Winning the Race of GodWinning the Race of God

Hebrews 12:1-4Hebrews 12:1-4

Proverbs 4:25-27 (NASB)Proverbs 4:25-27 (NASB)

25 25 Let your eyes look directly aheadLet your eyes look directly ahead, And , And let your let your gaze be fixedgaze be fixed straight in front of straight in front of you. 26 you. 26 WatchWatch the path of your feet, And all the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established. 27 Do not your ways will be established. 27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.foot from evil.

Are you spiritually focused?Are you spiritually focused?

Focus is Focus is extremelyextremely important to meeting important to meeting

our spiritual goals! our spiritual goals!

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NASB)2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NASB)

17 For momentary, light affliction is 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while far beyond all comparison, 18 while we lookwe look not at the things which are seen, but not at the things which are seen, but at the at the things which are not seenthings which are not seen; for the things ; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.which are not seen are eternal.

Our greatest motivation to persevere Our greatest motivation to persevere and be spiritually focused is the and be spiritually focused is the example of Jesus Christ! example of Jesus Christ!

(Hebrews 12:1-4)(Hebrews 12:1-4)

There is a “Race of God” We All There is a “Race of God” We All Must Run.Must Run.

Heb 12:1 (NASB) Therefore, since we have Heb 12:1 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance (or weight), and the sin which so easily (or weight), and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, the race that is set before us,

““So Great a Cloud of Witnesses So Great a Cloud of Witnesses Surrounding Us”!Surrounding Us”!

God’s faithful people from Old God’s faithful people from Old Testament times are Testament times are “cheering us on” “cheering us on” to win!to win! (Heb. 12:1a; cf. Heb. 11). (Heb. 12:1a; cf. Heb. 11).Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson, Samuel, the prophets, and others. Samson, Samuel, the prophets, and others.

Romans 15:4 (NASB)Romans 15:4 (NASB)

For whatever was written in earlier times For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.have hope.

The race is from God The race is from God who has set the rules for the who has set the rules for the

race (Heb. 12:1c).race (Heb. 12:1c).

Many people are running the wrong Many people are running the wrong way! way!

Matt 7:13 (NASB) 13 "Enter by the narrow Matt 7:13 (NASB) 13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and broad that leads to destruction, and many many are those who enter by it.are those who enter by it.

There is only There is only oneone path that leads to path that leads to eternal life in Heaven.eternal life in Heaven.

Matt 7:14 (NASB) "For the gate is small, Matt 7:14 (NASB) "For the gate is small, and and the way is narrow that leads to lifethe way is narrow that leads to life, and , and few are those who find it. few are those who find it. – cf. John 14:6– cf. John 14:6

SO WE BETTER BE ON THE SO WE BETTER BE ON THE RIGHT “RACE TRACK”!RIGHT “RACE TRACK”!

We must run the race that God We must run the race that God has given “in such a way” that has given “in such a way” that we will win we will win - according to the - according to the

instructions of His word.instructions of His word.

1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB)1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB)

Do you not know that those who run in a Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in Run in such a waysuch a way that you may win. that you may win.

2 Timothy 2:5 (NASB)2 Timothy 2:5 (NASB)

And also if anyone competes as an athlete, And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize he does not win the prize unless he competes unless he competes according to the rules.according to the rules.

Philippians 2:16 (NASB)Philippians 2:16 (NASB)

holding fast the word of lifeholding fast the word of life, so that in the , so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory day of Christ I may have cause to glory because because I did not run in vainI did not run in vain nor toil in nor toil in vain.vain.

A A dailydaily focus on the spiritual focus on the spiritual rules of the race is essential rules of the race is essential

(e.g., Bible study /meditation, (e.g., Bible study /meditation, memorization, prayer, spiritual memorization, prayer, spiritual

companions, etc.).companions, etc.).

What We Must Do to Win the Race.What We Must Do to Win the Race.

Lose weight (Heb. 12:1b).Lose weight (Heb. 12:1b).

Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay let us also lay aside every encumbrance (weight – KJV)aside every encumbrance (weight – KJV), , and the sin which so easily entangles us, and and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,before us,

A “weight” or “encumbrance” A “weight” or “encumbrance” would be would be anythinganything that hinders that hinders

us in our running the race of us in our running the race of God.God.

