Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. How wonderful it is to gather here today, united in faith, united in purpose, and united in our love for our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not here by accident or coincidence. We are here because our hearts have been drawn to this place, to this moment, to this message.

I am reminded of a profound thought, penned by the great Charles Spurgeon, who once wrote, "By perseverance, the snail reached the ark." It's a simple statement, yet it carries a depth of meaning. It speaks of persistence, of determination, of a relentless pursuit of a goal. It reminds us that the Christian walk is not a sprint, but a marathon. It's not about speed, but endurance. It's not about how quickly we can get there, but how faithfully we keep moving forward, step by step, day by day.

And so, our focus today is on the book of Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1 through 5. Allow me to read it for us: "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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."

In this passage, we find our guideposts for today's message. We will consider the power of Jesus, the demands of the race, and the disciplinary role of God. We will reflect on the path we are called to walk, the obstacles we face, and the strength we can find in the one who has gone before us.

Harnessing the Power of Jesus

In our lives, we often find ourselves facing challenges that seem insurmountable. We may feel overwhelmed, underprepared, and unsure of how to move forward. It's in these moments that we must remember the incredible power that is available to us through Jesus.

Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, has already run the race that we are now running. He has faced every obstacle, every challenge, and every temptation that we will ever face. And He has overcome them all. This is the power that we have access to. This is the power that we can harness in our lives.

The first thing we need to understand about this power is that it is not our own. It is not something that we can generate or control. It is a gift from God, given to us through Jesus. We can't earn it, and we can't lose it. It is ours to use, but it is not ours to own. This power is not like the power of the world. It is not about dominance or control. It is not about being the strongest or the fastest or the smartest. It is about love, and sacrifice, and service.

This power is not something that we can use for our own purposes. It is not a tool or a weapon that we can wield to get what we want. This power is not something that we can use on our own. We need the guidance and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to use it effectively. We need to be in constant communication with God, seeking His will and His direction. We need to be open to His leading, and willing to follow where He guides.

This power is not something that we can use without cost. It requires us to surrender our own desires and ambitions, to lay down our own plans and dreams. It requires us to take up our cross daily, to die to ourselves and live for Christ. It requires us to give up everything we have, in order to gain everything He has for us.

This power is not something that we can use without faith. We must believe in the power of Jesus, and in His ability to work in and through us. We must trust in His promises, and in His plan for our lives. We must have faith that He will never leave us or forsake us, that He will always be with us, no matter what we face.

Transition. The power of Jesus is a profound and transformative force. It is a power that can change our lives, and the lives of those around us. It is a power that is available to us, if we are willing to accept it, to use it, and to live by it. It is a power that can help us to run the race with perseverance, to overcome the obstacles that stand in our way, and to reach the finish line with joy and triumph.

Handling the Demands of the Race

As we consider the race marked out for us, we are reminded that this is not a leisurely stroll ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO