The Race of Faith

Intro: Jesus

Luke 14:25–34 NKJV

Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?

Consider Jesus in Your Race

Hebrews 12:3 NKJV

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Consider What IS Happening TO YOU now!

Hebrews 12:4 NKJV

You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

They had suffered persecution but not to the point of blood.

Hebrews 10:32–33 NKJV

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;

Hebrews 13:3 NKJV

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

Consider What God Does to HIS Children

Hebrews 12:5 NKJV

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

Hebrews 12:6 NKJV

For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

Hebrews 12:7 NKJV

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Proverbs 3:11–12 NKJV

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Consider What God Does to illegitimate children

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. νόθος

νόθος, η, ον (Hom. et al.; pap; Wsd 4:3; Philo) pert. to being born out of wedlock or of servile origin and therefore without legal status or rights, illegitimate, baseborn (opp. γνήσιος 1 [q.v.] Menand., Fgm. 248 Kö.; Jos., Ant. 5, 233. The ancient perspective is not to be obscured by modern sensitivity.). As a metaph. of persons who reject God’s discipline and hence (after Pr 3:11f) cannot be God’s sons: ἄρα νόθοι καὶ οὐχ υἱοί ἐστε then you are illegitimate and not sons (i.e. without the rights and privileges that adhere to recognized sonship) Hb 12:8.—DELG. M-M.

Hebrews 12:8 NKJV

But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Conclusion