A Season to Press On

Introduction

Junior Church Dismissed

Well folks, here we are. The last Sunday in 2019.

How many you had this year turn out exactly how you would expect?

How many of you have set some resolutions for next year? Or maybe your like me and refuse to call them resolutions and set some goals?

I think goal setting is an important discipline each of us should practice in multiple areas of our lives.

Spiritually, Physically, mentally, etc. The problem with these new years resolutions, statistically speaking, is that typically by the second week in January they are broken.

If you are one of those people who actually lost 10 lbs....I have it here. You can get it after the service.

There are a multitude of reasons we could give for why we stop or fail at these resolutions but I believe we could say that we were not prepared for the challenges or trials that would come our way that caused us to lose sight of what we were working toward.

When it comes to the goals we set for the race of life, w must realize Jesus is not only our prize, but he is also the pattern we must follow if we want to be successful.

So here we are…Christmas is over and the days are quickly speeding by as we approach not just a new year but a new decade.

So what are your gaols? What are your ambitions for next year? What about the next decade?

Some don’t like to set goals or some set unrealistic ones. Some of those that fail their New Year goals do so because they didn’t know where to start, how to maintain progress, or how to keep focused, and we end up just giving up.

The Bible has many illustrations that describe the Christian life and what we can expect to face

2 tim describes the christian life as being a soldier at war

2 Timothy 2:3 KJV 1900

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

1 Cor describes it as a fight, like a boxing match

1 Corinthians 9:26 KJV 1900

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

Then we come to our text today where we get the idea the writer of Hebrews, who I believe is the Apostle Paul, writes how the Christian life is like a race in an arena.

The runners are those believers who were experiencing the trials of the first century church. Paul knew what persecution was life. He was imprisoned not far from the Roman Coliseum where the roar of the crowd could be heard as they cheered on the lions and beasts Christians were being forced to fight and die against on the blood stained sand.

Paul himself experienced many trials to the point that He wrote in

2 Timothy 4:6–7 KJV 1900

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Paul finished his race and now the author of Hebrews is challenging the runners to finish theirs.

I don’t know about you but I’d like to do something great with Jesus this coming year. So if your like me and want to see Jesus do some awesome things in your life and in the lives of those around you, now is the time to lace up the shoes, get on the track, and enter the race.

It’ s a great privilege we have to start a year where only god knows what is in store. He knows how the economy is going to do, He knows what the environment will look like, He knows who will win the election...

Our course is known by God.

Let’s look at our text today and see what our role is in the race that he is fully aware of.

Follow along as I read please

Hebrews 12:1–3 KJV 1900

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, 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

PRAY

Let’s talk first this morning about the Preperation for the race

I. The Preparation for the Race

Notice how verse one addresses this.

The first thing we find in this passage is the reference to the cloud of witnesses that we are compassed about it.

Now if we keep this passage in our minds eye the way the writer intended for it to be. A racer at the start of the track in a colliseum with a crowd of witnesses around them.

Now who are these witnesses though?

We typically think of them as fans that are cheering the athletes on. Here I want you to participate with me, let’s cheer as though our football team is making a big play. I’m serious, cheer with me.

WHOOO....YEAH!!!....GOO BABY GO!!!! CLAP

Now that’s where we are, the crowd is cheering and the race is about to begin.

As the racer you look out at the cheering witnesses and you begin to notice something....they are not just fans…they have their medals on. They have completed the race. They’ve been where you are. They have done what you are about to do.

The word for witnesses here can also be understood as martyrs. People who had gone on before you. Chapter 11 of this book is known as “the hall of faith” as we have heroes of scripture listed and how God used them to do great things for Him and how they accomplished them by faith.

They know it can happen. They know that you can do this because why…becuase they know that it’s not just you that’s running the race. They know Jesus is there to run it with you.

So before we even start out the race we know that mamny have gone before us and are there to motivate and cheer us on. Then there are things we need to do in order to prepare ourselves to accomplish this race succesfully.

We have to first remove the hinderances

A. Remove the hinderances

When athletes would walk into the arena to compete in ancient Greece you would see them have on robes that they were throughout the day before their event.

They were a necessary part of life during the day but they were not things that made running their race easier. They made it more difficult.

There are a number of things in our lives that we must also set aside to run our race effectively.

Now, are the robes that were being worn sinful? No. they were perfectly normal things. But they were something that needed to be removed to make running the race more effective.

