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Embrace the journey of Lent as a time to turn to the sufferings and triumphs of Jesus Christ. Explore enduring faith, perseverance, and overcoming hardships through the lens of biblical teachings. Find strength in Jesus' example as the ultimate pioneer and perfecter of faith. Look to Him for guidance and inspiration in life's rigorous demands. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the compassionate man, the victorious pioneer, the perfecter of faith, and the enthroned Lord, for divine assistance and unwavering resolve. Follow in His footsteps and finish the race with conviction, just like the Olympic marathon runner who never gave up despite challenges.
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Lent – a time to turn our focus on the sufferings and achievement of the greatest example – the Lord Jesus Christ. • Jesus warned His disciples – tribulation, death, hatred – Matt.24:9; John 16:2
In Heb. 10:35-36 – there was reward for endurance. • Ours is a strenuous race demanding steady perseverance. • V.1 – Surrounded by witnesses. Testify that faith is worth it. • Now it our turn to run – 1 Cor.9:24; Gal.2:2
The witnesses inspire us but cannot strengthen us. • Only Jesus offers us help – Heb.2:18; 4:16. • The writer tells us: 1. What to reject? 2. How To run? 3. Where to look?
Our race is a race of eternal consequences. • Two items can hinder us: • A. Weight – physical – restricts activity. • Anything that handicaps us. • Eg. Jogging in heavy clothes.
B. Sin – spiritual – mars performance. • That which can trip us or entangle us.
Run with perseverance (Endurance) • Word used several times – Heb.10:32;12:7 • Jesus also endured – v.2,3 • Disciples of Jesus must follow in His footsteps – 1 Peter 2:21
> Will experience opposition, pain, suffering, rejection. • A life of rigorous demands. • Need to keep looking at Jesus alone.
Our eyes must be firmly and continually on Jesus. • “Looking” means aware of rival attractions but deliberately looks away from other things. • Who are we looking at?
a. At Jesus the compassionate man. • He knows our experiences of trail and adversity. • When we feel we cannot, think of Jesus and the race that was set before Him. • More difficult, yet He triumphed. • In His strength, so can we.
b. Jesus is the victorious pioneer. • He has lead His people – 2:10 • His incarnation and passion are personal examples. • He did not fail then and will not disappoint us.
c. Jesus the perfecter. • Makes our faith perfect. • Not our devoted service or our spiritual experience or our moral integrity. • All this cannot make our faith perfect except Jesus. • Col.2:10 – ran the greatest race to its finish and our fullness is only in Him.
d. Jesus –the enthroned Lord. • His redemptive work is complete. • 1st century Christians were about to experience hardship. • Their lives are in the strong hands of the enthroned Lord.
So do not give up. • Do not collapse until you pass the winning post. • We need divine help. • Look to Jesus. Consider Him. • Story • 1968 Olympic Mexico. 26 mile marathon.
MamoWaldi from Ethiopia won. • John Steven Aquani – last runner. • “Why did you not give up?” • “My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start this race. My country sent me to finish.”