That seems to be the idea in the book of Hebrews. We dont strive for the crown that only one can receive. [5] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). Run in such a way that you may obtain it." ", Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above we can ask or think; according to the power that works in us. The picture is of a man trying to run a race while dressed in the long flowing robes of the day. The particular, electing love of God from before the foundation of the world is the reason why anyone becomes a Christian. You are thinking since you're already on the ground, there's no point in getting back up. Charles Jr. Pastor-Teacher at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida. 3. Rather than getting up you're planning on hanging it up. 2. read more, Scripture: Jesus is the creator and sustainer of the universe. He took the burden of our sins and placed them on himself at the cross. They endure long runs. 3. 1:6-9), GODS JUDGMENT OF THE RELIGIOUS MAN (Rom. If you have tripped and fallen, don't stay there. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one" (1 Cor. 15 Outstanding Quotes To Recharge Your Preaching. Family can be a distraction. The man "who both began and finished this race we're in" (Heb. CSB Experiencing God Bible, Hardcover, Jacketed. He was charged with demon possession Mark 3:22, 14. Follow Jesus. In the Bible, we can find many stories of those who have stayed the course during difficult times. Verse 2 tells us He is the founder of our faith. 3:1-8), JESUS: THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATER (John7:37-39), WHY JESUS IS WORTHY OF YOUR FAITH (Heb. In athletics, only one can win a race. You see, Jesus knew where He was headed! Jesus Christ Himself is our greatest role model for He never lost sight of the goal and He never quit running until the goal had been achieved. When we set our eyes firmly on him, we will not grow weary in the fight against sin and in the race to persevere in faith. He jumped to his feet and took off after the pack, which was now a full twenty yards ahead of him. 4:8.). Jesus is the creator and sustainer of the universe. The Hebrew writer gives us insight and direction of being a witness to others. Instead, he is referring to a marathon. These people are the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us as we run the race we have been given. My job isnt to outrun you, my job is to run for Jesus, the race that He has planned for me to the best of my ability. the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty, patience, endurance, fortitude, steadfastness, perseverance, , having the same conflict which you saw in me a spiritual battle). 9:25 HCSB). The Olympic Committee enlisted you to run, not a sprint, but a 26.2-mile endurance competition. The writer of this text uses the illustration of a race to Do you need encouragement tonight? So you can win the race. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, who stands at the finish line waiting for us to complete the race. David Wilkerson (1931-2011) September 28, 2017 Your ongoing trial may involve physical suffering, unemployment, children who rebel, faithless friends, mental distress, turmoil or pain. While we run, we must not look at the other runners. WebThe aim of the message today is, God wants us to stay in the race! In my case, chasing self-centered joy and personal accolades. They were merely common men and women who evidenced a profound faith in God. Change). They can't be avoided or erased. This sermon helps one to look at the good and bad and understand no matter what they go through in life they have to Stay in the Race. Have you ever watched the Olympics on TV? in the Mexico City Olympics. For our lesson today, we are looking at the life of King Solomon. So you are chosen. You can bring home the gold. For our lesson today, we are looking at the life of King Solomon. (Ill. Last week we began talking about discovering and using our resources in our series on Dealing with Stress. Maybe in your race you've been knocked off your feet a few times. He Is Our Crown The good news is Jesus made us lightweight runners. read more. Tonight, I know that I am in no physical shape to run in a marathon, but I can be in the kind of spiritual shape it takes to run the Christian race. I wanted to win, and I wanted him to want me to win, too. 1. He had no home and no place to lay His head Mt. 13:55-58, 10. But it is worth it. He ran the 100-, 220-, and 440-yard events. The lighter the endurance runner, the swifter the runner. Strong to the Finish I want to share some steps that are given in these verse that will help you and me run this race we are in this evening. "No, I just walked out to the mailbox.". We must not look at circumstances. Sermon Outline: 13:53-58; Luke 4:28-29. There are so many things and people that try and take us from Gods purpose in our lives. You see, He ran His