A Marathon of PeaceLesson Text: Hebrews 12:1-3

Maud church of ChristBy Jim BradshawSunday Evening, July 27, 2014

1. Some People Love to Exercise2. Some run 10k’s or even Marathon’s.3. Our life is a Marathon.

1Ti 4:7-8 ESV Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; (8) for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

We are SurroundedHeb 12:1-3 ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

All of those Heroes of faith. By the Heavy weights of Life & sin

We Look to JesusHeb 12:1-3 ESV Therefore, since we are

surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

We Look to JesusEndurance – (hupomone) Thayer Definition:

1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings1b) patiently, and steadfastly2) a patient, steadfast waiting for3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

We Look to JesusTo Run with Endurance

Jas 1:2-5 ESV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, (3) for you know that the testing of your faith produces

steadfastness. (4) And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Endurance – (hupomone)

Jas 5:11 ESV Behold, we consider those blessed who remained

steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

We Look to JesusHeb 12:1-3 ESV Therefore, since we are

surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Endure with Joy

We Look to JesusJoy is the emotion caused by the expectation

of good.

Hope is the expectation of good. For a Christian it is the expectation of eternal life.

Only a Christian has true hope and joy.

Endure with Joy

We Look to JesusEndure to Finish

1Th 4:13-18 ESV But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (14) For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (15) For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (16) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (17) Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (18) Therefore encourage one another with these words.

We Must Not Grow WearyIt is easy to get tired in life

Gal 6:9-10 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (10) So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

We Must Not Grow WearyHeb 12:3 ESV Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Rev 14:13 ESV And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!"