Encouraged to Run

C. Richard Phillips in Faith Victorious asks this question, “What is the context, what is the arena in which you as a Christian should interpret your life? Do you think of yourself living in the midst of a secular society, with its testimony of materialism and sensuality and relativism? Or do you think of yourself as part of a particular corporation or organization, with its mandates to conformity? Do you think of yourself as part of the family in which you grew up, the neighborhood in which you live, a racial group, or a socioeconomic class?”

D. __________________________________________________________________________.

II. HOW ARE WE TO THINK ABOUT LIVING?

A. Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) — 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…

B. ___________________________________________________________________________.

C. Hebrews 12:1b (NIV) — 1 …And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

D. ___________________________________________________________________________.

E. What must we do if we are to persevere or endure in our race?

F. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) — 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,

G. Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

H. __________________________________________________________________________.

I. Hebrews 3:12–14 (NIV) — 12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

III. CHRIST IS OUR ULTIMATE ENCOURAGER

A. Hebrews 12:2–3 (ESV) — 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

B. _________________________________________________________________________.

C. He endured shame and pain on the cross, but the joy before him was greater. The writer is exhorting his readers because they were facing suffering, public reproach, and affliction and were tempted to shrink back (Heb. 10:32-39).

D. How do we combat weariness or faintheartedness? We consider him (vs.3).

E. Consider means to think about carefully.

F. _________________________________________________________________________.

G. “We read the Gospel accounts and learn what Jesus said and did and how God delivered him. We read the Epistles, which explain the significance of his life and death and resurrection. Indeed, in the Old Testament we see Christ in his work, as he is prophesied and represented by various types and symbols.” Richard Phillips in Victorious Faith p. 201

H. Luke 24:17 (ESV) — 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad…25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself… 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Encouraged to Run

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I. WHAT’S OUR CONTEXT?

II. HOW ARE WE TO THINK ABOUT LIVING?

III. CHRIST IS OUR ULTIMATE ENCOURAGER