SERMON OUTLINE;
Look at the winners (vs 1a)
Look at yourself (vs 1b)
Look at Jesus Christ (vs 2-4)
Look at your status (vs 5-13)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• I showed you two film clips earlier on in the service;
• From the film 1981 British historical drama ‘Chariots of Fire’.
• Chariots of Fire: Harold's despair: https://youtu.be/xxRJu2MaDEk
• Chariots of Fire: I Run to Win: https://youtu.be/4MeadbGQx18
• The film tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics:
• Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God,
• And Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice.
• In the 94 years since the 1924 Paris Olympics,
• There has been a lot of change.
• You can see that in everything from diet to their sports kits.
• In the original Olympics there were only one event.
• Called the ‘stadion’ (or ‘stade’) race,
• This was a short sprint measuring between 180 and 240 meters,
• Or the length of the stadium
• Only men participated and only men watched,
• I’ll tell you why later.
Later on other events were added such as:
• Running,
• Boxing,
• The Pankration (Combination of wrestling & boxing & kicking)
• The Pentathlon (running, long jump, discus, javelin, wrestling)
THE WRITER TO THE LETTER OF THE HEBREWS:
• Whoever he was!
• Many think it was the apostle Paul,
• And some like the theologian John Calvin are convinced it wasn’t!
• But whoever he was, used sport for his illustrations.
Ill:
• Here in Hebrews chapter 12 verse 4,
• He refers to two of those Olympic events:
• Verse 1: Athletics mentioned “Running the race”.
• Verse 4: Boxing may be referred to “Resisted to the point of shedding blood”.
It was a patriotic thing to be a good athlete and to bring glory to your country:
• And Paul combines those two things:
• Athletics & Citizenship in this chapter.
• In fact no-one could take part in the official games,
• Unless he was a citizen of Greece and also a ‘freeman’ (not a slave).
So in this chapter the writer of the Hebrews:
• Uses the picture of the race (vs 1-13)
• Which we will look at this evening.
• He uses the picture of citizenship (vs 14-29).
• Which you will look at next week.
Note:
(a).
• The author was writing primarily to Christians,
• This is not about starting the race (i.e. how to become a follower of Jesus),
• It is for those who are already in the race (i.e. already followers of Jesus).
(b).
• Not only is the author writing primarily to Christians
• But to Christians who had been converted from a Jewish background,
• That is why the book is heavy with Jewish imagery, history and tradition.
• These Jewish/Christians were struggling in their faith;
• They were finding following Jesus tough & felt like giving up,
• And so the writer of this letter writes to them;
• To specifically encourage them to keep pressing on, not to give up.
Note: One theme that dominates this chapter is Endurance:
• Verse 2: “Jesus.... endured the cross”.
• Verses 3: “Not grow weary”.
• Verse 7: “Endure hardship”.
• . And it is a point mentioned again and again earlier on in this letter.
So in times of difficulties & hardships;
• The writer gives his readers some encouraging advice,
• To keep them going forward.
Ill:
• On the 20th October 1968 Tanzanian marathon runner John Akhwari finished last.
• That is because during the race, Akhwari suffered a significant fall,
• He sustaining injuries to his knees, shoulder, and head.
• Akhwari had every reason to give up.
• Many others already had;
• Out of the 74 participants, 17 didn’t make it to the finish line,
• And Akhwari could have been the 18th;
• If he was not a man of sheer determination and unrelenting resolve.
• It was already dark when Akhwari crossed the finish line.
• The awarding ceremony was long over and the crown had mainly gone home.
• Out of the darkness of the Mexican night,
• Akhwari emerged as a limping man to finished the race last.
• A reporter asked him this question?
• “Why did you carry on with a serious injury and no hope of coming anything but last?”
He replied;
“My country did not send me seven thousand miles to Mexico to start a race.
They sent me seven thousand miles to finish it!”
That is the kind of attitude Paul wants the Hebrew Christians to have:
• And to help them develop that mental toughness he gives them three examples.
• To encourage them to keep going, even when the situation is difficult.
(1). 3 Examples (vs 1-4).
(a). Look around at the winners (vs 1a).
