Running the Race

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Hebrews 12:1–3 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

Hebrews 12:1–13 (NIV84)

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. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language Chapter 12

1–3  12 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your sou

Philippians 3:14 NIV84

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NIV84

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

References:

Background Research:

Theological Significance The race metaphor underscores the active and dynamic nature of the Christian life. It is not a passive existence but a vigorous pursuit of holiness and Christlikeness. The metaphor highlights several key aspects of the Christian journey: · Perseverance: The race requires endurance, as believers face trials and challenges. The call to "run with endurance" (Hebrews 12:1) reflects the need for steadfastness in faith. · Discipline: Just as athletes train their bodies, Christians are called to spiritual discipline. Paul’s emphasis on self-control (1 Corinthians 9:25) points to the importance of spiritual practices such as prayer, fasting, and studying Scripture. · Focus: The race metaphor encourages believers to maintain a singular focus on Christ. Paul’s exhortation to "press on" (Philippians 3:14) and the call to fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) remind Christians to prioritize their relationship with the Lord above all else.

Jump to: Subtopics • Terms Topical EncyclopediaThe concept of "The Race of Faith" is a metaphorical expression found in the New Testament, primarily in the Pauline epistles, that describes the Christian life as a race that requires endurance, discipline, and focus. This metaphor is rich with spiritual significance and offers believers a framework for understanding their journey of faith. Biblical Foundation The primary scriptural basis for the metaphor of the race is found in Hebrews 12:1-2 : "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." In this passage, the author of Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in their faith journey by looking to Jesus as the ultimate example. The "great cloud of witnesses" refers to the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11, who serve as examples of steadfastness and trust in God. Endurance and Discipline The race of faith requires endurance, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 : "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." Paul uses the imagery of athletic competition to emphasize the need for self-control and dedication. Just as athletes train rigorously to win a temporal prize, Christians are called to exercise spiritual discipline to obtain an eternal reward. Focus on Christ Central to the race of faith is the focus on Jesus Christ.

"fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."

Jesus, who endured the cross and triumphed over sin and death, serves as both the source and the goal of the believer's faith. Obstacles and Encouragement

"throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles" (Hebrews 12:1).

identifying and removing anything that hinders spiritual progress, whether it be sinful habits, distractions, or worldly concerns.

Encouragement comes from the community of faith, both past and present.

The "great cloud of witnesses" provides inspiration and testimony to God's faithfulness. The Prize The ultimate prize in the race of faith is eternal life and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Paul speaks of this in Philippians 3:13-14 : "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."

The race of faith is a lifelong journey, marked by growth, perseverance, and the anticipation of the ultimate reward in Christ. · Reward: The metaphor also speaks to the eternal reward awaiting those who faithfully complete the race.

The "imperishable crown" (1 Corinthians 9:25) symbolizes the eternal life and glory promised to believers. Practical Application

live with intentionality and purpose.

evaluate your spiritual progress

remove any hindrances that may impede their journey.

By embracing the discipline and perseverance of an athlete,

Christians are encouraged to pursue their faith with vigor and dedication,

always keeping their eyes on the ultimate prize—eternal life with Christ.

Theme:

Object Lesson: Back pack of Rocks carry them while running, with the extra weight we will not endure for a long run.

Songs:

Outline:

Hebrews 12:1–3 NIV84

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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Running the Race with Perseverance

Bible Passage: Hebrews 12:1–3

Summary: Hebrews 12:1–3 encourages believers to lay aside every hindrance and sin in order to run the race of faith with endurance, looking to Jesus as the ultimate example and source of strength.

Application: This passage teaches children the importance of staying focused on their goals and not being distracted by things that can slow them down. It shows them that just like in a race, they can turn to Jesus for help when they feel tired or discouraged.

Big Idea: We can run the race of faith with perseverance by laying aside distractions and looking to Jesus for strength.

Illustrations:

2. Ben Davis, losing 200 pounds, one step at a time

When Ben Davis was 22, he weighed over 350 pounds (158.8 kg), spent his days at home playing video games, and tried to stay out of sight. He didn’t go jogging, he didn’t eat healthy, he wasn’t happy.

