Open to Hebrews 12:1 Sometimes what we need to hear, is what we already know. For most, today, I am not going to bring before you something new I will ill remind i d you off what h know k

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

Spiritually, what we often need, is to be b reminded i d d off the h basics, b i things we understand things that are clear to us… but we still need to hear again That iis what Th h G God d tells ll us thru h Peter P (Next Slide)

(Hebrews 12:1)

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Won’t be negligent to remind Th Though h you kknow it already l d Going to continue to remind Often what we need on a Sunday is this Truth is–God’s truth is unchanging - thus if new,, not true - if true, it is not new 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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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God likens the Christian life to a race. Does D so often, ft many ways - it is a simple, powerful picture Today, just want to ask you to see it again…understand the picture

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

This race…is an endurance race - vital that yyou see this - in fact…endurance is the main call, point…in whole section Next slide

(Hebrews 12:1)

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Section started in Heb 10 - we need, d hhave need d – to t endure d

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

p 12 – keys y on how! Chapter 1) By example v.1 – last week 2) Today – seeing race v.1 3) Next N t weekk v.22 – seeing i Jesus J 4) V.3 – in spite of opposition p 5)) V.7 via God’s discipline Point is, God is seeking to build in you and in me – endurance Today…by seeing the race

(Hebrews 12:1)

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Endurance race - nott a sprint i t – long l haul h l - Big diff from sprint to marathon g , gget - Greek word for race – Agon, our word “agony” from

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Endurance race - long, l challenging h ll i - just need to see the race Purposeful race • Aim, end, goal – intention • You Y are iin a race, ffor purpose, pursing a goal • ((next slides)) 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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Run seeking to get reward, prize

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Press after

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Our reward – real, eternal

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Purposeful – are you? • Forgot?… F t? meandering d i on track? t k? •Sitting down, given up Important to remember…. Personall race P •Not against me, others •Runningg yyour own race 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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Note words – finish my race with joy •This Thi iis th the kkey…finish fi i h •Finish what Jesus has for me

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Do you see the race? •Are A you iin th the race?? •If not, need to be saved

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

How to endure in race – 3 keys •Lay aside weights •Easy E understanding. d t di Not N t talking t lki sin i here, not bad or wrong things g that hold us back •Just things •Picture running marathon with rain coat, 50 lb backpack

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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All things – not sin • Many M thi things iin lif life, nott clear l in i Word…fine Is it helpful?

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

Weights – deal with, lay aside • Story St off runner. C Can I smoke k and d run? Yes, but can’t smoke and win. • Need to say this – different here • Not call to asceticism – some that could ld be b extreme t • Point is…what holding down p will draw out • Spirit • Good things….yet bad because keep from this. Sin – be unentangled Note Definite article • What is “the” sin. • Two possibilities

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Could be unbelief • Key, K th thematic ti in i Hebrews H b • Lack of believing God, leads us to sin,, is sin. • True, in fact, ever sin is unbelief • Possible that this is point… • but b t could ld also l be…. b

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Sin you struggle with. You know what h t it is i in i your life. lif Your Y struggle t l g Picture runningg Get untangled. trapped in mess of wire, weeds • Deal with sin, get up

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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If fall down…get up - In I minds i d eye – see two t pictures. i t -1980 Olympics, Zola bud, fallen, not ggetting g up p -Eric Little, fallen, gets up and runs, wins -If If ttripped i d up, gett up - run

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Important to get up when fall down Equally, more – try not to fall • See yyour sin…avoid

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Good to pray through, daily - specifically ifi ll

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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In order to endure, have to deal with entanglement t l t off sin i

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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3rd Key – endure • in i a way odd dd to t say •All of this points to endurance p key y – endure,, keep p •Yet,, simple going, get going

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin y ensnares us, which so easily and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

In 1981 Bill entered the Pepsi Challenge 10 000 meter race in Omaha 10,000-meter Omaha, Nebraska Nebraska. Surgery ten years earlier for an aneurysm in the brain had left him paralyzed on his left side. Now, on that misty July morning, he stands with 1,200 lithe men and women at the starting line. line The gun sounds! The crowd surges forward. Bill throws his stiff left leg forward, pivots on it as his foot hits th ground. the d Hi His slow l plop—plop—plop l l l rhythm seems to mock him as the pack races into the distance. Sweat rolls down his face, pain pierces his ankle, but he keeps going. Some of the runners complete the race in about thirty minutes, minutes but two hours and twenty-nine minutes later Bill reaches the finish line.

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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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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Honestly – for most, know this all Y t we needd it. Yet it q Two questions 1) Are you in the race? - only one entrance, Jesus - Picture Pi t like lik entering t i Olympics Ol i

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

g 2)) Are yyou enduring • Some sitting down • Some meandering • Some S di distracted t t d • See the race….get back at it, endure – pplod

(Hebrews 12:1)

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Note words – finish my race with joy •This Thi iis th the kkey…finish fi i h •Finish what Jesus has for me

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

25

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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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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 y ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)

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