Run the Race with Endurance

Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)

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 endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Christ is the auther and finisher of our race. His life is the blueprint for this race

We have a race that we have to race.

To run this race we must:

Lay aside every sin and Wieght.

Luke 21:34–35 (NKJV)

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Matthew 11:29–30 (NKJV)

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

We must run this Race with Endurance.

the race is not a hundred meter sprint but rather a marathon.

The race requires endurance.

Jesus endured the cross, we have to endure many things in this race.

As we endure we must hold fast to our confidence.

Hebrews 10:32–37 (NKJV)

32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:

33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;

34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.

When people begin a race they are all confident that they will finish it.

However as they run and the pain of running the distance begin to hit their body and their muscles begin to ache, they begin to slowly lose their confidence.

Can i really finish this Race?

Did God really promise this to me, Can i really be vicorious.

The Key is to hold fast to your confidence until the end

Hebrews 3:14 (NKJV)

14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

All of Christ promises are yes And Amen

However we will be partakers of Christ promises if we hold the begining of our confidence steadfast to the end.

Hebrews 6:9–15 (NKJV)

9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.

10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,

12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,

14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

2 Timothy 2:11–13 (NKJV)

11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.

12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.