Eyes on the Prize

I. Introduction:

A. Some questions:

Who here likes running?

How far can you run?

Did you guys know I ran a marathon?

I know it doesn’t look like it now but, I did.

I used to like running. I still do.

I just don’t run that often.

Hebrews 12:1–2 D-R

1 And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us: 2 Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who, having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God.

I have been lazy...

What makes someone to run in a race?

Prize

The question is what do you need to be successful in winning a prize?

II. What if I told you that you are running a race right now?

Whether you realize it or not.

Endurance

There are many types of races in this life.

We are going to be talking about this race that you are in.

How can you be successful?

How can you get that prize?

What is the prize?

III. What kind of race?

Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

1 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,

A. Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses

These are the Old Testament Saints.

They were mentioned in the prior chapter for doing all sorts of things by God and for God.

They were mentioned in the prior chapter for doing all sorts of things by God and for God.

B. Let us lay aside every weight and sin that ensnares us.

When you run a marathon, are you going to run in a dress?

Combat boots?

With a heavy backpack?

No you aren’t going to .

High Heels?

Flip Flops?

Not if you had the choice.

Because you are trying to win.

Those things are going to weigh you down, and your chances of getting a prize.

The Bible says that sin is weighing you down.

It ensnares/entangles you.

The greek word is euperistaton:

The things that are weighing you down are sin

“ambushes or encircles”

The picture is that sin is waiting to ambush you while you are running.

What is something else that will get in the way?

What is something else that will get in the way?

Distractions.

You need to be focused.

When I ran a the L.A. marathon, I had to:

Find something to be focused on.

I had to not pay attention to those things that were on my side.

I had to not focus on the things behind me.

What was in front of me?

I was on a mission.

C. Let us run the race set before us with endurance:

You need endurance to be successful.

If you go too fast, you will tire out.

Pace is going to make all of the difference.

I know many Christians that try and run too fast.

They start pooping out.

They then start giving up.

Endurance also means putting in effort.

That means

IV. The Ultimate Racer:

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

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.

Our

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

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.

A. Looking unto Jesus:

He is our prize.

He makes it all worth it.

Jesus is our reason for everything.

If He isn’t:

then you need to reevaluate your life and goals.

Then there is nothing worth striving for in this life.

Very important to make sure why you are racing .

Why are you in church?

B. The Author & Finisher of our Faith:

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 12:1–2

The word “author” (archēgon) was used in 2:10 (see comments there) and suggests that Jesus “pioneered” the path of faith Christians should follow. He also “perfected” the way of faith since He reached its end successfully

The Greek word for author is: “archegon”

This suggests that Jesus was the first to run this race.

He pioneered the path.

He carved out the path for us to run.

B. For the joy that was set before Him/Despising the shame:

What do you guys think this means?

It means that He had something to look forward to that would bring Him joy.

There was also shame, that He just pushed through.

There was also shame, that He just pushed through.

What is the shame He had to brush off?

The Cross!

Was that something fun for Him?

Not at all.

It was one of the worst ways to die in history.

This was the shame.

He was also betrayed by everyone close to Him.

He felt the separation from God the Father on the cross or our sins.

He also had the full punishment of all of our sins upon His shoulders.

That is quite the race to run isn’t it?

C. That was the race that Jesus ran.

He was the first one, and the only one who will do it so intensely.

D. Why would He do it?

For the prize.

What was the prize?

You and me.

A relationship.

For you to know Him and walk with Him.

E. You were worth it to Him.

He never complained or grumbled.

He did it without dragging His feet.

Think about that.

He never thought to not do it.

He knew it was the only way and He did it.

Conclusion:

Are you His wholeheartedly?

Are you

The question is that He went through all of that: Did He get His prize?

Conclusion:

Are you His wholeheartedly?

2. Or are you running for something else?

2. Or are you running for something else?

Maybe you are are lollygagging.

Maybe you are just distracted by other things in life.

Or possibly on a whole different course than you should be.

The question you have to ask yourself is:

Is Jesus your prize?

Is He worth running for?

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