• Chapter 12 verse 1 starts with the word:
• “Therefore” or “In view of what I’ve just said”:
• So it is obviously linked to chapter 11,
• And it is a continuation of chapter 11.
Ill:
• Bible chapter and verses are not inspired;
• They were added to the N.T. by Stephen Langton in 1228, and not by the Holy Spirit.
• They are usually a great help but occasionally get in the way.
Remember that this is a continuous letter that we are breaking into:
• Paul is continuing his thoughts from chapter 11;
• Where he has spoken about faith.
• And about great men & women of faith,
• (a whole list of them, 17 named men & women).
• Who are now in heaven watching us as we run the race!
“Since we are surrounded by a great cloud if witnesses”.
Be encouraged says the writer:
• We are surrounded by former contestants,
• Who are witnesses to us that God is faithful.
• Now he does not mean that they are literally watching us,
• The word ‘witness’ does not mean spectators.
• These people are not watching what we are doing,
• Rather they are ‘bearing witness’, testifying to us that faith is worth it!
Quote John White:
“The writers point is to bring witnesses before us who will testify that faith is worth it”.
• The writer of this letter says:
• These witnesses finished their race:
• Now it is our turn; we must finish our race.
Note: the quality of witnesses:
• ill: Inspire kids to play football – meet famous footballer.
• ill: Inspire kids to write meet a famous author etc.
• Hebrews chapter 11 are the witnesses he refers to:
• ill: Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, David, etc.
Chapter 11 of Hebrews moves from 17 well known’s to some unknowns:
• We have mentioned in the chapter some anonymous men and women;
• Who also demonstrated incredible faith and courage.
• Who were martyred for the faith.
Quote: Chapter 11 verse 35b-38:
“……..But others trusted God and were tortured, preferring to die rather than turn from God and be free. They placed their hope in the resurrection to a better life.
36Some were mocked, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in dungeons. 37Some died by stoning, and some were sawed in half; others were killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, hungry and oppressed and mistreated. 38They were too good for this world. They wandered over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
• Ill: Our English word “Martyr” comes directly from this word translated “Witnesses”.
• A martyr is someone who undergoes great suffering or even death.
• These martyrs, witnesses of Hebrews chapter 11 who experienced pain and death,
• Testify to us (any Christian going through difficult times) that it was worth it!!
• Stick to it and don’t give up!
Verse 1 Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.
• So the great saints of Hebrews chapter 11 are not literally watching us:
• But they bear witness to us that God can see us through every difficulty.
• God bore witness of them in chapter 11,
• Now they are now witnessing to you & me.
These Hebrew Christians were encouraged to look back:
• To the likes of Abraham, Joseph, Moses & Rahab etc.,
• And find encouragement.
Quote Warren Wiersbe:
“One of the best ways to develop endurance and encouragement is to get to know the Godly men and women of the Old Testament who ran the race and run:
Problems with your family, read about Joseph.
If you think your job is too big, study the life of Moses.
- If you are tempted to retaliate, see how David handled this problem.
Personal application and challenge:
• Who are you inspiring with your Christian life?
• Who are you encouraging?
• If or when we get the call into the heavenly stands,
• What sort of legacy will you leave behind?
• Did it inspire, did it encourage?
Ill:
• In the world of sport, music etc. our role models, our heroes mean such a lot.
• Question: Where are the modern day Christian examples worth following.
• I don’t just want to read about great Christians in books, I want to see them!
• Christian qualities that are real and admirable.
Ill:
• Enthusiasm for evangelism.
• The reality of the importance of prayer.
• A godly character, attitudes that I admired and hoped I might one day develop.
• Challenge who are you inspiring?
(b). Look at yourself! (vs 1b):
“Let US strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders OUR progress. And let US run with endurance the race that God has set before US.
ill:
• Originally - Olympic athletes were required to go to a special training camp;
• To see if they were fit enough to participate in the games;
• They spent 9 months preparing themselves physically,
• This also included diet (they monitored what they were allowed to eat).
• If an athlete did not adhere to and pass the strict requirements,
• He was not allowed to represent his country at the games.
Note: Sin always has a negative effect.
• In the non-Christian it separates us from God.
• ill: It is the ONLY one thing that stops us knowing God!
