The Race
Hebrews chapter 12 starts off with the word wherefore, which means that it is a continuation of the previous chapter. So as we see that we know that we need to see what is in chapter 11 to get the reason behind chapter 12. Then chapter 12 would actually be called, “The Rest Of The Story”.
Hebrews 11:32-38 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
How were all these people able to do all these things? Remember they didn’t have the Bible to encourage them, as we do. They were living the Bible to come. You and I have the Bible and won’t read it. We also have access to the throne room of God, and won’t go. Why did they endure? Because they did as Moses did in Hebrews 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. The problem with us is we believe in Him which is invisible but we don’t let Him become real in our lives. If Jesus were to appear here on this earth, in the flesh, what changes would you make before you asked Him over for lunch or supper? Sometimes we think of Him as a spooky guy in the sky, that loves us, but we are never going to have to answer to him. He’s way over there and I am way over here. I don’t want Him way over there, I want Him right here by my side. Let me remind you that we will all give account of the deeds done in the flesh.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. There is a bunch of people up in heaven watching us today. The see everything that we do and do not do. They hear everything we do and do not say. They are not there judging us, but they are there cheering us on. They are there to encourage us to go on and not quit. When we think that we can’t take anymore, they are saying oh yes you can. Remember, God knoweth our frame that we are dust, and He will not give us more than we can bare, and that crowd of witnesses are there reminding us of that every day and every hour. They are our cheerleaders on the sidelines of heaven, letting us know that we can make it.
When I was young I use to run races, and when I was running one day a friend joined me who use to run between 10-25 miles a day. He told me Gator Bug when you start running you put your eyes on the finish line and you run. If you get tired, you get off the track to get a breath, then you run some more. If you fall down, you get back up and run some more. If you get sick, you do it and then you run some more. But Gator Bug, you make sure that whatever you do, you cross that finish line. Today we are running a race for Christ, and I say to you today as he said to me then; Keep running until you cross that finish line. The devil will throw obstacles in the way, but Jesus runs with you and He will take them out of your path if you ask for His help.
When I was in the Army, we had something in boot camp called a “Super Jock”. It was given to those who could perform physically. After doing 100, 4 count push-ups, and 100, 4 count sit-ups, we had to run a mile in under 10 minutes on a ¼ mile track. By the time I was on my last lap, I was exhausted. My lungs felt as though I was inhaling fire The finish line was fading. My knees were wobbling and my body like rubber, It was over for me about half way through my last lap. But then something amazing happened. About twenty men from my company came running across the middle of the track and got on both sides of me. Screaming come on Bullion you can do it. Keep on going, just a little farther. Just one foot in front of the other. Come on, almost there, you can do it; don’t quit now, you’re almost there. And they encouraged me all the way to the finish line. And just like they encouraged me to the finish line there is a crowd of witnesses up in heaven running beside you and I today, and they are saying don’t quit, you can make it.
Now let’s talk about the cloud of witnesses watching and cheering and encouraging us.
1. Noah. Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Imagine how Noah feels when he looks down and sees us not standing for Christ, and not being willing to stand by ourselves. Think of how he stood! Think how he must feel as he watches us when we are unwilling to stand.
2. Abraham. Hebrews 11:8. Abraham left his home and everything he had--his kindred, his family, his race--to look for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker is God. He gave up everything for the will of God. Think how he must feel when he looks down from Heaven and sees us not willing to give up things for God and not willing to do God's will. Let us always be careful to realize that Abraham is watching us while we run the race.
3. Moses. Hebrews 11:23-26 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Moses could have been the king of Egypt. He gave up the throne, power, authority and riches of Egypt. He chose rather to suffer affliction with God's people. He counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt. As we are prone to gather riches and wealth, let us think of the fact that Moses watches us from the heavenly grandstand. Is he proud of us when we want fame, popularity, power, authority and money? Moses is watching us as we try to garner things for ourselves.
4. Joshua. Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.Ah, what faith Joshua had as he caused the walls of Jericho to fall! When our faith is weak, we should stop to realize the great man of faith, Joshua, is watching us. When we have battles to fight, we should be reminded that Joshua is in the grandstand.
5. Gideon. Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Gideon was not afraid of the mighty armies of the enemy. When we fear, let us remember that Gideon is watching us from the grandstand.
6. Jesus. Let us not forget that the one who left the glories and beauty, and love of heaven and came down to earth to be poor, despised, tortured, and murdered is also looking from those grandstands of heaven. He is seated at the right hand of God, and ever intercedes for you and I.
I was helping my dad put together the pressure washer I got him, and the look on his face was priceless. As we worked together to finish the project, there was an overwhelming sense of joy about working with dad, and seeing how much happiness the job brought him. I cannot comprehend the feeling of working with Jesus to finish a job, and thinking that He has as much happiness in it as I have. We do not run this race for ourselves, but because God wants us to finish our race on earth, so that He will have someone to be proud of.
