Sermons

Run the Race (Hebrews 12:1-29)

Gearl Spicer Gearl Spicer, April 17, 2022
Part of the Anchored In The Cross series, preached at a Sunday Online service

Hebrews 12 (Listen)

12:1 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, 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.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

  “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

(ESV)

Sermon Notes

Anchored In The Cross
Run the Race
Hebrews 12
4/17/22

What can you identify that holds you back?
How often do you consider the race God has placed before you?

Easter is a time to reflect on the opportunity God gives us to run with Him!

Keys to anchoring in the cross—
Run with personal endurance
Run with the right focus
Run by following a perfect example

*Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let run with endurance the race set before us.vs. 1

*fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God.vs. 2

*For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.vs. 3

I. Preparation required of us: PERSONAL ENDURANCE
A. Identify the challenges
B. Choose to run the race
*Choosing to run leads to the only true victory that counts in eternity!

II. Choice placed before us: RIGHT FOCUS
A. Intentionality calls on us to dynamically choose joy
B. Intent of our hearts must be focused on Jesus
*Our lives are positioned to see Jesus as the author of our story!

III. Challenge offered to us: PERFECT EXAMPLE
A. Pushing through allows us to overcome
B. Strength is tested by weariness and commitment
*Living for Him will come with a price but it is worth it-heaven!

Are you ready to run?

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Earlier: « A True Hope
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