THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO LIVE! TRAINING FOR THE RACE Hebrews 12:1-13

“Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us…” (Heb. 12:1) What kind of race is this?  It is non-negotiable – “let us”  It is a team effort – “us”  It is God’s race – “the race that God has set before us…”  It requires endurance Endurance is developed via disciplined training “Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.”(Dallas Willard)

What is the goal of this race? Acts 20:24  “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.” Matthew 22:37-39  37 Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The goal is to become like Jesus in all that we think, say, and do!

The nature of disciplined training is twofold Proactive Training – we personally choose to engage in this type of our own initiative  Hebrews 12:2  “We do this (run in a streamlined way) by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” Responsive Training – external difficult events and issues that God allows (and sometimes initiates) that strip us of excess baggage  2 Corinthians 1:8-9 We won’t come to right responses to difficulty on our own…

The purpose of disciplined training is to make us more fit to run the race. Hebrews 12:1b  “let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress.” Some “good stuff” needs to go… The sin that hinders MUST go…

The motivation of this disciplined training is love. Hebrews 12:5-10  “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. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children." 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? 8 If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. 9 Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness.”

The fruit of this disciplined training is future…it is a long-term thing… Hebrews 12:11  “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” God’s top priority is character development.

The context for growth through disciplined training is grace-filled Christian community. Hebrews 12:1-2,  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, 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. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish…12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.

What is this disciplined training?  It is proactive & responsive  Its purpose is to make us fit for the race  It is motivated by love  Its fruit is future…shapes who we become  Its context is grace-filled Christian community

NEXT WEEK… THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO LIVE! THE HOSPITABLE LIFE Hebrews 13:1-6