3. We Are Not Alone in the Race
Hebrews 12:1a Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses…
Hebrews 10:39 …we are not of them…but of them…
Hebrews 11:40 …that they without us should not be made perfect
“Cloud”—an indistinguishable mass of people
God (II Peter 3:9)
Christ (Acts 7:55-56)
Angels (I Pet.1:12)
We Are Not Alone in the Race

4. We Are Not Alone in the Race
I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it
“Common”—human, goes along with being human
We Are Not Alone in the Race

5. We Are Hindered in the Race
Hebrews 12:1b Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us…
“Weight”—encumbrance, anything that hinders
“Beset”—to wrap around, encircle
Our besetting sins are individual
Consider the besetting sins of Bible characters:
Samson
Peter
Judas
We Are Hindered in the Race

6. We Are Hindered in the Race
Hebrews 12:1c …and let us run…the race that is set before us.
“Race”—the generic word for contest, not the specific word for “race” (I Corinthians 9:24-25)
Our races are individualized
II Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully
The rules are the same
We Are Hindered in the Race

7. Hebrews 12:1c …and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
“Patience”—the ability to stay under (11:1)
II Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness
Not because of ignorance of danger/pain
Not because of stubbornness
Out of obedience
We Must Finish the Race

8. Hebrews 12:2 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
“For…”—in exchange for the joy set before Him…
“Endured”—same as patience
“IS set down”—present tense
The shame could not take away the victory
We Must Finish the Race

9. Are You Running Your Race?
We are not alone in the race
We are often hindered in the race
We must finish the race
Are You Running Your Race?

10. Consider During the Lord’s Supper:
I Peter 2: …Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed Himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls
Consider During the Lord’s Supper: