BEING A STRONG RUNNER IN LIFE

HOW CAN WE BE A STRONG RUNNER IN LIFE?

HEBREWS 12:1-3

THESIS-

INTRODUCTION- What are the chances you could finish a marathon that you did not want to be in, while wearing a blindfold and weights chained to your feet?

1. Chances are slim.

2. We are running a spiritual marathon that is far more important.

3. If you know the chances of finishing a physical race are slim, why should the spiritual be any different?

4. Let us look at how we can all finish our spiritual race strong.

I. WE MUST BE A FREE RUNNER (Hebrews 12:1)

A. We must be free from weights that encumber.

1.Anything that keeps us from running needs to be laid aside.

2.Whatever has more of you, than God has, is a weight that you need to ditch.

B. We must be free from sins that entangle.

1.In ancient times, runners ran nude, free from anything that may prohibit them.

2.I do not say run naked, but we should strip away everything that is not needed to run the race.

II. WE MUST BE A FOCUSED RUNNER (Hebrews 12:2)

A. We must be focused on Christ.

1.“Looking unto Jesus” in all that we do (Isaiah 45:22).

2.Runners often say that they have tunnel vision while running, and we need this as well.

B. We must focus on what Christ has done.

1.Runners study the course in which they will run.

2.We should no less study Christ, as he has set before us the course He has already ran (Hebrews 4:15-16).

III. WE MUST BE A FAITHFUL RUNNER (Hebrews 12:3)

A. We must be faithful in remembering.

1.No matter our situation in life we need to remember what Christ has done for us.

2.If we remember this, nothing should discourage us (Romans 8:31).

B. We must be faithful in resting.

1.Let us remember that this world is not our place of rest.

2.When we grow tired and weary from this race of life, we need to place our burdens on Christ (Matthew 11:28).

CONCLUSION- Now, given the opportunity to choose, what type of runner do you think runs the best race?

1. Every one of us runs this race.

2. We have complete control how we finish this race.

3. How will you finish?

4. I hope they we all may one day say we have finished this race (2 Timothy 4:7).