1 Corinthians 6:12 (NASB)1 Corinthians 6:12 (NASB)

All things are lawful for me, but not all All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. things are profitable. All things are lawful All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.anything.

Examples: (1) Television/ movies Examples: (1) Television/ movies (2) Recreation (3) The reading of (2) Recreation (3) The reading of newspapers & other secular literature. newspapers & other secular literature. (4) Hobbies that dominate (5) Career(4) Hobbies that dominate (5) Career

A poor spiritual condition A poor spiritual condition or lack of service is due to or lack of service is due to

tootoo muchmuch “weight”! “weight”!

Something that may Something that may seemseem so so important and valuable, may in important and valuable, may in

fact be slowing you down!fact be slowing you down!

What We Must Do to Win the Race.What We Must Do to Win the Race.

Get rid of the sin! (Heb. 12:1b)Get rid of the sin! (Heb. 12:1b)

Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay asidelet us also lay aside every encumbrance, and [the]every encumbrance, and [the] sin which so sin which so easily entangles useasily entangles us, and let us run with , and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, endurance the race that is set before us, - cf. - cf.

1 Tim 6:9; 2 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 2:20; 1 Tim 6:9; 2 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 2:20; Gal. 5:19-21; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-9; James 4:17Col. 3:5-9; James 4:17

What are sins that easily entangle What are sins that easily entangle you?you?

““Unload” the Sin!Unload” the Sin!

To unload the sin, a Christian must repent To unload the sin, a Christian must repent (Acts 8:22) and confess his sins (1 John 1:9).(Acts 8:22) and confess his sins (1 John 1:9).

Then come up a plan, with the Lord’s help Then come up a plan, with the Lord’s help and wisdom, to fight against that sin so you and wisdom, to fight against that sin so you do not repeat it!do not repeat it!– Examples: (1) Scripture memorization (Mat. 4:1-Examples: (1) Scripture memorization (Mat. 4:1-

11). (2) Prayer (Mat. 26:41). (3) Ask 11). (2) Prayer (Mat. 26:41). (3) Ask for the prayers of brethren (Jas. 5:16). for the prayers of brethren (Jas. 5:16). (4) Escape! (1 Cor. 10:13; cf. Gen. 39:12). (4) Escape! (1 Cor. 10:13; cf. Gen. 39:12).

What We Must Do to Win the Race.What We Must Do to Win the Race.

Run with endurance (Heb. 12:1c) Run with endurance (Heb. 12:1c)

Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and so easily entangles us, and let us run with let us run with enduranceendurance the race that is set before us, the race that is set before us,

““Run with Endurance”Run with Endurance”

No matter how many times we No matter how many times we stumble and fall in the race of stumble and fall in the race of

God, God, we continue to run!we continue to run! (Jer. 8:4-6; Heb. 10:36-39). (Jer. 8:4-6; Heb. 10:36-39).

Jeremiah 8:4 (NASB)Jeremiah 8:4 (NASB)

"And you shall say to them, 'Thus says the "And you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD, LORD, "Do men fall and not get up again?"Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not repent?Does one turn away and not repent?

Hebrews 10:36 (NASB)Hebrews 10:36 (NASB)

For For you have need of enduranceyou have need of endurance, so that , so that when you have done the will of God, you when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.may receive what was promised.

Revelation 2:10 (NASB)Revelation 2:10 (NASB)

'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. you will have tribulation ten days. Be Be faithful until death, and I will give you the faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. crown of life.

Winning the Race is Possible Only if Winning the Race is Possible Only if We Look to Jesus.We Look to Jesus.

In running the race, the Christian must In running the race, the Christian must focus on Jesus at all times (Heb. 12:2).focus on Jesus at all times (Heb. 12:2).

Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NASB)Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NASB)

… … let us run with endurance the race that is let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesusfixing our eyes on Jesus, the , the author and perfecter of faith, who for the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.the right hand of the throne of God.

We cannot allow ourselves to We cannot allow ourselves to get distracted and get distracted and take our eyes off of Jesus! take our eyes off of Jesus!

Don’t take your eyes off of Jesus!Don’t take your eyes off of Jesus!

