WelcomeJune 21, 2015

The Endurance Involved in a Christian Marathon

Hebrews 12:1-3

A. It Involves Laying Aside all Weight

Hebrews 12:1

Luke 19:1 - 10

2nd Timothy 2:4

Hebrews 12:1

12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us

also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is

set before us,

Luke 19:1-1019 He entered Jericho and was passing

through. 2 And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax

collector and he was rich. 3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable

because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for

He was about to pass through that way.

5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 And he hurried

and came down and received Him gladly. 7 When they saw it, they all

began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a

sinner.” 8 Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord,

“Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have

defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”

9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that

which was lost.”

2 Timothy 2:4

4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted

him as a soldier.

B. It Involves Changing Our Focus

Hebrews 12:2

Matthew 8:20

Hebrews 11:37, 38

Hebrews 12:2

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set

before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right

hand of the throne of God.

Matthew 8:20

20 Jesus *said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay

His head.”

Hebrews 11:37-38

37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute,

afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in

deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

C. It Involves Tremendous Endurance

Hebrews 12:1, 3

1st Corinthians 15:58

2nd Timothy 4:7, 8

Hebrews 12:1, 31 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of

witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that

you will not grow weary and lose heart.

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding

in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to

all who have loved His appearing.