Step 1: Consider The Saints And, since God knows no respect of purpose, He will be with you just as He was with Moses, Abraham, David or any of the others great heroes of the faith. The list of these things could be endless, but a few are: a. Our new Preaching Suite solution makes it easy to prepare, preach and archive your sermons. How many times have you heard a sermon or listened to a Bible Study or read a book about following Jesus and said to yourself: "I've got to try harder to be a better Christian"? ", Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above we can ask or think; according to the power that works in us. He had to support His family Mt. Solomon was a good man. stumbled and fell, severely injuring both his knee and ankle. They did not quit until the race was finished. A Closer Walk with God. SLIDE #1 Christian/Church Of Christ, This is the seventh and final message in my NASCAR-themed "Finish Line" series, focusing upon living a faithful life and finishing a life of faith. The prize is theirs because they ran and they ran well. There is something noble and honorable about not quitting - about getting back up and dusting yourself off and continuing to compete. That made it a little easier to run the race. It dominates your mind. read more, Scripture: I only wanted to praise God when he allowed my will to be done when my will happened to be his will. He had no home and no place to lay His head Mt. But it is worth it. The same is true in the Christian life. Stop looking at the other runners. You Might Feel Like You are By Your Self, But Just Stay In The Race." 1 2 3 4 Next For our lesson today, we are looking at the life of King Solomon. Follow Jesus. The one who selected unattractive, unlikable, and unreliable men to be his followers and loved them to the end. Then the writer of Hebrews states, "For you need endurance, so that after you have done God's will, you may receive what was promised" (Heb. read more, Scripture: WebStaying in the Race-Heb. I'm told that two critical times exist in a marathon race. Doing so will cause distraction and defeat. 9:24 HCSB). 12:1-2 on several occasions Paul likened the Christian life to a race.. **politics,religion,sportsthirst for sportswe are in a race.. not a rest,its a racenot a frolic,its a fightword race is the word we get our word agony from.the discipline of an athelete, and the determination of a championimportant Winning is not beating the other runners. The finish line of faith is a life that is more Christian today than yesterday. Don't compare your track to someone else's track. We are not alone. So you are chosen. Text: Hebrews 12:1-3 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and Hebrews 12:1-2, Denomination: 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. The one who holds the planets in orbit says something about his divine resilience. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. (Isaiah21:6-10), WHAT WE NEED IN THE DOWN TIMES (Isaiah6:1-8), THE INVITATION TO CLEANSING (Isaiah1:18), FREE TO HELP, NOT FREE TO HINDER (Romans14:13-23), DISCHARGING YOUR CHRISTIAN DUTY (Romans13:11-14), THE BELIEVERS SPIRITUAL DUTY (Romans13:11-14), THE BELIEVERS SECULAR DUTY (Romans13:1-10), THINKING ABOUT THE BRETHREN (Romans12:9-21), JESUS CHRIST : THE BEST FRIEND WEVE EVER HAD (John15:12-17), JESUS CHRIST : THE TRUE VINE (John15:1-11), HELP FOR THE TROUBLED HEART (John14:1-6), BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT A PLACE CALLED HEAVEN (John14:1-6), JESUS CHRIST : THE GREAT ENCOURAGER (John14:1-31), THE SECRET OF HOLY LIVING (Romans12:1-2), GODS PLAN FOR THE JEW, AND FOR YOU AND ME (Romans11:1-36), BOUND BY THE LORDS PURPOSES (Romans9:6-33), BURDENED FOR A LOST PEOPLE (Romans9:1-5), ABSOLUTE SECURITY IN CHRIST JESUS (Rom. In this race, like the Olympic race, you have been chosen. If you have not experienced the rescuing grace of God, run to the cross. Seeing that the race God set out for us is a lifelong marathon, we must commit ourselves to run to the very end. 10:36 HCSB). The Hebrew Christians were being strongly tempted to give up on following Jesus. fig. He has chosen you to run the race of a lifetime. Doing so will result in distraction and defeat. Our eyes are to be on the One who started us on this race, and the One who will greet us at the end of it. It has been marked out especially for you. It dawns on you: You cannot run a marathon. The 2000 movie, "The Patriot" starred Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin, a Revolutionary War hero. (REPEAT 3xs) Text: Hebrews 12:1-3 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and It is amazing how we can think that we are alone in the Christian journey. I felt strong and energetic and my pace was quick and light. Keep going. [5] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). But run it with the hope that God wants you to have in Christ. You are thinking since you're already on the ground, there's no point in getting back up. It is an active word that tells speaks of a person who has a spirit in him that stands up and faces the trials of life. He should always be the focus of our faith because He is the giver and wellspring of faith. We must seek fellowship among other believers and let our fellow church members encourage us in the faith. Your girlfriend can be a distraction. Ill. **Rom. Maybe in your race you've been knocked off your feet a few times. He opposed by His family Mark 3:21-22. