Doing so will result in distraction and defeat. If you have not experienced the rescuing grace of God, run to the cross. Hebrews 12:1-3 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. The single most important principle for running the race toward becoming a spiritual champion is: Spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder, but of training wisely. However, I want to encourage you, my fellow believers, to keep at it; dont quit. August 19, 2007. In the Christian life, we run the race of faith. Summary: This sermon helps one to look at the good and bad and understand no matter what they go through in life they have to Stay in the Race. Jesus is the creator and sustainer of the universe. My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58). Your past times can be a distraction. FIND YOUR RACE AND RUN IT It, too, occupies your waking moments. Before his run in the Olympics, Eric Liddell ran in a meet between England and France. read more, Scripture: This is one of the key messages of the book of Hebrews. 2. Likewise, as Christians, we work hard to strengthen our faith to endure the race of faith. Evangelical/Non-Denominational, This Christian life we live is a race, make sure you are in the best of shapes always. Introduction We Must Run With Patience Here the picture is of a runner settling in for the long haul. We have statistics on every person in the entire nation on computer. WebThe Christian race requires new life to participate. WebThe aim of the message today is, God wants us to stay in the race! D. Consider His Resolve Verse 3 tells us that Jesus endured must to finish His race. It, too, is the race of a lifetime. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and B. Stewardship: Are you investing regularly and consistently in God's church with your time, talents, and financial resources. WebRunning the Race That Is Set Before Us Unleashing Gods Truth, One Verse at a Time Since 1969 Listen Now About Broadcasts Resources Store Apps Blog Devotionals Sermons Donate Search Play Add to Playlist Download MP3 Reset PDF Related Series: Also Available: Available to Purchase: Available Translations: Stand With Us I pray that youll finish the race, and that youll finish well. We get him! in the Mexico City Olympics. The race of faith is lifes journey for the Christian. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you run a race. read more, Scripture: 4:8.). He was charged with demon possession Mark 3:22, 14. Hebrews 12:1-2, Denomination: Jesus understands because (v. 3 says) He endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself, (v. 2 says) He endured the cross, and (v. 3 says) He despised the shame! Tonight, I know that I am in no physical shape to run in a marathon, but I can be in the kind of spiritual shape it takes to run the Christian race. We each have our own race to run! ), (Ill. we need to come to the place where we are able to look beyond the situations and circumstances of life and envision that day when we too will be home with the Savior. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27King James Version (KJV) At night you dream about standing on the podium after the race and hearing the national anthem, seeing the flag raised, and bending low to receive the gold medal. "Run in such a way that you may win" (1 Cor. Rick Ezell is the pastor of First Baptist Greer, South Carolina. Like the orange cones on the roadway that indicate the path of a long distant race, God has marked out a race distinctive for you that will take you on an adventure. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [2] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). Seeing that the race God set out for us is a lifelong marathon, we must commit ourselves to run to the very end. INTRODUCTION It takes hours of training. Solomon was the son of King David. We are not in competition, but we are on the same team! There are people whose lives tell us what faith means (, [Stephen was a martyr thats mentioned in Acts], ). In fact, He is the race judge, (Ill. Back to your home and the U.S. Olympic Committee's invitation. But it is worth it. The Believers Authority by Kenneth E Hagin(PDF), C3. They endure long runs. read more, Scripture: (1 Peter 1:18-20), PDF Books - Supernatural Healing and Restoration in Christ (1), Jesus Prays for You and Me (John17:11-26), JESUS CHRIST : THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST (John17:1-26), PDF Books The HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD ( L1), PDF Books Supernatural Healing and Restoration in Christ(2), PDF Books Supernatural Healing and Restoration in Christ(1), Devotions and Studies from the Book of PROVERBS PDFBooks, JESUS CHRIST : THE GREAT GIFT GIVER (John 16:7-15;14:16-18), GRACE FOR ALL THE GEARS OF LIFE (Isaiah40:28-31), THE PSALM OF THE RESCUED SAINT (Hezekiah Isa. We must run lawfully, i.e., according to the Scripture rules of the race. Sermons on Staying the Course. The farther we are from sin, the closer we are to Jesus. We will persevere by maintaining a Christlike attitude even in the midst of trials ( 1 Peter 2:21; 4:1; 1 John 