From the Epistle to the Hebrews, we'll begin to read in Hebrews chapter 11 at verse 32. We'll read into chapter 12 through verse 13. Our text this morning is found in the first two verses of chapter 12, are somewhat of a conclusion to the familiar beloved 11th chapter where we have the list of many of God's people who lived by faith. We hear the word of God in Hebrews chapter 11 beginning at verse 32. And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, 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. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 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. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin, and ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children. My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons. For what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous. Nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Thus far, we read from God's infallibly inspired word. As I said, our text this morning is found here in the epistle to the Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1 and 2. Verses 1 and 2. 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. Beloved congregation, in our Lord Jesus Christ, our text is, as I said, somewhat of a conclusion to the familiar 11th chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews. The 11th chapter presents to us that glorious list of so-called heroes of faith. All of these saints of God were characterized by faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Many examples of The faithfulness of God's people have been pointed out. Even specific incidents in their lives, particular acts or deeds by which it became evident that they lived by faith have been presented here. In Hebrews 11, we see Abel and Enoch and Noah They are referred to of those who lived before the great flood. In the period after the flood, we have particular instances in the lives of Abraham and Sarah, the patriarchs Isaac and Jacob, also Joseph are pointed out, Abraham and Jacobed, the parents of Moses, Moses himself, Joshua, Rahab, The crossing of the Red Sea, the capture of Jericho are noticed. In all of these examples, faith had gained the victory. Many more illustrations could be given from the period of the judges, of the kings, of the prophets. The writer, realizing that there would virtually be no end to his list, simply mentions a few more names and what these saints have done and endured and suffered by the power of faith. And one certainly cannot help but be struck by the diligence, the faithfulness of God's people, especially in times of adversity and trial, how they were ready to forego the pleasures of the earth, ready to face the trials and tribulations that would be heaped upon them, looking always for that new Jerusalem, the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And this list of examples of faith, as we noted, is by no means complete. They are typical of a vast multitude of saints throughout the ages who lived by faith and who died by faith. And so we have the conclusion. Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run the race. We are reminded that our running, the race, is connected with a running that has been going on throughout the ages of history. From the time of faithful Abel, even until the present day, there have been God's children who have walked, yea, run, as pilgrims and strangers in the earth, and it's our calling gratitude to our God to continue in that same faith. This morning we notice our calling, even as we look toward the future and to the new year, which will soon be upon us. We look at our ongoing calling to run the race. to run with patience the race that is set before us. It's in this light that we consider our text under the theme, Exhorted to Run the Race. And we notice first of all the race, secondly the running, and finally the beautiful incentive that is given us to run. The writer to the Hebrews uses a very graphic figure in our text comparing the life of the child of God to a race that must be run. The figure of a race and of athletic contests is not one foreign in the New Testament scriptures. This was language derived from their everyday lives in this world. The phrase running the race is derived from the great feasts that were celebrated in ancient Greece, for example, during the days in which this epistle was written. Races were familiar to most people some 2,000 years ago, just as they are today. There are runners in contests. The race was one of the chief events in the Grecian games Runners would enter races competing one against the other. The runners would lay aside all that might hinder them in the race. They would exert themselves to the utmost. This figure of a race implies several things. First of all, it certainly points to a goal prize. In any race, the runner always has something toward which he would run. He has that goal to reach, the prize to obtain. He wants to reach that goal and hopefully break every previous record. In the days of ancient Greece, it was usually a crown of olive leaves or some other material that was the prize. Today, perhaps the goal would be a trophy or a gold medal or even a monetary prize. But always the runners have nothing else in their minds that is more important than that goal that is set before them. In the second place, the figure of a race suggests a specific course. Always there is a prescribed course along which every runner must go in order to obtain the goal. The course could vary according to the race. Might be a long, difficult course. Might be a short run, sprint. Could be very difficult or relatively easy, but always there was a specific course. And often that course would contain various sorts of obstacles which the runners had to attempt to overcome. As well, the figure of a race implies the considerable effort and preparation on the part of the runner. The runner had to train for the contest and to be diligent and faithful in preparing himself for the race. This wasn't something that could be simply decided upon on the spur of the moment, but for weeks, months, even years, he must train himself, had to exercise diligently He would have to sacrifice many things. He was not able to indulge himself and say, I will eat and drink and be merry until the time of the race. He had to be moderate, live a life of temperance, of self-control. The apostle speaks of that in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. where he's also using that figure of running a race. And in verse 25, the first part we read, and every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Temperate in all things. The runner could not be distracted from his training. He could not very well spend his time enjoying the pleasures round about him. He could not stay out all night partying before the race and then expect to be ready for that race. He need be well rested in top physical condition in order to properly be prepared to run the race. And all of this has its counterpart for us as God's children, for the Church of Christ. This Word of God exhorts us, let us run the race. This race is exactly descriptive of the Christian's path through life. Our pilgrim journey in the midst of this world is a race. We have a goal too. A prize for which we run, not an earthly goal, not earthly success or riches or honor or popularity or fame. Not merely gold medals. The goal is the crown of life. The incorruptible crown. The goal is that victory which is already attained for God's people through our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the Apostle Paul calls the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The goal, in a word, is heaven. Fellowship and communion with God in his glorious kingdom. Let us understand, never is that goal something we merit. We receive that crown of life by grace. All has been fulfilled by Christ. His atoning work, His suffering and death upon that accursed tree of the cross. As we read, Christ endured the cross, despising the shame. But nevertheless, we have that crown and this race set before us. And though we do not merit that prize, running the race is the way in which we receive it. And we are exhorted to run. And further, to attain that goal, there is the course set before us. pilgrimage in the midst of this world, and every child of God runs that course. We older folks are still running, though physically our mobility may be somewhat limited, still running. Those who are younger, parents, young men, young women in the prime of life, are running the race. You young people are also running the race. Even you children, you're already running, already in the race. Yes, there's a time that our little ones have to be carried. We're running the race with a little one on our hip, so to speak. But even in that, we are preparing them to run the race. The course may vary. Some runners face greater difficulties than others. Some face more obstacles and impediments than others. Some face In difficult times of suffering and pain, anguish, sorrow, others comparatively perhaps face but little. There are various hardships and adversities with which we contend. Some in running the race face severe opposition. mockery, even persecution. By the grace of God, we run the race, that course which God has set before us. And along that course we go until finally God, in his faithfulness, brings us to the goal. And for us as God's children, there is also that faithful effort that we might be prepared to run the race. Literally, our text has the idea that this race is an agonizing contest, a race so trying that it requires every ounce of strength, every reserve of energy to run it. It is serious business. This isn't fun and games. And for us to careful, Wholehearted preparation is essential. As God's children, we cannot be distracted by all that's going on around us. We cannot set our hearts upon the things earthly. We cannot enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season and also be ready and find time to run the race. We must be in spiritual shape to run. Practically speaking, that implies several things. It implies that we search the scriptures daily, meditating upon God's Word. God's Word is our guide, reveals to us the only way God's word gives us a spiritual strength as it is applied by his spirit so that we are equipped to run each day again. And we pray. Prayer is the spiritual exercise we must perform, must pray in order to run. As strange as it may sound, we are preparing for the race, spending much time upon our knees in prayer. No running is possible except that the child of God comes in earnest prayer and supplication before God. We prepare for the race each Lord's Day, seeking the means of grace, the faithful preaching of the gospel, the proper administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ. And we also seek the fellowship and communion of our fellow saints. Understand, we do not run this race isolated as individuals, but as part of the body of Christ. We read, let us run the race. I've learned a lot about running the race, even from the perspective of granddaughters being involved in cross-country running. I always had the notion that running, race, was totally in. If there's one sporting activity that was individualistic, it had to be running. On your own. Every man for himself. But then I see cross-country team and the closeness, the camaraderie, the encouragement, the help, the exhorting of one another in preparation at the finish line, the goal, even along the course of the race. Thanks be to God, we do not run alone. Must be there to help and encourage each other. to exhort one another. We are in this together. We need each other. Must seek each other's help. Seek each other's welfare. From this perspective too, how wonderful is the communion of the saints. But how? How are we to run this race? There is a way in which this race must be run. And we read, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us. Clearly there are weights which can easily hinder a runner. Of course, that's true in a physical, natural race. In ancient times, participants in a race would often run even without a stitch of