RUNNING YOUR RACE L S

“RUNNING YOUR RACE” : 

“RUNNING YOUR RACE” Hebrews Chapter 12 March 16, 2008 1 RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE

4 Objectives to Apply Today : 

4 Objectives to Apply Today #1 YOUR PREPARATION #2 YOUR PERFORMANCE #3 YOUR PRIORITIES #4 YOUR PRIZE 2 RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE

Hebrews 12:1 : 

Hebrews 12:1 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 3

6 Billion PeopleLet Us Run! : 

6 Billion PeopleLet Us Run! RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 4

To Run Requires Knowledge : 

To Run Requires Knowledge RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 5

This is a MarathonNot a Dash! : 

This is a MarathonNot a Dash! RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 6

Same Bridge – Same Race22 Years Later : 

Same Bridge – Same Race22 Years Later RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 7

Examples to Follow : 

Examples to Follow "You have to train your mind like you train your body.“ In 1970 he decided to devote all his energy to the decathlon. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 8

Run in the Winning Patterns : 

Run in the Winning Patterns Wherefore seeing we also are compassed (encircle) about with so great a cloud of witnesses… RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 9

#1 YOUR PREPARATIONThe 3 E’s - EATING : 

#1 YOUR PREPARATIONThe 3 E’s - EATING John 6:54 says Whoso eateth (to chew -mediate) my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:63 says It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 10

#1 YOUR PREPARATION The 3 E’s - EXERCISE : 

#1 YOUR PREPARATION The 3 E’s - EXERCISE 1 Timothy 4:7-8 says 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise (to practice naked) thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 11

#1 YOUR PREPARATION The 3 E’s -EXAMINATION : 

#1 YOUR PREPARATION The 3 E’s -EXAMINATION 2 Corinthians 13:5 says 5 Examine (scrutinize)yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove (examine) your own selves. Know (recognize) ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 12

EXAMINATION Stirs Up Our Faith : 

EXAMINATION Stirs Up Our Faith RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 13

#2 YOUR PERFORMANCE : 

#2 YOUR PERFORMANCE RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 14

Positive Performance By Faith : 

Positive Performance By Faith Romans 4:20-21 says 20 He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform (poy-eh'-o = to do). RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 15

The More Obstacles The More Glory : 

The More Obstacles The More Glory RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 16

Abraham & Paul Ran – We Must Run Too : 

Abraham & Paul Ran – We Must Run Too 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 says 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 17

We Compare to the Cloud : 

We Compare to the Cloud 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 says 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keepunder my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 18

Speaking of BECOMINGa CASTAWAY : 

Speaking of BECOMINGa CASTAWAY RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 19

#3 YOUR PRIORITIES : 

#3 YOUR PRIORITIES YOUR FAMILY &FELLOW RUNNERS Philippians 2:4 says Look (to take aim at) not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 20

From SELF-CENTERED toCHRIST-CENTERED : 

From SELF-CENTERED toCHRIST-CENTERED RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 21

#3 YOUR PRIORITIES : 

#3 YOUR PRIORITIES YOUR FOES – Understand the M.O. of your ENEMY! Revelation 12:9 says And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 22

Satan Wants to Change Your COURSE : 

Satan Wants to Change Your COURSE RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 23

Satan Has His COURSEJESUS CHRIST Has a COURSE : 

Satan Has His COURSEJESUS CHRIST Has a COURSE Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air… Luke 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 24

#3 YOUR PRIORITIES : 

#3 YOUR PRIORITIES YOUR FINISH Acts 20:24 says 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 25

This is OUR Priority : 

This is OUR Priority 2 Timothy 4:7 says I have fought (to contend with an adversary) a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith: DON’T BE DISTRACTED DON’T BE DISCOURAGED RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 26

#4 YOUR PRIZE : 

#4 YOUR PRIZE Philippians 3:14 says 14 I press (to pursue) toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 27

Our PRIZE : 

Our PRIZE Hebrews 12:2 says Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 28

TO RUN OR NOT TO RUNThat’s the Question : 

TO RUN OR NOT TO RUNThat’s the Question RUN, RUN, & RUN TO THE FINISH LINE 29