear and bright. If you have not experienced the rescuing grace of God, run to the cross. God is absolutely dependable, Heb. The second critical time in a marathon is at the halfway point. 2:17-29), GODS JUDGMENT OF THE HYPOCRITE (Rom. It is the race of a lifetime. In many respects we race not against opponents, but against ourselves. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Therefore, let us run with patience the race that is set before us! Likewise, as Christians, we work hard to strengthen our faith to endure the race of faith. They Have Received Their Reward These people ran their race and now they are able to rest in the Fathers presence. You are thinking since you're already on the ground, there's no point in getting back up. As a result, I grew closer to Jesus. Bible. Maybe life has thrown you some curve balls. I do not know what you may be facing this evening as you run your race, but I do know doing the things revealed in these verses will help us all to be runners who are pleasing to the Lord God. Acts 9:1-16(Paul), From Here to ETERNITY The Rich Man andLazarus, How to Overcome Obstacles Joshua 6 (Destruction ofJericho), Thats It, I QUIT! A Closer Walk with God. read more, Scripture: His life was threatened as a baby Matt. WebRunning the Race That Is Set Before Us Unleashing Gods Truth, One Verse at a Time Since 1969 Listen Now About Broadcasts Resources Store Apps Blog Devotionals Sermons Donate Search Play Add to Playlist Download MP3 Reset PDF Related Series: Also Available: Available to Purchase: Available Translations: Stand With Us MOTIVATION FOR THE RACE Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [HEBREWS 12:1a]. Galatians 5:25, Denomination: WebRunning the Race That Is Set Before Us Unleashing Gods Truth, One Verse at a Time Since 1969 Listen Now About Broadcasts Resources Store Apps Blog Devotionals Sermons Donate Search Play Add to Playlist Download MP3 Reset PDF Related Series: Also Available: Available to Purchase: Available Translations: Stand With Us 2. You want to make it to the end. D. Consider His Resolve Verse 3 tells us that Jesus endured must to finish His race. 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Hypocrite ( Rom, 12 Hebrews 12:13 says let us run with patience the race faith! Was threatened as a result, i grew closer to Jesus the author and finisher of faith...