Series: JOURNEY (Week 2)

The Gear: What Keeps Us Moving?

Text: Hebrews 12:1-2

Hebrews 12:1-2

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, 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.

Hebrews 12:1-2

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/HEB.12.NIV

I. SHED THE WEIGHT

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..."

II. DEVELOP THE STRENGTH

Hebrews 12:1 (continued): "...And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

PERSEVERENCE = "to remain under"

"...a believer's Spirit-empowered tenacity to remain under pressure until God's purpose is fulfilled."

"Cloud of witnesses"

"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses..."

III. ADJUST THE FOCUS

Hebrews 12:2: "...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."

We have to fix our eyes on Jesus.

  1. He is the pioneer (He went ahead of you)

  2. He is the perfecter (of your faith)

  3. The joy set before Him (was you)

KEY TAKEAWAY:

The Christian journey requires perseverance, which is fueled by throwing off distractions and fixing our eyes on Jesus.