Running With Endurance

Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT) No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT) … let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

Simple Observations We are all in a race – the course is set by God We are all ‘not that we’re supposed to be’ We all have weights and sin holding us back But we’re supposed to be running with endurance

How?

1. Drop the weights …let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress Recognize your habits, hang-ups, and sin Confess them to God and others Determine to overcome them with God’s help

2. Focus on Jesus Vs 2 - We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish (Heb 12)

2. Focus on Jesus Focusing on Jesus a. He knew the race assigned to Him b. He accepted it willingly c. He endured it without complaint or compromise d. He didn’t give out - He didn’t give up Vs 2 - We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish (Heb 12)

2. Focus on Jesus Focusing on Jesus a. He knew the race assigned to Him b. He accepted it willingly c. He endured it without complaint or compromise d. He didn’t give out - He didn’t give up Vs 2 - We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish (Heb 12) He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Heb. 12:2 (NLT)

2. Focus on Jesus Following Jesus’ Example a. Know your race b. accepted it willingly c. endured it without complaint or compromise d. didn’t give out - didn’t give up Vs 2 - We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish (Heb 12)

3. Accept the discipline And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children Hebrews 12:5-6 (NLT)

4. Don’t travel alone. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecc 4:9-12 (NIV)

4. Don’t travel alone. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecc 4:9-12 (NIV)

4. Don’t travel alone.