clothing. so as to be free, unencumbered from all weight. Even in modern times, athletes who compete in such races wear only the barest minimum of clothing and the lightest of shoes. A runner who would keep on all of his regular clothing, in that day, a long flowing robe would be greatly hindered in his running, of course. He would probably stumble and fall. He would find that others would beat him to the goal. The runner must lay aside these weights, must cast off any clothing that would slow him down. In addition, sometimes runners would practice and prepare for the race with weights strapped to their arms or to their legs. And when the day of the race would come, they could lay aside those weights, and feeling all the lighter, they could run the faster. But at the time of the race, the weights had to be laid aside. No intelligent runner would ever retain anything that would hinder him in the race. And so it is too, in the race of the child of God, in the midst of this world, There are many weights that would hinder us. Weights of materialism and worldly-mindedness. Weights of the lusts and desires of the flesh. Weights of our own sinful pride or self-esteem. Weights of envy. Hatred, bitterness, even things can become weights. Things like the internet, or television, or sports, even work. These things can become weights. They are not necessarily such, but if they're not in the proper perspective, they become weights. And these weights slow us down. They often cause us to even be a hindrance unto our fellow runners. They often virtually drag us backward. Difficult to run with one's heart set upon earthly wealth or success. Difficult to run the race encumbered with the pleasures of the world. For then, sad to say, you would see runners leaving the course to blow some money, to enjoy some carnal pleasures, to receive some worldly honor. A runner cannot concentrate upon the race if his heart is filled with jealousy, envy, hatred, bitterness against fellow runners. And so all of us will find, if we truly examine ourselves, that we foolishly carry many burdens, many weights as we strive to run. One day we will be very sorry that we tried to drag these weights along. And so it is that our text admonishes us to drop them, cast them off, lay aside every weight. They only hinder us in the running of the race. And the apostle focuses in upon them, the contents of these weights, as the sin which doth so easily beset us. Sin. Besetting sins are weights. Of course, this refers to sin in general. It's the very character of sin to try and slow us down prevent us from reaching the goal. When we are weighted down by sin, we stumble and stagger and often fall. Often sin would lead us from the track, from the race course. But of course that's not true of all sin in the same manner. There's a difference between various sins as to their attraction for different individuals. One person might be inclined to be greedy, another pleasure-loving, another proud, another lustful, someone else weak in some other respect. Though we are all liable to sin, though we must be sure to lay aside all sin, it's also true that we have our particular weak spots. Certain sins beset us much more easily than others. And it is especially against these besetting personal sins that we must guard. All of these we must, by the grace of God, consciously put aside. In true sorrow of heart, we must forsake these sins, manifesting heartfelt repentance. We must shun them, avoid them, flee from them. Literally. Throw them aside, brush them off, for they are hindering weights. And positively, we are instructed to run with patience. More literally, with endurance, with perseverance. Earthly races oftentimes involve running, which causes the runner to tire. To put it mildly, think of running a marathon, some 26 miles. After running but part of the course, no doubt one can feel ready to give up. No doubt one's legs could feel as though they were lead or perhaps worn out rubber bands. And one's breathing becomes difficult, painful. One can hardly take another stride. And yet the runner is called to persevere, run with patience, endurance, pushing yourself, let's tell ourselves to go on, continue, in order to attain the goal. And the child of God experiences much the same in a spiritual sense. In running the race, we face obstacles. As we pointed out, opposition, hatred, mockery, many trials and tribulations, many pressures to give up, throw in the towel, compromise, drop out. And often we grow weary. We may become discouraged. We may wonder if the race will ever be finished. we may begin to question the Lord's wisdom in giving us this specific course we are called to run. We are called to run with patience, to endure, to persevere, That means that we do not give up in the face of adversity. We don't succumb to the weight of our sins. We keep the goal in mind and we struggle to overcome by the grace of God in spite of all our impediments. And we remember that God will never tempt us above that which we are able to bear. The Scriptures encourage us, reminding us that the source of this patience, this endurance, is faith. Faith provides the impetus of patience. We read in Paul's letter to the Romans in chapter 5, verses 2 through 5, by whom also, referring to Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us. Indeed, faith provides the impetus for that patience. We cannot, of course, see that goal set before us, not with these earthly eyes, And of ourselves, we would oft be inclined to quit the race, give up. But faith, faith which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, faith, the eye of faith sees the unseen goal, produces patience. So that in spite of all the obstacles, we continue. And our text exhorts us to keep on running. And to that end, the text provides a marvelous incentive for us. First of all, we have the encouragement from so great a cloud of witnesses. We read, wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. And again, remember there are not just a few who have already run this race, who have by the grace of God been faithful in