The Discipline of the Lord – Trained by Grace Message 3
Notes
Transcript
The Discipline of the Lord – Trained by Grace
Message 3
Hebrews 12:2
Run for Your Life Part 3
How Do We Run with Endurance?
How Do We Run with Endurance?
Hitting the Wall
Endurance racers
A marathon is 26.2 miles
Now Vienna is about 22 miles from here.
You get up on Monday morning slip on your shoes and run to Vienna.
You could if you trained for it.
But something many runners experience is what is called “Hitting the wall”.
Carbohydrate as glycogen
This glycogen is stored in the muscles and liver.
This is the fuel that runs the engine. It’s the premium blend.
When the glycogen is depleted, the fat takes over but it can’t produce the same intensity.
This is when the wall hits.
The runner experiences overwhelming fatigue, heavy legs, weakness, difficulty concentrating, and a strong desire to slow down or stop.
Obviously, most runners in a race reach the finish line. How?
The how of endurance racing.
Willpower? (A small part maybe)
Most serious runners have a strategy.
Remember the writer is using the analogy of running a race.
These are helpful in our own Christian walk.
👉They fuel before and during the race.
👉They hydrate appropriately.
👉They train for endurance.
👉They break the race into smaller pieces.
👉They manage their attention.
Of course these are all physical needs.
How can we apply these to our spiritual needs.
Running with Endurance
Running with Endurance
We are told to run with endurance
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) — 1 And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Definition: steadfast, endurance — the power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary.
This is what is needed in a race. (the power to endure hardship)
Then verse 2
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) — 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
If we put these together…
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.
God has the set the race before us
God has the set the race before us
God at work doing his will.
We adjust our life to his will.
But running that race requires endurance.
Compare the physical with the spiritual.
When a runner hits the wall, he is depleted of energy.
The believer can hit a “wall” also.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV) — 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. then you won’t become weary and give up.
Then you won’t become weary and give up.
We hit the wall from grief, disappointment, temptation, unanswered prayer, conflict, exhaustion.
(I asked a young pastor how things were going? One word “busy”.)
Jesus said we could with the worries and cares of life. (Matthew 13:1-23)
Trained by Grace
Trained by Grace
The Trailblazer
The Trailblazer
Verse 2 has an interesting
The word in Greek means “trailblazer”
We look to Jesus as the “trailblazer” of our faith.
He taught us how to live the Christlike “race” (life).
The NLT says He is the CHAMPION of our faith.
Training camp
Training camp
The runner trains before the race.
The believer walks with Jesus before the crisis. (2 Timothy 2:15)
The runner learns how to pace himself.
The believer learns patience and perseverance. (James 1:2-4)
The runner learns what will sustain him.
The believer learns to feed on God's Word. (Luke 4:5)
The runner practices when nobody is watching.
The believer develops disciplines in the ordinary days.
1 Timothy 4:7 (NET) — 7 But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.
But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.
1 Timothy 4:8 (NET) — 8 For “physical exercise has some value, BUT godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”
For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”
God marks out the race → God trains the runner → the runner develops endurance → the wall comes → fix your eyes on Jesus → keep running.
Fix Your Eyes.
Fix Your Eyes.
A picture of Jesus.
In the church I surrender to be preach there was this huge portrait of Jesus.
That’s not what this verse means.
This is about faith. Not something we can see.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (CSB) — 7 For we walk (run) by faith, not by sight.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Our Champion
Our Champion
Because Jesus blazed the trail and endured the cross.
The NLT uses the Champion.
We look to Jesus as the Champion of our faith.
We go to His training camp and learn from Him.
Fixing our spiritual eyes on Jesus who endured to the cross.
Fix on the right thing
Ever see a runner turn around and look behind them? (It causes you to drift off course and slow you down.)
Paul warned to not look behind but to “strain toward what’s ahead”.
“To press on toward the goal to win the prize.” (Experiencing God and Eternal Life)
When you hit the “wall”
Fuel yourself with God's Word.
Stay on the course God has marked out.
Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Have you hit the wall?
Have you hit the wall?
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) — 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
