July 9, 2023
Steve Hutchinson
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. New Living Translation
Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. New Living Translation
Hebrews 12:3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. New Living Translation
To run the race of faith like a champion, you need a winning strategy.
R – Remove Hindrances: “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”
“GOOD things become BAD things when they keep us from the BEST things.” – Adrian Rogers
Galatians 5:19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, New Living Translation
Galatians 5:21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. New Living Translation
1 Peter 2:1 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. New Living Translation
1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. New Living Translation
A – Accept Your Race: “Run… the race God has set before us.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” New American Standard Bible
Acts 20:24 But life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s mighty kindness and love. Living Bible
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. New Living Translation
C – Concentrate on Christ: “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.”
Hebrews 11:27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. New Living Translation
2 Chronicles 20:12 ...We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. New International Version
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! New Living Translation
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you maybe careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. English Standard Version
Luke 4:16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath… New Living Translation
Psalm 56:9 The very day I call for help, the tide of battle turns. My enemies flee! This one thing I know: God is for me! Living Bible
E – Endure Hardship: “Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” New American Standard Bible
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. New American Standard Bible
1 Peter 1:6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. New Living Translation
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. New Living Translation
2 Corinthians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. New Living Translation