Competition or comparing yourself with Competition or comparing yourself with others (Luke 9:46; 2 Cor. 10:12).others (Luke 9:46; 2 Cor. 10:12).

Fear or doubt (Mat. 14:30-31)Fear or doubt (Mat. 14:30-31)

Earthly treasures (Mat. 6:19-21).Earthly treasures (Mat. 6:19-21).

Self-centeredness/ selfishness (2 Tim. 3:1-4).Self-centeredness/ selfishness (2 Tim. 3:1-4).

A multitude of worldly distractions (Rom A multitude of worldly distractions (Rom 12:2; 1 Jn 2:15-16).12:2; 1 Jn 2:15-16).

Let us look unto Jesus, our Let us look unto Jesus, our perfect model runnerperfect model runner who has who has finished the race! (Heb. 12:2)finished the race! (Heb. 12:2)

Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)

fixing our eyes on fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and Jesus, the author and perfecter of faithperfecter of faith, who for the joy set before , who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.of the throne of God.

1 Peter 2:21-23 (NASB)1 Peter 2:21-23 (NASB)

21 For you have been called for this 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in leaving you an example for you to follow in His stepsHis steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was , 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;righteously;

Our faith must be in the Our faith must be in the “finisher” or “perfecter” of our “finisher” or “perfecter” of our

faith (Heb. 12:2).faith (Heb. 12:2).

Hebrews 5:7-9 (NASB)Hebrews 5:7-9 (NASB)

7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up 7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And suffered. 9 And having been having been made perfectmade perfect,, He became to all those who obey Him the He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, source of eternal salvation,

Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him Him endured the cross, despising the endured the cross, despising the shameshame, and has sat down at the right hand , and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.of the throne of God.

How did He do it?How did He do it?

He determined in his mind He determined in his mind to fulfill the to fulfill the Father’s willFather’s will (Mat 26:42; cf. John 6:38). (Mat 26:42; cf. John 6:38).

He endured “for the joy set before him” He endured “for the joy set before him” (Heb. 12:2) (Heb. 12:2) - to be exalted to God’s right - to be exalted to God’s right hand as Savior and Kinghand as Savior and King (Acts 2:25-35; (Acts 2:25-35; 5:31).5:31).

Jesus’ example of endurance is Jesus’ example of endurance is our our greatestgreatest source of source of

motivation as we motivation as we run the race of God! run the race of God!

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NASB)2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NASB)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousnesscrown of righteousness, which the Lord, the , which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.have loved His appearing.

Jesus Gives Us the Strength and Courage Jesus Gives Us the Strength and Courage to not Only Run, but to not Only Run, but FinishFinish the Race! the Race!

Consider the endurance of Jesus! (Heb. Consider the endurance of Jesus! (Heb. 12:3)12:3)

Hebrews 12:3 (NASB)Hebrews 12:3 (NASB)

For For consider Himconsider Him who has endured such who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. you may not grow weary and lose heart. – cf. Luke 23; John 19:30– cf. Luke 23; John 19:30

We will not faint nor collapse in We will not faint nor collapse in “the race of faith” if we will “the race of faith” if we will

continuecontinue to look to Jesus. to look to Jesus.

Hebrews 2:18 (NASB)Hebrews 2:18 (NASB)

For since He Himself was tempted in that For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.the aid of those who are tempted.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NASB)Hebrews 4:15-16 (NASB)

15 For we do not have a high priest who 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.find grace to help in time of need.

John 16:33 (KJV)John 16:33 (KJV)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.I have overcome the world.

Looking at Jesus will help to Looking at Jesus will help to keep things in their keep things in their proper proper

perspectiveperspective (Heb. 12:4). (Heb. 12:4).

Hebrews 12:4 (NASB)Hebrews 12:4 (NASB)

You have not yet resisted to the point of You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;shedding blood in your striving against sin;

Do we Do we reallyreally know what it means know what it means to suffer for Jesus’ sake?to suffer for Jesus’ sake?

Revelation 2:2-3 (NASB)Revelation 2:2-3 (NASB)

““I know your deeds and your toil and I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have perseverance and have endured for have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown My name's sake, and have not grown weary.”weary.”

EveryEvery Christian Can Christian Can Win the Race of God Win the Race of God if He/ She Will if He/ She Will

Look to Jesus!Look to Jesus!