A Race to Run
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A Race to Run
A Race to Run
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
It was April 16th, 2018...
The Boston Marathon was off - it was the 122nd running of the race… 26miles, 385 yards of roads and city streets.
The weather was cold and rainy - 40 degree’s and windy...
The first place in the men’s division - a japaneese man - 2:15:58
2nd and 3rd place came in 2 1/2 minutes later separated by 12 seconds...
1st place women came in at 2:39:54
Heavy rain and hail - along with the cold temperatures plagued the contestants...
But even though the race winners were recognized, there were thousands of others whose names we will never know...
But one woman… who came in almost last… was able to capture the attention of at least 1 person… 2 days after the major race in boston, a Boston Globe photographer shared a picture that showed an 85 year old woman running the Boston Marathon… She was wearing a black garbage bag over her shoulders as she continued the race that most others had either finished or quit…
Not one other runner is in the picture… she was all alone… cold, wet, and exhausted… but she kept on going...
Katherine Beirs is her name and she is the oldest woman ever to finish the Boston Marathon - 7:50 was her time… but she finished...
There were no crowds,
There were no newspaper reporters
There were no accolades… Just a woman who finished her race...
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
heb
A Race to Run
A Race to Run
1. Let Us Lay
1. Let Us Lay
Preparations for entering the race
weight
Sin - besetting sin...
2. Let Us Lean
2. Let Us Lean
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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb12.2
Purpose in being in the race
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
b. He is worthy of our being in the race - pursuing
forget the past - the wins as well as the losses… and run
3. Let Us Look
3. Let Us Look
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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Person to whom we look during the race
It is not the person we are following that we are to look at...
It is not the person we are leading - that we are to look at...
Look to Jesus - He is the One to whom we all should be looking...
he is the Author of our faith
He is the Finisher of our faith
He is the One who Endured the cross
He is the One - who continued even while despising the shame
He is the One who sits at the Father’s right Hand...
Look to HIM...
Look to Jesus
the one who saved you
the one who salvaged you
the one who sanctifies and cleans us up
the one who enables and empowers us to serve Him...
4. Let Us Learn
4. Let Us Learn
Persistence - not to quit the race
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
The Apostle Paul said it this way...
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
We may feel like we are running uphill
We may feel like we are making no ground...
But let me tell you the wonderful thing about running uphill, is that when you crest the top of the hill, the momentum will carry you along - almost faster than you could believe possible...
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.
Are you out of breath???
Are you weary???
Are stopped and on the sideline?
Are you contemplating quitting?
Have you lost your focus… it’s off the Lord and on another runner?
A Race to Run...
A Race to Run...
Let’s run our race together...
