1. Hebrews 12:1 Let us lay aside every weight

2. 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, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

3. Let us lay aside every weight Consider…. 1...the therefore in chapter 11 2...the faith of these people 3...the weights they laid aside 4…that we also must have faith and lay aside every weight we have

4. Let us lay aside every weight The Bible defines faith for us. Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old received divine approval. By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.

5. God created world by His word

6. Let us lay aside every weight Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith! How can you increase what you dont have to begin with? Must begin with a belief in God, otherwise our service is empty. And if we believe in God we need to believe His words. Luke 6:46-49

8. Faith of Abel Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he received approval as righteous, God bearing witness by accepting his gifts; he died, but through his faith he is still speaking. Genesis 4:1-7 Did Cain get Gods approval? Do we want Gods approval? Did Cain want Gods approval?

9. Let us lay aside every weight It is not us that needs to approve of God. That is a mistake. Think about what we expect God to take from us. How can we possibly serve without faith? We need to follow Gods commands, have faith in Him if we wish to have His approval. Hebrews 10:23

10. Let us lay aside every weight Hebrews 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

11. Let us lay aside every weight Genesis 5:22-24 Enoch walked with God after the birth of Methuselah three hundred years, and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Do we have an enduring faith?

12. Let us lay aside every weight Hebrews 12:2-3 looking to Jesus the pioneer 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. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

13. Let us lay aside every weight Hebrews 12:4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. We have a ways to go. But we must find our faith, and do Gods will so it will grow. And when the storms do come, we can endure them. And have a home in heaven with God. Hebrews 12:5-8

14. Let us lay aside every weight Are you struggling with something as a Christian? Galatians 6:1-2 Do you want to become a Christian? Matthew 7:13-14 Can we help you and direct you to Jesus, who is the way, truth and life?