Run with endurance! by Kevin Harvey

Hebrews chapter 11, is the great chapter of faith, and of great people of faith. All different in many ways yet with one commonality. Men women Jews, gentiles. Some died not receiving what was promised chapter 11 verse 13. That is no earthly home. But saw a better home, a
heavenly home.
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Hebrews 11:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Some had their faith rewarded quickly, others not so much. Some performed miracles, others not. Some died rich others poor, some lived out long fruitful lives others were killed or imprisoned.

Yet at all had these things in common.

1 They all ran with endurance to the finish line.
2 They were all examples for us.
Hebrews chapter 12 vs 1-2
This passage can be outlined this way.
First it is set up for us in the previous chapter. And begins with "Therefore" or "because" of their testimony/faith pleased the Lord.
Faith always pleases God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb ch 11

Hebrews 12:1-2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus, the Example
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 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.

Since we know this to be true, we should… examine this passage carefully. Look for the commands for us today, they are the verbs in the passage.

(A)
Lay aside! every sin, encumbrance.

SIN... eg ENCUMBRANCE... not everything is a sin, but hinders just the same.

Examples... in a physical sense. boots, heavy coat. In a spiritual sense, improprieties...

Analogy of an athlete who runs, or a soldier and combat. Biblical expression "gird up your loins"


Ephesians 4:20-24 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

(B)
Run with endurance!
Christian life of faith is not a race, but a marathon.
Exercise faith in God in good times and in hard times.

Hebrews 10:36 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive [a]what was promised.

(C)
Fix your eyes on Jesus!
Think, meditate, consider, reflect on Christ.
Jesus Christ is
The Author
The Perfecter
The Example
He is the finish line

Hebrews 2:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the [a]author of their salvation through sufferings.

Therefore let us run with endurance, and let us be examples to others. Amen.