Winning The Race Of Faith

Introduction:

The Christian life is often compared to running a race

1 Cor. 9:24-27

2 Tim. 2:5

2 Tim. 4:7

Today we want to focus on Heb. 12:1-2 and what the Hebrew Christians were told so they could win the race of faith

1. We Can Win The Race Of Faith (Heb. 12:1)

We Know We Can Win Because of “The Great Cloud of Witnesses”

These men and women “obtained a good testimony through faith”. (NKJV) - Heb. 11:39-40

These men and women faced challenges, difficulties and obstacles and still ran with endurance

What Do We Learn from This Cloud of Witnesses?

We learn that we can win the race if we are all alone. We learn this from Noah (Heb 11:7).

We learn that we can win the race even when there is uncertainty about what is ahead. We learn from Abraham (Heb 11:8-12).

We learn we can win the race even if it requires great sacrifice on our part. We learn this from Moses (Heb 11:23-27).

We learn we can win the race even if we are mistreated and persecuted. We learn this from Heb 11:32-38.

We Have Something Better Than They Had So We Should Be -Able to Win the Race

Heb 11:39-40

These men and women never saw the complete fulfillment of God’s promise. They only saw it afar off (Heb 11:13).

If they won the race and we have an advantage over them then we should be able to win the race as well.

2. We Must Lay Aside Somethings To Win The Race Of Faith (Heb. 12:1)

What does it mean to lay aside?

NIV - “throw off everything...”

NET - “must get rid of every weight...

Translated as “put off” in Eph 4:22 and Col 3:8

Translated as “cast off” in Rom. 13:12

We Must Lay Aside Every Weight

NIV and CSB translate weight as “hinders” or “hindrance”

Hebrews 12:1 NIV 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,

Hebrews 12:1 CSB 1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,

The Hebrew writer is not talking about sin because that is mentioned next. Rather, he is talking about things that might distract and keep us from running with endurance.

“There are two classes of impediments to be avoided by the successful contender in the race of life, the first of these being ‘weights,’ as mentioned here. This class of hindrance includes just about everything that can get in the way, or impede the Christian contender's progress. Things not bad at all in themselves, but which, in the last analysis, hinder the work of the child of God must all be cast aside.” (Coffman)

Jesus warned about things that could choke out the word in the parable of the Sower (Luke 8:14).

Anything that keeps us from running to win must be gotten rid of. Nothing is worth being lost over (Mark 9:42-48)

We Must Lay aside Sin

We must put off the old man of sin - Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:5,8

We must cast off the works of darkness - Romans 13:12-14

Why would you want to keep sin considering what it does?

Romans 6:21-23

Isa 59:1-2

3. We Must Run With Endurance To Win The Race (Heb. 12:1)

To Run with Endurance Means Keep Running and Don’t Give Up

We have need of endurance so we don’t give up (Heb 10:35-39)

To run with endurance requires focus and discipline (1 Cor 9:24-27).

We Must Be Patient in Doing Good - Romans 2:7

Good Soil or Hearts Bear Fruit with Patience - Luke 8:14

How Do We Develop Endurance or Patience?

We develop patience through the scriptures (Romans 15:4).

We develop patience as we undergo trials (James 1:2-3)

We develop patience by focusing on our hope (Romans 8:24-25; James 5:7-11)

4. We Must Look To Jesus If We Want To Win (Heb. 12:2)

We Might Glance At Others (the cloud of witnesses) but our focus must be on Jesus - Col 3:1-2

When We Look to Jesus We See the Author and Finisher of Our Faith

He is the author means that he is the “cause of our salvation”

Acts 4:12

He caused our salvation by suffering and becoming like us in all things (Heb 2:9-11)

He is the finisher or perfecter. He brought it to completion

When We Look to Jesus We See How He Endured

He looked to the joy set before him and this caused him to endure the cross and despise the shame.

We must focus on the joy before us if we are to endure.

2 Cor 4:16-18

Heb 11:13-16

When We Look to Jesus We See What We Have to Endure Is Not That Bad

Jesus faced great hostility from sinners (Luke 4:28-29; Luke 16:14).

Ultimately, Jesus gave his life for us (Phil 2:8).

We have not suffered to that extent. If he suffered for us then we can live for him (2 Cor 5:14-15).