The Grandstand of Witnesses
Text: Hebrews 12: 1-3
Introduction: Apostle Paul invokes a sports imagery in order to encourage the Hebrew Christians (and by extension, all of us) to continue faithfully in the faith. Here is his point in a nutshell: we are in a race (verse 1; 1 Corinthians 9: 23-27), and there are folks in the grandstand who are not only cheering us on, and but are also proof that we can make it to the end successfully (Hebrews 11: 1-40). Why? Because they too ran the same race (even without the benefit of so many extra gadgets that we have today) and made it to the end. They are an encouragement and a challenge to us!
We are no quitters: This message that Paul was giving started with a simple injunction in Hebrews 10:32-39: “We are not quitters. Instead, we are those that believe to the end no matter the challenges on the way.” We are encouraged to persevere to the end, holding on to the confidence of our faith. We dare not cast away our confidence because in just a little while, God will come with great rewards in His hands. God is a rewarder, and He will definitely reward those who seek Him diligently (Hebrews 11: 6). This was the reason Paul began to list ordinary men and women who persevered to the end, kept their faith and glorified God in their time ( Hebrews 11: 1-40). The Spirit’s point is simple: if these everyday folks could make it, so can we!
So, get on with it: Enough of complaining and murmuring – get on with living the life God has called you to live. Let us lay aside the weights or the sin that so easily trips us up. There is a ‘race set before you’ – start running it. And don’t just run it sluggishly, give it your best shot, totally depending on the grace of God. (Hebrews 12:1-3). Will you be satisfied at the end of the journey that you gave it your all? (2 Timothy 4: 6-8).
Text: Hebrews 12: 1-3
Introduction: Apostle Paul invokes a sports imagery in order to encourage the Hebrew Christians (and by extension, all of us) to continue faithfully in the faith. Here is his point in a nutshell: we are in a race (verse 1; 1 Corinthians 9: 23-27), and there are folks in the grandstand who are not only cheering us on, and but are also proof that we can make it to the end successfully (Hebrews 11: 1-40). Why? Because they too ran the same race (even without the benefit of so many extra gadgets that we have today) and made it to the end. They are an encouragement and a challenge to us!
We are no quitters: This message that Paul was giving started with a simple injunction in Hebrews 10:32-39: “We are not quitters. Instead, we are those that believe to the end no matter the challenges on the way.” We are encouraged to persevere to the end, holding on to the confidence of our faith. We dare not cast away our confidence because in just a little while, God will come with great rewards in His hands. God is a rewarder, and He will definitely reward those who seek Him diligently (Hebrews 11: 6). This was the reason Paul began to list ordinary men and women who persevered to the end, kept their faith and glorified God in their time ( Hebrews 11: 1-40). The Spirit’s point is simple: if these everyday folks could make it, so can we!
So, get on with it: Enough of complaining and murmuring – get on with living the life God has called you to live. Let us lay aside the weights or the sin that so easily trips us up. There is a ‘race set before you’ – start running it. And don’t just run it sluggishly, give it your best shot, totally depending on the grace of God. (Hebrews 12:1-3). Will you be satisfied at the end of the journey that you gave it your all? (2 Timothy 4: 6-8).
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