Believe for It - One Step At a Time

Cowtown half-marathon… The uphill bridge… One step at a time.

We have studied Hebrews 11..

Tired and despondent Jews.

“Look at Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah, David, Samuel, the prophets… They made it.”

And now, we get to the point...

Hebrews 12:1-3

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,

2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.

These are life verses. We can apply them individually and to our church.

Cloud of witnesses - not a cloud of uninvolved spectators.

Christians who have fought the good fight and finished.

They bore witness to the truth

Their examples proved faith in Christ is worth the trouble.

Their life if proof that we can make it.

I’ve heard too many “run the race” sermons that initially gave me energy followed by long-term regret and shame.

This race is long. Longer than we realize. If we sprint, we will fail. We have to plan, prepare, and discipline our life for the journey.

Too many people are falling away. Shrinking back. We are making people feel like they aren’t enough.

The primary mindset of a disciple is faith.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

I encourage you to embrace a “one step at a time” mindset.

1. One sin at a time.

“Every hindrance” (Bulk, size, mass, load, burden)

Items that keep our eyes of of Jesus. (Way, the truth, the life)

Sin is compared to a garment that clings to a runner impeding their progress.

Carnal and worldly things that lead to sin.

When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, the consequences were exile, depravity, and death.

Romans 3:23

23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;

Counseling - You carry way too much shame

Sin is a curse. Humanity and all created things struggle directly from sin.

Everything can be drawn back to sin.

We can be overwhelmed by it all.

We have a chance though. Answer the following questions...

Am I saved? If not. You are unable to not sin.

What sin is hindering me from seeing Jesus?

Everything isn’t going to be fixed today. What is one step you can take today to make war with sin?

What is 1 sin that holds you down?

2. Build Endurance One Day at a Time.

“Let us run” (trecho - run; try to do; progress)

Endurance - steadfastness, perseverance

“race” - struggle, fight, balance, contest

There are different types of races. The words used by the writer of Hebrews allude to a stern test of endurance. A LONG RACE.

Two-a-days. It’s not easy.

Church history is dripped in blood...

Men and women have suffered for the cause of Christ.

We (GBC) have a long road in front of us.

We build endurance..

Hebrews 10:36

36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.

Discipleship

The most important step in your spiritual life is the next one. What is your next step?