Heb. 12:1-3; Selected Scriptures
By
D.Z. Cofield, Th. M., D. Min.
April 11, 2021
Scripture Reading:
Psalms 12-86:3 NKJV – “Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.”
1. You need to REMEMBER those who have set a positive EXAMPLE in front you (1a)
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) – Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Witnesses who exhibited faith –
The WORSHIPPING faith of Abel
The WALKING faith of Enoch,
The WORKING faith of Noah
The WAITING faith of the Patriarchs,
The WARRING faith of Moses, and
The WINNING faith of Joshua and Rahab.
2. You must REMOVE anything that’s keeping you from making PROGRESS in your life (1b)
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) – Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
A. Every WEIGHT – ANYTHING and/or ANYONE who holds you down or pulls you back.
B. The SIN –
Romans 13:12 (NASB-U) – The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
2 Cor. 7:1 (Msg) – With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.
3. You must RUN your RACE (1c)
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) – Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Run –
Race –
Patience –
1 Cor. 9:24 (NLT) – Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NASB-U) – Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. [36] For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
4. You must continually REFOCUS on The LORD (2-3)
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NKJV) – 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Looking –
Author –
Finisher –
Philip. 1:6 (NLT) – And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
Galatians 6:9 (NLT) – So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
1 Cor. 15:58 (NKJV) – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Cor. 15:58c (NLT) – . . . , for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Questions to Consider
1. How were you disciplined or corrected as a child?
2. What do you think was good or bad about the way you were disciplined as a child?
3. Do you like to run? Why or why not?
4. How well are you running the Christian race?
5. Who are those who are encouraging you from glory?
6. What wrong attitudes, actions and associates are hindering your spiritual growth?
7. What is the most effective way to remove something or someone who is hindering your spiritual growth?
8. What do you think it means to “fix your eyes” on Jesus? (Heb. 12:2)
9. How can the life of Jesus encourage you when you’re going through hard times?
10. What will you do this week to focus your thinking more on Jesus?