2. New Year’s Resolutions  Lose weight, eat healthier, stop smoking, spend less / save more, get organized, more time with family, etc.  What about losing the weight of sin (Heb. 12:1)? What do we “measure” using God’s word? What do we “weigh” using God’s word?

3. The Weight of Sin  There were indications of sin in their lives (Heb. 2:1ff; 3:13; 6:4ff; 10:25-26, 39; 12:14ff; 13:5, 9)  The recipients of Hebrews were told three things: 1) lay aside, 2) run with patience, and 3) look to Jesus  The Olympic runner would lay aside garments and weights before running so as not to impede his progress

4. The Weight of Sin  “Weight” = onkos; “a bulk or a mass”; an encumbrance; sin that encumbers the individual; weight to the soul  “Beset” = euperistatos; lit. “standing well (easily) around”; that is, easily encompassing; sin that easily encompasses, encircles, or ensnares an individual

5. The Weight of Sin  Worldliness (Lk. 21:34)  Immorality (Rom. 13:12)  The old man (Eph. 4:22, 25; Col. 3:9; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 2:1-2)  Love of money (1 Tim. 6:9-10)

6. The Weight of Sin  It will cause us to be lethargic; non- active; move slowly (Rev. 3:16)  It will cause us to be sickly with health problems (Isa. 1:5-6)  It will lead to premature death (Rom. 6:23)

7. Drop the Weight  Identify the weight problem (Rom. 3:23; 1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17)  Be intentional, focused, and controlled (1 Cor. 9:24-27)  For the non-Christian, obey (Ac. 22:16)  For the Christian, repent and pray (Acts 8:22)