But one day, everything changed—not with a magic pill, not with a trendy program, but with one decision: to take charge of his life.

It all started with a simple family question, “How are you doing?, from his grandmother on Christmas Day 2008. As usual, he answered, “Fine.” Only this time, it hurt him. He suddenly realized that he wanted it to be true.

That same night, he started a blog, “Ben Does Life,” on Tumblr and promised his grandmother that one day he would fit into the shirt she gave him, a size XL, two or three sizes smaller than his actual size. That was his starting point.

Together with his brother Jed, a football coach who also struggled with excess weight, he started running. First, a few steps. The next day, a little further. A month later, the first 5K runs. A year later, full marathons.

And although times were tough, “In the beginning, I almost passed out by the end of the run,” Ben recalls, he kept going.

He also changed his diet: instead of pizza, he began eating oranges and simple food. He limited his calorie intake to 2,000 a day, gradually bringing his weight down to 247 pounds (112 kg), then to 220 pounds (100 kg), and then even lower. And all this—without a coach or nutritionist, just with the desire to change his life and honesty with himself and the audience.

The audience loved him precisely for his sincerity. Ben shared everything: fears, failures, victories, self-irony. His slogan, “Do life”, became an inspiring symbol for thousands of people who were also trying to change something in their lives. Some were struggling with excess weight, others with addictions or depression.

Today, Ben is a marathon runner, speaker, blogger, and author, and someone who continues to run and inspire. He has received letters from people all over the world, from people who went for their first run after reading his posts to those who got his slogan tattooed on their bodies.

“Do life” is not just about sports. It’s about choosing to live. About changing one part of your life, which pulls everything else along with it,” says Ben.

9. David Clarke, from 320 pounds and addiction to ultramarathons and a new life

David Clarke was on the edge. A former multi-million dollar business owner, he had lost everything—his health, his control, his self-respect.

He weighed 320 pounds (145 kg), drank every day, and was dependent on painkillers. His business had collapsed, and his family had become estranged. His doctor told him straight out: “You could have a stroke within an hour.”

When he was too drunk to wrap his children’s presents one Christmas evening, he realized: this was no longer possible. The next morning, he said to himself: “Enough”—and this time it was real.

From that moment on, his transformation began—one of the most impressive in the history of running.

He returned to the gym, where he had been a member for 10 years, but had never showed up. He barely ran 15 seconds on the treadmill. But that was the beginning. He decided that if he could quit drinking and drugs, he could run.

A few months later, he had lost 130 pounds. He bought his first pair of running shoes and told the salesperson that hewanted to run a marathon.

With the support of the running community, David went far beyond weight loss—he became an ultramarathoner. He ran 29 ultras, crossed Colorado (340 miles / 547 km), and even created his own challenge—a quadruple Boston, in which he ran 104.8 miles (168.7 km) through the city’s streets in conjunction with the official marathon.

He did all this for others. He founded The Superman Project to inspire people who, like him, once felt lost—suffering from obesity, addiction, and injury. He wanted to show that anyone can be the hero of their own story.

“I want to help people do something that seems impossible, run a 5K, complete a marathon, climb a mountain. Because in it, a new life is born.”

David is the bestselling author of “Out There” and “Broken Open”, where he candidly shares his story of struggle and recovery. His latest book, “Eat Sh*t And Die”, is about food addiction and an honest conversation about his body, pain, and self-acceptance.

He built a life filled with meaning. He opened a gym, ate vegan, became a caring father, and an inspiration to thousands of people.

Sadly, in 2020, after complications during spinal surgery, David passed away. But his story lives on. His “start with 15 seconds” approach continues to change lives.

“Truth is not something we find outside. It has always been inside us. Running helps us hear it.”

1. Shed the Sins

Hebrews 12:1

Cast off the Weights that hinder. What weights might hinder us from running?

Cast off the sins that cause us to be unfit for the race.

Condition your spiritual life for the race...

2. Focus on the Finisher

Hebrews 12:2

The Focus is the goal

Our Goal is Jesus

Fix your eyes on him

3. Persevere with Purpose

Hebrews 12:3

Follow our Example

Never lose sight of the purpose

Our purpose is eternal life with Jesus