Friday, January 9, 2009, Part 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 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who 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 12:1-3).
IDEA: We are to think of the Christian life as a race in which we compete with ourselves.
PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that the Christian life is a constant challenge that demands faith.
Do you know anyone who runs a marathon?
• How long a race is it? 26 miles, 385 yards.
• Do the people you know who run the marathon expect to win?
• Why do people run a marathon? They want to run their “personal best.”
• What does that mean?
I. The New Testament uses the strange image of a race to picture the life of faith.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (above) and 1 Corinthians 9:24-27—"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
It's strange that the New Testament writers would use favorably the idea of a race as part of the Greek games.
The Jews in the Dispersion who lived in Greek cities would not attend the games.
The Greek word gymnos means "naked." The Greek athletes weren't self-conscious about their bodies. They played the games and ran the races unencumbered with clothes. The Jews were squeamish about nudity.
The Jews also felt – with good reason – that the gymnasiums were also places of homosexual conduct.
Paul, writing to the Corinthians, and the author of the letter to the Hebrews, overlooked that side of the race. They both appreciated the athlete's dedication and perseverance.
II. In Hebrews 12:1-2, how does the writer use aspects of the games to picture the Christian life?
The writer pictures a stadium with spectators who cheer on the competitors.
We are to throw off "everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us."
We are to run with "perseverance" the course that is set before us.