Swimming with endurance the Swimming with endurance the race before us. (Heb. 12:1-3)race before us. (Heb. 12:1-3)

Hebrews 12:1-2Hebrews 12:1-2•   Therefore, since we are surrounded by Therefore, since we are surrounded by

such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Focus on breathing, not just Focus on breathing, not just getting to the end.getting to the end.

• Life is a marathon, Life is a marathon, learn to pace learn to pace yourself.yourself.

• Prayer= breathing Prayer= breathing out prayer and out prayer and receiving back God’s receiving back God’s word. word.

• Real, sustainable Real, sustainable change is a process, change is a process, not an event. not an event.

Wear goggles: Vision keeps Wear goggles: Vision keeps you going straight.you going straight.

• Where there is no Where there is no vision the people vision the people perish…(Proverbs perish…(Proverbs 29:18; Hos. 4:6). 29:18; Hos. 4:6).

• Worst enemy of Worst enemy of best can be best can be something that is something that is good. good.

Learn to give and not to Learn to give and not to keep. keep.

Michael Phelps Donna Gibson

Fat Sheep vs. Skinny SheepFat Sheep vs. Skinny Sheep

18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good 18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet?pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? your feet?

• 20 "'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says 20 "'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: to them: See, I myself will judge between the See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheepfat sheep and the lean sheep . 21 Because you . 21 Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, 22 I will save my flock, away, 22 I will save my flock, Ezekiel 34:18, 20-22Ezekiel 34:18, 20-22

Keep your head submerged Keep your head submerged underwater. underwater.

• Dare to submerge Dare to submerge your head fully your head fully into God’s into God’s word/reality.word/reality.

• Give yourself fully Give yourself fully to Him. to Him.

• We determine how We determine how deep we go with deep we go with God. (Ez. 47)God. (Ez. 47)

Wear appropriate swim Wear appropriate swim wear.wear.

1 Corinthians 9:19-211 Corinthians 9:19-21• 19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I 19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I

make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Don’t swim aloneDon’t swim alone

• Do life together Do life together with others.with others.

• Be aware of other Be aware of other swimmers. swimmers.

• Think about your Think about your family. family.

My FamilyMy Family

Listen to the lifeguard. Listen to the lifeguard.

2 We do this 2 We do this by keeping our by keeping our eyes on Jesus, eyes on Jesus, the champion the champion who initiates who initiates and perfects and perfects our faith. Heb. our faith. Heb. 12:212:2

Know when you have swam Know when you have swam enough. enough.

• Avoid burnout by Avoid burnout by regularly taking days regularly taking days off, not checking e-off, not checking e-mail, having family mail, having family days, etc. There is days, etc. There is always MORE to do. always MORE to do.

• God never sleeps, but God never sleeps, but even he took a day even he took a day off. (Genesis 2:2)off. (Genesis 2:2)

Keep your pool (heart) Keep your pool (heart) clean. clean.

Above all Above all else, guard else, guard your heart, your heart, for it is the for it is the well spring of well spring of life. Proverbs life. Proverbs 4:234:23

Swim to finish wellSwim to finish well

Hebrews 12:1Hebrews 12:1•  Therefore, since we are surrounded Therefore, since we are surrounded

by such a huge crowd of witnesses to by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, the life of faith,

• let us strip off every weight that let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us that so easily trips us up. And let us run (swim) with endurance the race run (swim) with endurance the race God has set before us. God has set before us.

Living with EnduranceLiving with Endurance• Focus on breathing (Focus on breathing (rhythmrhythm).).• Wear goggles (Wear goggles (visionvision))• Give and don’t just consume (Give and don’t just consume (generositygenerosity).).• Submerge your head under water Submerge your head under water

((commitmentcommitment))• Wear the right swim wear. Wear the right swim wear.

(contextualization) (contextualization) • Swim with others. (Swim with others. (Don’t do life aloneDon’t do life alone).).• ListenListen to the lifeguard to the lifeguard (God speaks today).(God speaks today).• Take time to Take time to restrest, you need it. (rest), you need it. (rest)• Keep your pool (heart) clean.Keep your pool (heart) clean.• Swim to finish well. Swim to finish well.

Hebrews 12:2Hebrews 12:2

• 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. and perfects our faith.

• Because of the joy awaiting him, he Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.of honor beside God’s throne.