April 17th, 2000 Kelly ran the 104th Boston Marathon w/16,000 others. I found it interesting that for most, running it wasn’t about winning the Boston (only maybe a few dozen are real hopefuls), it was all about “finishingthe race&winningtheir ownpersonal race”.
It was about doing what they set out to do.
The Key was stayinginthe race…all the way to the end. And, doing their best…all along the way. [Runners call it their P.B.]
Scene change in Hebrews - Our focus is now brought to a sports stadium where a distancemarathon is being run. * Read Text
The Runners = the readers of this epistle (including us) who run this grueling race.
The Race = life itself [ps: it’s not a 100yr. dash]
The Goal = the end of life, whether it be death or the rapture.
The Venue = a great stadium.
The Crowd = many witnesses (including ch.11 saints & Jesus). The spiritual athletes of the past (Gold medal winners).
We gain Inspiration & Motivation from the saints of old, through their dedication & perspiration.
These witnesses bear testimony the race can be run successfully & the rewards are great.
Unlike the end of Kelly’s race where, being 1 of the coldest Boston races ever, I let down my wife more then ever, we couldn’t get over to her. Where were you? [she was bluer than a Smurf]
I wish I had it to do over again.
See, theEnd of the race in heaven is the best (we will be greeted w/a warm blanket, kiss & hugs, from Jesus Himself)
LET US LAY ASIDE(1a)
With all these guys watching don’t you want to run well? Finish strong?
Picture them along the last mile with their encouragements.
Example: At Boston (diff. groups, wheel chair competition)
“You can do it!” “You’re going to make it!” “Strong kick!”
What would they be yelling to you in your spiritual race if you could hear them today?
“Get off your...couch!” “Don’t just sit there!” “Quit looking back!”
See, salvation is free, but seeing God’s glory will cost you everything.
EVERY SIN
It must be cast aside immediately upon recognition, as it springs from its ambush to entrap.
Ensnares – Picture the Venus Fly-trap…
As the fly lands, the plants sticky hair-like fingers touch its wings. The more the fly struggles to be set free it only gets more coated w/the sticky substance. Then the leaf closes in 1 second…then the next few hours its life is sucked out of him. In the end what is left is only its empty dry carcass.
And so our end if we play with sin in our lives.
Remember, what might be a vice for one, might not be even a temptation to another.
To 1 it might be sensuality, to another jealousy. (Dishonesty, temper, covetousness, criticism, laziness, hatred, lust, Pride)
Which is your Achilles’ heel?
However, not every weight/hindrance is sin…
EVERY WEIGHT
A hindrance is something, otherwise good, that weighs you down spiritually.
It could be: a friendship, an association, an event, a place, a habit, a pleasure,an entertainment, an honor.
Is there a place you need to stay away from? Because of your past sins acquainted w/it. Is there a person you need to stay away from? Because of your past relationship w/them.
He is speaking of what is unnecessary/nonessential. One cannot run well in an overcoat, tuxedo,orin skinny jeans.(...you needDolphin shorts, ha!)
An athlete in ancient times would lay aside unnecessary weight 2 ways:
By removing his extra flesh (bulk, mass, fat)
He would also remove all of his clothes (maybe Dolphins aren’t that bad)
Each runner must honestly decide what is unessential or excessive.
Unfortunately, many denominations would be happy to come up w/that list for you.
In this world we have legitimate pleasures. Ravi described it as, “Alegitimate pleasureissomething that refreshes along the journey w/o distracting from your ultimate goal.”
This is different from running with your car keys, can of pepper spray, cell phone.
Again, what is clearly sin allows of no individual choice, but here we are to consider unnecessary baggage.
Robot Camel Jockey’s (a weight issue). I thought this was hilarious.
I learned camel racing has been a tradition in Arab countries for 1000’s of years. Then I learned there has been some 5-40,000 children trafficked to be camel jockeys as young as 2 yrs old, best age & weight? 4 yrs old! (starved to be as light as possible) UAE 1st to outlaw this, started using robots. [I’m so glad theylaid aside this weight/stolen children]
Kelly said at the beginning of the Boston there was a bunch of free food in their tent where they waited for the start (bagels, cream cheese, fruit, etc.) & She said the people were pigging out! [she never eats before she runs]
What is impeding your running? What is slowing you down? What is getting in the way of your Christian faith-race?
The mundane, not making the time for intimacy w/God, priorities, busyness, lack of contentment of God, fast pace culture, working too much, or playing too hard, peer pressure, ambition of other things, hobbies, laziness, pre-occupied w/figuring out your future? [Away with it! (shake it into the fire)]
LET US RUN(1b)
WITH ENDURANCE
Run with perseverance -in 1981 Bill Broadhurst entered the Pepsi challenge 10,000m race inOmaha, Nebraska. Surgery 10 years earlier for an aneurysm in the brain had left him paralyzed on his left side. Now, on that misty July morning, he stands with 1,200 lithe men and women at the starting line. The gun sounds! The crown surges forward. Bill throws his stiff left leg forward, pivots on it as his foot hits the ground. Its slow plop – plop – plop rhythm seems to mock him as the pack races into the distance. Sweat rolls Down his face, pain pierces his ankle, but he keeps going. Some of the runners complete the race in about 30 minutes, but 2 hours & 20 minutes later Bill reaches the finish line. A man approaches from a small group of remaining bystanders. Though exhausted, Bill recognizes him from pictures in the newspaper.
He isBill Rogers, the famous marathon runner, who then drapes his newly won metalaround Bill’s neck. Bill Broadhurst’s finish was as glorious as that of the worlds greatest – though he finished last. Why? Because he ran with perseverance. (Hughes, Hebrews, Vol.2, pg.160,161)
The race is not for sprinters who burn out after 200 meters.
It’s pushing through the pain where every muscles screams, “stop” “ok, that’senough”, “your fit now”.Andyou get to the other side where its now smooth running.
Verses 1-3
I learned camel racing has been a tradition in Arab countries for 1000’s of years. Then I learned there has been some 5-40,000 children trafficked to be camel jockeys as young as 2 yrs old, best age & weight? 4 yrs old! (starved to be as light as possible)
UAE 1st to outlaw this, started using robots. [I’m so glad they laid aside this weight/stolen children]
He is Bill Rogers, the famous marathon runner, who then drapes his newly won metal around Bill’s neck. Bill Broadhurst’s finish was as glorious as that of the worlds greatest – though he finished last. Why? Because he ran with perseverance. (Hughes, Hebrews, Vol.2, pg.160,161)