Endurance

Hebrews 12:1

CVliff Young

Welcome Fit 2 Serve Family, today we are now jumping over to the fitness side of the Fit 2 Serve Method.

We have talked about Nutriiton, Mobility, and now Endurance

Why is Endurance important spiritually?

Why is Endurance important Physically?

Story

WHENEVER I went to the circus as a kid, we would normally see the elephants outside in the parking lot as they were being prepared to go in to entertain the crowd.

One of the things that you will notice, if you’ve seen that sight, is that these huge beasts are being held hostage by a little chain around one of their ankles connected to a post that’s in the ground.

It is amazing to think that such a little chain, connected to such a little post, could hold such a big beast hostage. An elephant could simply swipe and either break the chain or pull up the post.

But circus elephants don’t do that, because when they were baby elephants, their master, the trainer, taught them that when they felt the chain that they were supposed to submit.

The baby elephants never had an opportunity to understand their identity. So circus elephants are good for entertainment only, because in the early days their identity was ripped from them.

A lot of us are being held hostage. We come to church and we hear about all of this power we have, all of this greatness we have, but just a little old chain holds us down. And we wonder what’s wrong, how can we be such powerful beings and be held hostage by any little thing that shows up. It’s a question of identity.

Sermon Title: Running With Endurance

Points: 3 Key Points on Finishing The Race With Endurance

Hebrews 12:1–2 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, 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.

Therefore - is starting up what was prior to this passage, which was ch. 11 the hall of faith.

That would be the Faith chapter of all all the Patriarchs that laid the foundation with there amazing faith journey.

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses

they’re clouds of those who have gone before us. Next time you feel you’re being “wailed on,” think of Jonah example and let that inspire you.

Next time you feel like you’re in a fiery trial, look for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego as his testimony encouarges you being in the fiery furnace.

Next time you feel like you’re up against a giant of a problem, remember King David, the giant-slayer:)

These great believers’ lives, are examples, and show their faithfulness in God, without seeing his promises, speak to all believers of the rewards of staying in “the race.”

This metaphor is of a marathon, a test of stamina and commitment, and a description of the lives of these suffering believers.

let us lay aside every weight,

1st point to be able to run with endurance:

Point #1Take off the weight

The first step of preparation to run the race requires that the racers strip off every weight that might slow them down.

Christians must be “spiritually trim” and able to run the race as a lean fighting machine.

1 Corinthians 9:25 “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

They competed for a wreath in those das, we compete for trophies, but there is eternal crown

2 Timothy 2:2-4 “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

If we are a soldier for Christ there will be hard battles that we will endure

Many “weights” may not be necessarily sinful acts, but could be things that hold us back, such as use of time, some forms of entertainment, or certain relationships.

and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

The sin that so easily hinders our progress.

Sins such as greed, pride, arrogance, lust, gossip, dishonesty, and stealing can cause believers to drift off spiritual course.

Sin is always unbelief - We think that we will get gratification from that thing.

We are saying God I believe what you say, but I will do it my way!

So if your trying to run a race you better not have any unbelief.

How can you run if there are all kinds of things in our way.

Application:

Imagine running a SPARTAN RACE OR TUFF MUDDER 6mi race compared to just a plain 10k run on pavement with no obstacles.

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Brings us to our 2nd Point

Point #2 Be Patient

When I think of patience I think of the farmer waiting for his crops and not knowing if the rain is coming with the same consistency as the year before.

2 Timothy 2:6 “The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.”

When we run this endurance race, we do not select the course; God marks it out.

The race before us is not a sprint.

It’s a marathon. We’re in it for the long haul, gang.

Who has ran in a Marathon?

STORY

I remember running in the Rock n Roll MArathon the training was a 6 month grueling painful training. I had a goal to finish under 4 hrs. with that I had to know my times of 5k, 1/2 marathon , and also what my 20mi time.

The 20 mile time was important because that was where the runner usually hits the wall which is called the bonk, with only 6 miles to go.

END STORY

If you want to have Endurance - you must have patience. There were many days that the training got so boring and never seen any variety.

If you want to have Endurance - you must have perseverance. There are many times in the training and of course in the race that your body is wanting to give up.

Endurance - the ability to withstand hardship or adversity especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity

〈a marathon runner’s endurance〉

Jesus was the greatest example of Endurance

His life of ministry with us sinners

His crucifixion

PERSEVERANCE: to persist in a state, or undertaking in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement

Paul... Run the Race

Noah... build a boat

Joshua....hung out 40 years in the wilderness

Hebrews 12:2 “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.”

The 3rd way on how we can run this race with endurance is

#3 Looking unto Jesus The Author and Finisher of our Faith

Look Unto

Looking away from the things that hinder our race and looking to Jesus

If we want to run the race we must ...Be like Jesus the greatest example.

He is the Finisher

Its like when you go buy a car or any high ticket sale they bring in the closer to finish it of.

Jesus He is the Author who began this story and He is the Finisher who will end this story.

We will end by us spending eternity with Him

So we will be victorious in this race we just have to stay on course.

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.”

The shame of the cross was worth it for Him because He knew that we would be saved.

That is the reason why He was able to run His race with Joy.

Even in the struggle their is JOY

The reason we can have Joy because in the end we win the RACE.

We will be rewarded in eternity.

So lets keep our eyes on Jesus as we run this long marathon, and not loose heart because the Victory is ours!