Running for the Joy

November 3, 1991

Hebrews 11:39-12:1-3

Introduction

Halloween is a corruption of All Hallow's Eve, and comes on the eve of a special day in the church calendar, a day that is a good time to get a perspective on where we fit in the list of those who follow our God.set aside to think about those who have run the race of faith before us.

There is mystery involved, of course, whenever we think of the hereafter. Not too many places does the scripture draw back the curtain and give us any hint of what is going on with the Church Triumphant. Personally, I can live with a certain amount of mystery. There is a mind-set that views all mystery, even Holy mystery, as merely "problems to be solved." But I have the abiding conviction that God will reveal to us all that we need to know; we don't need some super-prophet explaining esoteric portions of scripture in order to have all that God has for us.

I. THERE IS A "MYSTIC SWEET COMMUNION WITH THOSE WHOSE REST IS WON"

  1. Hebrews 11:39-40 "And all these, having gained (God's) approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect."

    The saints, even the saints of the Bible, are depending on US to complete the task of being God's people. [Dr. Paul Bassett said just this week, "Abraham needs us!"] The saints of Hebrews 11 have an interest in how the church does its task; we, in turn, are expected to join the list of Hebrews 11, the list of those who live by faith!

  2. These great saints inspire us with their witness. That is at least some of what the "cloud of witnesses" implies.

    And not just the saints in Hebrews 11, proper, either. The witnesses who have been added to the roll of heroes is long! Witnesses who have "made it!" I have watched a number of God's people in the travail of dying. I think of them now and then with great respect and love. They seem to say to me from beyond, "We made it! We were true! You can be true where you are, too!"

  3. But it is not just those who have "gone on" who may be in this cloud of witnesses.
    1. There are other saints, contemporary saints, our brothers and sisters, who may be encouraged or disheartened by the way we run the race.
    2. And there are other saints— or saints-to-be, people who may be watching us, seeing how we live, not just what we say!

[But so much for the "cloud of witnesses— at least for now. The emphasis here is running— running this race to win.]

II. RUNNING THIS RACE FOR LIFE IS NOT EASY, BUT IT IS SIMPLE

There are just a few things we need to keep in mind.

  1. It is a LONG race. A marathon. The word is PATIENCE! The word is ENDURANCE! The word is DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT GIVING UP!

    Take time to prepare. Take time to put on the whole armor of God. Take time to pray through on the big decisions of life. Take time to BE before you try to DO.

  2. Don't carry unnecessary weight. "Lay aside every encumbrance." [Remember David refusing to let someone else equip him to follow his dream in armor that wouldn't come close to fitting.]
    1. Don't carry the heavy weight of living up to other people convictions or expectations. There are people in the ministry today because Pastor Jones or Pastor Smith or mom or dad thought that's where Mary or John ought to be— and by the same token, there are people in other professions today that God might well have called if some significant other person had not discouraged it. DON'T LET ANYONE BUT GOD MAKE YOUR BIG DECISIONS FOR YOU! IT IS TOO HEAVY TO CARRY!
    2. Don't carry the heavy weight of bitterness of spirit. (VERSE 15 "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; THAT NO ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP CAUSES TROUBLE and by it many be defiled."

      God has grace to help even the victims of cruel things to forgive; and the forgiver loses the heavy weight of bitterness, even though the forgiven person may not even appreciate it!

  3. Have an absolute INTOLERANCE FOR ALL SIN.
    1. I know this speaks of "a besetting sin," or "a sin that entangles." It might be construed as a character flaw or disposition that we have to live with and overcome. [I am a congenital worrier. It does not bless God when I worry. I seek by God's grace to lay it aside.]
    2. But it also may speak of a tendency to rationalize, to excuse cutting corners in situations where clear-cut issues are at stake.

      Dishonesty is always sin. Cheating in any form is always sin. Academic sins, or white collar sins are just as wrong and just as defeating as out-and-out stealing, car theft, or robbery.

      Immorality is always sin. Let me put it a little plainer: sexual intimacy outside of marriage is always sin. We can rationalize, we can plead that "everyone is doing it," but God's holy people lay aside all sin!

III. WE HAVE A WINNING COACH TO HELP US RUN A WINNING RACE

We are aware of the grandstand, and the "cloud of witnesses" can cheer us on and inspire us. But we do not look to the "cloud of witnesses" for our winning strategy. WE LOOK ONLY TO JESUS.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John were dumbfounded, awestruck, to see their Lord glorified, shining, and they were impressed when they realized that He was talking with MOSES and ELIJAH! They were about as impressed with finding out who those two great giants of the faith were as they were with the revelation of Christ's glory. Peter had the suggestion: "Let's build THREE booths here, one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah." He was quickly and kindly rebuffed by none other than the voice of God the Father: "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON! HEAR HIM!"

  1. "Consider Him!" It helps! Jesus endured! He bore the cross because He loved YOU! When you're tempted to quit, think about those who love you, think about those who may be hurt if you quit—yes— BUT MOST OF ALL THINK OF JESUS, WHO WOULDN'T QUIT UNTIL HE HAD DEFEATED SIN, DEATH, AND HELL FOR YOU! HE WOULDN'T QUIT!
  2. And Jesus is right with us in this race!

Communion is just such a time— a time to lift our eyes to Jesus. As we prepare now to partake together let us ask God the Holy Spirit to help us to "CONSIDER HIM!"

This is a life-and-death race. The winners get to see the Lord. The ones who drop out, or run other paths don't. The course is set before us. It starts right here, where we are tonight. It continues, according to 11:14 along the pathway of peace and holiness. "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord."

Holiness is not something exotic, for a distant glory, or by great spectacular sacrifices. The race is right here, day-by-day, set before us!

Jesus is the Life of the Church. He is with the Church Triumphant, and they enjoy His Presence in a way that we cannot yet know. But He is also with the Church Militant even though we walk by faith.

Prayer of Consecration Distribution of Elements