The Race of Faith
Hebrews 12:1-2
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 endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I. Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses v.1
(Both the Greeks and the Latins frequently us the term cloud, to express a great number of persons or things)
a. Some think that the cloud probably included great men and women of God who have come since those Hebrews 11 saints, known and unknown to history.
b. We are also under angelic observation (Ephesians 3:10-11)
c. The world watches our faith and conduct.
d. Others consider that these witnesses are not witnessing us as we conduct our lives. Instead, they are witnesses to us of faith and endurance, in all they have lived and experienced. They have the spirit of martyrs - the root of the Ancient Greek word translated witnesses.
II. Let us lay aside every weight v.1
a. There are things that may not be sin(every weight) but are hindrances(an obstacle, impediment or distraction that obstructs spiritual progress) that can keep us from running effectively the race God has for us.
b. Our choices are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder us. Is there a weight in your life you must lay aside?
MATTHEW 11:28-30 NLT -
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
c. Some examples hinderances: distractions, busyness (too busy to serve, attend church, etc), lack of commitment,
bad relationships(mistreating your spouse), complacency(becoming comfortable and no longer striving for deeper spiritual understanding), bad influences (unsupportive or negative relationships can pull you away from God)
III. The sin which so easily ensnares us v.1
a. The words easily ensnares translate a difficult Ancient Greek word "euperistaton", which can be translated four ways: easily avoided, admired ensnaring or dangerous
b. Let us lay them all aside:
- Some sins can be easily avoided, but are not.
- Some sins are admired, yet must be laid aside.
- Some sins are ensnaring and thus especially harmful.
- Some sins are more dangerous than others are
c. This can be a sin that encircles or ensnares a believer like a wrestler preventing a runner in every direction, its a sin that easily entangles believers as they run the race of faith
d. In this verse we are never given reason to blame our sin on demons; the appeal is simply for us to, in the power of the Holy Spirit, lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us. (Personal: ask Holy Spirit to help you, He is Our Helper)
e. Some example of sins: idolatry and false worship, murder, adultery, theft, lying, dishonoring parents, coveting, sexual immorality and lust, hostility, quarreling and jealousy, drunkenness and wild parties, proud looks and haughty eyes, wicked schemes and evil thoughts
IV. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us v.1
a. What is needed is endurance, to finish what we have begun in Jesus Christ - a race that is set before us.
b. Endurance translates the Ancient Greek word hupomone- patient endurance, steadfastness (committed, dedicated), or perseverance, especially in the face of adversity. It describes the ability to endure trials, suffering, and hardship with a steadfast and hopeful attitude.
The word is a compound of two Greek words: Hupo: πο - meaning "under"
Mone: μoν - meaning "to stand"
Literally, it can be translated as "to stand under" or "to stand beneath," which conveys the idea of remaining firm and steady under pressure or hardship.
c. In the Bible: Hupomone appears in N.T. verses like Luke 21:19 and Romans 5:3- We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. It is used to describe the quality of standing from through trials, such as when Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns in prison-
Acts 16:22-26 NLT
A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods.
23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape.
24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
V. The ultimate example: Jesus Christ. v.2
a. Looking unto Jesus - The New American Standard Version translates this beautifully as, fixing our eyes on Jesus. We can only run the race as we look to Jesus and have our eyes locked on to HIM. He is our focus, our inspiration, and our example.
Ex. Spurgeon - The Greek word for "looking" is a much fuller word than we can find in the English language. It has a preposition in it which turns the look away from everything else. You are to look from all beside to Jesus. Fix not thy gaze upon the cloud of witnesses; they will hinder thee if they take away thine eye from Jesus. Look not on the weights and the besetting sin-these thou hast laid aside; look away from them. Do not even look upon the race-course, or the competitors, but look to Jesus and so start in the race."
b. The author and finisher of our faith- Jesus is not only the author of our faith; He is the finisher of it also. One may say that Jesus is with us at the starting line and the finish line and all along the way of the race that He sets before us.
c. Who for the joy that was set before Him- Jesus did not regard the cross itself as a joy. But He could look past the horror of the cross to enjoy the joy beyond it. The same mentality would enable these Jewish Christians (and we ourselves) to endure.
d. Endured the cross - Jesus was able to endure the ordeal of the cross because He understood the good that would come of it- the good of a redeemed, rescued people honoring God for all eternity.
e. Knowing all the good that would flow from this most agonizing experience, Jesus was able to do it and to endure it with triumph. Through the ordeal of the cross:
- Jesus kept His tongue.
- Jesus kept His course.
- Jesus kept His progress.
- Jesus kept His joy.
- Jesus kept His love.
e. Despising the shame-One of the most prominent elements of the torture of the cross was its extreme shame. Jesus did not welcome this shame- He despised it- yet He endured through it to victory. Shame is a significant trial. Daniel 12:2 says -Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.NLT Jesus bore this hellish shame to accomplish our redemption.
- Jesus bore a shameful accusation: blasphemy.
- Jesus bore shameful mocking.
- Jesus bore a shameful beating.
- Jesus wore a shameful crown.
- Jesus wore a shameful robe.
- Jesus bore a shameful mocking even as He prayed on the cross.
f. And has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God- The reward of his suffering: he has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Christ, as Mediator, is exalted to a station of the highest honour, of the greatest power and influence; he is at the right hand of the Father. Nothing passes between heaven and earth but by him; he does all that is done; he ever lives to make intercession for his people.
What is our duty with respect to Jesus. We must,
- Look unto him; that is, we must set him continually before us as our example, and our great encouragement; we must look to him for direction, for assistance, and for acceptance, in all our sufferings.
- We must consider him, meditate much upon him, and reason with ourselves from his case to our own. We must analogize, as the word is; compare Christ's sufferings and ours; and we shall find that as his sufferings far exceeded ours, in the nature and measure of them, so his patience far excels ours, and is a perfect pattern for us to imitate.
Ilustration
My husband Mariano mentioned after the 5K race what he learned about racing and how to apply it to our lives and families- he said "our children(kids, teens) will run their race, and they know what they are supposed to do during the race and how to finish the race" - we just need to keep doing our part- what God tells us in His Word.
Parents - continue to teach your kids in Gods Words, and lead by example
Kids - listen to your parents, follow their commandments, your parents are your biggest cheearleaders
Teens - don't be influenced by this worlds and its beliefs (Romans 12:2)
Young adults - be careful who you surround yourselves with, lay aside all sin and those things that hinder
Adults - continue to walk in this race of Faith, don't become complacent, run the race! RUN YOUR RACE that God has set before you...
Conclusion- Acts 20:24
24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul pictured himself as a runner who had a race to finish, and nothing would keep Paul from finishing the race with joy. In the passage, Paul spoke of "my race" - he had his race to run, we have our own but God calls us to finish it with joy, and that only happens with endurance.
The race that is set before us- Race is the Ancient Greek word agona, a word used for conflict or struggle of many kinds, and a favorite word of Paul. (Philippians 1:30, Colossians 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7)
God has set before you- and each of us- a race. You must run it, and it will involve effort and commitment. Being passive never runs or wins a race. God wants us to run the race and to finish it right.
