Sermon Cloud

Intro: Olympics.  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 provides grace.  Not the main verb- precondition?

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

-         We cannot run when we are heavy laden.  Team concept.  Not all hindrances are bad.

-         We add responsibilities & activities w/out removing old ones.  Ill. Work, family, hobbies

-         Schedules => inflexible.  Our hearts => heavy-laden w/worries.  Ill. Army pack

-         They endured persecution from sinful men (10:34).  They experienced illness, poverty …

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

-         Sin easily entangles, stalls progress.  Looks “innocent”, but trips us up.  Ill. My shoelaces

-         Sin is often habit-forming.  We get more used to committing it & don’t notice.

-         Take them off:  word for removing/changing clothes is used.  Ill. Greeks, today

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

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

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

II. Run with endurance for Jesus finished the race.

-         Freed from burdens & sins, he encouraged them to run w/endurance w/him.

-         The course he laid out before us is quite difficult.  Ill. Marathon vs. sprint, no scouting

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

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

-         “Laid out & endured” show the parallels.  Jesus: the supreme example of living by faith.

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

-         He gave us faith, and he intends to perfect our faith.  He helps us trust him (10:25).

-         Faith Ý as we focus on Him, & His suffering for us.  Faith ↓ as we focus on our suffering.

-         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.

-         Persecuted, second-rate citizens, they experienced great shame & humiliation.  Avoid it.

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

-         Jesus focused on the joy before Him- bringing many brothers (incl. us) to glory (2:10).

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

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

-         Our suffering feels shameful now, but it will result in joy.  Ill. medal ceremony, all win

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

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

-         Remember, He sits on the throne of grace (4:16) 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.