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Winning the Race of God

Winning the Race of God. Hebrews 12:1-4. Proverbs 4:25-27 (NASB).

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Winning the Race of God

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  1. Winning the Race of God Hebrews 12:1-4

  2. Proverbs 4:25-27 (NASB) 25 Let your eyes look directly ahead, And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established. 27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil. Are you spiritually focused?

  3. Focus is extremely important to meeting our spiritual goals!

  4. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NASB) 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

  5. Our greatest motivation to persevere and be spiritually focused is the example of Jesus Christ! (Hebrews 12:1-4)

  6. There is a “Race of God” We All Must Run. Heb 12:1 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance (or weight), and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

  7. “So Great a Cloud of Witnesses Surrounding Us”! • God’s faithful people from Old Testament times are “cheering us on” to win! (Heb. 12:1a; cf. Heb. 11). • Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson, Samuel, the prophets, and others.

  8. Romans 15:4 (NASB) For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

  9. The race is from God who has set the rules for the race (Heb. 12:1c).

  10. Many people are running the wrong way! Matt 7:13 (NASB) 13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.

  11. There is only one path that leads to eternal life in Heaven. Matt 7:14 (NASB) "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. – cf. John 14:6 SO WE BETTER BE ON THE RIGHT “RACE TRACK”!

  12. We must run the race that God has given “in such a way” that we will win - according to the instructions of His word.

  13. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

  14. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NASB) And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

  15. Philippians 2:16 (NASB) holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

  16. A daily focus on the spiritual rules of the race is essential (e.g., Bible study /meditation, memorization, prayer, spiritual companions, etc.).

  17. What We Must Do to Win the Race. • Lose weight (Heb. 12:1b).

  18. Hebrews 12:1 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance (weight – KJV), and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

  19. A “weight” or “encumbrance” would be anything that hinders us in our running the race of God.

  20. 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NASB) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. Examples: (1) Television/ movies (2) Recreation (3) The reading of newspapers & other secular literature. (4) Hobbies that dominate (5) Career

  21. A poor spiritual condition or lack of service is due to toomuch “weight”!

  22. Something that may seem so important and valuable, may in fact be slowing you down!

  23. What We Must Do to Win the Race. • Get rid of the sin! (Heb. 12:1b)

  24. Hebrews 12:1 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and [the] sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, - cf. 1 Tim 6:9; 2 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 2:20; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-9; James 4:17 What are sins that easily entangle you?

  25. “Unload” the Sin! • To unload the sin, a Christian must repent (Acts 8:22) and confess his sins (1 John 1:9). • Then come up a plan, with the Lord’s help and wisdom, to fight against that sin so you do not repeat it! • Examples: (1) Scripture memorization (Mat. 4:1-11). (2) Prayer (Mat. 26:41). (3) Ask for the prayers of brethren (Jas. 5:16). (4) Escape! (1 Cor. 10:13; cf. Gen. 39:12).

  26. What We Must Do to Win the Race. • Run with endurance (Heb. 12:1c)

  27. Hebrews 12:1 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

  28. “Run with Endurance” No matter how many times we stumble and fall in the race of God, we continue to run! (Jer. 8:4-6; Heb. 10:36-39).

  29. Jeremiah 8:4 (NASB) "And you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD, "Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not repent?

  30. Hebrews 10:36 (NASB) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

  31. Revelation 2:10 (NASB) 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

  32. Winning the Race is Possible Only if We Look to Jesus. • In running the race, the Christian must focus on Jesus at all times (Heb. 12:2).

  33. Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NASB) … let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  34. We cannot allow ourselves to get distracted and take our eyes off of Jesus!

  35. Don’t take your eyes off of Jesus! • Competition or comparing yourself with others (Luke 9:46; 2 Cor. 10:12). • Fear or doubt (Mat. 14:30-31) • Earthly treasures (Mat. 6:19-21). • Self-centeredness/ selfishness (2 Tim. 3:1-4). • A multitude of worldly distractions (Rom 12:2; 1 Jn 2:15-16).

  36. Let us look unto Jesus, our perfect model runner who has finished the race! (Heb. 12:2)

  37. Hebrews 12:2 (NASB) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  38. 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NASB) 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

  39. Our faith must be in the “finisher” or “perfecter” of our faith (Heb. 12:2).

  40. Hebrews 5:7-9 (NASB) 7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect,He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

  41. Hebrews 12:2 (NASB) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  42. How did He do it? • He determined in his mind to fulfill the Father’s will (Mat 26:42; cf. John 6:38). • He endured “for the joy set before him” (Heb. 12:2) - to be exalted to God’s right hand as Savior and King (Acts 2:25-35; 5:31).

  43. Jesus’ example of endurance is our greatest source of motivation as we run the race of God!

  44. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NASB) 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

  45. Jesus Gives Us the Strength and Courage to not Only Run, but Finish the Race! • Consider the endurance of Jesus! (Heb. 12:3)

  46. Hebrews 12:3 (NASB) For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. – cf. Luke 23; John 19:30

  47. We will not faint nor collapse in “the race of faith” if we will continue to look to Jesus.

  48. Hebrews 2:18 (NASB) For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

  49. Hebrews 4:15-16 (NASB) 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

  50. John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

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