The things your life, the hinderances, the weights, that you need to set aside are not always going to be sinful. Maybe it’s just things that you allow to distract you from your daily walk with the Lord. Maybe they are activities that you need spend less time doing. Social Media, Sports, even reading, or just “hanging out” with friends.

It could be a good hobbie or activity that has creeped into your schedule and clutters up your life.

No matter what it is, if it is providing ANY type of hinderance to you running your race, living your life, for the Lord, it needs to be set aside.

Hey teens, how much time are you spending on electronic devices that are just waisting your day? Between youtube, social media, random games, and other things like that, how much of your day is being wasted and hindering you from being productive for the Lord?

Parents, it’s up to us to set our kids up for success in life, as Christians and as general human beings, which requires for restrictions to be set on any activities that detract from them running their race for Christ.

We need to have our minds renewed and get back to focusing on Christ and not just ourselves.

This involves removing hinderances and also requires us to repent from sin.

B. Repent from sin

The word repent means to change your mind or turn away from something.

Now we are talking about the bad things in your life. Not just the robes or the distractions but what sins are in your life that are keeping you from running an effective race for God?

Sins of lust, pride, contention, desires of your flesh, coveting the life your neighbor has over yours, etc.

David wrote in

Psalm 118:23 KJV 1900

This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvellous in our eyes.

Psalm 18:23 KJV 1900

I was also upright before him, And I kept myself from mine iniquity.

Being upright before the Lord means we seek to keep ourselves away from iniquity.

The good news is that can be accomplished by simply asking God for cleansing and healing. Determine to live right before Him.

Seek out a spiritual leader and ask for prayer support. Maybe even get counseling or training to overcome a specific sin which you are battling.

running a good race means to prepare for the race by laying aside the weights and sins that keep us from being the most effective.

Then we keep the Pace of the Race

II. The Pace of the Race

Running can be an intimidating sport for many. Most of the time it’s not the idea of running that scares us....maybe it is for some. We are meant to be on our feet so I think the scary thing is the pace of the run.

I mean, most can make a run across the room, or too the mailbox, maybe even to the end of the street. Or if your Dave Poppel you can go across the state of CT.

But what about after that? What about you get out of your comfort zone and it becomes challenging.

Many times we don’t set the goals we should, whether to be more faithful to personal devotions or to become a closer knit family, because we think of all that is involved to reach those goals, we can become overwhelmed.

God till try us above what we’re able to do. His pace is sustainable, and He designed this race to be obtainable. He wants you to be a winner.

You’ll notice the pace is a set pace

A. It’s a Set Pace

“…and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

Notice we are to run THE RACE not a race or whichever race is set before us.

The word in our english bible that reads “run” is the Greek word “trekk’-o which means track. Just like the lanes on a track we are to stay in ours.

Two volunteers

50m race and 100 m hurdle

Now which lane would you stay in

but that race is there why not do that?

That’s not what your made for right?

Stay up here

There are many things you could be doing in this life but only one thing, one race, God has made you to run. Too often we are spending too much time trying to run someone else’s race that looks better than ours than just running our own.

You see our course is set.

One of the worst things we can do is compare our progress with other people who seem to be doing better

Things in the way of one of the runners

Now which one looks like the better race to run?

Which one looks like they are doing better?

How do we determine success though? By who is going further faster?

Remember, you don’t determine the pace…He does. Your pace may be different, the important thing is to stay in the race

Scripture tells us its unwise to compare like this

2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV 1900

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

We are each on different routes but they are both approved by God.

If we believe that everyone is on the same race we can believe that we can tell others how to best run theirs as well. We have to keep in mind that if we are doing well, it’s God’s doing. We should give him the glory and keep going. If we are not as far down the lane as we think we should be, we keep our gaze on Jesus and keep going because our course is set and our completion is set.

No one runs forever. Every day is a gift from God. and there is a set length of time that we are given to be on the earth. Paul knew that the only life worth living was the one in whivh we run our best race with God every day

2 Timothy 4:6–8 KJV 1900

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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.

Life is short. It should be lived to the fullest for Jesus Christ.

Tis one life that will soon be past, only what was done for Christ will last

We have set pace from the Lord and it’s a steady pace.

Our prace is

B. It’s a steady pace

Verse 1shows us that we not just only to run but we are to run with patience.

People often say, Life’s a marathon not a sprint.

Why? Unless you are a competitive marathon runner, you are not going to be sprinting for 26.2 miles.

