Hebrews 12:1-2 

 

The Olympics started in Greece about 800 years before this letter to the Hebrews was written. Rome also enjoyed sports and so using a sports analogy to describe and teach the Christian walk is something that resonated with them as well as with many of us today. God wants us to become the people He made us to be, and the way to do that is to run our spiritual races.  

 

Five tips to help you run your spiritual race 

  1. Be encouraged by past runners (v. 1a) … The people in the stands the author describes are the saints from the past, perhaps even the heroes from chapter 11. Imagine Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, David, Daniel, Mary, and the disciples all cheering us on. Maybe also others from more recent history like Billy Graham, Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, and C.S. Lewis. They are cheering us on , giving us the energy needed to run our race. 
  2. Get rid of distractions (v. 1b) … It's really easy to get distracted. Distractions can be bad, sinful things, but they don't have to be. Sometimes a distraction is something that is harmless in itself, but it keeps us from running our race, like doom-scrolling on social media. But sometimes the distraction is a sin. When we get through sinning, we often don't want to immediately grab a Bible and pray because we feel guilty. Because of that, we get stuck, trapped by sin. In order to run our race and become who God wants us to be, we need to remove distractions. 
  3. Remember it’s a marathon not a sprint (v. 1c) … A marathon is 26.2 miles long, the distance between Marathon and Athens. It requires endurance and a smart strategy. We can't just sprint at full speed because then we grow tired and burn out. This race requires day-to-day ordinary faithfulness, a faith that grows a little each day. 
  4. Run your race (v. 1d) … Run your race. We don't run against others. All our races are different and pose varying challenges. Don't look at others who are running their own race. Focus on your own race. Looking at people ahead can be discouraging. Looking at those behind can lead us to being prideful. 
  5. Keep your eyes on Jesus (v. 2) … Jesus is the example of how to run the race. He ran His perfectly and pioneered our faith. He ran so that He could redeem us. He endured the cross, rose from the grave, and sat at the right hand of the Father so that we could be granted salvation. He suffered the most painful, public death possible and bore the shame of the world just so we could be saved. Now He sits with the Father and has no rival because no one can rival Him. No others can match Him. 

 

 

For Further Study/Resources Used to Prepare This Message

  • Exalting Jesus in Hebrews by Albert Mohler
  • Hebrews for You by Michael Kruger
  • Hebrews REC by Richard Phillips
  • Hebrews: Preach the Word Commentary by Kent Hughes
  • Hebrews ESV Expository Commentary
  • Hebrews by Grant Osborne