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The Race Before Us. Heb 12:1-2a. Hearing The Crowd v. 1 There exists a “crowd” of past faithful servants cp. 11:1-40 They “surround” present-day runners They inspire us with their faithfulness Why did the Holy Spirit eulogize them? 11:13-16, 39-40 cp. Rom 15:4.
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The Race Before Us Heb 12:1-2a
Hearing The Crowd v. 1 • There exists a “crowd” of past faithful servants cp. 11:1-40 • They “surround” present-day runners • They inspire us with their faithfulness • Why did the Holy Spirit eulogize them? 11:13-16, 39-40 cp. Rom 15:4
Removing The Obstacles v. 1 • Runners in this race cannot run with unnecessary hindrances • These are “encumbrances” or “weights” • They easily “entangle” or “ensnare” us • These “encumbrances” = SIN and must be “set aside” cp. 2 Tim 3:6
Running The Appointed Race v. 1 • This race must be met with determination to finish it • It must be run “with endurance” • “Run” Ù continual process • Runners must never quit running this race cp. Rev 2:10 1 Cor 15:1-2
Running The Appointed Race v. 1 • This race is “set before” its runners • The course is not selected by those who run the race • Runners can’t choose their own “shortcuts” • Runners must respect authority of the race cp. Mt 7:21-23 Lk 6:46
Seeing The Finish Line v. 2 • Successful runners are focused • They eye their target, are not distracted • We must “fix our eyes” on Jesus • “To turn the eyes away from other things and to look only at one thing” [Thayer]
Seeing The Finish Line v. 2 • Jesus is always our Example to emulate Mt 10:25 Rom 8:29 1 Pet 2:21ff • Especially when considering His earthly sojourn Heb 4:14-15 Phil 2:2-5 • We will not run successfully if we take our eyes off Jesus cp. Heb 11:24-26
Conclusion • To run this race requires preparation, “training” cp. 1 Cor 9:24-27 • Earlier exhortations in this epistle give the importance of preparation so that we will be able to run this race cp. 2:1 3:12-14 6:1 10:35, 36
Conclusion • This race will not always be easy • We’ll have to run “the strait and narrow way” Mt 7:14 • It will be a “conflict” or a “fight” Phil 1:30 1 Tim 6:12 • Same word as “race” in Heb 12:1
Conclusion • Yet, God has “set this race before us” and has commanded us to run it • We have a crowd to cheer us on • We have a finish line on which to focus • We must remove all hindrances • We’ll need endurance to complete it