What is slowing your faith race down?

Jun 1

Introduction to reading the book of Hebrews

An apologetic against rejecting Messiah Jesus for Judaism.

Big Idea: Don’t give up! – Endurance - Perseverance

A challenge to people who should have already become spiritual mentors to others who are stuck.

[Heb 5:12 NASB95] 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

[Heb 12:1-3 NASB95] 1 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 us run with endurance the race (fight, inward conflict of soul) that is set before us, 2 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 the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Where are we going?

1. The Race of faith in the gospel and its obstacles.

2. The Example of Jesus in running the race of faith.

3. Application and Call to Run the Race of faith

What is the “race” - agōn - The ancient pentathlon, part of the Ancient Olympic Games, consisted of five events: long jump, javelin throwing, discus throwing, a foot race (sprint), and wrestling.

[1Ti 6:12 NASB95] 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

[2Ti 4:7 NASB95] 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

[1Co 9:25-27 NASB95] 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then [do it] to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

I. The Race of faith in Christ and its Obstacles:

A. "Lay aside every weight": Identify and remove the things that hinder our progress in running the race of faith

[1Co 6:12 NASB95] 12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. [1Co 10:23 NASB95] 23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

In Hebrews 12:1, the "weight" refers to anything that hinders our spiritual journey and prevents us from running with endurance. It's not something “unlawful” or immoral, but some “indifferent thing” any impediment that keeps us from focusing on Jesus and following Him. (Romans 14,15)

B. "The sin that so easily entangles": Recognize the specific sins that are most likely to trip us up on our journey.

[Rom 13:12-14 NASB95] 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to [its] lusts.

II. The Example of Jesus in running the race of faith:

A. "Fix our eyes on Jesus": Focusing on Jesus is crucial for perseverance. His suffering and triumph provide inspiration.

a. Author – archēgos – Prince – Leader – Hero – Champion

i. The hero who gives his life to save his people

ii. The hero who will defeat the enemy and establish his kingdom

b. Perfector - teleiōtēs - It refers to someone who brings something to completion or perfection.

c. This phrase emphasizes Jesus's role in both initiating and completing our faith journey. HE is the one who initiates faith in us, and HE brings it to maturity and perfection.

d. In HIS human nature, Jesus was the perfect example of living by faith, trust, and confidence in the heavenly Father.

[Heb 5:7-9 NASB95] 7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

e. Fixing our eyes –“to consistently and deliberately focus on Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of hope, strength, and meaning in our lives, rather than relying on temporary things or earthly concerns. This involves actively seeking to know and understand Jesus through the scriptures, prayer, and fellowship, allowing Him to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions.” (Tim Keller) If we abide in HIM we will bear HIS fruit in our lives (John 15:5)

B. Consider Jesus' suffering: His endurance of the cross, scorning its shame, and HIS subsequent glory demonstrates the rewards of faith and perseverance.

C. Why Jesus suffered: He endured suffering for the joy set before Him, and He did so to achieve ultimate salvation for all the believers HE loved. Pleasing the Father was HIS joy! We are HIS joy!

IV. Application and Call to Run the Race of faith:

- Beware of growing weary or losing heart.

We can endure our trials by focusing on Him and remembering His suffering for us was motivated by HIS LOVE.

The better we see HIM the more we love HIM, and then we follow HIM.

LORD, let me see YOU more clearly, that I might love YOU more dearly and then follow YOU more nearly, day by day.

[1John 3:1-3 AMP] 1 See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory]. 3 And everyone who has this hope [confidently placed] in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (holy, undefiled, guiltless).

How can I fix my eyes on Jesus?

1. Focus on Jesus as the eternal WORD creating the world (John 1:1-3)

2. Focus on Jesus as HE appears in the History of the Hebrew Bible

3. Focus on Jesus as the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies

4. Focus on Jesus as the “Word become flesh” in the gospels

5. Focus on Jesus as the great teacher

6. Focus on Jesus as the great miracle worker

7. Focus on Jesus as risen from the dead and now at God’s right hand

8. Focus on the High Priest Jesus who is ready to hear your prayers

9. Focus on Jesus as the exalted focus of heaven’s worship

10. Focus on Jesus as seen in the works of the Holy Spirit

11. Focus on Jesus as testified by 2000 years of people encountering HIM

12. Focus on Jesus as the one who will return and manifest HIS Kingdom

13. Focus on Jesus as HE has revealed himself in other Christians to you

14. Focus on Jesus as YOU have experienced HIM prayer

[Rom 10:17 NASB95] 17 So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Beware of growing weary and losing heart.

[Gal 6:9 NASB95] 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Ask the Holy Spirit – What is slowing me down in my life of faith?

What keeps me from being a healthy spiritual mentor to others?

Tye Riter

What is slowing your faith race down?

Don’t be ignorant of the strategy of the devil