The Race of Faith Hebrews 12 The Race

The Race of Faith Hebrews 12

The Race of Faith �Biblical �Last Faith Means Action Time: a long history of winners… “who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection…” Hebrews 11: 33 -38

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith Means Action �Last Time: a long history of winners �But their lives were not “secure” …and others were tortured, not accepting their release…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 (people of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. Hebrews (11: 33 -38) Hebrews 11: 33 -38

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith Means Action �Last Time: a long history of winners �But their lives were not “secure” �The “Walk of Faith” is an intense race 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. Hebrews 12: 1

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith Means Action �Last Time: a long history of winners �But their lives were not “secure” �The “Walk of Faith” is an intense race “…the race that is set before us. ”

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith Means Action �Last Time: a long history of winners �But their lives were not “secure” �The “Walk of Faith” is an intense race �Against great pressures… �Against time… “…the race that is set before us. ”

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith Means Action �Last Time: a long history of winners �But their lives were not “secure” �The “Walk of Faith” is an intense race �It means purpose, direction, pursuit “…the race that is set before us. ”

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith Means Action �Last Time: a long history of winners �But their lives were not “secure” �The “Walk of Faith” is an intense race �It means purpose, direction, pursuit �It means tearing worlds apart! “…the race that is set before us. ”

The Race of Faithἀγών (race) �Biblical Faith Means Action Conflict �Last Time: a long history of winners Fight �But their lives were not “secure” Opposition �The “Walk of Faith” is an intense race Struggle �It means purpose, direction, pursuit �It means tearing worlds apart! “…the race that is set before us. ”

The Race of Faithἀγών (race) �Biblical Faith Means Action For this purpose also I labor, �Last Time: a long history striving of winners according to His power, �But their lives were not “secure” which mightily �The “Walk of Faith” is an intense race works within me. Col. 1: 29 �It means purpose, direction, pursuit �It means tearing worlds apart! “…the race that is set before us. ”

The Race of Faith ἀγών (race) �Biblical Faith Means Action Col. 1: 28 We proclaim �Last Time: a long history. Him, of winners admonishing every man and �But their lives were not “secure” teaching every man all wisdom, so �The “Walk of Faith” is anwith intense race that we may present every man complete in �It means purpose, direction, pursuit Christ. �It means tearing worlds apart! “…the race that is set before us. ”

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith Means Action �Last a long of winners The. Time: Word gave lifehistory to everything that was created, and his life brought light to �But their lives were not “secure” everyone. �The “Walk of Faith” is an intense race The light shines in the darkness, and the �It darkness means purpose, can neverdirection, extinguish pursuit it. John �It 1: 4 -5 means tearing worlds apart! “…the race that is set before us. ”

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith means Action �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win Now faith is the substance of things hoped for… Hebrews 11: 1 (BBE)

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith means Action �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win �Because it’s a Marathon race (not a Sprint) let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12: 1 (NASB)

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith means Action �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win �Because it’s a Marathon race (not a Sprint) �Because it’s possible to lose. let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12: 1 (NASB)

I have fought the good fight, I The Race of Faith have finished the race, and I �Biblical have. Action remained faithful. Faith means And now the prize awaits me �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win —the crown of �Because righteousness, whichathe it’s a Marathon race (not Sprint) Lord, the righteous Judge, �Because it’s possible to lose. will give me on the day of his return. thethat prize not let us run with endurance the. And race isisset just for me but for all who before us, Hebrews 12: 1 (NASB) eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 7 -8 (NLT)

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith means Action �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! …let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us… Hebrews 12: 1 (NASB)

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith means Action �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! � Escaping traps… …let us also destructive lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us… Hebrews 12: 1 (NASB)

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith means Action �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! �Escaping destructive traps… Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. John 8: 34

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith means Action �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! �Escaping destructive traps… �Leave useless bulk… also lay aside every encumbrance… Heb. 12: 1

The Race of Faith • bulk, an �Biblical Faith means Action ὄγκος encumbrance �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! �Escaping destructive traps… �Leave useless bulk… also lay aside every encumbrance… Heb. 12: 1

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith means Action �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! �Therefore, Biblical Faith is we a Gift since have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also… Hebrews 12: 1 (NASB)

The Race of Faith History �Biblical Faith means Action Faith of Todayto Win �Biblical Faith is the Substance Faith �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! �Therefore, Biblical Faith is we a Gift since have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also… Hebrews 12: 1 (NASB)

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith is NOT Faith means Action �Biblical Faith is the Substance Wishful to Win thinking �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! “Good �Biblical Faith is a Gift thoughts” �It is not what you think it is…

The Race of Faith For through the grace given to me I say to everyone �Biblical Faith means Action among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; Faith but to think so as to have sound �Biblical is the Substance to Win judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. �Biblical 12: 3 (NASB) Faith means the. Romans Freedom to Move! �Biblical Faith is a Gift �It is not what you think it is… �It is a supernatural gift

