2/2/14 Steps for Staying in the Game!: Hebrews 12:1-4 by Dr. Joe K. Taylor, Senior Pastor, South Reno Baptist Church Staying in The Game! 1. Consider the Saints. Hebrews 12:1, HCSB - 1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses [they don’t just watch, they bear witness—they are our cheerleaders] surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us… Hebrews 12:1, TLB - 1 Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1, MSG - 1 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Hebrews 12:1, NLT - 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. A. They have run their race “…witnesses…” B. They have received their reward (cf., Hebrews 11) C. They have revealed that God is reliable “…to the life of faith…” 2. Consider Yourself. Hebrews 12:1, TLB - 1 Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1, NASB95 - 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race [Gk: ἀγών, A-gone, (not dra-mos, “a game”); Eng. Agony—it’s serious—it’s the very serious ‘race of life’] that is set before us… A. Start with wisdom “…lay aside every sin…encumbrance…” B. Run with endurance “…run with endurance…” C. Guard your priorities “…the race …set before us…” 3. Consider the Savior. Hebrews 12:2–4, NASB95 - 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus Gk: ἀφοράω, a-pho-RA- o, def., “to look to something or someone without having your eyes diverted” –BDAG) , the author and perfecter of lit., “our” faith, who for the joy [Gk: χαρά, char-RA, def., “settled confidence in the life’s difficulties because of an eternal perspective” –Wuest; cf., James 1.3, NASB95 - 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials…] 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 has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin… A. Consider His resolve – “…endured the cross…shame…hostility” B. Consider His reasons – “…the cross” (our salvation) C. Consider His reward – “…right hand of God…” D. Consider His Resolve – “…endured such hostility…against himself…” Life Application Section: Steps for staying in “The Game of Life” 1. Remember the witnesses. 2. Remove the hindrances. 3. Run with endurance. 4. Raise up Jesus. HERE IS THE POINT -----> This ‘game of life’ matters! (Nothing else really does.)
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 16:50:46 +0000
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