Sunday’s Scripture

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Sermon Summary

Pastor’s Main Points

• Life is a marathon with challenges and distractions, but the saints of history are cheering us on.
• Our individual course has been determined for us by a good Father and it ends in joy for those in Christ.
• Christ is not merely a spectator, rather He is the source and hope of our faith; He will get us over the finish line.

Pastor’s Closing Questions

• Do I see the joy set before me (salvation through Christ) or do I only see the challenges of life?
• What in my life is preventing me from running well?

Pointed Questions from the Sermon

Pastor Adam drew the connection between a sporting event and the cloud of witnesses. Does knowing that you are being cheered on help you press forward, and if so, in what ways?

• Do you think that knowing that those who are cheering us on have been through the same circumstances that we are going through helps us get through it better? Why do you think so?

Read Matthew 25:14-30. What might be some ways this parable could relate to our passage in Hebrews that calls us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us?”

• Knowing that the master in the parable is Jesus, why do you think He gives some people a greater quantity than others? How do you think this relates to the trials that are in our lives?
• How does knowing that God wants us to invest in what He’s given us help us to better persevere?
• Why do you think knowing what the prize is should help us to want to persevere?

Re-read Hebrews 12:1-2.  Pastor Adam related the “race marked out for us” to trail makers. Since we do not have physical trail markers, what do you think these trail markers are?

• In what ways is the “race that has been marked out for us” connected to God’s will for our lives?
• How do we know that we are living within God’s will, and do you think it’s possible to be fully inside of God’s will and still experience suffering?
• Why do you think God’s will may include suffering, and what does this develop in our faith?

Pastor Adam brought to light that the things that hinder us may not be sinful in themselves. Why do you think even non-sinful things could hinder our walk with Christ?

• How might these things lead to sin, and why do they often do so?
• Why do you think these things are tempting for us to hold on to?

Knowing that Christ has marked out our path and we have a crowd cheering us on, what specific things do you need to lay aside this week that are hindering your walk with Christ?

Next Week’s Sermon Preview

Next week Pastor Vince will be showing us how discipline or suffering is a sign of God’s love for us. He will show us how we, as Christians, should view our suffering and how it is different from the world’s view of suffering.