keeping up the fight for joy Hebrews 12:1-13

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) 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

Key Observations… We are called to run a race! “let us run…the race…”

What type of race are we called to? It is God’s race “marked out for you”

What type of race are we called to? It is God’s race It has a beginning Not passive Requires your participation

What type of race are we called to? It is God’s race “marked out for you” It has a beginning Not passive Requires your participation John 1:12-13 -- 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

What type of race are we called to? It is God’s race It has a beginning It is like a relay race “since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” “witnesses” ≠ passive observers “witnesses” = those who have run the race well in previous generations

What type of race are we called to? It is God’s race It has a beginning It is like a relay race It is a group race “let us run”

What type of race are we called to? It is God’s race It has a beginning It is like a relay race It is a group race “let us run” Romans 12:5 -- in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

What type of race are we called to? It is God’s race It has a beginning It is like a relay race It is a group race It is a marathon…like a tough mudder! “let us run with perseverance/endurance”

Colossians 1:28-29 28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 1:28-29 28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. “agonizomai”

What must we do to develop endurance? Get rid of all baggage “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” Repent of habitual, besetting sin Rid ourselves of distractions

What must we do to develop endurance? Get rid of all baggage Get strength from other runners

There is another runner… Heb. 12:2-3 -- 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

There is another runner… Heb. 12:2-3 -- 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

What must we do to develop endurance? Get rid of all baggage Get strength from other runners Embrace disciplined training

Hebrews 12:4-8 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 

Hebrews 12:4-8 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.  Heb. 12:9-10 -- 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

Another thought on the value of disciplined training… Heb. 12:11 -- 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

A cool byproduct of keeping up the fight Heb. 12:12-13 -- 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. NLT -- 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Summary What race are you truly running? God’s? Your own? Are you drawing strength from other runners (past and present)? Are you keeping up the fight? Enduring well? Getting rid of all baggage? Setting your sights on the joy before you? Embracing disciplined training?