The Fans, The Race, And The Prize
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“The Fans, The Race, and The Prize”
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, 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.
PRAYER
Some of you may know that we just got back from Marshall a little but ago. Unfortunately, we went for a funeral. But, even in going for a funeral we got to see a lot of friends and family that we don’t get to see as often as we like.
Anytime this type of situation comes up with someone passing the conversations arise about what happens when we die.
Of course, as believers we believe that as we take our last breath here, we take our first breath in Heaven.
Paul alludes to this at least a couple of times…
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
But beyond that it is hard for me to say exactly what happens. Generally, I believe that when we get to Heaven we are going to be so excited to be there in the presence of Jesus that there won’t be a whole lot else that matters.
All of the talk about “when I get to Heaven, I’m gonna hug this person or that, or I’m gonna ask God ______.” I don’t really buy that. I tend to believe that we are going to finally be in such AWE of His majesty that NOTHING else matters.
It is often my prayer that that would be my attitude here on Earth. I guess that is one definition for me of what heaven on earth looks like!!!
But even in all of that, when I think about people that I am certain have gone on to be with Jesus, I like to think about this passage of Scripture…
I like to think about this and think about this great cloud or group of witnesses that are cheering me on.
Not that they are necessarily peeking over the clouds of Heaven and physically cheering me on, but through their actions of the past, their lives of faith, and their prayers for the future, they have cheered us on to be and do the will of God on this Earth.
I titled my message tonight… “The Fans, The Race, and The Prize.”
I. The Fans
a. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
b. Therefore, points back to the previous verses or in this case chapter.
c. Hall of Faith
d. “By (or through) faith” 20x’s
e. Those that left legacies
i. They taught us how to SMILE
ii. They taught us how to Love
iii. They taught us how to Give
iv. They Taught us how to…
f. These are the “FANS” that have Shown us how to build on foundations
II. The Race
a. How do we “RUN THE RACE”
i. “Let us ALSO…”
1. Recognize that we don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
2. Look back to the “Witnesses”
ii. “Lay aside EVERY weight, and sin which so closely clings”
1. Genesis 4:7
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
2. 1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
iii. “and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”
1. 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul Finished the Race
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2. Endurance requires Faith that God will help and strengthen us Isaiah 40:31
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
3. Roger Bannister Original plan was to coast the 3rdlap and pour it on in the final lap, but…
iv. Run knowing the Prize is before us
1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul talks about the crown that lasts forever.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
III. The Prize
a. Hebrews 12:2
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.
b. The Founder of Faith
i. “By Faith” = By Jesus
c. The perfecter of our faith
d. Going to the Cross was likely not joyous (Matthew 26)
i. WE ARE HIS JOY
ii. Philippians 2:5-8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
e. Jesus is the Ultimate Fan, Seated at the right hand of the Father cheering us on.
i. Acts 7 He is cheering Stephen on as He stands ready to receive him.