Faith Is A Race

Faith Is a Race Hebrews 11:29–12:2

1. Faith Is Like a Race Hebrews 12:1 “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”. 12;1

• In the 1972 Olympics, Dave Wattle ran the 800 meters wearing his signature white cap. He lagged behind early, but with patience, strategy, and focus, he won. He ran with perseverance

• The writer Hebrews uses the same metaphor: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

• Faith isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. It requires endurance, focus, and trust in Christ. Like Wattle, we may not start strong, but we can finish well.

2. Faith Is a Journey, Not Just a Moment Hebrews 11:29–40

• Faith isn’t a flash of inspiration—it’s a lifelong walk. David had great faith, yet stumbled. But he returned to God, showing that faith is a journey of redemption.

• The Israelite's crossed the Red Sea by faith, but wandered for 40 years. Their journey was long, and their faith wavered.

• We’re called to run with determination. Every day, we drink from the fountain of grace. Faith is daily, not occasional. Faith is not measured by perfection, but by persistence.

3. Faith Is Surrounded by Witnesses Hebrews 12:1; Hebrews 11:17–38

• “We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” These are not spectators—they are testifiers. They are evidence givers, they are the sacrifice-rs

• The Greek word for “witness” is martyr—those who testify through sacrifice.

• Abraham offered Isaac, trusting God to provide.

• Moses chose mistreatment over comfort. He chose to suffer than to

• Others shut lions’ mouths, endured torture, and wandered destitute.

• These heroes ran their race with perseverance.

• You’re not alone in your race. Heaven is watching. History is testifying. Said

4. Faith Drops Distractions Hebrews 12:1“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”

• Not just sin—but anything that slows us down. Fear, bitterness, pride, distractions.

• When running we take off excess gear before a race, we must simplify to stay focused.

• What’s weigh us down? What do we need to lay aside to run freely?

5. Faith Fixes Its Eyes on Jesus Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”

• He the one who ran before us. He endured the cross, despised the shame, and now sits in victory.

• We don’t just look to Jesus as an example—we draw strength from Him.

• Let us fix our Eyes on Jesus. Not the crowd. Not the pain. Not the past.

6. Faith Is the Substance of Hope 11:1“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

• Faith is a race marked by struggle, sacrifice, and hope.

• Like Dave Waddles ’s comeback, your race may not start strong—but it can finish in glory.

• Fix your eyes on Jesus. Run with perseverance. Drop the weight. Trust the witnesses. Keep going. Are you running your race? Are you carrying unnecessary weight?

• Are your eyes fixed on Jesus? Let’s run with perseverance. Let’s live by faith. Let’s finish strong.

Living By Faith

• I care not today what tomorrow may bring

If shadow or sunshine or rain

The Lord I know ruleth o'er everything

And all of my worry is vain

• Living by faith (yes, living by faith)

In Jesus above (in Jesus above)

Trusting confiding (trusting confiding)

In His great love (yes, in His great love)

• From all harm safe (from all harm safe)

In His sheltering arms (His sheltering arms)

I'm living by faith (I'm living by faith)

And feel no alarm (feel no alarm)