Preaching Idea: A Different kind of Race.pptx

Running the race

1. Usain Bolt Usain St Leo Bolt Born August 21, 1986 Jamaican Sprinter (Retired, 2017) 100-meter and 200-meter Gold Medalist at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016) Considered as the greatest sprinter of all time (aka fastest man alive)

2. Usain Bolt An average sprinting speed will range between 20-30km/h Usain Bolt’s average ground speed was 37.58km/h. His top speed was 44.72km/h.

3. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

4. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ERV) We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall.  2  We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.

5. A Different kind of Race Hebrews 12:1-2

6. What makes this race unique? This race is not a competition. This race is spiritual, but its track/field is the world. This race doesn’t require any sprint/running equipment, it requires faith. Its reward is not a medal nor a trophy. A Different kind of Race | Hebrews 12:1-2

7. How to run this different kind of race?

8. We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall.  1. Leave Behind Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,” In this race, it’s up to you if you want to carry a bag. Galatians 5:19-21 19  The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;  20  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  21  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 19  The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: committing sexual sin, being morally bad, doing all kinds of shameful things,  20  worshiping false gods, taking part in witchcraft, hating people, causing trouble, being jealous, angry or selfish, causing people to argue and divide into separate groups,  21  being filled with envy, getting drunk, having wild parties, and doing other things like this. I warn you now as I warned you before: The people who do these things will not have a part in God’s kingdom.

9. 1. Leave Behind Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,” In this race, it’s up to you if you want to carry a bag. God wants you to carry these things: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) In this race, you must carry a fruit instead of stones.

10. 2. Look Ahead Hebrews 12:2 “ looking to Jesus , the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ” Why look to Jesus? Why look to Jesus? He is at the end of the race, waiting for you. He’s the one that will give you the reward.

11. 3. Keep going Hebrews 12:1 “So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. ” You must run with endurance. You must run with faith because faith produces perseverance. This race will develop you to be Christ-like James 1:3 “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Romans 5:3-5 “ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  4  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

12. How to run this different kind of race? Leave Behind Look Ahead Keep going Look behind Stop looking Ahead Going behind

13. If this race is not a competition, why do we need to run? Running is a symbol of eagerness or zeal. Romans 12:11 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

14. If the reward is not a medal nor a trophy, what is my reward? You’ll receive the crown of life. James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

15. Has anyone already received this reward? Yes, these were the witnesses that surrounds us Hebrews 12:1 “ We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit .”

16. Abraham Hebrews 11:8-16 8  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.  9  By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.  10  For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.  11  By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.  12  Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 13  These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  14  For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.  15  If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.  16  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17. Moses Hebrews 11:24-29 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,  25  choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  26  He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.  27  By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.  28  By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29  By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.