The Race Set Before Us Focusing on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Sermon on 23 August 2026 by Pastor Justin

Our faith is not anchored in circumstances, emotions, or human strength, but in the unchanging person and finished work of Christ. Christ mediated a better covenant for us. Jesus is the fulfilment of all the Old Testament history. Hebrew is to show the supremacy of Christ and He is the true fulfilment of the Old Testament history. The book of Hebrews urges believers to persevere in faith, hold firmly to their hope and draw near to God through Christ.

Hebrew 10:38 - “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.””

It is important for believers to hold fast.

Topics in the book of Hebrews:

1. Christology: Chapters 1-4 about the Majesty of Christ

2. Soteriology: Chapters 4-10 about the ministry of Christ

3. The superiority of the Christian walk of faith: Chapters 10-13 about the walk of faith

There are 5 solemn warnings about turning away from Christ.

1. Danger of neglect (Hebrews 2:3)

2. Danger of hardening the heart (Hebrews 3:12)

3. Danger of dullness of hearing (Hebrews 5:12)

4. Danger of drawing back (Hebrews 10:39)

5. Danger of refusing God (Hebrews 12:29)

All of us will run a unique race. We need to all focus on Christ. Some of us are running a race we cannot imagine. It is not a sprint but an entire Christian life race. We are in the race of faith. It is a marathon and not a sprint. We will meet with all kinds of situations.

Encouraging us to run life’s race with our eyes focused on Jesus. Christians are never called to fight one another or even the devil as the fight belongs to God. We are not supposed to fight the devil but to stand firm in the armour of God (Ephesians 6). Our eyes must focus on Jesus. Jesus fought the battle for us, finished the work on the Cross, and paid for our sins on the Cross. We must learn from Him. We continue to live in His presence.

2 Timothy 4:7 -  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 - “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

James 1:21 - “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Hebrews 11 talked about the heroes of faith. When we see the word race, it is about the Christian life. Imagine you are in a stadium surrounded with all the heroes in the past, like Abraham or Moses. They are all cheering for you and me in the race that God has appointed us. But we must lay aside every weight. The weight here can be habits, relationships, or ego, anything that stops you from spiritual progression. You must come with a meekness of heart before you run.

2 Corinthians 4:18 - “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

‭‭Philippians 2:8 - “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

When Jesus was hung on the Cross, He didn’t look at the Cross but us instead. Whatever we focus on will expand. When we look at Jesus, our faith will strengthen. Our trust in the Lord is complete. When we humble ourselves as low as we can, God will raise us up. Humility is the gateway to experience the presence of God. Run the race He set before us. Some of us may experience many obstacles. But God uses them to lift us up. We need to finish the race like what Apostle Paul said.

Isaiah 53:3 - “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

Galatians 6:9 - “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

The Jewish Christians were discouraged because of their beliefs. Jesus told them to consider Him. Even when we have done everything right, we may not receive the outcome we want. Continue to do good despite not getting validation. Christ is in us so that we can go out in His presence and preach His gospel. We can make disciples for Christ.

Romans 15:5-6 - “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

‭‭Our mind and mouth must be in unity. When we are spiritually fatigued or discouraged, maintain our faith, perseverance, and endurance. Even if your faith is little like a mustard seed, it will move mountains if your faith is genuine.

1. Lay aside every weight

Hebrews 12:1 - “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

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We must do this at every moment. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Actively identifying and removing obstacles in our lives through prayer that hinder our spiritual progress. Run the race with endurance by staying rooted in Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.

Colossians 3:8-10 - “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,”

‭‭Put away behaviours of the old life and put on the new self instead.

2. Fix your eyes on Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 - “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

‭‭Fixing our eyes on Jesus helps us in our daily walk of faith, especially during challenging times. We are nothing and He is everything. When we are empty, God becomes everything.

Philippians 2:5-11 - “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Focus daily on Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and intentional living in Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

3. Drawing strength from Christ’s endurance

Hebrews 12:3 - “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

True success depends on Christ. It is unlike material success in the world. There is no complete wholeness. Jesus’ endurance encourages us not to lose heart.

Romans 15:4 - “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”‭‭

We will inherit the promises. Faith and patience draws comfort from the word. When we need comforting words, other than godly Christians who comfort you, we go back to the word. Patience is also endurance. Patience is also waiting. Waiting is about alignment. We cannot wait and do nothing.

In trials, find strength in Christ and endure through His word. Jesus has overcome and world. With faith and patience, we inherit the promises of God.

Ephesians 6:10 - “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

‭‭Isaiah 41:10 - “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

‭How do we run this race in Christ?

1. Lay down your burdens

2. Eyes fixed on Jesus

3. Be empowered by Jesus’ example

4. Draw on the strength only Jesus provides

Press on, focused on Jesus, who strengths and leads us to joy.

Amen.