Our Race

Hebrew 12:1-13

Emmanuel Christian Church

10.26.25

INTRODUCTION: Last week, we took the big view of the big subject of FAITH. It’s what we THINK and DO. And for us, our only faith’s FOCUS is Jesus. We ended with the picture of a heavenly stadium whose stands are filled with those who have already run their race of faith- and it is WE OURSELVES who now compete on the running track of faith. How we run OUR race of FAITH is our subject for today as we turn our full attention to the first thirteen verses of Hebrews chapter 12. This morning, you’ll hear one word ten times. Let’s see if you can pick it out as I read for you our text for today. Picking up where we left oﬀ last week… Hebrews 12:1 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 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him 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 sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. PROPOSITION: Did you pick up on the one word heard ten times? (DISCIPLINE) It’s the key to successfully running the race of faith to heaven! Before we get to the one word, there are several things we need to be careful not to forget… Don’t Forget- We’re running a race! Hebrews 12:1 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.

We’re running a race, many have run before (Hebrews 11)
We’re running a race, so we need to drop the excess weight of sin that only slows us down and threatens to wear us out before we reach the finish line.
We’re running a race that requires perseverance and commitment. Do you remember the words of Jesus that I referenced two weeks ago as we talked about this very subject? Luke records… Luke 9:57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to (Jesus), “I will follow you wherever you go.” Luke 9:58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Luke 9:59He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Luke 9:60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” APPLICATION: We’re in the race of faith. Believe it or not, the running of the race is NOT the most important thing. There will be times when you run like the wind, and there will be times the wind runs out of you! Keep running! What’s most important about this race is the FINISH LINE! AND… Don’t forget- Jesus is our “Finish Line” and Example! Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He is the only one to have run the race PERFECTLY.
He suﬀered PATIENTLY.
He triumphed POWERFULLY. APPLICATION: I see it all too often. Someone decides to stop running the race of faith because another Christian let them down. There’s only one thing I can be sure of- follow ANY follower of Jesus and sooner or later, you’re going to see them do something, or hear them say something that’s going to be inconsistent with the character of Jesus- that’s PRECISELY why we all need God’s grace and Jesus as our Savior. As we run this race, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! Not only will He not disappoint us, He’s the only One who can perfectly coach us! Don’t forget- the path of faith isn’t easy! Hebrews 12:3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The path of faith is NARROW - not many people make the choice to walk it.
The path of faith is DIFFICULT - it’s always been filled with challenge. APPLICATION: Historically, being of the Christian faith has not been easy! One estimate puts the annual number of Christians martyred for their faith at 100,000. Since the time of Christ, 70 million! Jesus himself warned us of the diﬃcult path of faith when he said: Matthew 10:21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Matthew 10:24 “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household! Don’t forget- You’re still alive! Hebrews 12:4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
You haven’t died from the experience just yet! (1 Kings 19- Elijah ran from Jezebel 40 days to Mt. Sinai. God asks, “Elijah what are you doing here?”)
There’s HOPE. (7000 in Israel who have NOT bowed the knee!)
There’s WORK. (Anoint Elisha as your successor) APPLICATION: Where there’s life there’s hope, work and purpose for the people of God. To put it simply- there’s a race to be run! Do Remember (THE ONE WORD- DISCIPLINE) Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
The English Standard Version put this in the form of a question: “Have you forgotten the exhortation…?”
What exhortation? The one found in Proverbs 3:11-12… Proverbs 3:11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
This was Solomon’s coaching of his son that he might have the “Good Life”.
Solomon wanted the best for his son. He wanted to give him the secrets to life so that he wouldn’t waste his few short trips around the sun!
What WAS one of those most important secrets? Simply this Remember, God uses the challenges and hard times of the faith race to “discipline” us. Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline…
Don’t confuse God’s discipline with “punishment”.
The word discipline means “training”, “teaching”.
Sometimes, that training involves rebuke (pointing out what we have done wrong). SO, listen to the words of God!
Don’t deny the error.
Don’t defend yourself. God’s NOT attacking you, He’s refining you! APPLICATION: When God is trying to get your attention- LEAN IN! Beware! If you refuse God’s rebuke, He will not hesitate to take the matter to the next level…
And sometimes, training does involve punishment (flogging).
It is not pain motivated by malice.
It is the pain of “tough love” whose purpose is to get your attention! APPLICATION: We live in a world that is broken by sin. Not every painful moment is a message from God, but some most certainly are! Regardless, don’t respond to life’s pain with malice toward God- it may just be the result of this sin broken world (and who do we have to blame for that, if not ourselves?) On the other hand, God may indeed be working to get your attention! Seek the perspective of a wise spiritual counselor, and search God’s Word with a heart that is open to His conviction. Remember, God’s discipline proves our “sonship”. Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
People tend NOT to discipline other’s children- it’s just not worth the trouble!
It is a shallow love that aﬃrms a child’s every whim. A truly loving parent is willing to challenge a child with the truth, and even at times wield the rod of correction when needed. APPLICATION: Discipline of a child is hard work- that’s why you see so little of it these days! But, God is the perfect Father. He’s both willing and able to do the hard work of discipline in our lives. You need no DNA test to confirm His paternity in your life- you only need to look for His discipline! Remember, God’s discipline is for our “good”. Hebrews 12:9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
It’s to our advantage. Proverbs 6:23…the corrections of discipline are the way to life, Proverbs 13:18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. Proverbs 15:32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
It’s the path that leads to our fellowship with His nature (holiness). Remember, God’s discipline yields “peaceful fruit”. Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. CONCLUSION: No pain, no gain! Right? DISCIPLINE- it’s the key to successfully running the race to heaven. It’s how we “ throw oﬀ everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles”. But discipline in itself is nothing until we activate it with one simple act of faith- REPENTANCE. And that is where we will begin next week. It’s how we… Hebrews 12:12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.