The Epistle To The Hebrews - Executable Outlines

2) We’ve seen warnings against unbelief - He 3:12-13
3) When one no longer believes, the race is lost! - cf. He 10:26-39
Mark A. Copeland
[With a full assurance of faith, and with every hindrance laid aside, we can “Run The Race Of Faith”
as God intended. But as we comprehend the true nature of the “course” set before us, we can appreciate
the need for the element of endurance...]
II. WE NEED TO HAVE ENDURANCE (1)
A. THE RACE OF FAITH IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT...
1. It does not require one quick burst of energy, in which the race is soon over
2. This “race” requires a sustained effort over a long period of time
B. ENDURANCE IS A NECESSARY QUALITY...
1. Jesus often taught His disciples concerning the need for endurance (i.e., patience)
a. In the parable of The Sower - Lk 8:12
a. In preparing the disciples for the Limited Commission - Mt 10:22
b. In His discourse on the Mount of Olives - Mt 24:13
2. The writer to the Hebrews had stressed this virtue earlier
a. In which he appealed to the example of Abraham - He 6:11-15
b. In which he quoted from the passage in Habakkuk - He 10:36-39
3. We can develop such patience with the help of the Scriptures - Ro 15:4
a. As we read of the faithfulness of God Who fulfills His promises
b. As we read of the ultimate end of those persevered in faithfulness
[Paul wrote that eternal life would be given “to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for
glory, honor, and immortality” (Ro 2:7). Therefore, endurance is required for successfully running this
“race of faith”! Equally important is where we have our mind focused as we run the race...]
III. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON JESUS (2-3)
A. WE MUST “LOOK UNTO JESUS”...
1. Our focus must be upon the Lord as we “run the race”
a. We might “glance” at others (cf. He 11)
b. But we are to “gaze” upon the Lord Savior (Believers’ Study Bible)
c. As suggested by this “Formula For Spiritual Success”:
1) If you want to be distressed -- look within
2) If you want to be defeated -- look back
3) If you want to be distracted -- look around
4) If you want to be dismayed -- look ahead
5) If you want to be delivered -- look up! - cf. Co 3:1-2
2. For Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith” - cf. He 2:10
a. He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega - Re 1:
8,11
b. He has blazed the trail for us...
1) By having run the race Himself
a) As a forerunner He has entered the heavenly sanctuary - He 6:19-20
b) He has opened a “new and living way” for us - He 10:20
2) And now He helps us to finish it ourselves - cf. He 7:25
Sermons From Hebrews 96