Hymn: Christian seek not yet repose.

Topic: Running the Christian Race with Focus

Text: Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the
race marked out for us,

2. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and
lose heart.

Introduction.

The writer of Hebrew wrote to encourage the early Christians at a time when they were facing
severe trials from Roman emperors for their faith in Jesus Christ. The author feared that they
might turn away from Christ to avoid further persecution. By some reports, Christ followers are
also being persecuted more than ever in our days in some parts of the world. It is hard to imagine
the temptation that persecutions brings when we are not going through persecutions in this way.
Christians who live in peace and comforts often compromise their faith even without threats.
Therefore, the title of this message is Running the Christian race with Focus. I shall briefly
share with us why we need to run this race with focus, how we must run the Christian race and
who to consider as role model in running the Christian race.

Outline.

1. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Heb 12:1

1. We are surrounded by great cloud of witnesses. Heb 12:1. We are not the first to run this
Christian race. Many have ran it, many are running it and will yet run this race after us. The word
witness in Greek is rendered matryron. They were men and women who have run the race and
have laid Christ examples for us to follow. They were champions of faith as spectators from
heavens cheering us as we press on in our Christian race. They went through several trials for
their faith and were victorious. They were tortured, imprisoned, stoned to death, sawn into two,
killed by the sword, went about in sheep and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, mistreated and
wandered on mountains and caves Heb11:36-37.
These were the men that formed cloud of witnesses. They are looking at us as spectators in a
stadium surround and observe the players. We are also surrounded by angels and men who watch
our faith and conducts.

As people with understanding of being surrounded by cloud of witnesses, angels and men, we
are instructed to put away, throw off, lay aside everything that hinders, put away every
mass of load that constitutes a weight to our traveling light and the sin that easily entangles.
Things that hinder may not necessarily be sinful yet they are the works produce by the flesh.
Such include love for pleasures such as oversleeping, game addiction, entertainment,
overfeeding, and unrestrained sexual urge: The sin that easily entangles in Greek is
euperistaton meaning easily admired, easily encircling, easily trips. it is the flesh (sinful nature)
with all its activities as sexual immorality, fits of rage, impurities, lying, drunkenness, hatred,
selfish ambition, and factions) as stated in Galatia 5:19. Can I ask you, what is it that trips you
off balance in your Christian walk? Is it anger, sexual immorality, lying, social media like
youtube, facebook, whatapp, instagram etc

We must understand that we are being surrounded by cloud of witnesses, and therefore run the
race marked out for us with perseverance. The race we are running is not a sprint. It is a
marathon. We must run with sense of endurance.

J Wilbur chapman one of history’s great preachers, formulated what he called “my rule for
Christian living” and it is a rule we should endeavor to live by. He said, “the rule that governs
my life is this: anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible
Study, or cramps my prayer life or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me, and I
must as a Christian turn away from it”

2. Fixing Our eyes on Jesus. Heb 12:2. This underscores the need to be focus as we walk with
the Lord. There are distractions all around. We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and
perfecter of our faith. In the days of the early Christians, their distractions were largely
persecutions. In our days especially in this part of the world, it is comforts. The danger that
comforts pose is great. When the children of Israel sinned against God by murmuring in the
wilderness, God sent venomous snakes to bite and kill them. They prayed to God, and asked God
to remove the venomous snakes. God told Moses to make a brazen serpent and hung it on the
pole. He said whoever looked on the brazen serpent, though bitten by the poisonous snake, shall
live. Their victory over the power of the snake is just to keep looking on the brazen serpent. As
many who looked at the brazen snakes experience the power of the cross as it sucks out the
injected poison of the snakes (Numbers 21:9). The same is applicable to us. When distracted,
bitten by the power of sin, just fix your gaze on Jesus. Ask yourself always, what would Jesus
have done in this situation?
The young prophet from Judah was killed by lion because he lost focus on the instruction given
to him by God that he should not eat, drink or returned by the way he came. The old prophet
deceived and lied to him that the angel of God told him to bring the young man of God back to
his house 1King 13: 1-24. Martha was distracted with service at the expense of fellowship with
the Lord Jesus. Demas was distracted having loved this present world. Can I ask you, what is it
that is distracting you from running your race? Identify it and fix your gaze on the Lord as He fix
it for you.

Jesus himself fix his eyes on the joy set before him. He endured the cross, despise its shame and
was raised up to sit at God’s right hand. We must glory in the cross with joy and despise its
shame.

3. Considering Jesus. Heb12:3 Jesus is our perfect example in life. He is the one we are to
consider as we make decisions in life. Christ endured the opposition of sinners. He was insulted
and mocked by men. He was beaten and was eventually crucified. Jesus is our pattern and
yardstick for measuring our response as we face challenges in our Christian walk. As much as it
is good to look up to Pastors, General Overseers, mentors and disciplers, we only follow them as
much as they follow Christ. You become more conform to His image as you consider Him in
your daily activities. There are several distractions in our days but as we consider Jesus,
weariness and fainting disappear from our hearts in Jesus name.

Conclusion.
In conclusion the following are the benefits of running a focused Christian life.
1. It gives meaning to your life.
2. It simplifies your life. It define what you do and what you don’t do.
3. It helps to live an effective Christian life
4. It delivers you from aimless distractions
5. It prepares you for eternity.