Finishing the race is very important to the runner. So as a Christian, we must run, endure and finish the race!
Sermon Title: Christian: Run without the Encumbrance, Run with Endurance, Run with Focus on God’s Son!
Sermon Text: HEBREWS 12:1-2
Guest Speaker: PTR MONCHING TAMPOS
Sermon Notes:
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
What Christians increasingly feel – a lack of faith within their communities and, often, within their own lives.
Faith – “1 Timothy 6:12a (ESV)… “Fight the good fight of the faith.”
“Faith is the experience of contentment in Jesus.”
John Piper
I. FAITH IS A RACE
Hebrews 12:1d, ESV
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
THE RACE is for all believers.
THE RACE has been set before us.
THE RACE is about crossing the finish line.
2 Timothy 4:7, ESV
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
II. FAITH IS A RACE WITH ENCUMBRANCE
Hebrews 12:1b,c ESV
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
THE ENCUMBRANCE of the cares of this world
THE ENCUMBRANCE of sin
Hebrews 12:1c
…and sin which clings so closely
THE ENCUMBRANCE must be eliminated
Hebrews 12:1b,c ESV
let us also lay aside every weight,a nd sin which clings so closely,
III. FAITH IS A RACE OF ENDURANCE
Hebrews 12:1d, ESV
and let us run with enduraance the race that is set before us
SUFFERING is for all believers
John 16:33, ESV
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
SUFFERING is for most of life
Psalm 90:10, ESV
The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span [pride] is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
SUFFERING needs perseverance
Romans 8:25, NASB
But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
IV. FAITH IS A RACE THAT MUST FOCUS ON GOD’S SON
Hebrews 12:2, ESV
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
LOOK TO JESUS the founder and perfector of our faith
Hebrews 12:2b, ESV
…the founder and perfecter of our faith
LOOK TO JESUS who endured the cross, disregarded the shame, for the joy set before Him
Hebrews12:2c,d,e ESV
…who for the joy that was set before him endured the corss, despising the shame
LOOK TO JESUS who sits in the place of honor beside the throne of God
Hebrews 12:2f, ESV
who sits in the place of honor beside the throne of God
WILL YOU
- Lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely?
- Then run with endurance the race that is set before us?
Stop looking around at the distractions in our faith, and completely and totally look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God