race, and He ran it well. ""To me, you won," his father said. Seeing that the race God set out for us is a lifelong marathon, we must commit ourselves to run to the very end. In a sprint, you run a short distance as fast as you can. He should always be the focus of our faith because He is the giver and wellspring of faith. We must not look at circumstances. In Hebrews, the writer reminds Christians to run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith.. Verse 2 tells us He is the founder of our faith. Seven times in the book of Hebrews, the author captures the heart of Christianity in a simple, wonderful command: draw near. His birth was the cause of terrible suffering Mt. WebThe Christian race requires new life to participate. Else, it will entangle you, trip you and prevent you from finishing your race! A. (. 13:53-58, 9. Solomon was a good man. 2:16ff, 7. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, who stands at the finish line waiting for us to complete the race. When we set our eyes firmly on him, we will not grow weary in the fight against sin and in the race to persevere in faith. The day when there would be a new heavens and a new earth where all the redeemed would be worshiping the Father. 2. Endurance refers to patience, steadfastness, perseverance. His father died when He was young Mt. A 300 pound man isnt ready to run a marathon. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 2:12 HCSB). I pray that youll finish the race, and that youll finish well. That made it a little easier to run the race. In many respects we race not against opponents, but against ourselves. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. Consider His Race His was a hard race that began in poverty and ended in pain on a cross. The list of these things could be endless, but a few are: a. Therefore, let us run with patience the race that is set before us! We will be rewarded if we run the race God has set for us and not the race He has set for someone else. Second: He has all power to help us complete the race of faith. ( Philippians 3:14) Run the race that is set before you. August 19, 2007. 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"? (24) Youve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Service: How are you using your gifts to serve God and his people? 19. - to direct ones attention without distraction, fix ones eyes; - to develop more precise knowledge about something; look with undivided attention; one who begins someth. We have witnesses (, , a witness for Jesus who dies because of that witness) to the life of faith. Solomon was the son of King David. This is one of the key messages of the book of Hebrews. God makes us all winners when we cross the line. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. We are what motivated the heart of the Savior to go to that cross and die. Do you ever feel like no one understands? Numbers 11:1-25(Moses), Christian Living / Victory / Renew Mind / Overcoming Life (PDFBooks), Spiritual Warfare Prayers and Sermons (PDFBooks), Dont Waste Your Life by Dr John Piper (PDFBook), Discovering Your Freedom In Christ by Neil T Anderson(PDF), Breaking up the Fallow Ground Hosea10:12, Break Up Your Fallow Ground New YearMessage, Seven Reasons for Unbelief (ParadigmShift), THE RESULTS OF LIFES TRIALS Job2:7-13, The 5 Most Shocking Things in the BIBLE (MustRead). Bible Truths and LIFE Applications You do realize that if you are struggling in life that God must not be shining His love and grace upon you! 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 Tragically, Gabriel becomes a casualty of Stay in the Race! Never give up. 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 Your family. If you have tripped and fallen, don't stay there. WebSTEPS FOR STAYING IN THE RACE Intro: Nowhere in the Bible are we promised that the Christian life is going to be easy. Never give up. The prize is becoming a spiritual champion. Medical personnel had to assist him off the track that day. We lay aside every weight and clingy sin. It is the race of a lifetime. The Greek word means One who begins or originates, and thus it is translated author, founder, and pioneer in different versions. The good news is Jesus made us lightweight runners. 3. The race gives purpose to life, hope for the future, and a reward in glory. (Ill. But as I come to you today, I believe that the transition that started seven and a half months ago has taken a different To make advance is reward enough to a true disciple; but to get to the goal and get the prize too that is heaven.Conclusion: 1. It does mean that they are witnesses to the faithfulness of God. We need perseverance as Christians. stumbled and fell, severely injuring both his knee and ankle. It is amazing how we can think that we are alone in the Christian journey. To that cross and die, trip you and prevent you from your... 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