Growing By Running The Race Of Life

Growing by Running the Race of Life

Hebrews 12: 1-3

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us,

2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God

3 Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.

Setting the Text

-- The Book of Hebrews

---- Presents Jesus as the supreme sacrifice

---- Keywords: Supreme, Faith (11:1)

---- Going back to their “comfort” zones

-- Chapter 12

---- Starts with a conclusion – Toi-gar-oun

----Where’s the premise?

-- A cloud of witnesses – martyron

---- Not just mere spectators

---- But testifiers of God’s sustaining grace

-- So that we can run the race

---- Single Parents

---- Children of Dysfunctional Families

---- About to finish the race

---- Young married couples

---- With a painful past

1. Empty yourself.

-- With every weight

---- Ogkos

---- Not necessarily sinful

---- Discerning the “best” from the “good”.

-- With sin

---- Amartias

---- It distracts and entangles

2. Keep your eyes fixed.

-- On Jesus

---- The goal: Knowing Christ

---- The pioneer of the Faith

---- The supreme example of the Faith

-- He bore the cross

-- He despised the shame

-- Seated at the right hand of God

3. Don’t grow weary.

-- Run with steadfast endurance (v.1)

-- Hupomeno

---- To rise above the situation

-- Consider Jesus

---- Ana-logisathe: Analyze

---- Our supreme example

-- Don’t lose your “soul”

---- Busy for the Kingdom

---- Not busy for the King