Hebrews 12:1-4 WVU vs. Marshall
In order for either the Mountaineers or the Marshall thundering Herd to win the game today they need the following powers:
1. In order to win one must “Have Heart Power”.
A. Hebrews 12:3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart
B. “Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It’s something we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment, nothing will stop him short of success.” -Vince Lombardi
C. David had heart when standing against the giant 32David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." (-1 Samuel 1:17)
D. Jesus had heart, heart enough to die for you and I
E. It takes heart to go across the middle and catch a pass knowing you are going to get hammered or erred or herded.
2. In order to win one must Have Persevering Power
A. Paul says in the text, “and let us run with perseverance”. (Hebrews 12:1).
B. "Bears were playing the Giants one announcer commented Walter Peyton had just ran over 9 miles in his career in rushing yards. The other announcer said, "yea that’s after someone knocking him down every 4.6 yards.
C. Paul had persevering power knocked down he kept going form city to city
Acts 20: 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me,
3. In order to win one must Have Enduring Power
A. Hebrews 12:1”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses”
B. Paul claims he has endured the sport I have took the hits, the scorn, the what could have been moments and I have moved on
C. Paul had enduring power and he finished 2 Timothy 4:7”I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”.
4. In order to win one must Have Overcoming Power
A. Hebrews 12:1Paul says, “let us throw off everything that hinders”.
B. “If you’re lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head and a lot of heart, he’s never going to come off the field second.”-Vince Lombardi
C. Paul had overcoming Power because the over comer was by his side:
D. 2 Timothy 4:16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them? 17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom
5. In order to win one must Have Man up Power
A. Hebrews 12:3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
B. Jesus manned up for you and I.
C. Psalms 22 5:I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. 7All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 12Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me. 14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. 15My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me
D. B in the dust of death. 16Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have piercedC my hands and my feet. 17I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. 18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
6. In order to win one must Rise above the ashes type power.
A. Paul rose above all the distresses of discipleship like the Thundering Herd rose above the ashes from the plane crash that killed almost the entire football team. 1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Christ We are weak we are dishonored we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, but we have risen above the ashes.
7. In order to win one must Have Eye Power .
A. Hebrew 12:2”Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
B. Keep your eyes on the Old rugged Cross On a hill seemingly faraway is the old rugged cross
C. Keep your eye on Calvary Look until the hills from which cometh my help my help cometh in the place called Calvary
D. Keep your eyes on the nailed scared hands
E. Keep your eyes in and on the blood for then you will be a winner at the end of this life.
