THE CHRISTIAN RACE
TEXT: Hebrews 12:1-3
INTRODUCTION:
A. Hebrews 12:1-3 Thesis: to compare the Christian life to a race and show the motivations we have to run so as to win the race.
B. Popularity of games - we naturally like contests.
C. This passage uses sports as a figure. There are others, such as a voyage, a warfare,
boxing, wrestling, etc.
D. The Olympic games popular in first century - even now.
1. The first held in 776 B.C. Heralds announced. Wars stopped for states to compete
in Olympic games at Olympia, 60 miles NW of Sparta in ancient Greece.
2. Isthmian games also, near Corinth in honor of Poseidon.
3. Time measured by Olympiad: 4 year period between games.

I. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS LIKE A RACE.
A. It is a great and arduous struggle.
1. Acts 14:22 “Through many tribulations enter into the Kingdom of God”.
2. We must be willing to endure, or suffer hardship, 2 Timothy 2:3.
B. It requires fixedness of purpose: “set before us”.
1. For the prize to be won the goal must be kept in view, Philippians 3:13,14.
C. The preparation must be diligent in successful running.
1. “Lay aside every weight”. Olympic youths trained with weights.
a. These were discarded at the time of entrance to run with fleetness.
2. These are sins that “beset us so easily”. Apostasy? Hebrews 6:4-6.
a. Sin generally, especially unbelief. “Jesus is the Son of God”,
Matthew 16:16.
b. What is your besetting sin? Drinking? Adultery? Covetousness?
Soon angry?
c. Tongue? Put all away, Colossians 3:5-10.
d. Lay aside weights on heart. Why? Matthew 15:18; 12:34;
Proverbs 4:23.
e. Must renounce sin or give up the race.
D. It involves steadfastness, perseverance. “run with patience”.
1. A good runner doesn’t give up. Ex. basketball: NC vs. Houston, NCAA
finals ‘83.
a. The tortoise and the hare. Who won? Why?
b. Example Roger Bannister.
2. A good Christian plods on faithfully, patiently, 1 Corinthians 15:58; James
5:7,8,10,11.

II. THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES: MOTIVATING FORCES FOR US.
A. Amid our afflictions and temptation, there are two motivating forces to spur us on
to steadfastness in the race.
1. Cf. the gallery, spectators at a race, the cheers give confidence,
encouragement.
2. Who are they?
a. O.T. and N.T. witnesses
b. Jesus, our example, 1 Peter 2:21.
B. The great cloud: stops our excuses, prevents our using them.
1. Excuse of wealth, position, fame: Moses, Hebrews 11:24-27.
2. Excuse of popularity: Daniel, 1-6. Popular to worship image, not pray to
God.
2. Excuse of “too far to church”: Eunuch, Acts 8:25-38 went 1000 miles in
chariot to Jerusalem.
3. Excuse of “commandments too hard”: Abraham, Hebrews 11:8-10; Paul, Philippians 3:7,8; 4:11-13.
5. Excuse of “cost too great”: Stephen, Acts 7:51-60. Preached truth,
gave life for it.
C. Jesus, our example, 12:2,3. None in Hebrews 11 can compare to Him.
1. Not merely glance, but gaze fixedly, “survey cross”.
2. He is our pattern, 1 Peter 2:20-22, our example.
3. Two sides to the picture.
a. His humiliation, Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 12:2b.
b. His exaltation, Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 12:2c.
4. What Jesus is: Author (captain), Prince, Head, Shepherd of all people of
faith.
5. No other example of faith like Him:
a. By faith He conquered Satan, Matthew 4:1-11.
b. By faith endured agonies of
1) Gethsemane, Matthew 26:36-46.
2) Gabbatha, John. 19:13, - “gainsaying”, Hebrews 12:3.
3) Golgotha, John 19:17.
c. “Consider Him”: He endured. He was victorious, 1 Corinthians
15:57.
6. This was joy to Him because of His love for God, Man and Truth.
a. Chose heavenly joy-unpleasant task led to “sat down at the right
hand of God.”

CONCLUSION:
A. Let us not grow weary, nor faint in our souls.
B. The prize is too great, the consequences of losing too grievous.
C. In this race, everyone can win the prize.