2:6 ). (LogOut/ Let me challenge you to get your eyes back on Jesus. Hebrews 11:29-12:2. Sometimes, I possessed pure motives and would end my prayer with wanting Gods will to be done more than mine even if that meant the dreadful loss. We choose to do our will instead of his. (REPEAT 3xs) It speaks of things that are innocent in and of themselves, but when they slow you down in the Christian race, they are weights and they must go. While we run, we must not look at the other runners. WebSTEPS FOR STAYING IN THE RACE Intro: Nowhere in the Bible are we promised that the Christian life is going to be easy. Hebrews 12:1-4, Denomination: In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado(PDF), D1. WebRunning The Race Hebrews 12:1-3 Home Back to Sermon List Now there are some of the same things which are essential to being victorious in a race are also key to being given to someone else. For our lesson today, we are looking at the life of King Solomon. Both of these passages speak of Hebrews 12:1-3 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. I felt strong and energetic and my pace was quick and light. The first few steps felt easy, and my way was clear and bright. In fact, often the opposite is true, John 16:33. Along the racecourse for the marathon, Akhwari In athletics, only one can win a race. We looked together are two primary passages, Psalm 61:1-3 and Psalm 62:5-8. Do you realize the number of hours an Olympian trains? The man "who both began and finished this race we're in" (Heb. Web2. While the destination is the same for everyone - a life like Jesus, the journey that gets us there is different for everyone. Denomination: Lutheran JUST STAY IN THE RACE Charlton Heston had to learn how to drive a chariot with four horses for his part in the movie Ben Hur. Every weight would fall off and every sin would untangle from us. Stay In The Race Scripture Hebrews Topic Series H.B. It is what gets you out of bed in the morning. Cloud of witnesses But run it with the hope that God wants you to have in Christ. This sermon helps one to look at the good and bad and understand no matter what they go through in life they have to Stay in the Race. He had no home and no place to lay His head Mt. Every huff, every twinge of pain, and every prolonged day on earth is worth patiently enduring the journey to get to the finish line to get to Jesus. Second: He has all power to help us complete the race of faith. There are sins that do not tempt you at all, but there are others that are a constant source of temptation. The goal is not perfection, but progress. He opposed by His family Mark 3:21-22. Jesus cares for us, "Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you! 3:1-8), JESUS: THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATER (John7:37-39), WHY JESUS IS WORTHY OF YOUR FAITH (Heb. Jesus Christ Himself is our greatest role model for That seems to be the idea in the book of Hebrews. 2:13ff, 5. 2:17-29), GODS JUDGMENT OF THE HYPOCRITE (Rom. Friends. 13:53-58; Luke 4:28-29. The day when there would be a new heavens and a new earth where all the redeemed would be worshiping the Father. The race gives purpose to life, hope for the future, and a reward in glory. He goes forth and runs at trouble. We are instructed to run and keep on running. As you endure day after day, Satan will whisper to you as he did to Job: "The righteous don't suffer. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, who stands at the finish line waiting for us to complete the race. You've come to the end of your stamina and you're not sure you can put one foot in front of the other anymore. You will run the race. In his unorthodox style of running he took off after the pack. He took the burden of our sins and placed them on himself at the cross. Never give up. My job isnt to outrun you, my job is to run for Jesus, the race that He has planned for me to the best of my ability. You can SOAR like an EAGLE by Nell WMohney, S1. February 25, 2021. He should always be the focus of our faith because He is the giver and wellspring of faith. We will persevere by maintaining a Christlike attitude even in the midst of trials ( 1 Peter 2:21; 4:1; 1 John 2:6 ). I want to share some steps that are given in these verse that will help you and me run this race we are in this evening. It dominates your mind. We must be temperate in all things. Learn more. [6] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). Stay In The Race Contributed by Stephen Robinson D on Apr 29, 2007 based on 14 ratings | 25,394 views This sermon helps one to look at the good and bad and understand no matter what they go through in life they have to Stay in the Race. Lay Aside All Weights This refers to a runner making sure that all extra weights have been removed from his body. Anything that does not build us up in the Lord, is a weight and a hindrance and should be removed from our life. Nowhere in the Bible are we promised that the Christian life is going to be easy. Hesitation or fear? Charles Jr. Pastor-Teacher at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida. Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before His presence in glory with exceeding great joy; to the only wise God, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. ext. Those who persist prevail. This merely teaches us that the Christian runner has endurance. 2:12 HCSB). WebThe Christian race requires new life to participate. I The one who selected unattractive, unlikable, and unreliable men to be his followers and loved them to the end. A daily regimen of prayer, worship, reading Gods Word and examining our lives for impediments will help. WebRunning The Race Hebrews 12:1-3 Home Back to Sermon List Now there are some of the same things which are essential to being victorious in a race are also key to being given to someone else. This need for training is not only for athletes; it is required for playing a musical instrument, learning a new language, or acquiring a new skill. Probably not! He was charged with insanity Mark 3:21, 13. I do not know what you may be facing this evening as you run your race, but I do know doing the things revealed in these verses will help us all to be runners who are pleasing to the Lord God. Sept. 11, 2005 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor It occupies every waking moment. The Christian race is not easy. You are left pondering their proposal. You must arrange your life around certain practices that will enable you to do what you cannot do now by willpower alone. Attributes of people who finish what they start. Ill. **Rom. 5. The persecution was too much, and they could retreat back to Judaism and escape much of the suffering it was costing to follow Sermons on Staying the Course. I'm told that two critical times exist in a marathon race. Some runners carry kitchen sinks or push beds as they sprint down the street. Family can be a distraction. Runners call it "hitting the wall." The physical race became a real-life vision of the cross where I could in part identify with him. Seeing that the race God set out for us is a lifelong marathon, we must commit ourselves to run to the very end. The Christian race is not easy. As a Christian, have you ever wanted to walk away from this whole Christian thing! The persecution was too much, and they could retreat back to Judaism and escape much of the suffering it was costing to follow All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. A sermon of encouragement to those who may be going through unforeseen trials and other life challenges. Keep going. He stands as our example. It dawns on you: You cannot run a marathon. The race is a contest in daily progress toward Christ-likeness. Don't give up on God because he hasn't given up on you. As a former collegiate distance runner, I understand what it takes to win a race. Imagine a group of people coming to your home and interrupting your Twinkie-eating, TV-watching routine with an urgent message: "Good News! WebStaying in the Race-Heb. 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him If you have tripped and fallen, don't stay there. Anything less will spell disaster for the Christian runner. The picture is of a man trying to run a race while dressed in the long flowing robes of the day. The 2000 movie, "The Patriot" starred Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin, a Revolutionary War hero. Charles Jr. Pastor-Teacher at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida. The same question is apropos for the spiritual race: Will you engage in the training so that you will have the endurance to run the race? 11:32-40;23-29, HOW TO BE SURE YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY #2 2 Pet. The one who selected unattractive, unlikable, and unreliable men to be his followers and loved them to the end. The secret to winning the race, to truly live a Christlike life, is to order our lives around those activities, disciplines, and practices that were modeled by Christ, in order to accomplish through training what we cannot now do by trying. The writer of Hebrews spoke of this race, "Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us" (Heb. There was not a single trace When I boldly decided to enter in this race. We have determined that out of the two hundred seventy-five million people, you are the one person in America with a chance to bring home the gold medal in the marathon. They Have Run Their Race These were people who ran the race they had been given. CSB Experiencing God Bible, Hardcover, Jacketed. We will be rewarded if we run the race God has set for us and not the race He has set for someone else. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament). He took the burden of our sins and placed them on himself at the cross. His was a race that lead Him around a track lined with hatred, bitterness, opposition and the desire to see Him dead. You know where you are weak. Behold, I am coming quickly! Every ounce counts in a foot race. We must be temperate in all things. He wrote in one stanza, And to his dad he sadly said,"I didn't do too well. Maybe in your race you've been knocked off your feet a few times. Your family. 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