Theres also something else true about running a marathon or any foot race for that matter

It’s accomplished one step at a time.

You don’t have to read your entire Bible by January 30th. You don’t have to develop a lifetime of personal devotions in a single week. You just have to keep going. One step at a time. understanding you may slip or fall and that’s ok. Just don’t stop.

Be patient, be faithful, and this time next year you can rejoice at how far you’ve come.

There will be trials. There will be problems. No matter how difficult a trial may be, God can use them to strenghren us.

Don’t be swayed from your purpose. Continue to seek Christ to become a more godly mother or father, spouse, or person in general. Don’t stop trying to change your bad thinking habits in regards to your own self pity or pride. God has a plan to develop you for your good and for His glory.

In Athens, long ago, games used to be held in honor of Grecian gods. One such game was the torch race, a race of torchbearers, run at night in honor of Prometheus, the god of fire. The starting point was a mile and ahalf outside the city, in the olive grove where Plato met with his Academy and where a sanctuary to Promethus was built. The winner was not necessarily the first runner who reached the finish line. The winner was the runner who first reached the finish line with his torch still burning.

Notice this…2 volunteers. Run with flame.

You see, running with a burning torch, running and maintaining your motivation, your zeal, and your passion requires pacing and patience.

This year, keep your torch, the light of your testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ lit as you run your race.

Lastly, you need to know what the Pursuit or purpose of your race is.

III. The Pursuit of Our Race

We run for something much more valuable than corruptible materials such as bronze, silver, or gold.

We are pursuing after Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

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.

You see, we’re pursuing a person

A. We’re pursuing a Person

Paul wrote, the primary purpose for his race and the trials he endured was knowing Jesus

Philippians 1:30 KJV 1900

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

In these final days before the new year I encourage you to not just make plans with friends and things of that nature but to also reset your compass and focus, keeping your mind that, like Paul, your goal is Jesus.

The key to success is following, not simply admiring Jesus.

Our text reminds us of 2 specific truths about Him that we must remember.

First, he endured the cross.

The word endure means “to abide under; to keep going courageously.”

Although you will face persecution trials and tribulations, we, like Christ, must endure and keep on.

Yes, the battles keep coming and I don’t know about you but no matter how many battles my God has let me face, He keeps on winning them for me.

He endured the cross and secondly, he endured contradiction.

When you decide to make a goal by faith in what God will do next year, don’t let someone tell you your crazy. Don’t let them tell you that as a father you can’t lead your family in prayer each night. Don’t let them tell you as a mother you can’t have a better relationship with your daughter.

Hey teenager, don’t let someone tell you that you can’t have a better spirit or attitude towards others. Don’t let someone label you and say that you can’t change to what Christ would have you be.

the Bible says that we are all new creatures in Christ.

Opposition may come through Christ you can do all things for Him.

We Pursue Christ and we are pursuing a patter,

B. We’re Pursuing a Pattern

God gave us a pattern to follow…Jesus

When we consider Him we consider His example. We consider his endurance. He endured the corss, he did not quit, and neither must we. We must not quit on our marriages, not on our families, and not on our God.

1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV 1900

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Conclusion

So, what are your goals for the New year? Are you wanting to be a better father and leader of your home? A mother who worries less and trusts God more? A Christian who is faithful to read and know God better? A Believer who is trying to serve God better in whatever capacity He is calling you too?

As the piano plays this morning I’d like for those who believe in Jesus to go ahead and take a moment and write down on your worship guide there what goal or goals could you seek to accomplish by this time next year for Jesus?

Are you here this morning and don’t know Jesus? Your life in 2019 wasn’t what it could have been had faith in Jesus been a part of it?

If you are here today and would like to know Jesus. You would like to know the peace that comes from knowing Him and being saved. I want to help you.

The Bible says in that God loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for your sins. In that same verse Jesus said that whosoever believes on him will not perish but have everlasting life.

It’s that simple. Believe on Jesus…have a relationship with Him.

Do you believe this morning? If you made the decision to trust in Jesus this morning I want to invite you to confirm that with prayer. The words of the prayer mean nothing if you don’t believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised from the dead.

If you want to make the decision to trust Jesus as your savior this morning please pray after me

“Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner, I believe you came to die on the cross and rose from the dead. I put my faith right now in you and ask you to come into my life and change me from the inside out. Amen.”

Christians, did you write down a goal. I pray you did. Now commit to keeping it.

PRAY

Announcenemts

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