Staying In the Race
An endurance race is a beautiful battle of mind, body and will and to finish it takes endurance. That’s how we arrive at Hebrews 12 this morning. As we’ve learnt, the Christians the author is addressing are Jews and they are struggling in their journey. He’s comparing the Christian Journey to an endurance race. They have just joined the race and there are great difficulties. The author is telling them, hold on a sec guys… This is not a 100-meter sprint, hold on… There is more to the race than what you can see in front of and around you. This is a long race and it takes endurance.
Scripture
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV Heb 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Bible Study Questions
The passage starts off by telling us that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. What is the significance of being surrounded by a cloud of witnesses? (Heb 12:1) (Isa 60:8) (Deut 31:8)
The author starts by saying, therefore, making reference to the Old Testament heroes spoken about in Hebrews 11. This implies that we should run the race because of them. Why is this? (Heb 12:1) (Heb 10:24-25)
We are being told to lay aside every sin and weight. What do you understand to be the difference between the two? (Heb 12:1) (1 Jon 3:4) (Luke 21:34)
According to the verse, our Christian Faith can be compared to an endurance race. What does this mean to you. When do you think the race starts, and when does the race end? (Heb 12:1) (Phil 3:10) (Matt 24:13)
In the passage, we are told to set our gaze and look upon Jesus Christ. He is both the object of our faith and the means by which we attain it. How can Jesus be the object of our faith as well as the one who helps us to attain it? (Heb 12:2) (Jon 14:17)
Our Lord Jesus Christ knows a thing or two about endurance. Yet despite what He had to endure, we went into His suffering for Joy of things to come. What did He look forward to with joy? (Heb 12:2) (1 Thess 4:13-18)
We now understand that we must set our gaze on and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. What does this mean practically? (Heb 12:2) (Deut 4:29) (Jos 1:8)
Prayer
Father in heaven, thank you for your word and your works. Thank you that you sent your Son to suffer an enduring race on earth and to show us how to stay in the race. Help us to keep our gaze focused on you at all times, so that we may not be consumed by the circumstances that surround us, and run the race with endurance. Help us to seek you out in all that we do in our daily lives to bring glory and honour to you through the gifts and talents you have blessed us with.
Worship
Worthy of ev'ry song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Jesus the name above ev'ry other name
Jesus the only one who could ever save
Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
We live for You
Holy there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Service
To run the race of endurance we’re called to as Christians is hard. As the passage teaches us, there is no way we can do it without the help of Jesus. We need to seek Him out. But what does this mean? It means that as Christians, we need read God’s word and pray continuously. It needs to be the way we live, so that we can learn more about Him, so that we may be transformed by His awesomeness. Help to encourage one another to read God’s word. Challenge one another, join a home group or start one of your own. Get people who don’t know God’s word to join your groups and learn to spread the Word. The time has never been more urgent! Be blessed!