A Warning Not to Stop

Introduction - In this years Olympics, Allyson Felix became the most decorated American Olympian and the most decorated woman Olympian in track and field history. Though her main race is the 200 meters, she has been successful in the 100 and 400 meters as well. I dare to say if you want to know how to run an Olympic race, Allyson Felix and her 11 olympic medals are a good case study. She has a famous quote in which she says, “Don’t stop when you’re tired…Stop when you’re done!”

The Christian Life requires endurance (v. 1b).

The main thought of the author is found toward the end of verse one:

Recognize the present situation.

Realize the race has been set.

Rest assured it will require endurance.

Ex: of a runner vs. how Christians try to run their race!

The Christian Life displays an Example (vs. 1a, 2).

There are two examples given for us to examine:

The secondary example, therefore the lest, is the cloud of witnesses. The examples of the saints who have gone before.

The primary example, therefore the best, is Jesus.

The author and finisher (Heb. 5:8-9)

endured the cross, despising the shame

is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Perfect, active, Indicative)

EX: Judas’ place at the last supper

If ran improperly, the Christian Life can be exhausting (v. 3).

The reason many of us do not see the benefit of showing up on Wednesday to spread the Gospel is due to the fact that you are exhausted in your own race.

Matt. 26:41 - “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

James 1:13-14 - “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.”

Conclusion: Don’t stop when you’re tired…Stop when you’re done.