The Amazing Race Rebecca BrownRebeccabrown1.comHebrews 12:1-7

Comedian MILTON BERLE said, “My doctor recently told me that jogging could add years to my life. I tried it. He’s right! I feel ten years older already.”

1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT) 24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

Are you engaging in the necessary disciplines and activities that will enable you to grow and mature in Christ-likeness? Are you any farther along toward that goal today than you were yesterday?

It doesn’t matter how long you've been on the track; it matters how far you've progressed from the starting line. If you aren't making progress what is holding you back? What is tripping you up in your spiritual journey? What is slowing your progress toward Christlikeness?

12 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (NIV) 12 1 So since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud of witnesses, let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us. (VOICE)

But what does their "witnessing" refer to? Does it refer to their watching us from heaven? Or does it refer their witnessing to us by their lives? The word "witness" can have either meaning: the act of seeing something, or the act of telling something. Which is it here?

Moses -Anger Abraham-Liar David – Adulterer/Murderer Rahab- Prostitute Noah- Drunk Samson-Passion Gideon-Fear

12 1 …And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

12 1 … let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace…

Outright Sin Besetting Sin Distractions

We need to lose the weight. We need to throw off those things that hinder our forward motion. The process of shedding this extra weight should begin with these questions… How much of my time is wasted or thrown away in time spent in carrying extra weight? Does it help me run, or is it in the way?

How do we go about losing the extra weight?

J. Wilbur Chapman said, "Anything that dims my vision of Christ or takes away my taste for Bible study or cramps my prayer life or makes Christian work difficult is wrong for me and I must, as a Christian turn away from it.“

Like a marathon, this race has no time outs, no breaks, no intermissions, and no halftimes. We are instructed to run “with perseverance.” “with endurance.”

Bible Study Worship Service Evangelism Stewardship Prayer

Tom Landry, former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, said, "The job of a coach is to make players do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what they've always wanted to be.“ As other coaches have said, "No pain, no gain.“ Similarly, to become a spiritual champion requires doing things that we may not want to do, in order to achieve what we've always wanted to be - like Jesus. Spiritual growth will not occur without pain. The writer of Hebrews and other biblical writers refer to this pain as discipline. Hebrews 12:4-7 states, “God “disciplines” His “disciples.” God is training us not just to live here and now, but to have life in the age to come, to share His life and holiness. 5 Indeed, you seem to have forgotten the proverb directed to you as children: My child, do not ignore the instruction that comes from the Lord, or lose heart when He steps in to correct you; 6 For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He corrects each one He takes as His own. 7 Endure hardship as God’s discipline and rejoice that He is treating you as His children, for what child doesn’t experience discipline from a parent?” The discipline is hardship or spiritual conditioning that comes in the form of testing, suffering, trails, and affliction.

Is God in the process of disciplining you? Would the "painful" events or seasons you are currently going through be corrective measures of God to steer you back onto the track toward becoming a spiritual champion? When God disciplines us he is not getting us back; he is drawing us back. He is like a coach who practices, drills, instructs, and corrects his players so that they can be in top shape for a game or a race.

Hebrews 12:2-4 : 2 Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honor. 3 Consider the life of the One who endured such personal attacks and hostility from sinners so that you will not grow weary or lose heart. 4 Among you, in your striving against sin, none has resisted the pressure to the point of death, as He did.

It’s not over until it’s over. God has no retirement plan.

Secrets of a World Class Runner -- John Gaston LIFE is like a Basketball Game! -- Joel Santos Lighten the Load – Rick Ezell Run the Race – Rick Ezell Delight in Discipline – Rick Ezell Focus on the Finish – Rick Ezell