HEBREWS 12: RUNNING THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE

 

Running the race of faith with Endurance

Hebrews 12

  1 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,

2 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.

  Keys to staying in the race

1)Lay aside every weight:

Let us lay aside all the weights that we have and have been holding on that slow down our spiritual growth, such as our unnecessary worries, our unhealthy habits, hidden sins and all the worldly distractions that surround us.

2)Put away sin which clings so closely 

Ephesians 4: 22- 24 -  to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

3) Run with endurance

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

4)Looking to Jesus. (not to self or others) because each and every one has different battles or weakness

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

Let’s reflect

Hebrews 12:1 and 2 reminds us that the race of faith is something “God has set before us and urging us believers how we can endure when faced  with trials and persecutions.The Apostle Paul wrote with his letter to Timothy I have finished the Race and kept the faith, and that’s the place where we all want to get, for the Lord to tell us Well done good and faithful servant, it’s one thing to say I’m in the Race if you’re in Christ today but the important thing is STAYING IN the Race.  

“Therefore, all the POWER we need to Run and Finish the race well is in us now through him, which is his Holy spirit that helps us put off the old life, laying aside sins that clings so closely(addiction) he also helps us exercising self-control which is the Fruit of the Holy spirit in discipline and endurance. 

We are to die to ourself because his power is made perfect in our weakness and just let his holy spirit to run this race of endurance because he has done it and overcome it, in Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

*He is the author and finisher of our faith

*He endured the cross, his endurance lives in us

*He is seated on the right hand of God (Honour and strength)

Let us be reminded of his promises, get our eyes off ourselves and look to Jesus every single day, believing in God’s word and not our experiences.

Hebrews10:21-25

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing nearby.

 Heart Check:

1. What are the things that are not necessarily bad but, is slowing me down or adding weight?
2. What are some of my sins which clings so closely, also known as addictions that I need to put off?
3. Where do my eyes linger more is it on my problems or on Jesus?
4. If I continue to run at my current pace with my current focus ,will I finish the race set before me well?

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PASTORA KATHY