She and her husband, Shane, live in Mississippi. ? 8:33-39), THE DISTINCTION OF THE SPIRIT LIFE (Romans8:31-39), THE DETERMINATION OF THE SPIRIT LIFE (Romans8:28-30), THE DILIGENCE OF THE SPIRIT LIFE (Romans8:18-27), THE DELIGHTS OF THE SPIRIT LIFE (Romans8:14-17), THE DIFFERENCES OF THE SPIRIT LIFE (Romans8:5-13), THE DELIVERANCE OF THE SPIRIT LIFE (Romans8:1-4), PAULS SPIRITUAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY PART 2 (Romans7:14-25), PAULS SPIRITUAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY: PART 1 (Romans7:7-13), MARRIED? We must run perseveringly; pursuing even when faint. How many times have you heard a sermon or listened to a Bible Study or read a book about following Jesus and said to yourself: "I've got to try harder to be a better Christian"? The one time you began a running program you ran down your driveway, onto the sidewalk in front of your house getting to the end of your yard only to turn around exhausted and panting barely making back to your La-z-boy. o Strongholds - re-occurring destructive habits that ultimately lead to our demise. 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. Never give up. 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 Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV) The Race of Faith. 25And every man that striveth for Follow Jesus. Anything that does not build us up in the Lord, is a weight and a hindrance and should be removed from our life. We are not alone. Hebrews 11:29-12:2. The Discipline of God Get in the race. (view more) This thought lies behind Paul's advice to the church at Corinth: "Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. B. However, I want to encourage you, my fellow believers, to keep at it; dont quit. Time and time again The Scripture exhort us to persist and endure. Solomon was the son of Bathsheba (you remember her; David had her husband killed when he cheated Your past times can be a distraction. 4:15.). In my last collegiate season, Hebrews 12:13 was such a gift from God to run each race. He ran the 100-, 220-, and 440-yard events. Seven times in the book of Hebrews, the author captures the heart of Christianity in a simple, wonderful command: draw near. 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. I felt strong and energetic and my pace was quick and light. Maybe in your race you've been knocked off your feet a few times. There are so many things and people that try and take us from Gods purpose in our lives. In fact, often the opposite is true, John 16:33. Summary: This sermon helps one to look at the good and bad and understand no matter what they go through in life they have to Stay in the Race. Jesus is our joy. The man "who both began and finished this race we're in" (Heb. Jobs can be a distraction. However, I want to encourage you, my fellow believers, to keep at it; dont quit. Likewise, the great need for spiritual races is persistence. 12:1-2 on several occasions Paul likened the Christian life to a race.. **politics,religion,sportsthirst for sportswe are in a race.. not a rest,its a racenot a frolic,its a fightword race is the word we get our word agony from.the discipline of an athelete, and the determination of a championimportant Has life ever been so that you wanted say, Im not doing this church thing anymore? You get tired of the same old, same old in churches that go onYou get tired of people in the church acting like people in the worldYou get tired of trying to live this Christian life and always failingYou keep hearing the preacher say one thing, and culture say another , God wants us to stay in the race! Galatians 5:25, Denomination: We're sorry, an error occurred. He decided who was disqualified and who was running well.). 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. Solomon was a good man. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. February 25, 2021. (Ill. In doing so, they stand as an encouragement and a challenge to the rest of us. WebStaying in the Race-Heb. Our primary duty while we run is to look to Him. It, too, becomes the central focus of your existence. You say to yourself, "This is the race I was created to run. Jesus is our joy. Jesus understands because (v. 3 says) He endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself, (v. 2 says) He endured the cross, and (v. 3 says) He despised the shame! For our lesson today, we are looking at the life of King Solomon. (LogOut/ WebThe Christian race requires new life to participate. Evangelical/Non-Denominational, This Christian life we live is a race, make sure you are in the best of shapes always. We must run lawfully, i.e., according to the Scripture rules of the race. We are not in competition, but we are on the same team! Salvation Plan of God ( In PowerPoint Format), A1.2 The STUDY BIBLE NKJV (Extreme Teen StudyBible), A1.3 The STUDY BIBLE NKJV Foundation StudyBible, A2. And just yesterday you were sweating so profusely, dripping like a faucet on the clean kitchen floor, your spouse asked, "Did you go for a jog?" I pray that youll finish the race, and that youll finish well. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. A Popeye singing, "Im strong to the finish" Like the marathon run, this race has no time outs, no breaks, no intermissions, and no halftimes. In the 440, he got off to a bad start. 13:53-58, 9. from Ethiopia had won the race, and all the other There are so many things and people that try and take us from Gods purpose in our lives. It speaks of things that are innocent in and of themselves, but when they slow you down in the Christian race, they are weights and they must go. We need perseverance as Christians. Jesus Christ Himself is our greatest role model for Photo credit: Unsplash/Jonathan Chng. The Christian race is not easy. Strong to the Finish WebWe need to run with endurance the race that is set before us. That seems to be the idea in the book of Hebrews. Keep going. Never give up. read more, Scripture: C. Consider His Reward Jesus ran well and when He finished, He sat down with the Father in His throne! (1039). These people are the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us as we run the race we have been given. They endure long runs. B Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance 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. 2 Kings 2:1-11, Joshua 4:1-20, Genesis 28:17-19, Genesis 35:1-15, 2 Timothy 4:6-7, Hebrews 11:6 Say this with me: He should always be the focus of our faith because He is the giver and wellspring of faith. Verse 2 tells us He is the founder of our faith. Where is the joy in being rejected by people you love? If they could live for the Lord and serve Him, then you and I can as well!). The same is true in the Christian life. {This Sermon Has been REVISED}, -----------------------------*The Book of Hebrews*------------------------------------------------------------------- The 12th Chapter------------------------------------- He pulled into fourth place ten yards behind the leader, J. J. Gillies. 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 The persecution was too much, and they could retreat back to Judaism and escape much of the suffering it was costing to follow Numbers 11:1-25(Moses), Christian Living / Victory / Renew Mind / Overcoming Life (PDFBooks), Spiritual Warfare Prayers and Sermons (PDFBooks), Dont Waste Your Life by Dr John Piper (PDFBook), Discovering Your Freedom In Christ by Neil T Anderson(PDF), Breaking up the Fallow Ground Hosea10:12, Break Up Your Fallow Ground New YearMessage, Seven Reasons for Unbelief (ParadigmShift), THE RESULTS OF LIFES TRIALS Job2:7-13, The 5 Most Shocking Things in the BIBLE (MustRead). He took the burden of our sins and placed them on himself at the cross. We will never reach our fullest potential for the Lord until we are willing to make the preparations and sacrifices that are necessary for running the race. That is why we are told to compare our sufferings with His when we feel like giving up. Progress and coronation. 1 Kings 11:4-11, 1 Kings 11:4, Denomination: WebStaying in the Race-Heb. He was born to an unwed mother Mt. (Again, this should give us encouragement to run for he Lord. Are you more like Jesus today than you were yesterday? The race gives purpose to life, hope for the future, and a reward in glory. The Hebrew writer gives us insight and direction of being a witness to others. In a quarter mile, that's a long distance to make up. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most. You Might Feel Like You are By Your Self, But Just Stay In The Race." We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, who stands at the finish line waiting for us to complete the race. By focusing on that joy we can endure. He has a little grit. Paul reminded Timothy, "if we endure, we will also reign with Him" (2 Tim. Jesus cares for us, "Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you! Jobs can be a distraction. After many weeks of chariot lessons he told the director, "I think I can drive the chariot all right, but I'm not at all sure I can actually win the race." 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