Sermon Tone Analysis

! Run the Race

 *Hebrews 12:1-3*

/ /

/1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and *let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us*.

*Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God*.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, *so that you will not grow weary and lose heart*.

/

 

            Arnold, Ron, Karen, Doug, Family and friends May the peace that passes all understanding be with you this day.

(read Text)  I’ve chosen this text because after meeting with the family in an attempt to get to know Nadine better, I felt that this text best spoke to who she was and what she was like.

*Run the race*… I didn’t know about her athletic past.

She was a talented high school basketball player in the old six on six teams.

She even received some awards for her play.

For never scoring a single point in her career she must have been outstanding defensive player.

Her competitive nature

                        Board games

                        Cards

            She loved to watch sports for her children and grandchildren

            *Run with Perseverance… *her persevering nature could be seen in her commitment to things.

31 years of work at Henson – one of the last to leave when they closed

                        -even if she had to back the car out of the opposite garage door

            making Karen eat her mashed potatoes and oatmeal

            the “stubborn” way she insisted on shoveling snow or mowing the lawn not waiting for Doug.

Her consistent help in Immanuels’ Library or Mrs. Frank’s class room

            Let me not fail to mention the 58 years together with Arnold

                        Always caring for her beloved Arnold, even up to the end

            *Fix your eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfector of your Faith… *

*            *As an adult coming to instruction and being Baptized Nadine began a lifetime journey of keeping her eyes firmly set on Jesus.

-She knew her need for a savior

                        -She was a sinner, 

                                    Her stubbornness could sometime be sinful

                                    Her competitive spirit didn’t always follow the “First shall be last” idea of Jesus.

We are here today because of the devastating effects of sin

                                    She knew that she could do nothing to save herself

                        -She placed her trust in Author and Perfector of Her Faith

                                   

                                    Seen in her commitment to bring the kids to Immanuel school

                                    Evidenced by her devotion and Bible reading

                                    Was lived out by attending instruction again with Mary.

Her Faith was not in vain.

Jesus */, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame/ *did it for Nadine and for all people.

He paid the price of our sin.

He defeated the devil and conquered death on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Jesus Christ has provided eternal Salvation for all that come to Him by Faith.

Nadine had Faith.

And then *He Sat down at the Right Hand of the Father*, so that all who believe and trust in Him may know the certainty of everlasting Life.

When Job spoke those words of our great Hymn “I know that My Redeemer live and that in the end I will see Him” he was describing for you and for me the assurance that Nadine had.

He gives us that same Hope that Nadine had.

We can with all confidence say that Nadine has seen her Lord face to face and she has received the victors crown.

She did not “*Grow weary and did not lose heart”* but she now rest from her labors and claimed the prize won for her by her Savior Jesus Christ.

All of us who know and trust Jesus also can be sure that we too have a crown of victory waiting and Jesus is waiting for the day when each one of us having “*Run / with perseverance the race marked out for us/*/, *having  fixed our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, */will then receive also our heavenly prize.

* *