Hebrews 12:1-3

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” 

    Durability is one of the most important characteristics of a Christian. As time goes on it seems that church people are getting weaker. This is especially true with the men. Weakness is just the opposite of the character of the first Baptist. Spiritual strength and fortitude are necessary in running the Christian race.

    The Christian is to go on with God no matter what the cost, the pain, or the sorrow may be. Jesus never made light of His way being easy. As a matter of fact He taught just the very opposite. The Christian life style is sometimes the hardest and the most demanding way of life. In spite of the hardships, the heartaches, and tribulations, it is the best life because it ends in eternal bliss. The child of God should stay in the Christian race in spite of what he faces and in spite of what happens. Its not the race but it is the finish line!

    Patience is very important in finishing the Christian race. It is not a race where speed is important. It is not a hundred yard dash; it is an iron man marathon. It is not a quarter-mile drag race; it is a twenty four hour endurance race. If you start out at a fast pace you will run out of breath before the finish. “...run with patience the race that is set before us...”

    Paul compares living the Christian life to running a race. A number of things are involved in a track meet and Paul uses some of those things to illustrate living the Christian life.

FIRST-THERE IS THE AUDIENCE!

    More people attended the 2000 Olympics at Sydney than any event in history. As the child of God runs the race of life, thousands of eyes are upon him. One of the first things that a child of God needs to do is to get accustomed to others watching everything that he does. He needs to get over being self conscious and timid! Christianity is no place for those who want to hide out. Gideon was hiding in the wine presses from the Midianites and God called him out of hiding. Moses hid on the back side of the desert for forty years. And God called him out of hiding. We are commanded not to hide our candle under a bushel.

    More important than this, the spectators serve as encouragers. The child of God is surrounded by a large cloud of witnesses. This refers to the eleventh chapter of Hebrews where great men and women of God endured and finished the race. The ones who are applauding us today are the ones who have finished their race. Don’t worry about the other runners today. Let the examples of Abel, Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, Gideon, and many others cheer you on. Our race is easy compared to those in ancient times. They are in essence saying you can do it. Hang on just a while longer. Come on now, quit feeling sorry for yourself!

SECOND-EVERY DEAD WEIGHT IS TO BE CAST ASIDE.

    A track star usually practices and warms up in excess clothing and heavy shoes. Thus he carries excess weight but when the time for the race comes he casts aside all the excess baggage and only wears the bare essentials. How much excess baggage are you carrying through life?

    Sin creates extra and unnecessary weight in our lives. Personal sins need to be dealt with immediately. Unconfessed sin gets heavier and heavier as time goes on. Jesus does not want us to carry our burdens through life. Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Get in the yoke with Jesus and run alone beside Him and be burden free. It is the only way to run. Let Him carry the excess weight for you.

THIRD-THE BESETTING SIN MUST BE PUT ASIDE.

    What one thing hinders a runner more than anything else? It is looking back! This is the true interpretation of this passage. If a track star looks back he may trip. If he sees he is ahead of others he may slow down.

    The greatest temptation of all is to look back in life. But the Bible says, whatever you do don’t look back. Luke 9:62 “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Jesus did not say you would lose your salvation for looking back. But He was saying that looking back makes you unworthy. The only way to plow a straight line is to keep your eye on the end of the row. The only way to run the Christian race is to never look back and keep your eyes on Christ. Philippians 3:13 “Brethern, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” There was no looking back for the Apostle Paul. The Christian should always be living in the future. The greatest thing about Christianity is its future. Forget past failures and accomplishments. Above all, quit licking wounds and beating dead horses!!!!!!!

FOURTH-THE CHRISTIAN’S EYES SHOULD BE ON JESUS AND JESUS ALONE.

    Do not take your eyes off of Jesus. Look at Jesus! Look at what He accomplished in spite of the impossibilities. What a feat of endurance! Jesus not only started the race, He finished the race. He kept His eyes on the finish line. There was no looking back for Jesus. There were no regrets in His mind. He endured the cross, the shame, and the pain in order that He might finish the job of redemption. He had a job to do and He faced that job as if joy was set before Him. He did not enjoy the cross, but today He enjoys the accomplishment of the cross. Get over the idea of the Christian life being all fun and games. Get serious and quit being silly. Quit looking for excitement and make spiritual accomplishments your goal. Today, Christ is seated at the Father’s right hand basking in the joy of what He accomplished on the cross of Calvary 2000 years ago. He is still looking ahead to the time when all the redeemed of all the ages will gather before Him rejoicing in what He accomplished. All because He endured the cross and CROSSED THE FINISH LINE!!!!!!!!!!