Hebrews 11:32-38 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
How were all these people able to do all these things? Remember they didn’t have the Bible to encourage them, as we do. They were living the Bible to come. You and I have the Bible and won’t read it. We also have access to the throne room of God, and won’t go. Why did they endure? Because they did as Moses did in Hebrews 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. The problem with us is we believe in Him which is invisible but we don’t let Him become real in our lives. If Jesus were to appear here on this earth, in the flesh, what changes would you make before you asked Him over for lunch or supper? Sometimes we think of Him as a spooky guy in the sky, that loves us, but we are never going to have to answer to him. He’s way over there and I am way over here. I don’t want Him way over there, I want Him right here by my side. Let me remind you that we will all give account of the deeds done in the flesh.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. There is a bunch of people up in heaven watching us today. The see everything that we do and do not do. They hear everything we do and do not say. They are not there judging us, but they are there cheering us on. They are there to encourage us to go on and not quit. When we think that we can’t take anymore, they are saying oh yes you can. Remember, God knoweth our frame that we are dust, and He will not give us more than we can bare, and that crowd of witnesses are there reminding us of that every day and every hour. They are our cheerleaders on the sidelines of heaven, letting us know that we can make it.
When I was young I use to run races, and when I was running one day a friend joined me who use to run between 10-25 miles a day. He told me Gator Bug when you start running you put your eyes on the finish line and you run. If you get tired, you get off the track to get a breath, then you run some more. If you fall down, you get back up and run some more. If you get sick, you do it and then you run some more. But Gator Bug, you make sure that whatever you do, you cross that finish line. Today we are running a race for Christ, and I say to you today as he said to me then; Keep running until you cross that finish line. The devil will throw obstacles in the way, but Jesus runs with you and He will take them out of your path if you ask for His help.
When I was in the Army, we had something in boot camp called a “Super Jock”. It was given to those who could perform physically. After doing 100, 4 count push-ups, and 100, 4 count sit-ups, we had to run a mile in under 10 minutes on a ¼ mile track. By the time I was on my last lap, I was exhausted. My lungs felt as though I was inhaling fire The finish line was fading. My knees were wobbling and my body like rubber, It was over for me about half way through my last lap. But then something amazing happened. About twenty men from my company came running across the middle of the track and got on both sides of me. Screaming come on Bullion you can do it. Keep on going, just a little farther. Just one foot in front of the other. Come on, almost there, you can do it; don’t quit now, you’re almost there. And they encouraged me all the way to the finish line. And just like they encouraged me to the finish line there is a crowd of witnesses up in heaven running beside you and I today, and they are saying don’t quit, you can make it.
Now let’s talk about the cloud of witnesses watching and cheering and encouraging us.
1. Noah. Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Imagine how Noah feels when he looks down and sees us not standing for Christ, and not being willing to stand by ourselves. Think of how he stood! Think how he must feel as he watches us when we are unwilling to stand.
2. Abraham. Hebrews 11:8. Abraham left his home and everything he had--his kindred, his family, his race--to look for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker is God. He gave up everything for the will of God. Think how he must feel when he looks down from Heaven and sees us not willing to give up things for God and not willing to do God's will. Let us always be careful to realize that Abraham is watching us while we run the race.
3. Moses. Hebrews 11:23-26 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Moses could have been the king of Egypt. He gave up the throne, power, authority and riches of Egypt. He chose rather to suffer affliction with God's people. He counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt. As we are prone to gather riches and wealth, let us think of the fact that Moses watches us from the heavenly grandstand. Is he proud of us when we want fame, popularity, power, authority and money? Moses is watching us as we try to garner things for ourselves.
4. Joshua. Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.Ah, what faith Joshua had as he caused the walls of Jericho to fall! When our faith is weak, we should stop to realize the great man of faith, Joshua, is watching us. When we have battles to fight, we should be reminded that Joshua is in the grandstand.
5. Gideon. Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Gideon was not afraid of the mighty armies of the enemy. When we fear, let us remember that Gideon is watching us from the grandstand.
6. Jesus. Let us not forget that the one who left the glories and beauty, and love of heaven and came down to earth to be poor, despised, tortured, and murdered is also looking from those grandstands of heaven. He is seated at the right hand of God, and ever intercedes for you and I.
I was helping my dad put together the pressure washer I got him, and the look on his face was priceless. As we worked together to finish the project, there was an overwhelming sense of joy about working with dad, and seeing how much happiness the job brought him. I cannot comprehend the feeling of working with Jesus to finish a job, and thinking that He has as much happiness in it as I have. We do not run this race for ourselves, but because God wants us to finish our race on earth, so that He will have someone to be proud of.