Sermon Cloud

Intro: I used to run, & hated it.  It was demanding & exhausting- like the life of faith.

Big Idea: We are able to run the race of faith because of all Jesus did for us.

Context: Hebrews is written to Hebrew Christians who are growing weary in their race.  The author reminds them that Jesus is greater than the prophets, Moses, kings & priests.  The supremacy of Jesus calls them to continue & not return to Judaism apart from Christ.

-         The race imagery instructs us about living by faith in Jesus & His promises.

-         The witnesses (Heb. 11) watch us run, & testify to God’s faithfulness when they ran.

-         They are not rivals, but loving older siblings who cannot rest ‘til we are done running.

I. Run unhindered & free, for Jesus bore the penalty.

-         They had put off all burdens & easily ensnaring sins.  Ill. Forrest’s leg braces

-         You cannot run when you are heavily laden.  Not all hindrances are bad things.

-         We tend to add new responsibilities and activities w/out removing old ones.  Ill. Ruth

-         Schedules become inflexible.  Our hearts heavily-laden with worries.  Obj. backpack

-         Take those burdens off.  The word is used for removing/changing clothes.  Ill. Greeks

-         King Jesus sits upon a throne of grace (4:16).  Seek grace to get ‘naked’ thru prayer.

-         Sin easily entangles us.  We think it is “innocent”, but it trips us up.

-         We must put them off, or take them off.  This is a picture of repentance.  Obj. backpack

-         Jesus, our Great High Priest, bore the penalty of these sins for us.  He removes guilt.

Transition: We are able to run unhindered & free because of Jesus’ work as our King & Priest.

II. Run with endurance for Jesus endured all.

-         We are told to run with endurance, or perseverance.  The course set before us is difficult.

-         We saw the difficulties presented by our flesh: burdens & sins.

-         Their arms were feeble & knees weak (12:12).  Some of you here are worn out.

-         We run with endurance by fixing our eyes on Jesus, who endured His race.

-         The course laid out for Him included the cross & opposition from sinful men.

-         The same words are used to show the parallels.  Jesus is our example of living by faith.

-         He ran before us to be the source of faith, & the One who perfects/matures our faith.

-         Faith Ý as we focus on Him, & His suffering for us.  Shrinks if we don’t.  Ill. Gump

-         Consider the power, tenacity, compassion, love, etc. of Jesus exhibited for us.

Transition: Jesus ran this race before us, enduring similar obstacles, so we can keep running.

III. Run with hope for Jesus reigns.

-         As persecuted, second-rate citizens, they experienced great shame & humiliation.

-         Jesus disregarded the shame of the cross.  He was branded a criminal & stripped naked.

-         Jesus focused on the joy before Him- bringing many brothers to glory (2:10).  Ill. Lt. Dan

-         Consider, think about, that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God.  He reigns w/power!

-         We will sit with Him for we are united w/Him.  We have sure hope our race ends in joy.

-         Our suffering may feel shameful now, but it will result in joy.  Ill. Crowning victors

-         If you focus on difficulties & opposition, you’ll be tempted to give up.  Ill. End of street

-         Focus on Jesus, who prevailed, and you will have the hope you need to keep running.

-         Remember, He sits on the throne of grace to help you in your times of need.

Conclusion:  Running is hard, & we are often tempted to give up.  By faith Jesus gives us all we need to keep running to His glory.  Jesus suffered for us that we might die to self & put away sin; endured the cross that we might endure difficulty; was seated at God’s right hand that we might have hope.  We need not lose heart, for Jesus is able, more than able, to keep us in the race.