Hebrews: When Life Gets Hard

Hebrews 12:1–3 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Prayer of Illumination

Gracious Father,

As we open Your Word, remove every distraction and fix our eyes on Jesus. Give us ears to hear, minds to understand, and hearts that are ready to obey. Encourage the weary, strengthen the discouraged, and remind us that our hope is found in Christ alone.

Speak to us now through Your Word, we pray.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Introduction

Every year, thousands of people sign up to run marathons. Almost everyone crosses the starting line. But not everyone crosses the finish line.

Some get injured. Some become exhausted. Some simply decide they can't go any farther. Starting the race is exciting. Finishing the race takes endurance.

The Christian life is much the same. We've all seen it. People who started with passion. Served faithfully. Loved Jesus deeply. Then somewhere along the journey...they disappeared.

Why?

Most people don't wake up one morning and decide they're done following Jesus. Life gets hard. The race becomes difficult. Little by little, they grow weary until one day they wonder if they can keep going.

The writer of Hebrews is writing to believers who were tired, discouraged, and tempted to quit. His answer wasn't, “Try harder."

His answer was, “Keep your eyes on Jesus." Before we read verse 1, notice the very first word: “Therefore."

If you were here last week, you'll remember we said every time we see "therefore," we ask, “What's it there for?" It's the writer's way of saying, “In light of everything I've just written..."

After showing us the greatness of Christ in chapter 1 and the faith of those who endured in chapter 11, he now tells us how we are to run the race.

I. Some People Never Deal With What Slows Them Down

"Lay aside every weight..."

Notice the writer doesn't just mention sin. He also mentions weight. Not everything weighing you down is sinful...but everything weighing you down makes the race harder.

I remember one year showing up to football camp overweight and out of shape. I thought I'd just get into shape once practice started. I was wrong.

For two weeks we had three practices a day. While everyone else was getting better, I was just trying to survive. I had to lose the weight because it had become a burden.

Every offseason after that, I worked on my conditioning so that when camp started, I was already prepared. Instead of trying to get in shape, I could focus on improving my game.

Hebrews says the Christian life is a race. If we're going to endure...we must lay aside every weight.

(Graphic 1)

I want you to picture your life like this. Imagine you're looking through a paper towel roll.

Jesus is still there...but your vision is crowded with everything else.

Worry.

Fear.

Comparison.

Pride.

Busyness.

Past hurts.

Distractions.

Jesus hasn't moved. The problem is that something else has captured our attention.

Whatever it is...if it's keeping you from Jesus...it's keeping you from running well.

But the writer also mentions sin. Some things aren't just weights. They're chains.

Sin doesn't simply slow us down—it entangles us.

Jesus came not only to forgive our sin…but to free us so we can run the race He has set before us.

But here's the danger. The greatest weight isn't simply what you're carrying. It's whatever keeps your eyes off of Jesus.

(Advance to Graphic 2 and pause.)

The Focus Is Jesus

Church... this is what Hebrews is calling us to. Lay aside every weight.

The enemy doesn't have to destroy you overnight. If he can distract you from Christ...he'll slowly keep you from finishing well.

That's why Hebrews says, “Lay it aside."

Even after laying aside every weight...the race is still hard. Which is why the writer tells us to run with endurance.

II. Some People Lose Heart When Life Gets Hard

The race requires endurance. Not excitement. Not emotion. Endurance.

Faithfulness is often ordinary. Day after day. Year after year. Keep showing up. Keep trusting God.

The Christian life isn't about starting fast. Church... it's about finishing faithfully.

Can I tell you about a time when I almost didn't finish?

Years ago, I was serving as an associate pastor at a church that was the complete opposite of this one.

Ministry became so difficult that I had my ministerial credentials in an envelope, addressed and ready to mail back to Kansas City.

In my mind...I was done. Before I mailed it, I called a mentor. He didn't try to fix everything. He simply said, “Don't send it today. Give it one more week."

