STRATEGIES FOR STAYING IN THE RACE

SERIES: LIVING BY FAITH.

TEXT: HEBREWS 12:1-3

There is nowhere in the entire Bible we are promised that the Christian life is going to be easy. Actually the opposite life is true. In John 16:33, “In the world you have tribulations, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”

Difficulties will come and trials will cross your paths and often times we will be tempted to quit on God and drop out of the race. In the book of Hebrews these Hebrew Christians were enduring a terrible time of trial and persecution. Most of them had lost their land, houses, businesses and some had been killed. The writer of Hebrew is trying to encourage these weary, hurting believers to be faithful to the Lord and continue to run their race.

The writer is comparing the Christian life to a race of marathon. In a day when many runners are dropping out on every hand, it is easy to be discouraged about our own race.

Today let us look at Biblical strategies for staying in the race. May you and I at the end of this race say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”-2^nd Tim. 4:7. Let us consider:-

STRATEGY 1. CONSIDER THE SAINTS-Heb. 12:1.

• The writer takes us back to Hebrews 11, where he has shown us many great heroes and heroines of the faith.
• The people in Hebrews 11 are the great cloud of witnesses.

They have run their race.

• These are men and women who run the race given them.
• They did not run perfectly but they ran.
• They did not quit, they endured unspeakable pain and suffering, still they ran.
• Now they are seated in the grandstands and are looking at the race you and I are running this morning.
• They stand as an encouragement and challenge to the rest of us.
• These men and women were not extraordinary people-Elijah-James 5:17-18.
• They were merely common men and women who happened to have put their total faith in God.
• If these men and women could live for God and serve Him in their day, then you and I can!!

They have received their reward.

• These people ran their race and are now resting in their father’s presence.
• Because they ran well, they have received their reward-The prize is theirs.
• When our race is over we will go home to be with the Lord-2^nd 4:8.

They have shown that God is reliable.

• God is reliable, trustworthy and faithful.
• If God took care of them, honored their faith, sustained them, kept them, used them, blessed them and brought them to glory-He will do it for you and me.
• They are witnesses to the faithfulness of God.
• Just as God was with Moses, David, Sarah and Deborah, He is with you-Heb. 13:5.

STRATEGY 2. CONSIDER SELF-Heb. 12:1-2.

We must make proper preparations.

• When there a race to be run, the wise runner must prepare.
• In a spiritual race, we must prepare.

Lay aside all weights.

• All extra weight must be removed from the body.
• Anything that hinders our walk with God.
• Weights are things that are innocent in themselves, but do not help you in the race.
• Seeking entertainment instead of Bible study and prayer.
• Spending a lot of time on things like music, television, movies, visiting people, internet etc.

Laying aside all sins.

• “Besetting sins” are sins that cling to, distracts, entangles and trips the christian runner.
• Long flowing robes of the days are in picture here-Rom. 6:12.

We must run with patience-1^st 15:58.

• This race is a particular race for each one of us, “The race that is set before us.”

1. Each one of us has his/her own race.

• You cannot run my race, I cannot run your race.

2. We are not in competition but in the same team!!

• The job is not to overrun you but to run for Jesus Christ.

3. Our cause has been individually designed!!
4. We must guard our priorities.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”

• Focus on Jesus not your friends!!
• Don’t look at other runners-look at Jesus Christ.

STRATEGY 3. CONSIDER THE SAVIOR.

Consider His race.

• The race Jesus Christ ran was hard race, it began in poverty and ended in pain on the cross.
• His track is lined with hatred, bitterness, opposition and desire to see Him dead.
• Jesus never lost sight of the goal, He never failed, He never quit running until the goal was achieved.

Consider His reasons.

“For the joy that was set before Him.”

• Where is the joy of going to the cross? Where is the joy of dying like a criminal?
• Where is the joy of being rejected by people you love including family?
• The joy was-

1. The salvation of all believers including you!!
2. The joy was to see you in heaven, glory together with the saved of all time and ages.
3. The joy was to reclaim the glory He had with the father from eternity past.
4. The joy was to see the new heavens and the new earth with all saints worshipping the father.
5. The joy was to see the day when salvation would be ultimately completed, sin forever banished and perfected righteousness would rule in every heart.

• Jesus Christ saw beyond the cross, the suffering, the shame.
• Jesus Christ ran the race with you in view.
• Today, look beyond your suffering, your pain, shame to see the things God has in store for you-run!!

Consider His reward.

• When Jesus finished the race, He sat down with the father in His throne.
• Jesus knew where He was going. Do you know where you are going?

Consider His determination-Vs. 3

• Verse 3 tells us that Jesus endured to finish His race.
• See how He suffered.

1. He was born to an unwed mother, born in a stable, poor parents.
2. His young life was threatened by Herod.

• He fled as refugee to Egypt as a baby.

3. Lived and raised in Nazareth-a terrible city-Luke 2:39.
4. His father died when He was still young-Matt. 13:55-58. He had to support His family.
5. He had no home, no place to lay His head. He was hated and opposed, a man of sorrows. He was betrayed by a close friend, denied by another friend.

• He was tried by the supreme court and excuted as a common criminal.
• Have you ever suffered like Jesus Christ? He is able to help us as we run-Heb. 4:15.

CONCLUSION

• How is your race progressing?
• Get your eyes back to Jesus Christ.
• Stop long at other runners, stop looking at the circumstances through which you are running.
• Get rid of the weights, friends, associates and deadwoods.
• Deal with your besetting sins and make up your mind to run with all patience.