The Race of Faith So faith Faith comesmeans from hearing, �Biblical Action and hearing by the word �Biblical Faithofis. Christ. the Substance Romans to Win 10: 17 �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! �Biblical Faith is a Gift �It is not what you think it is… �It is a supernatural gift

The Race of Faith So faith Faith comesmeans from hearing, �Biblical Action and hearing by the word ofis. Christ. Romans �Biblical Faith the Substance to Win Therefore, since we have so great a 10: 17 �Biblical Faith meanssurrounding the Freedom to cloud of witnesses us, let us also… Move! �Biblical Faith is a Gift �It is not what you think it is… �It is a supernatural gift

We Race do this by of keeping our eyes on Jesus, The Faith the champion who initiates and perfects �Biblical Faith means Action our faith… Hebrews 12: 2 (NLT) �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to Move! �Biblical Faith is a Gift �Biblical Faith means focusing on Jesus

We Race do this by of keeping our eyes on Jesus, The Faith the champion who initiates and perfects �Biblical Faith means Action our faith… Hebrews 12: 2 (NLT) I can all things Him who �Biblicaldo Faith is thethrough Substance to Win strengthens �Biblical Faith me. means the Philippians Freedom 4: 13 to Move! �Biblical Faith is a Gift �Biblical Faith means focusing on Jesus

The Race of Faith �Biblical Faith means Action Because of the joy awaiting him, he �Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win endured the cross, disregarding its �Biblical Faith means the Freedom to shame. Now he is seated in the place Move! of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews �Biblical Faith 12: 2 is a(NLT) Gift �Biblical Faith means focusing on Jesus �Biblical Faith means the joy of winning.

The Race of Faith who by faith. Faith conquered kingdoms, �Biblical means Action performed actsofofthe righteousness, obtained Because joy awaiting him, he � Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win promises, shut the mouths of lions, endured the cross, disregarding its �Biblical the Faith means Freedom quenched power of fire, the escaped the to shame. Now he is seated in the place edge of the sword, from weakness were Move! of honor beside God’s throne. made strong, became mighty in war, put Hebrews 12: 2 (NLT) �Biblical Faith must be received… foreign armies to flight. 11: 33 -34 �Biblical Faith means focusing on Jesus �Biblical Faith means the joy of winning.

The Race of Faith who by faith. Faith conquered kingdoms, �Biblical means Action performed actsofofthe righteousness, obtained Because joy awaiting him, he � Biblical Faith is the Substance to Win promises, shut the mouths of lions, endured the cross, disregarding its You have not means yetofresisted to. Freedom the point �Biblical Faith quenched the power fire, the escaped the to shame. Nowblood he isinseated in the place of shedding your striving edge of the sword, from weakness were Move! of honor beside God’s throne. against sin; Hebrews 12: 4 made strong, became mighty in(NASB) war, put Hebrews 12: 2 (NLT) �Biblical Faith must be received… foreign armies to flight. 11: 33 -34 �Biblical Faith means focusing on Jesus �Biblical Faith means the joy of winning.

The Race of Faith �The Race means Action �The Race is the Character to Win �The Race means the Freedom to Move! �The Race is a Gift �The Race means focusing on Jesus �The Race means the joy of winning.

faith is far more The Race of. Your Faith �The Race �The Race precious than mere gold. means So Action when your faith strongto through is theremains Character Win many trials, it will bring means the Freedom to Move! you much praise and is a Gift glory and honor on the dayfocusing when Jesus is means on. Christ Jesus revealed to the whole means the joy of winning. world. 1 Peter 1: 7 (NLT)

Stedman – Features of Godly Discipline It always could be worse � It’s always God’s love � � � Necessary pain, which will make sense. A conspiracy? No doubt. � � Christians who live victoriously are inexplicable. Else “lame…out of joint” Strengthen “what remains…” It can always damage irreversibly � � No Root of bitterness For the suffering of others It requires “an assembly” It always requires a demonstration of faith. � � It requires our deep concern � It’s always an opportunity for victory � � He’s always right, never wrong � � Not being driven by fear Not law-driven, self-effort, clenched teeth, asceticism, fear “Zion” – Grace � A new government, new mangement � Angels: ministering spirits sent forth to help us when we need it. � “Assembly” is the church, “names written in heaven”, those we share with � “Universal Judge” – we all stand before Him. � Old Testament Saints, who already lived by faith, now waiting for us. � Jesus, the Mediator indwelling and available. With all this on our side, there’s no need for failure. � Always wrong, no matter what � Have you taken advantage of your resources? � Highly contagious. � There’s no reason to fail! This is the entire argument. Flippancy, like Esau � Repentance became impossible. � It requires attention � � Be grateful for the Kingdom we’ve been given Reverence and Awe: a great fire. “Perilous times will come…” and things go in cycles. God is shaking the heavens & earth: something going on right now, the universal shakeup. � The false securities are being tested now. � “Security in numbers” – agreements become untrustworthy � The failure of our organizations: big government only dominates. � Violence & indifference, even in our “civilized” society

� For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15: 4 (NASB)

Expanding the Threshold of our Faith � Why “expand” …? � God has a purpose: to continue JC’s work. Decision to trust Tested Faith • Counting for JC Inner revelation