Enduring for the Gold
Hebrews 12: 1-3
12:1 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 thrown of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Introduction:
The other day our ten year old dryer stopped working. We had been planning to replace both the washer and dryer for some time now we could not put it off any longer. So my wife and I went to Sears picked out a reasonable washer and dryer paid for them and arranged for delivery. A few days later they arrived. The delivery man brought them in and carted off the old ones.
I quickly set my self to the task of doing the laundry only to discover that the new washer did not work. The washer needed longer hoses because the factory issued hoses didn’t reach so I went to the hardware store, picked new hoses and connected the washer. My adventure however wasn’t over you see the brand new dryer I purchased did not have a plug. Dryers I’ve learned seldom come with plugs those need to be installed separately. It is at this point in a home improvement task when I usually give up and take a nap. Unfortunately it had now been several days since we had done laundry and giving up was not an option, so I called Mark (the local handyman) and soon our laundry was well on its way. When a task is difficult or frustrating it is easy to give in and go do something else.
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews compares our faith walk to a race that is to be run with perseverance. This not one of those races you may have run at an elementary school field day, You know the ones where everyone got a medal even if they ran the wrong way. The race marked out for us is a course that is full of adversity. But it is a race that can be won.
This short passage gives is really a “race runners clinic” if we listen carefully we can learn how to run with endurance and not grow weary.
Point 1 Cloud of witnesses (We do not run this race alone)
12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
Brenner: “Look at that mirror and tell what you see”.
Junior: “I see Junior”
Brenner “NO, Look at that Mirror and Tell me what you see”
Junior: “I see Junior”
Brenner: “ You want to know what I see, I see power, I see Pride, I see someone who won’t take notting from nobody. Now tell me what you see”
Junior: “I see power, I see pride I see someone who won’t take notting from nobody”
Brenner: “Say it again”
Junior: “ Power Pride”…
This scene from the movie “cool runnings” about the first Jamacian bobsled team. Junior is able to reach within himself and find the motivation he needs to press on, at a time when he is ready to give up and go home. He finds this motivation through one of his teammates who spurs him forward. Later in the movie and in the real Olympics this team is able to make it to the finals partly due to the amazing international fan support it received.
Hebrews paints for us a vivid picture of our fan support. We are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses”. People who have run the race or a least this particular leg of the race are all around us cheering for us encouraging us offering us counsel.
Unlike my laundry incident if the race gets difficult you cannot call someone to run it for you. You have to do the running yourself. But, that doesn’t mean you have to be alone. These witnesses exert a strong positive influence on the runners (New Interpreters, 148)Just like when any sport team plays at home they have an advantage because their cheering fans encourage them to do better the cloud of witnesses serve to encourage the runner.
The word ‘since’ gives our running purpose. This cloud of witnesses give our race meaning. We aren’t just running we are in a race and we have spectators, witness of this event. Because these witneses are here we have a reason to run.
Point 2 Get in Shape,
1b let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles
Illistration: Biggest loser
While the cloud of witnesses gives us a reason to run and even encourages us. They do not make us good runners. To be a good runner you must be in shape. It’s interesting this portion of scripture we are lokking at lists two things that need to be done for the runner to run effectively.
The first thing the runner needs to do is throw off everything that hinders. For an actual runner there are many things that can hinder them; Body fat, clothing, even mental distraction. For the Hebrews runner these weights can be varied as well. Anything that would distract us from our primary goal should be ‘thrown off’ this could include over-committing ourselves it could be our profession it could be debt.
However there is one distraction or ‘entanglement’ which the author felt important enough to call by name: sin. Sin so easily entangles. This gives me the image of someone trying to run while being strapped to a wall by giant elastic band every time the person runs a few steps they get pulled back. If we are to run the race marked out for us we must throw of the entangling sin.
There is a Reality TV show called the biggest loser. This show takes several extremely over weight people brings them to a ranch and gives them the benefit of the best trainers, equipment and dieticians money can buy. While they are on the ranch they compete to loser the most weight and win the title of the biggest loser.
Each season about half way through the trainers fill backpacks with weights equivalent to the amount of weight the contestants have already lost. Then the contestants are told to run the track. As you would imagine running with a hundred pounds of extra baggage proves to be quite a challenge. But, the exercise allows the contestants to see how far they have come and what the extra weight they still have is doing to them.
In order to run well we must throw off anything that would slow us down.
Point 3 Set your eyes on Jesus learn from the best.
When I was in High school I wanted to be an actor. That was my life’s ambition and I spent most of my time working towards that goal. I took special classes in school. I was on the drama team and in the musical every year, one year I even had the lead role. In the midst of my journey I had one role model.
There was one actor whose style, adaptability, work ethic and dedication was everything I aspired to be as an actor: Val Kilmer. He could go from playing a 19th century British bridge builder to wise cracking gun slinging cowboy to a burnt out pessimistic burnt out genius to bat man and do play them all well. When I grew up I wanted to be just like Val Kilmer.
Luckily The Christian runner has better role model than Val Kilmer. Jesus serves as both coach and role model. It is Jesus that makes our faith possible. Jesus is refered to as the perfecter of our faith. He refines our faith and helps us to make it what it should be.
Jesus is also a perfect example. Just as we must endure obstacles and difficulties along the way Jesus endured the cross and hostility of sinners but after it was all over when Jesus had endured all that was to be endured he was able to take His seat at the right hand of the Father.
Conclusion: Have you grown weary in you race?
You don’t have to grow weary. The race set out for you is long, but you are not alone. You can throw off every weight and sin. Turn your eyes toward Jesus the source and perfecter of your faith. If you do this you will be able to run and not grow weary. This race is not easy but when it is all over and you hear the Father’s voice and you can run that victory lap right into His arms it will all have been worth it. Don’t give up.
