ENDURING FOR VICTORY

Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV 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, 2 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.

We are reminded that we are in a race. It’s not a race where the first to the finish line wins, but it is a race that requires you to endure to the end. The word (agon) translated race in the verse describes a conflict or struggle rather than a regular race and in the Bible is also translated as fight: 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

And as conflict:

Colossians 2:1-2 KJV For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Philippians 1:30 KJV Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

This race is a spiritual conflict against adversities, trials, tribulations, hindrances and obstacles that get in the way of our journey towards our goal our eyes set on Jesus for where HE goes we go.

We need to retain constant focus on Christ instead of our circumstances. Christ has done everything that is necessary for us to endure in the faith.  He is our example and model for we are reminded to look unto Him!

His focus was not on the shame, but on the joy that was set before Him. 

His focus was not on the agonies of the cross but on the crown after.

His focus was not on the present suffering but on the eternal reward.

DON'T JUST HANG ON...HANG IN: Decades ago, Oswald Chambers wrote about spiritual perseverance, defining it as... not to hang on and do nothing, but to work deliberately, knowing with certainty that God will never be defeated. The Bible is full of examples of men and women who didn't "just-hang-on" but rather "hung-in" with God, pressing for illumination, inspiration and insight. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

1. WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY SURROUNDING WITNESSES TO STAY THE COURSE.

We are not alone!

When we look around in what may be distress, despair, doubt and discouragement we are reminded that we are not alone. Completely surrounding us is a gigantic group, a massive multitude who has gone before. Like clouds they surround us and are standing up waving and cheering us on, NOT because they are looking at us right now from heaven, but through the example of their lives and testimonies, with all the tragedies, triumph, sorrows and success, they prove it can be done! We are to constantly read and study their records so that we can learn, be challenged and encouraged to pursue the course. The previous chapter (Hebrews 11) lists some of these witnesses and their claim to faith without which it is impossible to please God!

2. WE ARE COMMANDED TO LAY ASIDE EVERY HINDRANCE TO OUR PROGRESS

Every weight refers to all encumbrances. Athletes strip down to ensure there is nothing to hinder, no bloat, no excess baggage. The training weights and wheels are off. This is the real deal, no trial run, the actual event, not a demo.

The easily besetting sin: The tendency towards falling away, resulting from unbelief, and also in unbelief. It surrounds us, floods our senses and envelopes us until we become encumbered with everything pertaining to the world, which sinks its tendrils slyly and deceptively into us, draining us, clinging to us, entangling us as a snare and a net, often to the point of total spiritual immobilization. We’re appear normal to all but in the spirit we’re stuck.

2 Timothy 2:3-5 KJV Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.  5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

2 Peter 2:20 KJV For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

3. WE ARE EXHORTED TO RUN WITH PATIENCE

It requires perseverance, and steadfastness to complete the course. In a day where everybody wants everything done yesterday and are looking for an instant fix, we are exhorted to be patient! Even Rome was not built in a day and a Christian who would be victorious finds him/her self engaged in a work involving two lifetimes! It begins with time of the birth of your new life and ends at the time death of the old life!

Luke 9:62 KJV And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

A story is told of a farmer who was teaching his son to plow with a mule. "To make straight furrows, son, just pick out an object beyond the field and keep your eyes fixed on it." The boy nodded his understanding, and the farmer left.

When he came back an hour later, the farmer was shocked to see a field of twisted furrows. "What happened, son? I thought I told you to keep your eye on an object beyond the field."

"I did, Dad,"" the boy replied, pointing to the "standard" he had chosen--a cow in the adjoining pasture!

4. WE ARE REMINDED TO FOCUS ON JESUS

What you are focused on will be the brightest and clearest object in your vision! Well? What do you see most clearly? When your eyes are focused on one object all other objects in the field of vision looks blurred and only the object focused on, looks sharp. (Providing you have good eyesight of course!) The Greek word for looking (aphora) is only found here in the Bible and means: to look away from other things and steadfastly or intently toward a distant object, at that which fills the heart. The idea is to direct one’s attention without distraction. We therefore deliberately turn away from every distraction, obstruction with undivided attention towards the One that is the Originator and Perfector of our faith

Look … Look around and be distressed. Look inside and be depressed. Look at Jesus and be at rest. - Corrie Ten Boom

Why should we focus on Jesus?

A. He Is The Author And Finisher Of Our Faith.

He orchestrated it, started it and He finished it with a cry of triumph” It is finished!”

B. He Endured The Cross By Looking Beyond It (to the joy at the Father’s right hand!)

Psalms 16:11 KJV Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalms 45:7 KJV Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Also quoted in Heb 1:9)

C. He Despised The Shame

He totally disregarded the horror, humiliation, and curse attached to the cross; despising it because of the Glory beyond. He refuses to allow the shame of the cross to make Him detract in any way from fulfilling His Father’s will. It is as though He declared: if this is what it takes to get to where My Father wants me then this is what I will do, shame or no shame… so devil look to yourself, I am not stopping now!!!

What is the name of the cross that distress and embarrasses you…that makes you feel ashamed?

What hinders us from running this race??? 

What stands in our way???

What are the obstacles in our path???

I See Jesus
I don't look back: God knows the fruitless efforts,
The wasted hours the sinning, the regrets;
I leave them all with Him Who blots the record,
And mercifully forgives, and then forgets

I don't look forward, God sees all the future,
The road that, short or long, will lead me home,
And He will face with me its every trial,
And bear for me the burdens that may come.

I don't look round me: then would fears assail me,
So wild the tumult of earth's restless seas;
So dark the world, so filled with woe and evil,
So vain the hope of comfort or of ease.

I don't look in; for then am I most wretched;
Myself has naught on which to stay my trust;
Nothing I see save failures and short-comings,
And weak endeavors crumbling into dust.

But I look up -- into the face of Jesus,
For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled.
And there is joy, and love, and light for darkness,
And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled—

Annie Johnson Flint