Determination

Examples

Chapter 11 of Hebrews can be called heroes of the faith, why because each person, even in the middle of their worst, stayed faithful to God;

So as the writer of Hebrews begins this chapter he wants draw the Jewish readers minds back to the people they know;

The writer want them to understand they have been surrounded by amazing examples of faith that have shown determination;

The writer used the word “cloud” to point to the great number of witnesses;

How is your faith being a witness to fellow believer much less a world of sinners?

Command

What is a command - it is an “authoritative order” - the first audience, as well as us, have been commanded to “lay aside”;

Now this is something that was done when someone accepts Christ, the “lay aside” their sin, they “lay aside” their desires, they “lay aside” their lives to follow Christ;

Have you made up your mind to believe in Christ, have you made up your mind to follow Christ, have you made up your mind to serve Christ;

If you are determined to do this, then trust that He will walk you through the Worst Year Ever - notice I said “walk you through” - you may have sadness, you may have fear, you may have grief, you may have doubt - these are emotions, sometimes deep seated emotions, but emotions fade unlike the joy of Jesus Christ.

Encumbrance

The writer begins to talk about to things that will hold the Jewish believer back and they maybe holding you back today;

“Weight” refers to something heavy of excessive that will slow a runner down;

Now in our faith race this “weight” can be anything that keeps us from doing our best for Christ;

But notice this the “weight is not identified why, because each of our “weights” are different;

“Sin” each of us have a weakness in our character or temperament that can be exploited and pull us away from God;

Fake a phone call or have Kaye call me at this point

We are surrounded by “sin” or the temptation of “sin” and for some this becomes an encumbrance which can lead to the Worst Year Ever.

Faithfulness

Here is the key factor to “running the race” with Christ - you must first the start the race;

In order to receive the promise you must start the race;

You have not been saved to sit in the stands, to sit on the sidelines, or to stay in the starting block - you have be call to run a race of righteousness, faith and perseverance;

Jesus can give you the strength you need make it through the Worst Year Ever but it is all in the hand off - meaning how are you going to run your leg of the race - chasing Him while holding firm to what He placed in your hand or by dropping out because you would hold on to His promise;

The Epistle to the Hebrews A. Jesus—The Source of Faith (Hebrews 12:1–3)

Jesus is much more than a man; He is the one who began and finished faith. Saving faith must be centered in Him and Him alone. If Jesus were only an example, faith in Him would be in vain.

Have you really considered what Jesus did for you so that you would be prepared to run the race in the Worst Year Ever?