To Run the Course of Faith
Rev. Sean D. Lester
Sept. 28, 2003
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. [2] Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
A. They have us surrounded, hundreds of thousands of born-again believers who have gone before us. They testify by what they have left behind that God is faithful, and they compel us to follow their example.
1. They testify that to love God is to obey God because He is God. Abraham heard God’s voice, and left his family and wealth in order to follow God without knowing where he was being led. Moses followed God, not being sure he would live long enough to be successful, and never entering into the land where he was leading the people.
2. They testify that God is faithful to accomplish the purpose for which He calls people. Abraham’s seed does bless the whole earth. Moses’ people did take the Promised Land. The word of the prophets did come to pass.
3. Those who went before did not see the fulfillment of what God called them to. They did it knowing that God had something better for them. They did it for you.
4. All around us is the evidence of those who went on before. I am the produce of a Sunday school teacher who died before seeing what all of his time and patience would produce. This church was the product of a few families that petitioned the Assemblies of God to sent them a pastor so a Pentecostal work could be established in Reed City. Before those founders passed on, Reed City Assembly of God Tabernacle changed its name three times, and struggled to become an effective work. But the work will prosper, and we know that God has ordained it to be so, because it has withstood the attacks of the enemy of Jesus Christ many times.
B. We, who have the privilege of seeing the Lord today, who have received the filling of the Holy Spirit, inherit a legacy. Jesus Christ has marked out the course for us a long time before He gathered us to this place, at this time.
1. The course is marked for soul winning. Jesus started it by commanding the church to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
2. When the spirit-filled believers gathered in Hot Springs, Ark., back in 1914, their purpose was to organize the believers who had been Spirit-baptized, and were hungry, desiring to go throughout the world and preach the good news that Jesus Christ saves. Our own fellowship, the Assemblies of God, was formed so that we could pool our resources so \more missionaries could be sent, and more churches could be planted. We organized so that we could provide better resources to teach and train those who were being used for the work of the ministry.
3. Those who went on before left us the course that they ran. They cry out from the shadows of time, “Be filled with the Spirit, make disciples of all nations, preach the good news!”
C. That great cloud of witnesses testify that what God called them to was good, and that what has been left to us is from God.
Proposition: Therefore, let us run the course that has been marked out for us.
Interrogative: How can anyone run this course? Especially since it seems like such an awesome responsibility?
Transition: The passage that I read tells us what we must do to carry on the torch.
I. Throw off the baggage that slows you down.
A. Throw off the things that hinder your ability to accomplish God’s purpose in you, to preach the good news, to teach God’s righteousness.
1. When a runner dresses for a race, he or she wears as little as possible. They wear skimpy shorts, and skimpy tank tops, which are full of little holes. They wear these things because they weigh very little. It only makes sense because weight slows them down. Snowsuits aren’t good for running!
2. Every care that you add to your life slows you down. Debts slow you down; relationships outside of the work slow you down. Demanding causes slow you down. Even family considerations can slow you down. If you want to experience the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life, simplify it.
3. You can experience more of God. Simplify your life. Look at all the good and bad things you give time and resources to. Take each one and ask, “Does this teach righteousness to anyone? Does this cause me to regularly tell someone about salvation? Even if it is a good deed, if it isn’t effective, stop doing it! For people like me, simple is easy because you don’t know what to do if not horribly busy. I’ve learned to pray, and to wait on the Lord. I’ve prepared myself for better ministry. Simple is good. I have passed up the chance to attend what promised to be dynamic worship experiences so that I wouldn’t be distracted from what is important.
B. Throw off the sin that entangles you. All sin causes entanglements in life.
1. Sin has consequences, it produces “babies” that demand your care and attention. The consequence of smoking and alcohol and bad health habits are time and resources devoted to keeping you alive. Poor health drags people down emotionally and physically. Immorality has consequences that entangle you. These are lies to cover up, fines to pay, time to serve, not to mention alimony and child support.
2. How do you throw off the sin? First, stop committing the sin! The longer you commit a sin, the worse the consequences. Second, confess the sin. Unconfessed sin lurks in the shadows and waits for an opportune time to expose itself, to discredit you. The moment sin is confessed, it’s power to further discredit you is disarmed. Third, accept responsibility and pay the penalty when required. It may sap a lot of energy, and take a lot of time, but when it is over, you will be truly free.
Transition: Without the burden of sin, you are free to run with all your strength the course for your life that Jesus laid out for you.