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, We must not look at circumstances. 5. This refers to sins which cling to, distracts, entangles and trips the Christian runner. His life was threatened as a baby Matt. As you leave the starting line, you feel so good that you believe that you can keep up this pace throughout the race. He was charged with demon possession Mark 3:22, 14. Keep going. If you have tripped and fallen, don't stay there. Hebrews 12:13 says. Progress and coronation. Keep going. Vision for the Nation The FightingMagpies, C1. Endurance refers to patience, steadfastness, perseverance. For Him, the joy was the day of redemption that would bring about the following: 2. He decided who was disqualified and who was running well.). Imagine a group of people coming to your home and interrupting your Twinkie-eating, TV-watching routine with an urgent message: "Good News! It also means putting away poor eating and sleeping habits. That seems to be the idea in the book of Hebrews. Progress and coronation. (Romans7:1-6), SLAVES? God makes us all winners when we cross the line. Yes, difficulties will come and trials will cross our paths and often, we will be tempted to quit on God and drop out of the race. Hebrews 11:29-12:2. But we cant make it to the finish line without looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. He wrote in one stanza, And to his dad he sadly said,"I didn't do too well. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ God has done just that. We remember the crown waiting for us in glory and continue running. February 25, 2021. He should always be the focus of our faith because He is the giver and wellspring of faith. In a quarter mile, that's a long distance to make up. {This Sermon Has been REVISED}, -----------------------------*The Book of Hebrews*------------------------------------------------------------------- The 12th Chapter------------------------------------- Each look at Jesus would strengthen us to endure and finish well. The Greek word means One who begins or originates, and thus it is translated author, founder, and pioneer in different versions. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, who stands at the finish line waiting for us to complete the race. In fact, often the opposite is true, John 16:33. A1. And just yesterday you were sweating so profusely, dripping like a faucet on the clean kitchen floor, your spouse asked, "Did you go for a jog?" That's like me saying, "I'm going to try really hard to compete in a triathlon." When the race is over, we will go to be with Him, where we too will receive the rewards earned during the course of our race here on earth Ill. Pauls expectation 2 Tim. Where is the joy in being rejected by people you love? Because they ran well, they have received their reward. Some runners carry kitchen sinks or push beds as they sprint down the street. Friends. Run in such a way that you may obtain it." The day when salvation would be ultimately completed, sin forever destroyed, Satan forever banished and perfect righteousness would rule in every heart. When it comes to running marathons or becoming a spiritual champion the need is not to try harder but to train wisely. It dominates your mind. We must run lawfully, i.e., according to the Scripture rules of the race. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one" (1 Cor. Sometimes, I possessed pure motives and would end my prayer with wanting Gods will to be done more than mine even if that meant the dreadful loss. [3] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). The day when He would be in Heaven with the redeemed of the ages. (1 Pet. We're sorry, an error occurred. My goal in preaching this message is that when we reach the end of this race we might say with the. Attributes of people who finish what they start. I would only be able compete in a triathlon by training for a triathlon. Winning this race will require great endurance, perseverance, patience, and resolve.

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