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22 nd February2012. Lent – a time to turn our focus on the sufferings and achievement of the greatest example – the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus warned His disciples – tribulation, death, hatred – Matt.24:9; John 16:2. In Heb. 10:35-36 – there was reward for endurance.
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Lent – a time to turn our focus on the sufferings and achievement of the greatest example – the Lord Jesus Christ. • Jesus warned His disciples – tribulation, death, hatred – Matt.24:9; John 16:2
In Heb. 10:35-36 – there was reward for endurance. • Ours is a strenuous race demanding steady perseverance. • V.1 – Surrounded by witnesses. Testify that faith is worth it. • Now it our turn to run – 1 Cor.9:24; Gal.2:2
The witnesses inspire us but cannot strengthen us. • Only Jesus offers us help – Heb.2:18; 4:16. • The writer tells us: 1. What to reject? 2. How To run? 3. Where to look?
Our race is a race of eternal consequences. • Two items can hinder us: • A. Weight – physical – restricts activity. • Anything that handicaps us. • Eg. Jogging in heavy clothes.
B. Sin – spiritual – mars performance. • That which can trip us or entangle us.
Run with perseverance (Endurance) • Word used several times – Heb.10:32;12:7 • Jesus also endured – v.2,3 • Disciples of Jesus must follow in His footsteps – 1 Peter 2:21
> Will experience opposition, pain, suffering, rejection. • A life of rigorous demands. • Need to keep looking at Jesus alone.
Our eyes must be firmly and continually on Jesus. • “Looking” means aware of rival attractions but deliberately looks away from other things. • Who are we looking at?
a. At Jesus the compassionate man. • He knows our experiences of trail and adversity. • When we feel we cannot, think of Jesus and the race that was set before Him. • More difficult, yet He triumphed. • In His strength, so can we.
b. Jesus is the victorious pioneer. • He has lead His people – 2:10 • His incarnation and passion are personal examples. • He did not fail then and will not disappoint us.
c. Jesus the perfecter. • Makes our faith perfect. • Not our devoted service or our spiritual experience or our moral integrity. • All this cannot make our faith perfect except Jesus. • Col.2:10 – ran the greatest race to its finish and our fullness is only in Him.
d. Jesus –the enthroned Lord. • His redemptive work is complete. • 1st century Christians were about to experience hardship. • Their lives are in the strong hands of the enthroned Lord.
So do not give up. • Do not collapse until you pass the winning post. • We need divine help. • Look to Jesus. Consider Him. • Story • 1968 Olympic Mexico. 26 mile marathon.
MamoWaldi from Ethiopia won. • John Steven Aquani – last runner. • “Why did you not give up?” • “My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start this race. My country sent me to finish.”