II. Follow the Example that Jesus set.
A. Jesus Christ authored our faith. That means that He wrote the rules for how our lives are to be lived.
1. The Bible contains the rules for living, both Old and New Testament. By obeying what Jesus commanded, we fulfill the law of the Old Testament. Since Jesus wrote the rules for living, as well as for “running the race,” then it behooves us to make it our constant study.
2. The knowledge of Jesus’ commands prevents silly mistakes. A football player didn’t know that in the NFL, a player isn’t down until an opposing player touches him. The player caught a pass and fell down, but he wasn’t down. He got up and celebrated his catch by spiking the ball. The defensive player caught the live ball on the way down and ran it back 34 yards. We make equally boneheaded plays as Christians because we do not read the rules. We miss the mark and then lose “possession” of God’s blessing even while we are celebrating victory!
3. Churches can become comfortable, and even enjoyable to attend. While we celebrate the Spirit and rejoice in attendance, the devil takes possession of the souls that are being ignored. We must always rejoice in souls saved and discipled, and only that is worth rejoicing over. That, and only that caused all of heaven to rejoice.
4. Don’t rejoice in God’s blessing if the price you paid came at the expense of winning souls and discipling young believers. Don’t rejoice in the new job if the price is neglect of God and even family. Don’t rejoice in finding love, if that love came apart from the family of God. While you revel, the opposition steals possession of your blessings.
B. Jesus endured shame because the joy of salvation was so compelling.
1. The depth of Jesus’ love for you is seen in its extent to which He was willing to suffer. It isn’t as if Jesus were in poor health or in emotional turmoil when He was executed by crucifixion. Such people suffer less because they have less life in them to lose. Jesus was totally alive, even driven. He felt every pain. He felt the shame of people staring at his naked body while he heaved and agonized on the cross. People jeered at him. They mocked Him, inviting his wrath, if He had any to give. And, He could have come down off the cross and destroyed them all. He could have destroyed them with the fire in His eyes or the sword from His mouth. But He didn’t. For the joy set before Him, He endured the scorn while He died.
2. That is the example that has been set before us. We constantly pour our lives out. We suffer scorn from people who don’t want to be saved. We love them, but they mock us. We love the ones we work with, but often they want to get rid of us.
3. But we are willing to pour out our lives, because we know that if we are crucified, then we too will be resurrected as Jesus is. The joy of saving far surpasses the pain of serving. The joy of heaven surpasses the greatest pain of earth.
4. How great is the joy of heaven? A believer was once burned in oil because he preached that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. The joy is greater than that. Others were eaten alive by lions. The joy is greater than the pain of that. Some lost families while preaching in strange and violent lands. The joy is greater than the pain.
Transition: The promise of salvation is so great that it is hard not to beg God to take us home, now, but there is much to be done, and the work isn’t easy.
III. Consider opposition as an acceptable fact of your faith.
A. Jesus always endured opposition from sinful people. When I say sinful, I mean hurtfully sinful.
1. Look at who hurt Jesus while he ministered on earth. His mother and brothers tried to have him committed; his brothers accused him of wanting to be a celebrity. His neighbors in his hometown tried to throw him off a cliff. The religious leaders who knew him since childhood publicly insulted him. Large crowds abandoned him. One disciple betrayed him.
2. Then there was the opposition. Jesus was frequently interrupted while teaching to be challenged by religious leaders. He was heckled. He was tempted.
3. There will always be opposition to the work you do for Christ. There will be students in your classes who will try to distract and tire you out. There will be people who will label you a fanatic. There will be hecklers and challengers. If it were easy, you wouldn’t need the Holy Spirit to empower you.
B. The opposition reminds you that you are not in heaven yet, and makes you long for it.
1. The hardest part of the race, for me, is the point a quarter mile in when my stored breathing stops working and my lungs have to take over. It hurts. The middle of a distance race is the act of putting one foot in front of the other until I begin to realize that the end is near. Then, I pick up speed and run for the line. Sometimes, after, my legs seem to take over to push me past the line. Gravity, age, oppose me, but the joy of ending pushes me forward.
2. Opposition may discourage people who think that everyone will embrace their faith. However, I am telling you up front that there is opposition. Just press on.
Transition: You don’t need to lose heart; the course that has been set before us doesn’t last forever.
Conclusion:
A. Along the course are the memories of many people who have gone before us. They cheer us on, they push us in the Spirit to finish the course. They are saving a chair for you for when you have finished the course of your life and have the privilege of joining them.
B. But, if you are to join them, then you must throw off what holds you back. You must pour out your life into those who are being saved, and you must be willing to face opposition.
C. But if you are willing, the course of your life will lead you into the presence of God.
D. If you are on the course, then rejoice in it, and urge others on.