• In the Christian un-confessed or ‘casual sin’;
• Will slow down and destroy their faith!
Verse 1: literally reads: “Let’s get rid of the excess weight”.
• ill: Athletes used to wear weights to help them prepare for the events:
• But no athlete would consider participating wearing the weights,
• They would obviously slow him down.
• He would have no chance of being competitive, of winning.
Ill:
• Great footballer Stanley Matthews would warm up pre match in very heavy boots.
• And just before kickoff, swap them for a very light pair.
• TRANSITION: Now in the same way:
• As you & I run the race of faith,
• We need to get rid of the excess baggage that is slowing us down.
THAT BAGGAGE IS DESCRIBED FOR US IN TWO WAYS (VS 1):
• (1st). “Everything that hinders”.
• (2nd). “Sin that so easily entangles”.
(First). Everything that hinders.
• There can often be things in our life which are not sinful,
• But at the same time they are not helpful.
ill:
• A hobby, a leisure pursuit, a relationship or ……...(you can fill in the blanks)
• They may be good and perfectly legitimate things to do:
• They may be perfectly good for other people to do,
• But in your situation, those perfectly good & legitimate things can become a hindrance.
• They interfere, slow us down, hinder us,
• In the things God has called us to do.
Now do not miss-understand me!
• I am not saying give up enjoyable things for more church activities,
• What I am saying is that if we want to be winners,
• We need to have discernment.
Quote: Warren Wiersbe:
“A winning athlete does not choose between the good and the bad;
he or she chooses between the better and the best”.
(2nd). Sin that so easily entangles.
• While the writer does not name any one specific sin,
• The context of chapters 10, 11 & 12 suggests it was the sin of unbelief.
• Question: What is unbelief?
• Answer: Unbelief is when you know the truth, but refuse to apply it to your situation.
ill:
• This sin affects the Christian like a cramp in the leg,
• Causing us to break stride and hobble of the track.
ill:
• In the original Olympic Games;
• The reason only men competed and only men spectated was:
• They took literally the idea of getting rid of things that entangle, or was excess weight.
• So they competed naked.
And that is the picture we have here which leads to the questions:
• Is there habitual sin in my life than needs dealing with?
• That needs to be sorted out, to be put off to one side?
• No Christian is perfect, we all fail on a regular basis.
• The point is although we continue to sin,
• We need not become slaves to habitual sin.
Ill:
• Two Olympic athletes,
• Training for the fast approaching tournament.
• One eats healthy food and a balanced diet;
• The other one binges on fast food each day.
• Now you do not have to be a scientist or a sports coach to know who is going to win.
• TRANSITION: What we put into our bodies will help or hinder us.
• And what we put into our spiritual bodies will help or hinder us.
(c). A Look at Jesus Christ (vs 2-4 NLT).
2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.? He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. 3Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up. 4After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
• We finish the Christian race, the same way we started it;
• By faith!
Ill:
• It was January 6th 1850.
• A snowstorm had almost crippled the city of Colchester, England.
• A teenage boy was unable to go to the Church he normally attended.
• So he stopped at a nearby Primitive Methodist Church.
• Because of the weather the guest preacher was unable to attend.
• So a lay preacher who was very unprepared substituted for him.
• His text was Isaiah chapter 45 verse 22:
• “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth”.
Unknown to the preacher:
• This young teenager had been under deep conviction of sin for many months,
• Despite the fact that his father and grandfather were preachers he was not yet saved.
• Because the lay preacher had stood in at short notice;
• He hadn’t actually got a lot to say.
• So he just kept repeating his text;
• Again and again he repeated it and then added these words;
“A man need not go to college to learn to look”, he shouted,
Anyone can look – a child can look!”
• About that time he saw the visitor sitting to one side and he pointed him out and said;
• “Young man, you look very miserable. Young man, look to Jesus Christ!”
• That young man heeded his advice, and by faith looked to Jesus Christ and lived.
• That is the story of how the great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was converted.
• TRANSITION:
• We are to finish the Christian race, the same way we started it;
• By faith!
Ill:
• At Olympic time, I often run an Olympic themed Holiday Club;
• As the children enter the Church;
• I show highlights of athletes competing in their races.
• All of those athletes have one thing in common - a fixed look!
