Go the Distance!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (KJV)

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, 2 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. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction
of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your
minds.
I.

Introduction
a. In this passage of Scripture we see that the Writer
likens the Christian life to a race that has to be run. A
race that Christ himself ran when He was here in the
flesh. This isnt an easy short sprint. This is a long
distance race that covers much territory and lasts for
an extended amount of time. This race must be run
AND finished in order for us to receive our reward.
II. I believe that this passage of scripture and this comparison
is EXTREMELY important. There are so many things
that we can learn from long distance runners. This
morning I want to break them up into three Categories:
Preparing for the Race, Running the Race, and Finishing
the Race.
a. Preparing for the race. You dont just run a race
without preparation. A long distance runner MUST
prepare for his race.
i. He must get rid of any distractions and anything
that would slow him down.
1. Hebrews 12:1b let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so easily
beset us

2. If you ever look at a runners clothing and

shoes, you will notice that they are
lightweight and durable. They are
designed specifically for a runner.
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the
day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the
works of darkness, and let us put on the
armour of light.
ii. He must TRAIN. As Christians we are
constantly training. Thats why Prayer, Fasting,
Worship, Bible Study, and Christian Fellowship
are so important.
1. Can you imagine the embarrassment of a
runner who has to drop out of a race
because he did not train for it? 2 Timothy
2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto
God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.
iii. He must know what race he is running. Hebrews
12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith
1. Jesus is the key. HE knows the race we
are running. HE has been there. HE took
every step, felt every bit of pain, dealt with
temptation AND HE WON. We MUST
look to him and allow him to reveal to us
what race we are running.
b. Running the race.
i. When a runner runs a race, he has to pace
himself. He has be patient. He has to know
when to sprint and when to jog. Hebrews 12:1d
and let us run with patience the race that is set
before us,
ii. He MUST endure. Matthew 24:13 But he that

shall endure unto the end, the same shall be

saved.
iii. He MUST find the motivation to keep pressing
on. Hebrews 12:2-3 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. 3For consider him
that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in
your minds.
c. In order for a runner to receive his reward he MUST
finish the race. He CANNOT drop out. This
morning, Im telling you that you MUST finish the
race. Dont let satan lie to you and entice you. Dont
let him trick you into giving up. Dont let him
deceive you into thinking youve done enough.
i. Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already
obtained this or am already perfect, but I press
on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has
made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider
that I have made it my own. But one thing I do:
forgetting what lies behind and straining
forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward
the goal for the prize of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus.