Hebrews 12:1-11
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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter 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. 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. 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. 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.
The Pathway We Run
- Engage – Know Christ
- Establish – Grow up in Christ
- Equip – Go into the world for Christ
2 Keys for Running Life’s Race Well
- Develop Good Technique
- :1 …throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…
o Dump your baggage
- Unresolved conflicts
- Bitterness
- :2-3 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…
- Don’t get distracted…. Maintain your focus
- Listen to Your Coach
- He doesn’t promise a pain-free, difficulty-free life
- He does promise to never leave us or forsake us in our difficulties
- :7Endure hardship as discipline…
- God allows difficulties and trials for our growth and development
- Jeremiah 12:5
- :9…submit to the Father…and live!
- Trust God in the hard times as well as the good times
God’s Promises for Difficult Times
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
- Isaiah 42:3 – A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
- Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.