• They are focused, single minded.
That is the idea here in verse 2:
• Greek word “Aphorao” translated as: “Fix our eyes”,
• Means: “Aware of rival attractions, but deliberately looking away from other things”
• And the athlete does not just do it at the start of a race,
• But to does it continually, throughout the race.
THEN WRITER TELLS WHO TO FIX OUR GAZE UPON: JESUS.
• Notice the writer uses the Lord’s human name “Jesus”.
• Rather than one of his unique titles such as “Lord” or “Christ” or “Saviour”.
• The reason being as a man;
• Jesus has experienced firsthand the trials and difficulties of life.
• And not just experienced them, he has overcome them:
• He is the “Author” (“Pioneer” or “Trail-blazer”) and ”Perfecter” of our faith.
• The one who both started and finished the race!
And his race was not easy - the Greek word translated as ‘Race’ in verse 1:
• Is from the Greek term “Agona”,
• From which we get the word “Agony”.
• Jesus entered into the human race of;
• Pain, heartache, sickness, sorrow, pressure, hardship, rejection, shame & even death.
• And not only did he enter the race, he won!
• He has defeated the enemy (Sin, death & the devil!)
• And as we consider him and trust in him;
• We are encouraged to verse 3: “Not to grow weary and lose heart”.
Ill:
• Dr Judson was one of the first missionaries sent abroad by nonconformist churches;
• He arrived in India in 1813 and settled in Rangoon, Burma.
• Later when war broke out between Burma and the English Government of India;
• He was arrested, and put in prison and accused of being a spy.
• As he was lying in a foul jail with 32 lbs. of chains on his ankles,
• And with his feet bound to a bamboo pole.
• A fellow prisoner with a sneer on his face, said,
• “Dr. Judson, what about the prospect of the conversion of the heathen?”
• Judson’s reply was instant;
• “The prospects are just as bright as the promises of God.”
• No matter how dark and stormy our situation may be,
• God does not change and neither does his word!
Ill:
• Dr Judson went on to achieve an incredible amount in his life;
• Translated the Bible in Burmese, produced the very first Burmese dictionary;
• And left a Christian community of about half a million people.
• “Dr. Judson, what about the prospect of the conversion of the heathen?”
• “The prospects are just as bright as the promises of God.”
(4). Look at Your Status (vs 5-13)
• Notice in verses 5-6 how we are addressed,
• We are called ‘sons’.
“And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.’”
• God is our heavenly Father;
• And he will chasten or discipline his children.
• True discipline is not applied to children out of cruelty,
• But rather to correct and help mature a child.
When we suffer it is easy to think that God does not love us:
• Notice the writer gives three proofs that God loves us.
• FIRST: The Bible (vs 5-6)
• SECOND: Personal experience (vs 7-11)
• THIRD: Helpful results (vs 11-13)
• FIRST: The Bible (vs 5-6)
• He quotes from Proverbs chapter 3 verses 11-12.
• God treats us as his children.
• Notice the words ‘son’ & ‘children’ are used six times in these three verses.
• These words refer to adult sons and not little children.
• The Father’s goal in disciplining us is for us to mature and grow in our faith.
• SECOND: Personal experience (vs 7-11).
• The writer draws on our own childhood experience.
• i.e. Left to ourselves we would have grown up into selfish tyrants,
• The point the writer makes in verses 7-8 is a father disciplines his own sons,
• He may want to sort out the neighbours kids,
• But they do not belong to him and therefore he cannot.
• But because God disciplines us;
• That is proof that we belong to him!
• And all his actions are for our wellbeing!
• THIRD: Helpful results (vs 11-13).
• Quote: “This going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you”
• If you ever heard those words then at the time I bet you were not convinced!
• But looking back we can see the benefits of any chastening.
• The writer mentions two of the fruits of discipline:
• Righteousness – right living instead of wrong living.
• Peace – peace with God and others instead of conflict.
And finally: Verse 12 is the punchline to this section:
As you read this verse think of a coach or a trainer shouting to his tired athlete:
• Lift up those tired arms,
• Strengthen those trembling knees,
• Get those feet on the smooth track.
• So that the lame foot may not be disabled, but instead be healed.
