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Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (nkjv)
For the last two weeks we are diving into the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews is believed to have been written between 63 and 64 A.D.
Hebrews has a total of 13 Chapters, 303 verses and approximately 6,900 words.
Written to the Hebrews were the Christian Jews who resided in Jerusalem at the time.
Author is unknown – scholars think it could have been written possibly by Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Clement of Rome and Apollos or even “Priscilla” could have authored the book. She was a teacher and was the wife of Aquila.
SIN is meeting a LEGITIMATE NEED in an ILLEGITIMATE WAY.
You never outgrow temptation, but you can overcome it.
to think of yourself as anything less than WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE is FALSE HUMILITY
The real test of life is not how you START but how you FINISH.
FOUR WAYS TO FINISH THE RACE YOU FACE:
INSPIRATION
INSTRUCTION
IMITATION
INCENTIVE
Larry Fitzgerald’s mantra motto –
FAITH, FOCUS, FINISH
#1. THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR RACE
vs. 1 – Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
The race of life and faith is “set before us.”
We are apart of this amazing tribe called the “HUMAN RACE”.
Hebrews says we have surrounding us a “great cloud of witness’s
The message bible puts it this way;
“pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on”
#2 THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR RACE
It’s gonna be all about ELIMINATION and ENDURANCE.
vs. 1
ELIMINATION
“let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.”
ENDURANCE
“and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Run the race at your pace!
Lions or Gazelles?
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
#3 THE IMITATION FOR THE RACE.
Vs. 2 “ looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
Two questions we need to ask ourselves.
WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSING ON?
WHAT IS YOUR FAITH IN?
a. The right focus for your race.
vs 2 “let us fix our eyes on Jesus”.
b. The right faith for your race.
vs. 2 “the author and finisher of your faith.”
When we look to Jesus…..faith is born.
When we gaze on Jesus ….faith is matured.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus ….faith finishes with a win.
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed.
If you look within, you’ll be depressed.
If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”
You can rest in your race when your faith is focused on him .
#4 THE INCENTIVES FOR YOUR RACE
Vs. 2 – “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
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