HOW CAN WE MAINTAIN SPIRITUAL MOMENTUM?
Your Spiritual Journey — Post 40 Days #2
Hebrews 12:1-2
INTRODUCTION:
How many of you remember your physics class in high school? The PG paraphrase of Newton’s first law of motion states “Unless acted upon by a force an object at rest will stay at rest and an object in motion will stay in motion.” In other words, unless someone or something does something to change things something that is stationary will stay that way and something that is moving will keep going. For example, a book set on a table will remain in the same place until you or I do something with it. If we apply force to the book and slide it across the table the book will want to keep moving in the same direction and the same speed as we started it moving unless something else applies force to stop it. Now how many of us know what happens to a book pushed across a table? It either stops, or it falls off the edge of the table and lands on the floor. Why does it do that? While we apply force to get the book moving, another force—the resistance of the table against the book will slow it down. If the book reaches the end of the table another force called gravity will change it’s direction and pull it to the floor. Even a bullet fired from a gun will eventually fall to the ground and stop because of the resistance it encounters flying through the air.
What’s the point? Spiritually we’re just like the book or the bullet. While we may get off to a great start we encounter resistance. Hardships and difficulty get in our way and we lose our momentum. Some folks even come to a stop spiritually, and then it’s hard to get them started again—they would prefer to stay put.
Many of us were energized through our 40 days of purpose. God’s word and the Holy Spirit has been a force in our lives to get us moving in the right direction. While some of us may have not encountered much resistance yet, others of us have already felt like throwing in the towel. We get off to a great start, but then life hits us in the face and we lose our momentum; we slow down, change direction, and if we aren’t careful we stop altogether.
How can we maintain our spiritual momentum? How can we keep on keeping on for Jesus and not run out of spiritual gas? This morning we want to answer that important question. Now that we have started the race, how can we finish it?
• Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
[1] 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.
We are all running the race of life—some more quickly than others! Many of us have entered another race—the race of faith. We started the race of faith as we began a personal friendship with Jesus. The race of faith is not a 100 yard dash; it’s a marathon. The finish line of faith comes when this life is over and we are welcomed into heaven.
As we strive to run the race set before us we can sometimes lose our momentum. Hebrews 12:1-2 shows us what we can do to maintain our spiritual momentum; how we can overcome resistance and the energy that got us started will keep us going until we cross the finish line.
1. In the race of faith I will be encouraged to keep running by those ahead of me.
In a typical race the runners compete against each other. Why push yourself to finish running a 26 mile marathon if the winner has crossed the finish line and you still have one, three, five, ten, or fifteen miles to go?
In the race of faith we are not competing with other runners; in this race everyone who enters can win! The race is a personal journey of faith leading us into heaven and the welcoming arms of Jesus. We run the race of faith, not to compete but to encourage; Christians run ahead of others not to defeat them, but to show other believers how to run the race. The race of faith is a race you can win!
In the race of faith two groups of people are ahead of you. The first is a group you can’t see, but they can see you. Most of these are people you don’t know personally, but they are cheering you on.
• Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. . .
The grandstand of heaven is filled with those who have finished the race, and together they are watching us continue to run the race. They raise their voices to cheer us on to victory!
Notice the first word—THEREFORE! To understand who the great cloud of witnesses is you have to look back at chapter 11. Hebrews 11 is like the hall of fame of faith; it’s here we find some of the great runners of the race who have gone before us.
o Able.
o Enoch.
o Noah.
o Abraham.
o Isaac.
o Jacob.
o Joseph.
o Moses.
o Rahab.
And we’re just getting started! The list could go on and on.
• Hebrews 11:32-38 (NIV)
[32] And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, [33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. [35] Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. [36] Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. [37] They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—[38] THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY OF THEM.
What is the writer of Hebrews saying? Keep the faith! Keep running the race! Why? Those ahead of you who have finished the race are cheering you on.
We know some through the pages of scripture. Others are those who you have known personally or have heard about of who have finished the race.
Hebrews 11 describes some of those in the grandstand of heaven as those “THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY OF.” Those who endured persecution and even death at the hands of the pagan world, these are among the great cloud of witnesses who are cheering us on to finish the race of faith! Don’t give into the pressure or circumstances of life; the grandstand of heaven is cheering you on!
The second group of runners ahead of us who can be an encouragement to us are those still running the race. We need each other. While the race of faith is run as individuals, we don’t run alone!
The Bible shows us how we need others to help us run the race of faith.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NLT)
. . . We sent him [Timothy] to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, [3] and to keep you from becoming disturbed by the troubles you were going through.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Encourage one another and build each other up.
Paul sent Timothy to the church in Thessalonica to encourage them. Timothy would serve the church as a pastor, but it’s not just up to the pastor or those in “full-time ministry to encourage other believers. That’s why Paul concludes his letter to this church telling them to encourage each other!
• Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Look around the room this morning. Some of the people around you are ahead of you in the race of faith; others are running behind you. But we all need each other to successfully run the race!
Answer these questions: first, who do you need to encourage? Second, who strengthens your faith and is an encouragement to you?
To run the race of faith requires being encouraged by those ahead of you.
2. To run the race of faith effectively I must break free from the things that will trip me up.
• Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
. . . Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
An athlete does not carry excess baggage with him or her when it is time to compete. They take only what is necessary; everything else is left behind.
A triathlon is three events in one—swimming, bicycling, and running. But for each of the three events the athlete only has what is necessary for that event. Imagine if as the race began the participants had to carry their bike and running shoes with them as they swam 5 miles; I don’t think so!
Too often we run the race of faith like a runner with a 75 pound backpack strapped to our back and carrying two oversized suitcases! Let’s get rid of the excess baggage!
Two things that will weigh us down: the first is the UNNECESSARY. These are the things that hinder our growth.
• Matthew 11:29-30 (MsgB)
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. [30] Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
• For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light. Matthew 11:30 (NLT)
Jesus wants us to live a life of freedom; He will never weigh us down with a burden that with crush us. What Jesus gives to us will fit us perfectly—it’s tailor made and light as a feather.
What are some of these unnecessary burdens we hold onto that hinder our growth?
1. Guilt from our past sin.
2. A painful past; the grief and injury we have experienced.
3. Expectations of other people.
4. Worry and fear about the future.
5. The use of our time.
6. Anger.
7. Money and things.
In and of themselves none of these burdens are morally wrong or sinful, but the longer you hold on to an unnecessary weight the greater the likelihood it will become a stumbling block and lead into sin.
This brings us to the second thing that will weigh us down: the unnecessary and then the UNGODLY. Sin will trip us up and keep us from being able to run the race of faith. The Bible says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”
The unnecessary is followed closely by the ungodly. Break free from these things that will trip you up and keep you from being able to run the race of faith.
• Genesis 4:7 (MsgB)
. . . Sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.
You’re carrying some weights and burdens you should set down. You are entertaining some thoughts that are unhealthy for you spiritually; BREAK FREE!
• Psalm 90:8 (NIV)
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
We must let go of our secret sins; we can’t hide them from God. The sin we hold onto will stunt our growth—or worse kill us spiritually. If you are going to maintain your spiritual momentum, break free from the sin that would hold you back.
Think about this question: what do you need to break free from? What UNNECESSARY or UNGODLY weights do you need to lay down?
Maintaining my spiritual momentum means requires being encouraged by those ahead of me, breaking free from the things that trip me up, and
3. As I run I must determine to never give up until I cross the finish line.
• Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
. . . Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Perseverance! We all must come to the place in the race of faith where we say, “I won’t turn back; I won’t give up! I will finish the race!”
Some of us want to throw in the towel to quickly. We think we are beaten and there is nothing more we can. Overcome by perseverance—will yourself not to give up or quit.
Remember we said last week, “MOTION LEADS TO EMOTION; FAITH RENEWS YOUR FEELINGS.” When we are not sure what to do, when we feel like giving up that’s not the time to act on our emotions or feelings. We said renewal comes as we choose to DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING. It is a choice an act of the will to press on and continue to run the race of faith.
• James 1:4 (NIV)
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Sometimes the next right thing is not an activity. Sometimes we need to stop and wait upon God; let Him do His work within us before we try to take another step.
• Isaiah 40:31 (MsgB)
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.
Persevere and make the choice to let God be God. His strength is made perfect in your weakness; you will not lack anything—He will give you the strength to press on and run the race set before you.
Perseverance has a reward! Not only will it keep us moving, but one day we will cross the finish line; the race will be over and the prize will be ours!
• 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you . . . because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
• Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)
Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
Don’t give up; persevere! Make the choice to run the race of faith and cross the finish line. You can win the race; the prize is waiting for you.
Think about this question: where in your life would God want you to persevere? Perhaps in the 40 days of purpose you began some spiritual disciplines; are you about ready to quit? What is it that God wants you to keep doing?
Maintaining my spiritual momentum means requires being encouraged by those ahead of me, breaking free from the things that trip me up, choosing to persevere until I have crossed the finish line, and
4. Running this race requires a single-minded focus.
• Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Pay attention to what this verse does not say; it doesn’t say, “Fix your eyes on your small group leader, the board member, the pastor.” FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS. People are human they will fail you; only Jesus will never fail you.
Like Paul I do say, “Follow me as I follow Christ!”
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
You can’t do that from a distance. You can only do that up close and personal. But the focus is not me; it’s Jesus. Does my life line up with His word? When it does follow me; Jesus is our focus.
Guess what; when my life doesn’t line up with Jesus, that’s going to be one of those times I will need you to forgive the hands and trust the heart. Yes I may fail you, and if that happens, you need to know me well enough to be able to say, “I can forgive him because I know he wants to be like Jesus; I know it wasn’t intentional, together we will be more like Jesus.”
Life does not come with an “auto focus” option. Most of us have one of those cameras that you just point and shoot because it will automatically focus on whatever you are taking a picture of. Real life requires MANUAL FOCUS—it requires effort on our part.
We must choose what we will focus our attention on. Focus requires concentration. While we are running the race of faith—you can’t focus “on the run.” You must be intentional about what you focus on, and God will help you.
• Ezekiel 11:19 (NIV)
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
Paul made focusing on Christ a priority.
• Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ.
We may have some things in our lives we need to be willing to throw away—in some cases some things need to literally get thrown into the garbage so we can focus on Jesus.
Think about this question: what will you do to maintain a single-minded focus? What will you do to bring Jesus and His purpose back into focus in your life?
Maintaining my spiritual momentum means requires being encouraged by those ahead of me, breaking free from the things that trip me up, choosing to persevere until I have crossed the finish line, having a single-minded focus, and finally
5. As I run I will endure hardship to win the prize.
• Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Jesus . . . 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.
Jesus looked past the present and saw what was to come. Because He saw the finish line, He could endure the cross with joy.
This life is not all there is; we need to look ahead and see the gates of heaven are open wide. Whosoever will may enter in through Jesus Christ, and we have decided to follow Christ. THERE IS NO TURNING BACK!
• Philippians 3:14 (NIV)
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
• I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Philippians 3:14 (MsgB)
• 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)
Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. [25] All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. [26] So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. [27] I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Think about this question: what promises of God enables you to face the challenge of the present? What do you know about the future that gives you hope today?
