Run your Race

Run your race

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith

I. Look to those that have gone before us

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith,

Many think that the word witness in this portion of scripture is referring to a group of people watching, but the Hebrew writer is not using this word for a group that is watching, but more for a group that is speaking.

The word witness in hebrews 12 is the same word witness in Acts 1:8

There lives speak from heaven about the faithfulness of God to see them through, and if He has done it for them then He can do it for us.

II. Look at ourselves

let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

1.  Weight

It could be a good thing but not a God thing.

A Good Job, but not God’s Job
A Good man but not God man
A Good idea but not God’s idea

1.  Sin

There is the obvious sin that doesn’t need to be labored, but then there is the unobvious sin that entangles the heart and the life of the believer.

•   Fear 
•   Worry 
•   Unbelief 

III. Look to Christ

Heb 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

So many are like Peter when Jesus called him out of the boat, we walk in miracle territory for a season, but when the waves get bigger, we have a tendency to take our eyes off of Jesus and begin to sink.