Run With Endurance

Text: Hebrews 12:1-13

Introduction

Like many sports, the Christian life is one of endurance. Though often we may suffer hard times, persecution, and even punishment from God, we must endure these trials if we are to finish the race of life with honor.

I. An endurance athlete must rid himself of anything that would add extra weight.

A. An endurance athlete must be in tip top shape in order to perform well.

1. Sin adds weight to our lives, and hinders our efficacy for Christ.

2. Sin harms our witness and those who are closest to us.

3. The world loves nothing more than to see good people fail.

a. Breaking news stories are often centered around failures.

b. Examples

B. An endurance athlete must be careful not to pack unnecessary equipment.

1. Sometimes “good” things can be a distraction or burden to our goal.

2. A nice home, car, career, and even other people can serve as distractions to our mission.

a. Even though these things are not evil, in and of themselves, they may not serve God’s purposes.

b. Ask yourself, “Does giving this thing/person priority in my life advance God’s kingdom or satisfy his commands?”

C. An endurance athlete must not focus on past failures if he expects to finish the race strong. (Phil. 3:13-14)

1. Focusing on past failures only creates an attitude of despair.

2. We should learn from our mistakes, but not focus on them.

II. An endurance athlete finds encouragement and strength through concentrating on the finish line.

A. An endurance athlete must endure grueling hills, on occasion, if he expects to finish the race.

1. Every race has at least one major hill.

2. The challenges of the race are what make the finish line so sweet.

a. Clay Dyre (professional fisherman w/o arms and legs…“If I can do it, you can do it”), Michael Wagner (paraplegic triathlete and cyclist), Tasha Taylor (brain cancer survivor/triathlete)

b. No one is impressed by a victory at no cost.

(1) “That’s the beauty of something that’s broken—it can be fixed; and therein lies its potential." --Scooby Doo, The Movie

(2) "There is no victory at bargain basement prices." --Dwight D. Eisenhower

B. An endurance athlete keeps his focus on the finish line, which provides the strength he needs to keep going.

1. “No pain, no gain”

2. Jesus endured the cross and the shame because he knew the joy of conquering death would be worth it.

a. When times get tough, just remember what Jesus went through, and find encouragement in it

b. “We’ve not had to resist sin to the point of shedding our blood” (vv. 4)

c. I Cor. 10:13

III. Every athlete must endure grueling training in order to get in shape for the race.

A. An endurance athlete must sometimes endure the chastisement of his coach if he does not train well.

1. God, as our father, knows what is best for us

2. Punishment is designed to keep us “on the program”, not to discourage or frustrate us.

3. We can take encouragement from knowing that God’s punishment means that he loves us personally

Conclusion:

The Christian walk is not always easy. It’s a long-distance event and endurance is key. Our race will go much more smoothly if we don’t cling to worldly things. There will be times of suffering and trials, but setting our eyes on Jesus gives us encouragement to keep going and God will provide us with the strength we need.