A week later he said, “Give it another week." Then another. Then another.

Looking back, I can see God was changing my heart. He reminded me of something I've never forgotten: When God calls you, you don't quit simply because it gets hard.

God calls every one of us—not just pastors—to the same mission: leading people to Jesus. Our purpose is to help others encounter Christ so their lives are transformed, and then to equip them to help others do the same.We don't become fruit-bearers through education, talent, or our own good works.

We bear fruit by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, who gives us everything we need to faithfully love God, serve others, and carry out His mission.I'm so thankful I never mailed that envelope. Because if I had, I would have missed all that God had planned...including the privilege of standing here today as your pastor.

Maybe that's where some of you are today.

You're tired.

You're discouraged.

You're wondering if you can keep going.

Maybe you've thought about walking away from a ministry...giving up on your marriage...or simply settling into a comfortable Christianity because the race has become hard.

Don't quit. Don't give up. The writer is about to show us where endurance is found.

III. Everyone Who Finishes Well Has the Same Focus

The writer now brings us to the climax of the passage. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus..."

(Display the "Only Jesus" graphic.)

Church... this is the picture Hebrews wants us to see. The only thing filling our vision...is Jesus.

Everything in Hebrews 12 has been leading to this moment. The race isn't won because we're stronger. It isn't won because life gets easier. It's won because our eyes are fixed on Jesus.

Why do we fix our eyes on Jesus? Because He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

He began our faith. He sustains our faith. And He will bring our faith safely to completion.

From beginning to end...our hope rests in Christ. So don't look at yourself. Don't look at others. Don't look at your circumstances. Church... look at Him.

(Pause. Point to Graphic 2.)

▸ Look to Jesus. He ran the race before us. He finished the race for us. And now He strengthens us to finish our race.

▸ Jesus didn't quit when the cross stood before Him. He could have called down angels. He could have stepped off the cross. But He chose to endure. Why? "For the joy set before Him." The joy of accomplishing the Father's will, defeating sin and death, and making a way for us to come home.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

That's where this race ends.

No more tears.

No more death.

No more pain.

No more sorrow.

Jesus endured hostility. He never turned back. He endured. He finished.

Because Jesus finished His race...He is able to bring His people safely home. That is the joy He saw as He endured the agony of the cross.

Today He is seated at the Father's right hand...where He continually intercedes for us...and gives us the mercy and grace we need to endure.

Takeaway for the Week: The secret to finishing well isn't having an easier race—it's keeping your eyes on Jesus.

Conclusion

Church...Life is going to get hard. There will be days when you're weary. Days when you're discouraged. Days when you'll wonder if you can keep going.

When those days come...Lay aside every weight. Throw off the sin that entangles you. Run with endurance. But above all… keep your eyes on Jesus.

Don't just glance at Him. Consider Him.

(Graphic 2 remains on the screen.)

Consider the One who endured the cross. Who faced rejection and hostility. Who never turned back. Who endured for the joy set before Him.

Hebrews tells us why: “Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

(Pause.)

Church... that's the answer. The more we consider Christ, the less consumed we become with our circumstances.

We don't endure because we're stronger than everyone else. We endure because Christ endured first, and now He gives us the strength to keep running.

So don't ask God for an easier race. Ask God to help you keep your eyes on Jesus. Because the secret to finishing well isn't having an easier race. It's keeping your eyes on the One who has already finished His.

Let's pray.

Prayer Following Sermon

Father,

Thank You for speaking to us through Your Word today.

Forgive us for the times we've allowed distractions, burdens, and sin to pull our eyes away from Jesus. Give us the grace to lay aside every weight and run with endurance the race You have set before us.

For those who are weary, bring strength. For those who are discouraged, bring hope. For those who are tempted to quit, remind them that Christ endured the cross, finished the race, and now walks with them every step of the way.

As we leave today, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. May we trust Him, follow Him, and faithfully finish the race You have called us to run.

In His precious name we pray, Amen.