the past. It is an innumerable host. God's people from generation to generation How great is thy faithfulness. Think of the list of the examples of faith mentioned in previous context of chapter 11, called here a cloud of witnesses presented as a great multitude. They've all run the race and they have finished their course. that they are witnesses does not mean that they are here looking at us, that they are seeing what we are doing. The idea is not that they are spectators of the race which we run. They are not lining the course, cheering us on to victory. That's not the idea. Remember, they have run their race. They have lived and died and gone on to their eternal inheritance, to their reward in glory. They do not participate actively in the race which we run, but rather this cloud of witnesses represents those who by their lives in the midst of this world gave testimony to the church of the power of God's work in his people, the power of God's grace, yea, of the power of faith. They witnessed to us through the legacy of their faith recorded in the scriptures, even here in Hebrews 11. And they urge us to follow their example, encouraging us to run with patience, to persevere. And remember that they witnessed from experience. They ran the race of faith. They won the victor's crown. They overcame immense obstacles, persevering by faith. Note again what we read in Hebrews 11, verses 36 and 37. 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. By the grace of God, they threw aside the weights of sin, And they looked for the things unseen. And in all their testimony, we see that the faith of God worked within the hearts of his people is of such a nature that it sustains us and strengthens us even to the end. And beloved, we need that encouragement. And God has given us that encouragement in his word of truth. We see again and again that God never forsakes his people, that he provides for them in their every need, that by his grace they finish their course. With such witnesses, we can continue, we can persevere in running the race. But much more, there is also Encouragement presented in verse 2, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He is the supreme example and incentive for the running of our race with patience. Let us not forget for a moment that His race was the most difficult of all to run. He was called to walk the path, yea, run the path of perfect obedience unto His Father. And that course set before Him led to the cross. And don't forget that he had the most and greatest obstacles in his path. Let us not forget that he had to run the race with the weight of the sin and guilt of all his people upon him and with the necessity of making perfect atonement for his own. Our race is nothing. compared with that difficult way that our Lord had to run. Our obstacles, our difficulties, our sufferings pale in comparison to His. He had to run the perfect race in spite of constant opposition. while bearing the tremendous burden of the sins of all his people. And on the cross, he had to atone for all those sins of his own. And never did the Lord Jesus falter or fail. He ran that race perfectly. This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. He endured the shame and the cross, and by perfect patience, obtained the victory. And now, He is our example. We are exhorted to look unto Him, who is even now set down at the right hand of the throne of God, exalted as our Lord and King of glory. He must always be before our minds and hearts, must look beyond this present time, beyond the obstacles, the weights, the sins, the temptations we face from day to day. We must see Christ by faith. But understand then, He is much more than our example. If that's all he is, then we are in reality still left to run the race in our own strength. And then we shall surely fail. In spite of encouragements from that great cloud of witnesses, in spite of Christ's example, we would fail. Beloved Christ is also power whereby we run, for he is the author of our faith. He is the first principle of our faith. We are chosen in Him from eternity. And all the faith that we have comes from Him. We are united unto Him by a true and living faith. And He is the finisher of our faith. He is our guarantee of attaining the goal. He brings our faith to its perfection and completion. holds before us the things unseen, the things hoped for, all the glories of his kingdom, everlasting life, that better heavenly country, that city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And so it is that we cannot fail in the race. He, as the author, bestows upon us that gift of a true and living faith. And by the power of that faith, he enables us to run the race. And as the finisher of our faith, he brings our faith to perfection in himself. Beloved, let us run the race. Run the race that is set before you with patience. Lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset you. Heed the encouragement, as it were, of that great cloud of witnesses. Look unto Jesus who, for the glory that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and who sits upon the right hand of God's throne. Are you running? Children, are you already running? Running the race? Fighting the battle of faith from day to day? By grace, may we be able to say with the Apostle Paul, I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. Let us give God the glory. Amen. Most merciful and gracious Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Thy Word. By Thy Spirit, impress it upon our hearts and minds. be applied unto our lives as young and old alike, we continue to run the race that is set before us. May we do so with patience, persistence, endurance, casting aside those weights of sin, looking only and ever upon the captain of our salvation, even Jesus Christ. Forgive us our faltering. Even from day to day, be merciful. Lead us in the way everlasting. For Jesus' sake, amen. We pray that you were edified by the preaching of the gospel today. Please join us for worship if you are ever in the area. 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