## Running Patiently

## Hebrews 12:1-3

So far in our study we have defined spiritual maturity discussed some of the hindrances to it; and have looked at some of the practical steps toward it. Tonight we will continue our study with one of the most difficult steps for us to take: patience. Read Jas. 1:1-4. Here James spells out the process of the life of faith. Faith under trial produces patience and patience is more than just idle waiting, it has the connotation of endurance or Perseverance NOTE: Hebrews. 12:1-3. Notice the close connection here with endurance. Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that was beyond it.

I. The Exhortation to Persevere.

A. Read: Hebrews 10:31-37

1. The Hebrew Christians had at one time lived lives which were characterized by patience or perseverance.

2. But something had happened to dull the edge of their devotion and determination.

3. The connection between the tenth and eleventh chapters is this: in contrast to their present lifestyle, the true character of the Hebrews is that are men of faith.

B. The examples of perseverance.

1. Noah: patiently prepared the ark believing God. v7

2. Abraham: pressed on looking for the city of God. v9-10

3. Moses - endured or persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.

C. The exhortation. Heb. 12:1-2

1. With this great cloud of witnesses who had persevered looking on, we are exhorted to run with patience.

2. This race is not a sprint, but it is a long distance run that must be endured.

3. We must not quit - we must persevere - we must cast off every weight.

II. Hindrances to Our Perseverance.

A. Indwelling sin. cf Heb. 12:1-2

1. "...the sin that so easily beset us..."

2. The word beset means entangles.

3. All sin entangles us and hinders our running.

4. Therefore, it must be put away, not hid away!

B. Sluggishness. cf Heb. 12: 3-4

1. They had been running a good race but they discovered that the race wasn’t nearly over and there were many miles yet to go.

2. As a result they began to be discouraged and slowed.

3. Two forms of sluggishness are noted:

a. Growing weary: they looked at the obstacles rather than the finish line.

b. Losing heart: they lost their desire to finish the race.

C. Chastisement. cf Heb. 12:5-11

1. A misunderstanding of God’s chastising hand can cause us to give up.

2. The natural reaction - motivated by the flesh - is seen in our children.

a. How many times has a little one cried out, "you don’t love me!"

b. Or along the same lines, "I don’t love you anymore!"

c. Many times Christians react in a similar manner toward God.

3. The proper reaction should be to realize that God has our best interest at heart.

4. To accept it as correction from a loving Father whose desire is that we become more like Him.

III. The Encouragement to Persevere.

A. Three considerations which are foundational.

1. The race they are to run is marked out for them in the Word of God.

2. The race has been run by others. cf Heb. 12:1

3. The race has been run by Christ. cf Heb. 12:3

B. We must never lose sight of our goal - Jesus Christ.

1. Remember "spiritual maturity" means becoming more and more like Christ.

2. But more than that, we must "consider Him".

3. That means we must look at our own lives in the light of Christ’s experience.

Are we running patiently? Are we committed to the long haul? Do we have our eyes fixed upon the right goal? There are no short cuts to spiritual maturity, we must be determined to stay in the race until we reach the finish line, or until we are called home!